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.
Mazda3 1.6d: timing belt or chain?
Does the 2010 Mazda3 1.6 diesel have a timing belt or chain?
Kevin Kelly (Westport )Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
I can confirm that your car has a timing belt. The change interval should be 200,000km or every 10 years, whichever comes sooner.
Do all diesel cars require AdBlue topping up?
Regarding your comment in the Audi A4 review that "all diesel A4s have a 12-litre AdBlue tank that will require topping up between services; the car warns you 1,600km before it runs dry". I presume a similar feature will apply to other marques. How much roughly do you think it will cost to get it topped up, and what would happen if it's not topped up? Will the engine refuse to run or will it damage the engine (as well as the environment)?
Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Not all marques and not all models use AdBlue as yet. AdBlue is a urea solution that can be injected into he exhausts of diesel cars to neutralise a significant proportion of their emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) - very much in the news at the moment of course. The rule of thumb is generally only that larger, more powerful engines need an AdBlue treatment system as many smaller engines don't need the assistance. Each manufacturer, and indeed each individual engine, will have its recommended AdBlue top-up times, and it will be directly related both to mileage and how much acceleration the car has been doing. You can top up the AdBlue tank yourself - a 1.5-litre refill should cost around €11-12.
Are newer Volkswagens free of the 'defeat device'?
Are new generation Volkswagen diesels free of "defeat device" software? I heard a radio report saying that the newer engines may have a similar device to the one fitted to the EA189 engines
Gary Murray (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Volkswagen has confirmed that, following investigations, the EA288 engines, designed for EU5 and EU6 compliance, are not affected by the scandal surrounding the EA186 engines. In other words, the current Volkswagen diesel engines are fine and have been given a clean bill of health. If you've any lingering doubts over a car that you own, go to http://www.campaigncheck.ie and enter your reg number.
When do I need to replace the timing belt on 2010 Ford Fiesta?
When do I need to replace the timing belt on a 2010 Ford Fiesta?
Ede Osullivan (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ede,
It depends on which engine your Fiesta is powered by. The 1.4- and 1.6-litre TDCi diesels have change intervals of 10 years or 125,000 miles (just over 201,000km), while the petrol engines (1.25-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre) have timing belts that need to be changed every eight years or 100,000 miles (160,000km).
We'd always advise readers to have the timing belt changed sooner rather than later, especially if the service history of the car is unknown.
What can I do about my faulty i30?
Hi, I am Prince from Wicklow,
I bought a new Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel two months ago. Now the car has an engine noise, abnormal pulling and an air conditioning problem. It was admitted to dealer garrage for repair it twice within two months. That took a week each time, but it is still not perfect.
Now it is running forward without pressing the accelerator in second, third and fourth gear and does not slow down immidiately when going down a gear. And there is also some problem with the auto stop and start system. Plus its fuel economy is only 47mpg.
What should I do? Can I ask my dealer to replace this faulty car, and what are my rights?
Thank you
Prince
Prince Francis (Bray)Oct 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Prince,
That’s a tricky one. In terms of your consumer rights, you are most certainly entitled to a replacement car if this one is not up to scratch and the dealership has not been able to repair it to your satisfaction.
However, you’ll need to establish that there is a specific fault or faults with the car first. I’d recommend getting it inspected by an independent motor vehicle assessor (you can find them via a quick Google search) and get them to give you a full report on it. Then you need to bring that report to the dealer and demand that either the car is fully repaired (it’s still well within its original five-year warranty after all) or give you a replacement.
Let us know how you get on