Which new car for 10,000km a year?
I have a BMW 520i (manual, petrol) since 1998 and it has served me well. I am considering changing to a new car and am thinking about the following: BMW 3 Series GT, Lexus IS or the Volvo V40. I have driven my wife's car, a 2011 Toyota Prius 1.8 and like the automatic. I am keen on having a rear camera and parking sensors, plus Bluetooth, leather upholstery, satnav, metallic paint, cruise control and climate control. I do about 10,000km per year.
Can you please advise what you would think might suit my needs.
Regards
Pat Rice
Patrick Rice (Greystones)Jun 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
With that kind of criteria, and if you’ve driven your wife’s Prius and liked it, I’m minded to recommend the Lexus. The hybrid systems are related (although of course the Lexus is considerably more powerful and sporty), it’s well-equipped (most of what you want is on the standard equipment list) and with mileage of 10,000km a year, it should be just about ideal. Plus, it’s unbreakably reliable.
Here are a few reviews that might interest you:
2007 BMW 520d or 2008 320d Coupe?
Hi,
I'm planning to purchase either a 2007 BMW 520d M Sport automatic (M47 engine) or a 2008 BMW 320d Coupe automatic (N47 engine). I've heard the N47 engine is prone to timing chain issues. Does that only occur when it reaches high mileage? Or overall is the 520d a much better car because I just need some pros and cons before I buy either one.
Sandra.
Sandra Fairbrother (Dublin)Jun 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
Yes, the N47 diesel certainly had its share of troubles with that timing chain, and sadly it’s not as simple as getting it changed at a specific mileage. It’s an engine-out job to change, and they can go without warning.
Because of that, if nothing else, we’d steer you to the 520d with the older engine, but also that’s a genuinely fantastic car, especially with the M Sport body kit - and hugely entertaining to drive. Plus it’s more practical and comfortable than the 3 Series Coupe. Just make certain that it comes with a full service history.
Would it make sense to buy an old model petrol Kia Sportage?
Would it make sense to buy an old model 2010 Kia Sportage 2.0-litre petrol with less than 20,000 kilometres on the clock? Asking price is €13,000. What kind of mpg should I expect (most of my driving is out of town)?
Patrick Glen (Dublin)Jun 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
The official fuel figure for the Sportage petrol model of that era was 27mpg, but we'd expect you will probably do a little lower than that, most likely around 25mpg. It's not terrible, and you have to play that off agains the extra that a diesel model would cost, but it's not exactly economical. Then again, with a bit of practice and technique, you may be able to do better.
Other than that, it makes entirely good sense. Sportages are rugged and pleasant to drive and very practical too. One thing; the price seems a touch high, although that could have to do with there being a dearth of good 2009-2010 used cars around in general, as well as the very low mileage.
Have you reviewed the Jaguar XF?
Have you got a review of the Jaguar XF? I'm interested in the fuel consumption of the diesel model in particular.
Diarmuid Drennan (Lisdoonvarna)Expert answer
Hi Diarmuid,
On the site we have a full test of the XF Sportbrake estate here, powered by the diesel engine. I never added in the average economy figure as my driving that week was mostly in an urban setting. For the record, it used about 9.0 litres/100km (31.4mpg). It should do a lot better on the motorway.
Is that of help?
How economical is the BMW X3?
Can you tell me how economical the BMW X3 is in diesel, four-wheel drive (xDrive) guise?
Patsy Whelan (Carlow)Expert answer
Hi Patsy,
BMW offers three different diesel engines with xDrive four-wheel drive in the X3, the xDrive20d, xDrive30d and xDrive35d. The xDrive20d can be had with a manual or automatic gearbox and the official figure is 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km) no matter which transmission is fitted. The xDrive30d and xDrive35d are only available with automatic gearboxes and the official fuel economy figures are 47.1mpg and 46.3mpg respectively (6.0- and 6.1 litres/100km).
