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Hi Ian,

There are really only two options when it comes to S-Max engines and those are the 125hp 1.8 TDCi diesel and the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel in 140hp form. There was a 163hp version as well, but they're pretty thin on the ground and forget about the rarer than hen's molars 2.5-litre 212hp petrol version with the engine from the Focus ST; it was fantastic fun but nobody bought one as far as we can tell.

Now, originally both the 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines shared the same 164g/km CO₂ rating, which makes road tax a bit on the pricey side (€570 a year), but in 2010, Ford facelifted the S-Max, dropped the 1.8 TDCi and introduced an updated 2.0 diesel with emissions of 143g/km, making for a much more palatable €390 a year tax bill. So, that's the one we'd advise you go for and as long as you get either a Zetec or Titanium spec version, you'll get a reasonable amount of toys to keep you happy in the cabin.

Cracking car, the S-Max actually. Spacious but terrific to drive. Let us know how you get on.

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Hi Myles,

With that length of a daily commute, I'd reckon that you should definitely go for diesel and back in 2008 there was actually a choice of Focus diesels, with the run-out 1.8 TDCi and the incoming 1.6 TDCi both available. Both are excellent choices, with the 1.8 possibly having an edge on overall reliability (it's an older and more proven design) but the 1.6 having the edge in terms of fuel economy and emissions. Find a well-cared for example with full service history (those diesel injection systems are complex and need looking after) and you won't go wrong.

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Hi Tony,

OK, there are a couple of issues here. One is that a trawl of the Internet forums, especially in the UK, seems to indicate that there is a common problem on the N47 2.0-litre diesel engine whereby the timing chain can either fail or jump its sprockets. Either way, you're looking at an engine failure and a need for replacement. Not a trivial matter. 

However, BMW has not issued a recall or any specific advice in this area, which may indicate that there has not been a significant level of these incidents. It's easy to accuse a car company of ignoring a major problem but actually that's rarer than you'd think and it's all to easy to get into a froth of indignation from just reading complaints on the internet.

That being the case, we'd simply advise caution. There are some very good independent BMW specialists out there (such as http://www.bloomfieldgarage.ie/) and it might be worth getting in touch with them for more detailed advice.

Also, insist on full service history with these cars, paying particular attention to oil change intervals.

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Hi John,

No major problems, as you might expect, but there are a couple of niggles with the 1.4 D4-D engine, specifically related to cutting out or difficult starting. It's usually caused by a build up of salt or grime on a sensor wire in the air intake. Nothing too serious but worth keeping an eye on. 

Other than that, while the Corolla is hardly the most exciting car around, it's a solid, reliable, practical choice.

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Hi Helen,

The general rule of thumb for trade in values is to look at the forecourt price for an equivalent car and subtract around €1,000 to allow for the dealer's costs and profit margins. 

As for a valeting service, it would depend on where in the country you live, but a quick run through the good old Yellow Pages should turn up several in your area.

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Hi Carmel,

You haven’t given us a year, which makes valuing a bit vague, but assuming it’s a 2012 X-Trail, then the value is in the region of €10-12,000 - depending on condition and history.

Nissan X-Trail review

Expert answer

Hi Carmel,

They're not bad, but watch for intermittent electrical problems, especially the starter motor and alarm and locking mechanisms. The dual-mass flywheel on the diesel models can be problematic too, while the rain seals around the boot can occasionally channel water straight into the boot when you open it.

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Hi Paddy,

Well, with that kind of budget to shop with you're well into the price range for most compact 1.6 diesel hatchbacks, and I'm talking new (or nearly new if you're looking to maximise the bargain). 

So I'd recommend going for one of Volkswagen's new trio of compact cars, the Golf, Octavia or Leon (sadly the Audi A3 is probably out of your price range).  All three are excellent, solidly build and share the same frugal 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine. Of the three, I'd suggest going for the Leon as it gets you the best all round car, but the classiness of the Golf or the practicality of the Octavia are equally strong draws. Can't go wrong with any of them really.

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Hi Denis,

Both are excellent cars, but we'd go for the Octavia. It's more spacious by far and surely that's the whole point of having an estate. Cracking car.

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Hi Patrick,

We have a lot of experience with this car actually. Both Neil and I ran Exeo saloons as long term test cars for a while, and I also had the ST estate for nearly a year.

I definitely preferred the estate in terms of looks and though it had more space in the boot, the Exeo saloon isn't bad at all in that regard. You probably know that it's essentially a previous generation Audi A4, down to the interior switchgear and engines. That's no bad thing of course, as the Audi was a premium model at the time, though it does mean that the Exeo feels dated in places.

Nonetheless, it is solidly built and everything works well. The TDI diesel engines are well-proven and particularly satisfying when specified in conjunction with the CVT automatic gearbox. They're not the most refined engines on the market, but good performers and pretty economical too.

Note that rear legroom isn't all that great, though it was improved in the latest versions.

Overall, if you can get the Exeo for a good price then you're buying a dependable car that is below most people's radar.