Expert answer

Hi Ann,

Our writer Kyle Fortune drove the new ML 250 CDI so I've passed the question to him for answering. This is what he said:

"The base 250 CDI engine in the ML is actually a 2.1-litre turbodiesel mated to a seven-speed automatic to best make use of the engine's torque and power spread. It works relatively well too, so long as you remember you're shifting quite a lot of bulk without masses of power. That said it's got a sizeable 500Nm of torque generated low in the rev range, so the ML 250 CDI is rapid enough in town traffic. It's only out of town - on a motorway slip road when you push it - that you'll perhaps be a bit underwhelmed by the performance. It's all about expectations though, and really, it's a credible performer.

As to the BMW? It's difficult to comment on a car that doesn't exist, but experience of BMW's small capacity turbodiesels does suggest that they typically over deliver on expectations - the 520d for example feels very rapid given its size and weight. How that will translate to the bigger, weightier X5 is questionable, though BMW is unlikely to release a product that's not at the top of its game. We've not heard anything about a 2.5d X5 (officially or not), but it's quite possible given the prevailing economic climate and the ever tightening quest for economy. Downsizing is common so it stands to reason that BMW might be considering it for the X5."

Feel free to come back to us if you would like to know more.

Expert answer

Hi Abdullah,

It's not the usual kind of question we get and obviously you should only do such things on a private piece of land! Assuming you've properly disengaged the traction control (you have to hold down the button for 10 seconds), put the transmission into manual control so you change gears with the paddles behind the steering wheel. Drifting is all about the initiation and without a mechanical handbrake or clutch you'll need a combination of power and momentum (depending on the model you have).

Until you're comfortable with it, it's best to start off slow. Approach the bend, brake so that the weight transfers to the front tyres, release the brakes and start to turn. As soon as you do, get on the throttle and be ready to feather it and add some opposite lock. You will need to be in a low enough gear for the engine's torque to overcome the rear tyres, but not so low that you run out of revs early.

This is only one way of doing it. There's no substitute for practice, so get yourself along to a Mondello Park test day and experiment in a safe environment - and never practise on the public road.

Final word: don't expect to be able to drift for very long if you have a diesel XF. Most diesel cars have a very narrow power band that makes them tricky at the best of times.

Have fun...

Expert answer

Hi Anna,

As you're doing double the average annual mileage, and it's on motorway, we'd thoroughly recommend the diesel. It should save you a fortune on fuel, though of course you'll have to pay more in annual road tax. The downside is that you're likely to find that the 2.0-litre diesels within your budget have high mileage on them already. Seek out one with a perfect service history and as low a mileage as possible - and get it verified by Cartell.ie.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Mick,

The 1.6-litre TDI engine has 105hp, which doesn't sound like much, but it's the engine's torque that matters more in the real world, and this Passat has 250Nm from just 1,500rpm. It's more than enough for the Passat in most circumstances and as all the performance is low down in the rev range you don't really change down to overtake.

Saying all that, if you plan on towing or you drive with a full car regularly you'll appreciate the extra power of the 2.0 TDI engines, but most people will find the 1.6 perfectly acceptable.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Ashlene,

In the past the Toyota might have been the automatic choice, but Kia has come on leaps and bounds. Toyota still has the reputation for longevity and troublefree motoring, but Kia is catching up, and its seven-year warranty is real peace of mind for a new car buyer.

Looking at the price lists (of the five-door models - the best-sellers), the Rio is available as a 1.25 petrol model for €15,550 to €16,775 or a 1.4-litre diesel for €18,190. They are all in Band A for tax with emissions of less than 120g/km.

The Toyota Yaris can be had with 1.0- or 1.33-litre petrol engines and a 1.4-litre diesel. Toyota offers far more trim levels, and pricing varies from €15,585 (1.0 Terra) to €19,725 (1.33 Sol). All versions appear to be in Band A as well.

