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Please compare the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 in two-wheel drive guises

Can you compare the BMW X3 sDrive and Audi Q5 with front-wheel drive?

Gerry Broder (Loughrea, Co.galway)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

I'm afraid we've not driven the X3 sDrive. For those not in the know, that's the rear-wheel drive version of the BMW. It's offered in Ireland in '18d' format only, which means a 143hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. It comes in manual and automatic guises and in SE or M Sport trim levels with on-the-road prices starting from €43,690.

Non-quattro Audi Q5s are powered by a 143hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine as well. While there are more trim levels offered (base, SE and S Line) this car can not be specified with an automatic transmission. On-the-road prices start from €41,760.

For the record, with a manual gearbox, both cars are in Band B2 for tax purposes though the X3 uses marginally less fuel on the combined consumption cycle (5.1- vs. 5.4 litres/100km) and it's a second quicker accelerating to 100km/h at 9.9 seconds.

Hope that helps in some way


Any problems with the 2008 Peugeot 307?

I am looking at a 2008 Peugeot 307 HDi 1.6 Sport with 70k miles on the clock; anything I should look out for? Any problems with this model?

Jack Doyle (Enniscorthy)

Jan 2013 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Jack,

The 1.6 HDi diesel engine is pretty good (although you have to keep an eye on the water and oil pumps, and make sure it gets a diet of high-quality oil at service time), but the Peugeot 307 itself always had a reputation for poor electrics and cheap cabins, so tread carefully. 


Fuel economy and price for a 2011 Focus?

What would be the average mpg and price be for a 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Sport?

Michael Keating (Clonmel, Co Tipperary)

Jan 2013 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

Average price for a 2011 Focus should be around the €8-9,000 mark depending on condition and history. The official fuel consumption for that model was 4.4 litres per 100km, or 64.2mpg. 


What pressure should my BMW M Sport tyres be set to?

I have recently upgraded my alloys on an F10 BMW 520d to 18-inch M Sport 245/45 R18 front and 275/40 R18 on the rear. Can you tell me what the correct tyre pressure should be?

William Neale (Dublin)

Jan 2013 Filed under: tyres

Expert answer

Hi William,

We've confirmed with BMW that it should be 2.2 bar on the front and 2.3 bar at the rear, though these details should be on a label visible when you open the driver's door - even for the different tyre sizes.

Hope that helps


Thoughts on the 2008 Kia Sportage?

What fuel consumption would a 2008 Kia Sportage get, and have you heard of any problems with this vehicle? Would you reccommend this vehicle above a Hyundai Tucson?

Teresa Glynn (Ennis)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

A 2008 Kia Sportage, with the 2.0 CRDi diesel engine, had official fuel consumption of 7.1 litres per 100km, or 39mpg. We’d expect one, now, to get around 30-35mpg in daily driving. As for choosing one over a Hyundai Tucson, well mechanically they’re identical, but we always slightly preferred the cleaner styling of that generation of Sportage. 


Can you help me find a new SUV?

What is the most economical new mid-range SUV on the market for a budget of €28,000?

Martina Mcinerney (Limerick)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

At that budget your main choices, sticking with diesel for fuel economy reasons, are the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX, Opel Mokka and Skoda Yeti.

We're assuming you don't need four-wheel drive (correct me if I'm wrong), as the front-wheel drive versions of each car are always the most economical.

Here's the most economical version of each:

- Hyundai ix35 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,495

- Kia Sportage 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,590

- Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 diesel: 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg): from €25,950

- Opel Mokka 1.7 diesel 2WD: 4.7 litres/100km (60.1mpg): from €24,695

- Skoda Yeti 1.6 TDI Greenline: 4.6 litres/100km (61.4mpg): from €25,320

We've left out smaller options as you specifically asked for mid-size.

The Skoda Yeti turns out to be the most economical of that lot and for us it would be between that and the Kia Sportage.

Best thing to do is go and test drive as many alternatives as you like the look of as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know how you get on and come back to us if you need anything else.


Mazda3 Sport or Toyota Auris diesel?

Hi, I'm changing my car and can't decide between a new Mazda3 Sport or Toyota Auris - both diesel. What would you recommend for the best fuel efficency?

I have a 2010 Mazda3 to trade in.

Caroline Gleeson (Ennis)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

As discussed via email, the new Auris is more refined and a little more economical than the Mazda, as it has a 1.4-litre diesel engine to the Mazda's 1.6-litre unit.

However, as you've discovered, you're likely to get a better deal on trade-in with a Mazda dealer and that is likely to decide things.

By all means test drive both and shop around with different Toyota and Mazda dealers. By any normal measure both cars are incredibly fuel efficient.

Let us know how you get on.


What car will I replace my Volkswagen Scirocco with?

Having recently been a victim of a car theft (they took my Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI), I am in the market for a new car. I am completely confused as to what to buy though; fuel economy is a major factor in my decision - the Scirocco was quite economical when driven correctly. I have been looking at Honda, both Accord and Civic though I am worried about the 2.2-litre engine size. Style is also a major factor and I have also viewed a Volvo C30 R-Design and Ford Focus 'WRC'.

Have a love of stylish hatches but not opposed to a change! Please help.

The insurance company will only give me €15,000 so that's my budget for now. I do about 30,000 kilometres a year so need something pretty economical, though I am single so practicality is not really a consideration.

Daniel English (Navan)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Daniel,

Sorry to hear about the Scirocco - that 2.0 TDI version is great.

A quick browse of Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind brought up a few interesting options:

- Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 - in Sport or S Line guises for maximum style - loads around
- BMW 118d M Sport - quite rare, but great to drive
- BMW 320d Coupé - you'd have to go pre-2008 with your budget, but current style at least
- Honda Civic Type S - 2.2 diesel is great and post-2008 is taxed according to emissions
- MINI Cooper D - loads around in all different colours at your budget

I've picked out the cars I reckon you'll like and I've left out things like the Volkswagen Golf and regular Ford Focus (among others).

What do you think?

Come back to us and let us know if we're on the right track.


Surely tax on a Volkswagen Polo Sport can't be €570?!

How much is the road tax on a 2009 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Sport auto petrol? One example is showing as €570 tax, which can't be right, can it?

Barry Charles (Dublin)

Jan 2013 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi there,

A rate of €570 per annum would put the car in Band D based on its emissions, which is 155- to 170g/km. Our initial investigations suggest that this car should have emissions of just 134g/km, which would put it in Band B2 for an annual tax bill of €280, however, that's for a newer car than you're talking about. The older one has emissions of 165g/km, which would indeed mean a €570 tax bill.

Hope that helps clear it up


Expensive to run a Mazda RX-8?

How are the Mazda RX-8s for fuel consumption and insurance since they are rotary engines?

Fuad Bennani (Castlebar)

Dec 2012 Filed under: running costs

Expert answer

Hi Fuad,

Hellish in both respects. The RX-8 is a terrific car, and was always one of our favourites, but they do suck fuel pretty badly. If you’re able to keep it above 25mpg on average, you’ll be doing well. Insurance is pricey because, even though the engine has a swept capacity of just 1.3 litres, it’s still a 190-230hp rear-drive sports car, and no insurer is going to be fooled by the engine capacity in this case. 


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