Those figures won't be obtainable in the real-world, obviously! We spent time with the xDrive20d during snowy conditions a few years back (read the full review here) and averaged 34mpg (8.3 litres/100km), though in normal conditions it should do a lot better than that. We also tested the xDrive30d (read that full review here), though apologies, but I didn't record the average fuel consumption figure at the time...
How reliable are Chevrolet Lacettis?
How reliable are Chevrolet Lacettis? Or Kalos, or just Chevrolets in general please? Torn between those and a Nissan Almera/Mitsubishi Lancer, but want the most reliable. All advice welcomed. Thanks
Patrick Sweeney (Dublin)May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Generally Chevriolet Lacettis (and Chevrolets in general) are pretty solidly built, but they're a long, long way from being the most inspiring car around. Essentially, they're cheap, cheerless but solid transport, just as they were when they were still badged as Daewoos.
As for choosing between an Almera and a Lancer, we'd go for the Almera simply because it has a (slightly) nicer interior and is (slightly) nicer to drive.
Hope that helps
What's a Volkswagen Passat Sport?
What's the difference between a Volkswagen Passat and a Volkswagen Passat Sport? I have a Passat Sport and there don't seem to be many in Ireland. My car is a TSI 1.4 by the way.
Alan Brady (Tallaght, Dublin)May 2013 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
The Sport only has minor trim differences on the Passat — it’s not a separate model, just a slightly sportier-looking body kit and some extra equipment on the inside. Essentially, there’s no difference at all.
View on the 2008 Saab 9-3 1.8t?
What is your view on the 2008 Saab 9-3 1.8t Linear Sport?
Ger Cuddy (Laois)May 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Ger,
We always did have a big soft spot for Saabs in general, but the sad fact is that the last-gen 9-3 was neither a great car in and of itself, nor especially reliable. The 1.8t petrol engine was, at least, a little better than the diesel options in terms of reliability, but it’s probably going to be troublesome. Definitely don’t buy one that doesn’t have a full service history, and don’t pay too much for it either. I reckon €4,000 would be top value.
BMW 530d or 520d?
Hi,
Thinking of buying a 07/08 BMW 530d M Sport with 60,000 approx. miles. Have been given all negative reasons why I should not buy a 530d over a 520d. Too thirsty! Tax too high! Repairs very high! Whereas on blogs from UK guys are saying they would choose a 530d over a 520d anytime.
Any advice?
Aidan Richardson (Dublin)May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
Go for the 530d. The engine is actually rather more robust than the 520d’s (although it definitely will cost more if anything does go wrong) and while you will pay a chunk more tax and fuel, you’re getting a much better car with exceptional performance and refinement.
Am I mad changing 2012 Golf for older BMW?
I'm driving a 2012 MK6 Volkswagen Golf Edition R (1.2 TSI). While I like a lot of things about the car I am increasingly frustrated by the significant understeer, lack of steering feel in general and the poor seats. I am thinking of changing to a BMW 3 Series M Sport (318d or 320d) around the 2009 or 2010 mark, using this as a trade in. I do very low mileage but I don't mind spending a bit more. Am I mad? I have a bit of a mental block changing from a 12 reg downwards.
Eoin S (Dublin)May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
OK, first off you're not mad and an M Sport spec BMW 318d or 320d is just about as perfect a car as you'll find. Mind you, test drive carefully before you buy as the M Sport suspension can be pretty stiff and unforgiving on certain roads, and the steering, while more incisive than what you'd get in the Golf, can also be a bit heavy and fake-feeling.
That said, there are things you can do to make your Golf drive with a little more sharpness and the first place I'd start is with the tyres. Most, if not all, cars these days come with high-efficiency low rolling resistance tyres that are there to maximise fuel economy, but don't do much for steering feel or handling prowess. So why not swap the boots for something a little more aggressive? A set of Pirelli P-Zeros or Michelin Pilot tyres might just make all the difference, so it's worth a try if nothing else.
You could also look at modifying the suspension to dial out that understeer, but we'd recommend you seek professional mechanical advice before going down that road.
Let us know what you do in any case.