Unless you plan on travelling more than say 12,000 kilometres a year it's best to stick with the petrol versions. The 1.0-litre Toyota is the most efficient, but not by much and the Kia 1.25 engine and Toyota 1.33-litre are largely comparable, though the Yaris engine has a little more go in it.

Kia is more generous with its equipment, but only a bit, and there are more Toyota trim levels to choose from so you can tailor your needs. We'd urge you not to go for the entry-level versions of either though (LX and Terra respectively), as the step up to the next model is well worth it for what you get.

So that's the overview. In terms of our personal opinions we prefer the Kia Rio. It feels and looks more substantial and it drives well. Best bet is to go to a Kia and Toyota dealer and try them both out for yourself.

Let us know how you get on.

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 Rory,

I'm sure you're aware that your budget will get you any number of relatively new regular cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, along with bigger models like the Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis.

However, given your current choice of car I'd suspect that you'd like to retain the elevated driving position and your mileage dictates a diesel engine. Most cars can take a tow bar and you don't have heavy towing needs so that's not a major consideration. Likewise, all SUVs etc. will have room for your golf clubs.

So the logical choices based on all that include:

BMW X3: Good diesel engine, spacious, but your budget may only get you an older example.

Citroen C-Crosser: Great 2.2-litre diesel engine; rest of car built on Mitsubishi mechanicals.

Honda CR-V: Bomb-proof reliability, but again may have to settle for older example.

Hyundai Santa Fe: Big and comfortable, though running costs higher than smaller SUV.

Mitsubishi Outlander: Spacious, well made, ok diesel, if loud.

Nissan X-Trail: Strangely forgotten, but plenty around at this price.

Peugeot 4007: Shares its engine and underpinnings with the Citroen above.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: Very reliable.

Toyota RAV4: Another with impressive reliability. Possibly the choice of the lot at this price.

There are loads of older, bigger SUVs for sale at that price too, but they'll cost you more to run for no real benefit.

If you're willing to change body styles completely it's worth checking out something like a BMW 120d Coupé or a diesel 3 Series Coupé. There are also plenty of great estates on the market for that budget, including the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring. I know you don't need that space for a family, but it's useful for a lot of other things.

Come back to us with more information and we'll help to narrow your search further.

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

Before talking about the Renault Fluence specifically, diesel cars in general are better when used on longer trips regularly - for the DPF and other components. We're not aware of any problems with Renault's DPFs in particular.

We asked Renault Ireland about the differences between the 90- and 110hp Fluences and they essentially said that most people are more concerned with saving money, so the 90hp option is, as you've discovered, the best-seller. Here's Renault's statement:

"Both the 90- and 110hp Fluences are great value. It depends on the usage of the car by the customer. €700 can be sometimes hard to upsell these days so dealers prefer to offer the best value, which is the 90hp. It's the customer's choice, and down to what they want to purchase.

Both engines are in Band A and theyare under the same servicing/maintenance programme. For the last point (DPF), this is not an issue on Fluence."

So essentially it comes down to whether you want the extra power. In our view whether it's worth it or not will depend on how often the car is full of people and luggage. In those situations you'll want the higher power output.

Hope that helps - come back to us if you want to discuss it further.

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 Jimmy,

We've done some ringing around for you based on extra information you provided us with (2010 Volvo S40 1.6 diesel). First of all, you can't do anything about different brands charging different amounts; that's a fact of life. We talked to several Volvo dealers around the country to compare pricing and they all quote similar amounts to the numbers you gave us. It seems expensive for the first service for sure, but at least you know it's standard across the network.

While we didn't ring every dealer in Ireland, we did get a quote from Bandon Motors (www.bandonmotors.com) that was much cheaper for the first service - though the same after that. Best bet is to ring all the Volvo dealers you are within easy driving distance of.

Of course, failing all that you could take the car to a non-Volvo garage, but I'm guessing you'd like the main dealer stamp in your service history.

Let us know how you get on.