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Looking for a 2008 Audi A3 Sportback.

I'm trying to source an 2008 Audi A3 five-door diesel and having real difficulty. A lot seem to be imported from the UK.

Any advice?

Hilary Creedon (Cork)

Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Hilary,

We’ve found a good few for sale on Carzone, so try having a look here. As for UK imported cars, we wouldn’t be too worried about buying one, as long as you’ve thoroughly checked out the history with Cartell.ie and background of the car first.


Which of these models is most efficient?

What car is more fuel efficent: 2005 BMW 5 Series 2.2 petrol, 2005 BMW 5 Series 2.5 diesel or a 2007 Lexus IS 250 petrol - all automatics

Thanks

Sean McGeown (Dublin)

Apr 2013 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

According to the official figures, the comparison in terms of combined fuel economy is this: the 520i gets 28.8mpg, the 525d gets 36.2mpg and the Lexus IS 250 gets 31.0mpg. A clear win for the diesel 5 Series there, but it's worth remembering that these figures are taken from laboratory samples and you may have to knock off as much as 25% to get the real-world driving figure.

Hope that helps


Which family car is a good replacement for my Vectra?

What would the best car be to buy when doing about 35,000km per year? I've a 2006 Opel Vectra to trade in with about €16,000 to spend. There's 114,500km on the clock. It has to carry one child and two adults. Thanks in advance.

Catherine Anne Fahey (Tipperary)

Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

OK, so what you need here is something spacious (kids, even just the one, take up a heroic amount of space, as you know), something economical for all that annual mileage and something comfy so that your buttocks survive all that mileage. I think you should stay with the current rough size of car, as some of the best bargains can be found in the mid-size saloon segment.

First up is a Volkswagen Passat. Ideally, you'd get the 1.6 TDI BlueMotion version, a car in which we once managed to drive from Galway to Glasgow and back on one tank of fuel. Or, what about a Ford Mondeo? You'll easily get a 2.0 TDCi model for that money, and there are very few cars quite so comfy on a long journey. Even BMWs and Mercs can't always match the Mondeo for seat comfort.

Of course, if you fancy the high life, and are prepared to compromise on space a little, then there's the BMW 3 Series. You'll get a 320d or 318d for that kind of budget, but shop around to make sure you get one in a dark metallic, with leather and preferably an automatic gearbox.

Finally, there's the Mazda6. Bit of an unsung hero of this segment, it's brilliant to drive, spacious, good looking and you should be able to track one down with Mazda's excellent 2.2-litre diesel engine under the bonnet. Reliable as it gets, it should chomp through your annual mileage with nary a worry. Find the even more handsome estate version if you can.

Come back to us if you need help narrowing this down.


When to change my Tucson's timing belt?

When should the timing belt be replaced in a 2006 Hyundai Tucson?

Brian O Connor (Portlaoise)

Apr 2013 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

For all the 2.0 CRDi diesel variants, whether it's 2WD or 4WD, the change interval is 120,000 kilometres or every eight years, whichever comes first. For the 2.0-litre petrol model it's 90,000km or six years, as is the ultra-rare 2.7-litre petrl version.


Are Volkswagen Golf Estates reliable?

Are Volkswagen Golf Estates reliable? I've heard they have electrical problems. The one I'm looking at is 2002 registered.

Thanks

Gavin Ward (Dublin)

Apr 2013 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Gavin,

Here's the checklist for a 2002 Volkswagen Golf (hatchback or Estate):

- Check that alloy wheels have had copper slip grease applied behind them at each service, or the alloy can react with the steel hub and cause corrosion.

- Make sure the headlamps are in good condition, as they're a bumper-off job to replace.

- The rear screen wash-wipe can leak and run into the lock, shorting out the alarm and central locking. The door locks in general can give trouble.

- Most Golf engines need a cambelt change every 40,000 miles (64,000 kilometres). Diesel engines tend to get through a lot of oil.

- Clutch release bearings can wear out easily leading to a hefty clutch action.

- Ignition coils can burn out.

- A whirring noise could be a water pump failure.

- Slow starting or engine management lights often mean a temp sensor has failed.

- A tapping noise on start up may mean you need a cylinder head rebuild.

- If the car has sluggish acceleration it could be a crank or camshaft sensor failure.

- And if there are any issues with any of the main instruments then he whole display has to come out and be replaced.

That's a long list, we know, but if the car you're looking at passes those tests then it's likely to be a good one.


Best used and affordable diesel car?

Which is the best used diesel car to buy within a reasonable budget?

Louanne Littley (Waterford)

Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Louanne,

It depends on a huge range of factors, including what kind of mileage you cover, what size of car you need and what you deem a reasonable budget. The standard answer to all motoring queries might be appropriate here: buy a Golf. 


Is a high mileage auto Audi A4 ok?

What should I look out for when buying a 2008 Audi A4 automatic? It has 170,000km on the clock.

Simon Doocey (Waterford)

Apr 2013 Filed under: automatic

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

You've picked a car from a changeover year, but with that mileage I'm going to assume it's the older generation model you're talking about. If so, check the door handles for loose fit and make sure it has had a cambelt change at 130,000km. If it's a diesel make sure its oil has been regularly topped up (A4s seem to burn a lot), if it's the Multitronic auto then make sure the gearbox oil has been changed every 60,000 kilometres or so.

Other than that, engine sensors can fail and drop the car into creep-home mode, so make sure your test drive takes in a lot of different driving styles and speeds. Check the diesel particulate filter (drive for a steady 16 kilometres at 2,500rpm and if the DPF light on the dash doesn't go out then it needs replacing). Listen for noisy steering racks on full lock. A knocking noise from the front suspension could be a worn-out anti-roll bar too.

Hope that helps


How much is my Volkswagen Passat worth?

How much would my 2007 Volkswagen Passat Highline be worth now? It's 1.9 TDI (with red DI), leather interior, air conditioning, 6 CD changer and heated front seats. It has around 170,000 miles on the clock.

Pierce Bowen (Wexford)

Apr 2013 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Pierce,

Prices for 2007 Passat diesels are currently hovering between the €10,000 - €14,000 mark, so expect a bid of around €10,000 if you're trading in at a dealer. Mind you, the high mileage of your car will knock that back a bit more, so don't be surprised at bids of below €10,000.

Let us know how you get on.


What family car do you recommend?

Hi, what family car do you recommend for €6,000 budget and good resale value? I need this for only nine months.

Srinivas Rao (Dublin)

Apr 2013 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Srinivas,

It's a terrible cliche but you can't do much better in this market than to pick yourself up a good second hand Volkswagen Golf. It's spacious, comfy and reliable, and so long as you go for diesel and a dark or metallic paint job you should have no trouble moving it on again.

Hope that helps


Which diesel MPV would suit our family?

Could you recommend an economical diesel MPV or family car for a budget of around €10,000? Preferably to fit three car seats in the back, with a large boot space, low tax and suitable for country roads?

Thanks

Derek Mc (Newtownmountkennedy)

Apr 2013 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

We're assuming you mean large boot space when the rear-most seats are folded down when it comes to the seven-seat models, but come back to us if not. Seven-seat cars are your best/easiest option for fitting three car seats in.

The first car we found in the classifieds that might suit you is Citroen's C4 Picasso. It's a brilliant MPV and with a little negotiation you should be able to afford a 2008 model with the economical 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine. We're not big fans of the 'EGS' automatic gearbox, but give it a go and make that decision for yourself. The five-seat version (not called 'Grand') is good too if you can live with that many seats.

Ford's C-Max and S-Max are worth a look too. The latter is a good deal bigger, but the former is economical and well priced.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of the Opel Zafira, though we have readers who swear by them. There are loads on the market too so shop around for one that suits.

Others to look into might be the Toyota Corolla Verso and Volkswagen Sharan and Touran.

Let us know if you need help narrowing down the search.


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