Expert answer

Hi Niamh,

That's a nice problem to have. Thanks for sending the details of the cars to us via email.

In my opinion, the BMW is the better driver's car and more practical. However, the Mercedes is faster and much sportier looking. It also looks to be better equipped. Both are quite reliable in general, especially with low mileages, so I wouldn't worry about that unduly.

Maybe get a Cartell.ie car history check to verify the mileage and that there is no outstanding finance when you decide which you prefer.

It's imperative that you drive both cars yourself for as long as the seller allows you, as, no matter what we say, your preference is all that matter.

Now, onto money. A figure of €4,500 seems a little steep as a cost to change given the asking price of those cars and the estimated value of your own. I'd be tempted to offer €2,000 and see what they say. Don't be afraid to walk away, as there will be plenty of other cars like this. Also consider selling your car privately for a better price - if more hassle...

Come back to us if you need anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Eoin,

We contacted Volkswagen in relation to your question and 'officially' there does not seem to be a simple solution.

Thankfully there is the unofficial way of doing things and this is something we have experience with having swapped the sports seats in a Mk IV Golf for Recaros from the GTI. A quick search of a certain well-known online auction site reveals that Alcantara sports seats are available, but the shipping costs can prove prohibitive - unless you live near the seller of course.

Our advice would be to contact a large car dismantlers like http://www.traynors.co.uk/ or http://www.eddietorrensinternational.com and see if they have the parts you require. The actual fitting of the seats is just a case of undoing a few bolts and clips with the only problem you might encounter being the possibility of the airbag wiring loom not matching up. This is a simple fix for any auto electrician though and should not cost much to rectify.

We hope this helps.

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Suppliers of MINI accessories in Ireland appear to be few and far between we are afraid. The guys on miniclub.ie swear by a Ballincollig-based specialist called O'Leary's, but without a website we were not able to get any more information.

Thankfully the UK is swarming with MINI specialists with some offering original equipment at discounted prices while others specialise in aftermarket MINI parts. Here are a few examples:

www.minigenuineparts.co.uk

www.minisport2.com

www.minimaniauk.co.uk

mybeautifulmini.com

Hope that helps. Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Cian,

We don't profess to be van experts, so we put this question to Gerry Murphy, a jury member on the Irish Van of the Year panel. His response is:

"The Volkswagen Transporter is a popular choice and owners are generally very loyal to the brand so repeat purchases are common place. Buying a used van is a little more complicated than buying a used car. As with any commercial vehicle, what the van was used for previously will tell you a lot about it. Did it tow a trailer? Was it used in the construction industry - often carrying heavy loads - or was it used to deliver flowers or light goods around a city?

A close look at the interior and cargo area for wear and tear will tell you how the van was treated. Also, vans that are owned by private members of the public are often better treated than vans that come from a fleet. As with any vehicle check if it has a service history. This is essential.

As for the Transporter, you don't say what year it is but there are things to look out for. Check that the area around the turbocharger is dry and not showing any signs of leakage. Also look under the vehicle from the rear and check that there are no signs of damage to the coil springs especially if the van pulled a trailer in its previous life."

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Roger,

We put this one to Volkswagen Ireland. It was confirmed that Park Distance Control is available for the 2005 Passat saloon (B6), with part number "3C0 054 630". It includes a control unit, four sensors, a sound generator and connecting wires. Best bet is to contact your local Volkswagen dealer for a price. We believe the sensors can even be painted to match the colour of your car.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Michelle,

There's no simple answer to such questions. It will depend on the condition of your car, how much the seller of your next car wants the sale, etc. From a dealer's perspective that's quite high mileage. They may offer as low as €4,000. You're likely to get a better price selling it privately.

Best of luck

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

That's a lot of questions! Let's start with the Santa Fe. Your budget is likely to limit you to the last of the older generation. It's a tough piece of kit, but not great on the road in terms of comfort. It's reliable, though expensive enough to maintain. Early versions had clutch judder, but this should have been fixed in later versions with a new flywheel. We've not heard about diesel pump and injector trouble.

Given that budget we'd rather the Hyundai Tucson. There are plenty of them about and it's much nicer to drive on the road. Saying that, it's a good deal smaller than the Santa Fe. It's not as expensive to service however. It's the same story with the older Sportage, though we'd prefer the Tucson.

The RAV4 is a fine choice all-round. It's generally reliable and good on the road. I wouldn't be very worried about extra wear and tear in the driveline.

Don't forget about the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Suzuki Grand Vitara. All worth a closer look.

Has that helped you create a shortlist?

Expert answer

Hi Damien,

Personally I'd have the 1.5-litre diesel version. It drives well and returns good economy. If you don't do a lot of miles the 1.6-litre petrol model might still be worth taking a look at, especially if you get a good deal on it.

The Qashqai received a mid-life facelift in 2010, and it's worth getting the updated car if your budget stretches to it. Along with a mildly restyled face the interior got a few useful changes. You'll find both the old and new car were sold in 2010 though so make sure you know what you're looking at.

Good alternatives (depending on your budget of course) include the current shape Kia Sportage and the Skoda Yeti and the Peugeot 3008.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

For that budget we are assuming you are looking for a second-hand car. The Honda CR-V springs to mind, but the tax could be a little high for you as your budget will get you a pre-2008 version, which came with 2.0- and 2.2-litre engines. How about a five-door version of the Honda HR-V instead? We found this example on Carzone.ie and it looks the part. The 1.6-litre engine means it's not too much to tax either.

There are loads of Hyundai Santa Fes and the smaller Tucson around at that price too, though again their age and engine size might rule them out for you in terms of tax costs. Same story with the previous generation Kia Sportage.

Don't be tempted by older Land Rover Freelanders.

Another good option is the Suzuki Grand Vitara. A quick search showed that there are several 1.6-litre petrol versions with four-wheel drive within your budget, though most seem to be the less practical three-door body style, so you may need to look around to find a five-door example that suits your needs.

The Toyota RAV4 would be a great option, but keeping your tax bill down on a four-wheel drive version with five doors might be tricky. Recommeded though.

Hope all that helps. If you narrow down your search a little come back to us and we'll help you choose!

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

We have a preliminary price list:

BMW 316d: €34,180

BMW 318d: €37,160

BMW 320d: €38,710 (320d EfficientDynamics the same price)

BMW 320i: €37,710

BMW 328i: €42,450

BMW 335i: €56,800

Note that those are RRP prices, not on-the-road and it's 'from' in all cases. There'll be SE, ES, M Sport, Modern, Sport and Luxury trim levels.

Click here to read our first drive of the new BMW 320d.