Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Right, first off; good choice. Well, sort of. The 3 Series is the good choice - it's handsome, beautifully built, sublime to drive and, crucial these days, extremely economical. 

But, you've picked the wrong one in our opinions. Well, at least you've picked the wrong diesel. True, the 318d's torque and power figures look impressive, but the fact is that, on the road, it feels barely any quicker than the cheaper 316d and the 316 is sweeter and smoother to drive. So go for the 316d, save yourself a few bob and have the nicer engine.

As for extras, go for nice leather, an upgrade to the Business stereo pack and (though this splits opinion) get the all-important M Sport styling upgrade.

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Hi there,

I'd go for the Hyundai. It's got a better engine, it's nicer to drive and the warranty is pretty hard to beat too. As for trade in on your Ford, I'd take a stab at around €6,000 to 7,000.

Hope that helps

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Hi Grainne,

I'd say you can expect to get about €8,000 and €9,000 as a trade-in value for your Corolla, although that could vary quite a bit from dealer to dealer. As for the cars you're looking at, a diesel Golf or Octavia would probably be ideal for the type of driving you're looking at doing, but if it's refinement you need, then I'd go for the Volkswagen over the Skoda - there's not a lot in it, but the Golf is that bit quieter.

Hope that helps

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Hi John,

It just so happens that I've got the latest 1.4 diesel Toyota Corolla on test this week. Over half a tank it has averaged 5.4 litres/100km (52.3mpg). The car had two to three people in it most of the time over a variety of roads and speeds, though no long motorway journey. That's not bad going. For reference, Toyota Ireland quotes a combined cycle figure of 3.9 litres/100km (72.4mpg) for the Luna model we have on test.

Hope that helps

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Hi Paddy,

Actually, yes it is. There are very few reported regular problems (unlike the first generation Citroen C5) and the only areas you really have to watch for are suspension issues (listen for clionking noises or look for smooth operation from the rare optional hydragas suspension) and electrics (lots of buttons inside - make sure they all work flawlessly). The best engine is probably the 1.6 HDi diesel. It's not quick by any standard, but the relaxed, comfy nature of the C5 matches up well with it, and 55mpg isn't to be sniffed at. Make sure it has a full service history and ensure that the right grade of engine oil has been used at each change - that 1.6 HDi can be sensitive to incorrect lube.

Hope that helps

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Hi Andrew,

Hmmm. Well, spotted. The Sharan has indeed disappeared from Volkswagen price lists in Ireland (much as has the S-Max and the Galaxy from Ford's) and we're awaiting a call back from Volkswagen Towers as to its fate. The good news is that SEAT's definitely still selling the identical Alhambra, and that's a crackingly good car. You do need to go for the top spec Exclusive DSG model if you want to get an automatic version though.

Next year, Ford will be launching an all-new S-Max, which might be worth holding on for, while Renault's surprisingly still-good Espace (a touch old school but very, very comfy) is still just about on sale, and there's always the Chrysler Voyager. And then there's the Opel Zafira Tourer, a more direct rival to the S-Max than anything else. There's a 2.0-litre CDTi diesel automatic for €34,495 and it's almost as good as the S-Max to drive.

What do you think?

Update:

Just an addendum to this: Volkswagen Ireland has confirmed that the Sharan is no longer available, not even to individual order. 

Presumably, if you really, really want one your local Volkswagen dealer could get hold of one for you, but why go to the hassle when the cheaper, better-equipped Alhambra is there?

Expert answer

Hi Au,

In terms of trade in, you're probably only looking at a value of around €1,500 or so. You might just break the €2,000 barrier if you try and sell it privately, but selling private is never easy. If you love your Leon  then can I simply suggest trading up to a newer one? If you go for a 2009-on second generation Leon, with the 1.6 TDI diesel engine, then you'll have a superbly economical car that will cost you only €200 a year to tax. You already know how robust and reliable SEATs are, so I don't need to remind you of that, but it's worth pointing out that the second-gen Leon was better to drive and more spacious than your current car. My dad has had three now and won't have anything else, so that recommendation is as good as it comes.

Mind you, it could be worth holding fire for a week. The Budget's coming up next week, and there's just a chance that the Society of the Irish Motor Industry's (SIMI) 'Swappage' plan, to give those trading in six-year-old-or-older cars €2,000 off the price of a new one could get approved, and if so then it may be worth trading up to an all-new Leon, which is simply one of the best cars out there. It's even, whisper it, a bit nicer than the Volkswagen Golf...

Here's the latest on the Swappage plan

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Hi Justin,

In reliability terms, there doesn't seem to be much to worry about. The Rexton is one of those rare cars that's never been recalled for a manufacturing fault and the ancient Mercedes-based turbodiesel engines are long-lived and simple, mechanically speaking. Likewise, even though the cabin looks and feels cheap, it seems to be well screwed together.

The problems though are two-fold. One, the Rexton really is very crude. In terms of engine noise, performance, handling, ride quality and just about everything, it feels at least a generation, sometimes more, behind the best of the European, Japanese and Korean rivals. And sadly, we can't give you too many pointers on safety. The Rexton has never been crash-tested by EuroNCAP so we have no objective data on it, crash-wise. You pays your money, you takes your chances...

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Hi Helen,

Well, obviously, the 207 is a newer and more sophisticated car than the 206, and I reckon you'll find it to be a much more comfortable drive (better seats, especially) than the older 206. That said, the 207 is much, much heavier and the 206 always felt much more fleet of foot and more enjoyable to drive.

The 206 has something of a reputation for unreliability, but the upside is that most of its problems are of the minor, electrical variety. The engines and gearboxes are long-lived and robust,  although if you're buying a heaver diesel model, look for excessive wear and tear on the front suspension and brakes.

The 207 has a couple of recurrent niggles as well, the most important of which is the engine's anti-polution monitor, which can go haywire and cause the engine to switch into limp-home mode. Beware also of diesel models that don't quieten down when they're warmed through; check for suspension failure, especially at the front; and as ever beware of electrical gremlins. Make sure every button works properly.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Volvo Car Ireland has helped us out with the advice here. Here's what they had to say on the S40:

"These are an oil sensitive engine so full service history is a must as the wrong grade of oil used can cause serious problems. This engine (it's a PSA unit) is reasonably economical at about 45-50mpg. The DPF or Diesel Particulate Filter was on these versions and this should have been replaced by now on this vehicle, but make sure to check as these are expensive. A lot of UK imports so a history check is a must (this and the XC90 are the most imported Volvos in Ireland)."

We recommend Cartell.ie for the history check Pat - best of luck.