Volkswagen Jetta or Renault Fluence?
Which would you buy? 2011 Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 Dynamique (57,000 miles) for €10,000 or 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Comfortline 1.6 TDI 105 (41,000 miles) for €12,000?
John Cormack (Cork)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Go for the Jetta - it's nicer to drive, nicer looking (to my eyes, anyway) and better built, so it should be more reliable.
How much is my Volkswagen Passat worth?
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Passat tested until May 2016, 1.8 petrol. Heated seats 6 disc CD changer, four new tyres, Comfortline model. How much is it worth?
Martin Keegan (Meath)Oct 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Only around €1,500 I'm afraid.
Will the Skoda Yeti be affected by the Volkswagen recall?
Does the Skoda Yeti 110hp Outdoor have an EA189 engine?
David Venus (Meath)Oct 2015 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes it does. Post 152-registration it got an updated engine with a urea injection system so it won't be affected by the 'defeat device' software. Examples before that though are on the Volkswagen Group's recall list. Only way to check for sure is to put your registration into the special website, as described here.
When will Volkswagen Ireland launch Apple Car Play?
When will Volkswagen Ireland launch Apple Car Play on Composition Media stereo across its range? I have a Mk7 Golf with the second version of Composition Media and it says I need an activation code. I asked Volkswagen Ireland for a part number and the price is €250 including VAT, but it can't be ordered as it's not available in Ireland yet.
Is there any other way to find out a launch date for this feature?
Riccardo Macari (Drogheda)Oct 2015 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Riccardo,
We checked with Volkswagen Ireland and the official response was this: "CarPlay and Android Auto will not be available in Ireland until late 2015 or early 2016 at the earliest in combination with third party apps (e.g. Spotify, Facebook, etc.). This is currently being tested in combination with third party apps for the UK and other larger European markets but there is no set release date for Ireland yet."
Any updates coming for the Volkswagen up!?
How likely is it that the 1.0 TFSI engine from the Audi A1 will feature in the Volkswagen up! in the future do you reckon? Also, are there any rumblings on the grape vine of any facelift for the up!?
Niall Conneely (Galway)Sep 2015 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
It already kinda does - the 1.0 TFSI is a turbocharged version of the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine found in the up!. As for the likelihood of the up! getting the turbo version, don't hold your breath. We're still waiting for the sporty up! GT and there's little market interest in Ireland for a small hot hatch no matter how much a small band of enthusiasts might fervently wish for it. There is an update and facelift due but Volkswagen hasn't announced an ETA for it yet.
Has the Volkswagen 'twincharger' engine issues?
Hi,
Just read that the Volkswagen 1.4 turbo- and supercharged engines are giving problems. One UK Scirocco motorist says his Volkswagen dealer is replacing his engine. My Audi A3 is a 1.4 TSI. I think the new Audi A3 Saloon has the same engine. Have you any reports on the above ?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi F D,
There does seem to be an issue with the turbo- and supercharged engines involving the timing chain and it seems to be because Volkswagen tried to stretch the service intervals too far. Now, your A3 may not have that particular engine, depending on the year and the engine power. The lower power 122hp version of the 1.4 TSI didn't have a supercharger, just a turbo so is simpler and doesn't seem to suffer the same issues. The more recent 150hp version also does without the supercharger, so the best thing to do is not panic - if you're concerned about the car, take it to your dealer, have it inspected and maybe insist on a more frequent oil change.
Is the Audi A3 Saloon affected by the Volkswagen scandal?
Hi, great site.
Is the 2014 model year 1.6 TDI Audi A3 Saloon affected by the Volkswagen fallout?
Thank you.
Charles O'Donovan (Parteen)Expert answer
Hi Charles,
I assume you mean this Volkswagen story. At this stage we have been told that it only affects certain cars powered by the 2.0-litre TDI engine, but not all of them. So, going by current information, the 2014 model year 1.6 TDI Audi A3 Saloon is not effected. Keep an eye on our news page and social media feeds however, as we expect more news to emerge in the coming days.
Kind regards
I want a fast car for under €20,000!
Could you suggest the best car for under €20,000 that is less than 10 years old AND can do 0-100km/h in less than six seconds?
John Walsh (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The critical question here is how much road tax and insurance pain are you willing to take? An early 2000s Porsche 911 will crack 5.3 seconds 0-100km/h all day long but you'll pay through the nose for tax, disc and servicing. And never, ever buy one without a full Porsche or Porsche Specialist service history.
Most Mercedes-AMG models from the same era will do similar but again the same caveats on servicing and running costs apply.
A BMW M3 Evolution will do 5.5 seconds, but watch for ones that have been badly fiddled with or modified.
Probably better would be a Ford Focus RS or a Volkswagen Golf R or R32. Both are pretty rugged in the reliability stakes but again you have to be wary of cars that have been modified or altered from standard.
However, possibly the best bet is a Honda S2000. As long as you don't need back seats it's a fantastic thing to drive, will do 6.0 seconds 0-100km/h and it's rock solid in reliability terms. Loads around well within your price band but again watch carefully for badly done modifications or cars that haven't been cared for.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI?
How reliable is the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI?
Michael Slye (Carlow)Sep 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Very, but listen carefully for any worrying knocks or clonks coming from the steering or suspension and insist on a full service history.
Which MPV will I replace our BMW 3 Series with?
Hi Shane & team,
We're looking at trading in again. You helped us source our last car four years ago. We really like our curent 2006 BMW 318, but for the last nine months to a year we've been pouring money into for what feels like constant repairs and the car tax is crippling too. We've now come to the realisation that we need to move to seven-seat territory for these and family reasons. Today we saw and drove both of these cars:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/grand-scenic/used-2010-renault-grand-scenic-1-dublin-fpa-200914374138165780 http://www.cbg.ie/citroen-c4-grand-picasso-1.6-2008-dublin-diesel-silver-mpv
The Renault felt more car like to drive and I wasn't wild about the delay in the Citroen semi-automatic gearbox. For the Renault they've said the cost to change is €6,500 and just under €7,000 for the Citroen. The Renault, being a 2010 model, is almost seems too good to be true. Can you give me any advice on these? Is the Renault a good buy? Is it reliable or will it swallow money on repairs as our current car is? Are there any others you would recommend? We really don't want to spend more than €6k-ish.
Thanks
Enda
Enda Lowry (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
I'd tread carefully here. If you don't like the semi-auto box on the Citroen then just let it go - it's not going to get any better and it'll bug you for the rest of your time with the car.
As for the Renault, I'm just not confident predicting reliability. Generally, Renaults are now a lot better built than they used to be, but long-term they can still be a bit shaky. Also, the reason it's a high-spec 2010 model for such a small price is because Renaults depreciate faster than snow in summer.
So, I think you might need to shop around a bit and buy something on the basis of reliability and condition rather than year. Have a look at the likes of a Ford S-Max, Toyota Verso, Volkswagen Touran or, if six seats rather than seven will do the trick, a Honda FR-V. You might need to go back to a 2008 or 2009 model to get one within budget, but buy with a full service history and keep the maintenance up and any of those should give you long and hopefully reliable service.
Last, but not least, Shane, our Editor, is in the same position as you right now and he has homed in on the Mazda5, which has an exceptional reliability record.