My VW Transporter is vibrating...
Good day,
I am referring to a question sent in by Ken Maher (Ballyger, Co.Galway) on 16 March 2014. He asked about a 2004 VW Transporter that had a vibration at about 2,000rpm when under power/load. I am experiencing the exact same problem with my 2007 Transporter T5. Was there ever a reason other than the CV joints?
Derek Wormald (Queenstown)Mar 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
As ever, it's very difficult to assess such things from afar and we recommend finding a good mechanic to look at it. It could be the CV joints, but it could just be a wheel out of balance too, so best have it looked at.
What compact saloons are worth a look?
I love saloons (memories), but my wife says they are too big. What saloon, up to four years old, would look not much bigger than an Opel Astra hatchback?
Frank D (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Well, the good news is that there are plenty of mid-size saloons that are more or less the same size as an Astra — yes, they have a big boot slung out the back, but the difference in overall length is usually only a few centimetres. The best is probably the VW Jetta; it's plain looking, but good to drive and really well made. Ditto the Toyota Corolla. There’s a Ford Focus saloon too, and a really lovely Mazda3 saloon (which is actually nicer looking than the hatchback). There was also an Astra saloon, but to be honest it was a bit awkward looking if you ask me. If you do like the Astra hatch, though, it might be worth seeking one out. Here are a few relevant reviews to read:
Why is the 95hp Polo so much more?
I was thinking in buying a VW Polo. Since the 1.0 65hp and 75hp petrol models are fairly sluggish, it's the next one up I am interested in, the 1.0 95hp version. But the difference in price between the 75hp and 95hp model is a whopping €2,700 (€19,295 vs €21,995).
I checked the price in the UK and, sure enough, the differential between the same two models is under £900. What's going on here? How can Volkswagen justify the huge price difference in Ireland? I suspect it's to protect sales of the Golf, but then that argument should apply in the UK as well.
At any rate I won't be buying one now.
Kevin
KEVIN Deehan (Dublln)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
I must admit, you had us wondering... However, we took a detailed look at the UK and Ireland price lists and discovered that the 1.0 TSI 95hp engine is only offered in conjunction with a DSG automatic transmission here, whereas it can be had with a (cheaper) manual gearbox in the UK. That pretty much explains the large price jump.
Is the 1.4 TSI enough in the Passat, etc?
We have a 141 diesel Passat 2.0-litre and we want to change to a petrol VW, either a Tiguan or a Passat, but the engine size in both looks underpowered. What should we do?
Shevaun McDonnell (Rathmore, Co.Kerry)Jan 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shevaun,
Simple: ignore the engine size. The 1.4 TSI turbo petrol engine has 150hp and is totally at home and happy in either the Tiguan or the Passat. In fact, it’s arguably the best choice of engine in either car. Thanks to compact, low-pressure turbocharging, engine size is these days more or less irrelevant. Look at the power and torque figures instead.
Is a 1.0-litre engine ok for a family car?
Hi,
Just wondering if you have much knowledge or feedback on the new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines? We are looking for a good reliable family car, but ideally want to go with petrol based on our mileage and daily driving routes. However, I am slightly nervous that a 1.0-litre might lack power and be very noisy or "revy" on motorway drives when travelling at greater speed. The sales people say these turbo engines feel more like a 1.6-litre. But then they are trying to sell so would be great to get some independent feeling on them in your experience. Any in particular you would recommend as there are not as many petrol options in family cars.
Many thanks, Peter
Peter Hogan (Rathmore, Co.Kerry)Jan 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
In this instance, the sales people are being entirely truthful — the new 1.0-litre turbo engines are indeed equivalent to an old 1.6 or even 1.8 engine in the way they drive. You certainly won’t find them too ‘revvy’ on the motorway, as the small turbo increases low-down torque and makes the car feel very relaxed and easy to drive. Certainly that’s true for the Volkswagen Group, Ford, Honda and Renault-Nissan engines anyway. The best ones to go for, in our experience, are the VW Golf or Skoda Octavia (both using the same engine, of course), the Honda Civic (which should be the most reliable in the long term) and the Ford Focus (which can be a little on the thirsty side). Read our reviews below for more detail:
Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI review
Looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV...
