Expert answer

Hi Fiona,

Though Mitsubishi has in the past used a Volkswagen Group TDI engine, this 1.8-litre unit is its own in-house creation.

Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

If you mean actually physically swapping out the engine and plumbing in a diesel then I wouldn't recommend it. Diesel engines are much heavier than their petrol counterparts and most car makers tweak the suspension, brakes and steering to allow for that fact. Putting a diesel lump in where a petrol one was could upset that delicate balance. Also, it's an enormous amount of expense and hassle to do so, when you could just trade in for a similar model with a factory-fit diesel.

Expert answer

Hi Carmel,

There were many versions of the Clubman sold here though we suspect you're talking about one of the diesels. Also, to be clear, these figures are for the 'R55' model, discontinued in 2013.

Diesels:

- MINI One D Clubman (manual): 103g/km - Band A3 - €190 per year

- MINI Cooper D Clubman (auto): 138g/km - Band B2 - €280 per year

- MINI Cooper D Clubman (manual): 103g/km - Band A3 - €190 per year

- MINI Cooper SD Clubman (auto): 141g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI Cooper SD Clubman (manual): 115g/km - Band A4 - €200 per year

Petrols:

- MINI Cooper Clubman (manual): 129g/km - Band B1 - €270 per year

- MINI Cooper Clubman (auto): 152g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI Cooper S Clubman (auto): 150g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI Cooper S Clubman (manual): 137g/km - Band B2 - €280 per year

- MINI John Cooper Works Clubman (manual): 167g/km - Band D - €570 per year

- MINI One Clubman (auto): 152g/km - Band C - €390 per year

- MINI One Clubman (manual): 129g/km - Band B1 - €270 per year

Expert answer

Hi Mag,

If it's newer than 2008 then that car's tax is based on its emissions. It's it Band C, at €390 per year. If it's older than that and based on engine size then the annual tax is €951.

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

As with any folding hard top cabrio the first and most important thing is to check the roof carefully for any problems, leaks, wear and tear. They can be fragile so you want to make sure that everything's working right. 

Secondly, all that roof stuff is heavy (which is why the Eos is so clumsy to drive) so you need to be checking for excessive wear and tear on suspension, tyres, steering etc. 

As for engine, there's no point in going for the 2.0 turbo engine from the Golf GTI as the Eos's porky weight kills the performance. Better to just accept you'll be slow and go for the 1.4 TSI or 2.0 TDI diesel instead.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Marie,

Assuming this is the 2.2 CRDi diesel model then officialy it's every 100,000 miles (160,000km) or every two years.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

I really like the S80 - a lovely big comfy thing, ideal if you're doing lots of long journeys and that 1.6 diesel engine is super efficient; you could get up to 1,500km from a tank of fuel. 

Reliability shouldn't be a major issue once you make sure that the car has a full service history. Like any executive saloon there's a lot of electronic toys in there and if it's been well cared for, there's less chance of them going wrong. Keep an eye on the service schedule to make sure that the engine has always been topped up with the highest grade of oil and if it feels down on power or sluggish when accelerating, it's most likely the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

New or old? Frankly, they're all good. The current car is slick, massively spacious, lovely to drive and, aside from occasionally poor fuel economy, terrific ownership prospects. 

The previous generation is all of that with slightly less slick styling inside and out. Make sure you go for the later, post-facelift model that uses Mazda's own 129- or 180hp 2.2 diesel engine.

Finally the original - made from 2002 - it's a landmark car. Reliable, fabulous to drive and quietly handsome. They're super-cheap now and a perfect low-budget purchase.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

If it's short trips and city driving then you're probably better off with the petrol model. It's significantly cheaper than the diesel version, which gives you plenty of budget to buy fuel and pay the slightly more expensive road tax. One word of warning though - from personal experience it can be almost impossible to move on a Mk1 petrol Qashqai when the market is so diesel-obsessed. Several people I know have had to take a bath on second hand value when it came to trading in a first gen 1.6 petrol Qashqai so you need to be aware of that. The new 1.2 petrol turbo version should by rights fare better because it's so efficient but with the market still being diesel mad, you need to be careful.

Expert answer

Hi Dan,

Hmmm. Generally for your mileage I would recommend a petrol car, but the bad news is that in your size bracket, petrol engines are a little thin on the ground. You could go for either a straight replacement for your Corolla by getting a Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D, which is a very fine car, or you could, as you suggest, branch out and snap up a Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel - again a very fine car and with that five-year warranty, a very tempting buy. 

But, with your mileage profile, I would suggest taking a good long look at petrol alternatives. The Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost is a terrific car with a great engine and well worth a look. That said it's a little tight in the back seats for two teenagers so I'd say the best all round bet is a Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI. It's more affordable than the diesel version, damn near as economical and has a big boot and lots of space in the back seats for those teenager-filled weekend runs. Great quality and reliability too.