Will I go for a petrol or diesel Golf?
Should I go for a 1.9 SE TDI diesel or 1.6 S petrol? Mainly short journeys <16 miles per day on country roads, but occasional (three times per annum) long motorway journeys > 200 miles What should I do?
Amanda Spivack (Cambridge)Nov 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Amanda,
I'm guessing you're looking at a Golf? I'd say go for the 1.6. It'll be cheaper to buy up front than the diesel and your longer trips really aren't all that long. Driven with a bit of care, that 1.6 should still get well over 40mpg.
Nissan Qashqai or Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel or Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9, both 2008?
Siobhan Warren (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Siobhan,
Although the Suzuki would probably just about shade it on outright reliability and toughness, I'd go for the Nissan. It's a much more sophisticated device.
I am looking at a 2010 Ford Focus Estate...
I am looking at a 2010 Ford Focus Estate 1.6 diesel; it has a full Ford service history but has 130,000 miles on the clock. What is a good price for this car and would I get much longer out of the engine? Am I mad thinking about a car with such high mileage?
Conal Mc Donald (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Conal,
You should be paying somewhere in the region of €8,500 for that one and I wouldn't worry about the mileage - as long as the service history is genuine, and as long as you stick to the servicing schedule yourself and always insist on proper, high-quality oil for that 1.6-litre diesel engine, you should be fine.
Is a high-mileage Ford Focus Estate ok?
I'm looking at a 2010 Ford Focus Estate 1.6 diesel with around 130,000 miles on the the clock. How much more do you think I'll get out of the engine? Am I mad buying a car with such high mileage?
Conal Mc Donald (Finglas/B)Nov 2015 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Conal,
It should be fine - that kind of mileage is no problem if the car has been properly looked after and the full service history would seem to suggest this. Just check and see what oil has been used at service time. That 1.6 diesel needs the correct oil to avoid issues.
Should I go diesel on a new car in 2016?
Hi guys,
I currently drive a 2011 1.4 TSI petrol Volkswagen Passat, which I am very happy with. I'm thinking of changing my car in 2016 and wondering if I should consider switching to a diesel Passat. I currently drive 32km every day to work, 16km each way, but this is done on the M50 so do you think it would be in my interests to switch?
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Nope, I'd stick with petrol. With that kind of mileage you're just not going to get the benefit from diesel. Check out the new Passat 1.4 TSI or, alternatively, the Ford Mondeo 1.5 EcoBoost, Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI or Mazda6 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol.
Will PCP work with higher mileages?
Hi there,
My beloved Alfa 1.9 JTDm 159's gearbox has gone and now needs to be replaced. Considering it is an 06 and has over 242,000 miles on the clock, it will need a clutch and DMF replacement as well. Is it worth it, and what diesel cars would be recommended for someone driving 35,000 miles a year? Are PCP options even feasible at that mileage?
Sad Dave in Kells
David Delaney (Kells)Oct 2015 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes they are - you can negotiate a higher mileage limit on a PCP but it means you'll reduce the guaranteed minimum future value so your monthly repayments will be a bit higher.
Mind you, I'd hate to see a gorgeous Alfa fall by the wayside. Get a quote for a replacement and see how much it is. There's always the new Alfa Giulia coming next year...
If you decide on a replacement though, the best mid-size diesel saloons around at the moment are (in no particular order) the Skoda Superb, the Mazda6, the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Mondeo.
A few relevant reviews:
Should I switch my Ford Focus for a diesel car?
Petrol or diesel? I am looking to change my 2005 Ford Focus 1.4 petrol to something similar. I am averaging 40,000 miles per year and wonder what would be a good option for me. The budget is approx €10k.
Shirley Mulcahy (Portlaoise)Oct 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shirley,
I think you need to be looking at diesel with that kind of mileage. A €10k budget would slot you nicely into a 2009 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CDTi (don't worry about the size: it's cheap to tax). It's ood to drive, massively spacious, economical and reliable.
There are also some Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDIs and Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4Ds around for this budget that are well worth looking at.
Do I need to change my Mondeo's timing belt?
Hi,
Our 2007 Ford Mondeo 2007 just passed its NCT, had a service, got a new battery etc. Just wondering (as I do not have a notion!) when I may need to get timing belt replaced? Seen a similar reply on a Mondeo but unsure if it is the same with our 07 saloon model.
Thanks,
Karen
KAREN MARIA O'MALLEY (DUBLIN 13)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
You've not mentioned the engine size, but assuming it's either the 1.8- or 2.2-litre TDCi diesel then the timing belt should be changed every 125,000 miles (just over 200,000km) or every 10 years.
What do you think of the 2005 BMW 1 Series?
I'm looking at a 2005 BMW 1 Series with 105,000km on the clock. Are these cars reliable and are they going to be dear to run? It's a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Any advice on the car?
Thank you
Karen Murphy (Dublin 10 )Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
If it's the 1.6 petrol you should be fine - it's the diesel engine that gives trouble on older BMWs. Have a good poke around it all the same and make sure it's been looked after properly. Make certain it has a full service history, and check for obvious signs of abuse like parking scrapes or battered alloy wheels.
Is there a timing belt in the Suzuki Liana?
Is there a timing belt in the 2006 Suzuki Liana?
Ber Ronnoc (Waterford)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ber,
It depends which engine you have under the bonnet. The 1.3-litre petrol version uses a timing chain, which has no scheduled maintenance, while the 1.4-litre diesel model uses a timing belt.