I'm looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV, 1.6 to 1.7 diesel, Manual gearbox with cruise control. I'm not too bothered by my most other factors, other than a decent comfortable motorway drive with good fuel economy. Can you advise which are the most fuel efficient SUVs for motorway driving in Ireland within this range? Currently, I'm considering a Kia Sportage or Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson.
Thanks, Paul
Paul Keyes (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The Hyundai or Kia will be more efficient than the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda, but only just and at the expense of a considerable amount of performance — the Honda feels much brisker and is more comfortable than the other two as well. In that size range, it’s also well worth considering the VW Tiguan, especially the current-shape model, which is very frugal in 2.0-litre 115hp form. Some reviews below to help you decide:
Looking for a reliable family car...
We are looking for some good options for a really reliable family car. Nothing too big as parking in the car park my wife works in is a nightmare as it is very tight. We were looking at a 2014 Nissan Qashqai+2, a 2015 Kia cee'd Sportswagon and might look at the Skoda Octavia. Insignia looks good but it's a monster of a size.
The Qashqai+2 seems expensive for a 2014 model. Would it be a waste? We do mileage of about 11k to 12k a year. Are the cars we looked at above the best options or what others would you recommend and best engine to go for? We want a really good boot and rear seat space for young kids with ISOFIX seating.
Thanks
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
The problem with the Qashqai+2 is that it’s the older model Qashqai, which is nowhere near as sophisticated as the current model. Do you really need the seven seats? If not, then I think that the Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a much better bet — bigger boot than the Qashqai, comfier and better to drive and with that seven-year warranty for peace of mind. A cracking choice.
Also well worth looking at the Octavia Combi and the VW Golf Estate, but make sure you’re going for a petrol engine with that mileage — you won’t need a diesel. Actually, with that in mind, the Toyota Auris Hybrid Sport Tourer estate is also well worth a look. Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
How do Lexus cars do on resale value?
How would you rate resale value of Lexus cars compared to e.g. VW or Audi?
Elizabeth Regan (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Elizabeth,
Generally speaking, very good and improving all the time as more buyers start to seek out hybrid models. Lexus cars aren’t in as big demand new as the likes of Audi (Volkswagen isn’t really a Lexus competitor - think more BMW and Mercedes), but they’re popular in the second hand market because of their (justifiably) legendary reliability.
What to replace my Renault Scenic with?
I have an ageing Renault Scenic petrol automatic. Apart from poor mpg, it is brilliant - comfortable (I've fitted cruise control) with very good options for load carrying. What do I replace it with?
John Wiloughby (Stroud)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Well, there are lots of good options. If you still like MPVs and like Renaults then the new Scenic is a bit of a cracker. Very comfy, and you can get it with an impressive 115hp 1.2 petrol turbocharged engine that should be rather more economical than what you’ve been used to. And it comes with cruise control as standard now.
Other, similar models worth considering are the Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso, VW Touran, Kia Carens or the Toyota Verso. Here are our relevant reviews:
Which SUV to replace my Audi with?
Hi, I have a 2013 Audi 2.0 TDI S line Black Edition quattro with only 21k miles on the clock. I only purchased as an import last summer and love it. It’s my first premium car and enjoy the feeling that brings.
However, recently, I am wondering whether it’s right for me. I’m 6’4” in height and find getting in and out of it's low height a bit of chore. I also use it as main family car for two tall toddlers (three and two) for crèche runs etc. So space is quite tight. I’ve been considering replacing it with an SUV for the ride height, space, practicality and better fuel economy. Must be good to drive also. I would love to stay premium, but probably wouldn’t afford it in that category. Was looking at the Mazda CX-5 as a compromise or alternatively the new Peugeot 3008, Kia Sportage, Renault Kadjar or Nissan Qashqai. Annual mileage is roughly 10k km and budget is what I’d get for the Audi.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Seamus Hadrill (Dublin)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
You haven’t actually specified a model here, so I’m going to guess that it’s an A4. To be honest, you’re not going to get an awful lot more interior space by changing for something the size of a Qashqai, 3008, or Kadjar. A little, but not a huge amount extra in real terms — most of the extra space in those cars is in the boot. If you’re determined, then go for either the Kadjar (it has the biggest boot) or see if you can stretch the budget to the new-shape VW Tiguan. Here are reviews of the cars you've mentioned, too: