Which new exec diesel auto saloon to go for?
What compact exec would you choose in a diesel auto as a private buyer? BMW 320d M Sport, Audi A4 S tronic, Jaguar XE Portfolio or Mercedes-Benz C-Class? Or would you go with something cheaper like a Volkswagen Passat Highline DSG 190?
Andrew Kelly (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Andrew,
Well, of the posh-badge brigade, my personal favourite is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class - it's supremely comfy, beautifully made and really satisfying to drive, but, to be honest, you couldn't go wrong with any of those cars, it really is down to personal taste.
Your other question is an interesting one though. If you can live without the posh badge, and aren't quite so worried about driving dynamics, then a Skoda Superb is pretty much unbeatable. Same mechanical make up as the Audi but far bigger and way better value. Try a Ford Mondeo or Mazda6 if you want something with a keen chassis or a Toyota Avensis if you never, ever want it to break.
Some relevant reviews for you:
Is my Opel Mokka warming up quick enough?
I have just bought a second hand Opel Mokka and my question is, what is the warm up time for the diesel engine? At the moment it takes 10 kilometers of driving to reach a temperature of just under 90 centigrade where it stays. Is this correct?
David Walker (Surrey)Jan 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi David,
There's no set warm-up time, as it depends on a number of factors, such as the ambient air temperature, how the car is being driven and which ancillaries are turned on. In general, diesel engines take longer to warm up than petrol (though the car makers are working on changing that) too.
I don't think there's anything wrong with your Mokka.
Does my Audi A3 need an oil change?
I have an Audi A3 hatchback 1.4 petrol with only 5,500km on the clock, doing short trips. Bought the car in September 2014. Do I need an oil and filter change?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Dec 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi F D,
We'd recommend readers change their cars' oil and filter at least once a year regardless of mileage. Short hops are actually tougher on the engine (and its oil) as it does a lot of its driving when not fully warmed up.
Am I mad to go for Land Rover commercial?
Hi there,
I am a rural vet driving a SWB commercial Toyota Landcruiser. I need to change to a 4x4 with more seating for the kids. I'm thinking of a Land Rover Discovery utility commercial. I'm wondering am I mad to make this move as the stories over the years about Land Rover reliability are plentiful.
Ed
Ed Myers (Cork)Nov 2015 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
Land Rover's quality has been getting better and better and it seems as if the current Discovery model has shaken off a lot of its reputation for weak gearboxes and electrical maladies. I think it's probably worth the punt, but there are two other good options - both the Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Land Cruiser are also available in 'business versions' that mean you can buy them for the price of a commercial but you get the back seats and luxury touches. That said, you'll have to tax them as a private car if you're going to carry the kids around - it's a €4,000 fine if you're caught with the incorrect tax.
When do we see the new DS 4 in Ireland?
When is the new DS 4 expected to hit showrooms here and will CompleteCar.ie be doing a review?
Patrick
Patrick Megan (Dun Laoghaire)Nov 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
The new DS 4 will be in Irish showrooms in time for the price announcement on December 10. We will be driving it on January 14, 2016, so keep an eye on our Car Reviews page for the first Irish drive.
Toyota Auris or Renault Clio, with €10,000 to spend?
Hi, I am looking to buy a second hand car with a budget of €9000-10,000. I will be driving an average of 10,000 miles per year. I looked at a 2010 Toyota Auris petrol for €9,000, but have been told that this car is not very fuel efficient. I was looking at a 2014 Renault Clio petrol for €10,500, but again am unsure as to the fuel efficiency. Which of these two cars would you recommend and are there any others you could suggest that would be suitable for the mileage I will be doing and my price range?
Thanks
Louise Donovan (Limerick)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You're looking at two very different cars - the Auris is considerably larger and more practical than the Clio, but both are actually pretty frugal. The 1.4 VVTi petrol or 1.33 VVTi petrol in the Auris is actually quite economical, as long as you drive it with reasonable care: 45mpg should be easily achieved in daily driving.
How far will my Hyundai go on €10 petrol?
My petrol gauge is stuck in my 2006 1.6 petrol Hyundai Elantra. Roughly how many miles will I get for €10? Can't get the car fixed until Monday.
Thanks.
Mike Geary (Lettterkenny)Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Well, the 1.6 Hyundai Elantra has official combined fuel economy of 38mpg, which is the equivalent of 6.1 litres per 100km. A sum of €10 buys you 7.46 litres of petrol at the average October pump price of €1.34 a litre. Assuming you reach the official fuel consumption figure that means you'll get 119km for your €10. However, you may well not reach the quoted average economy - very few people do and it's actually a pretty arbitrary number. How much less? I simply can't say - it depends on your own driving style, the condition of your car, the weather, the roads you're driving it on... Better play safe and just fill it up.
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:
Is the 2005 BMW 3 Series economical?
Is the 2005 BMW 3 Series a good car in terms of fuel consumption? I'm looking at a second hand one.
Frances Ward (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Frances,
If you mean a 320d diesel then yes, it's excellent. You should expect to get at least 45mpg in daily driving, a little more if you're careful.
If it's a petrol 318i or 320i then it'll be a little more thirsty but 35mpg on average should still be do-able.
Should I change my BMW's tyres to improve the steering?
Hi,
I recently traded in my 2001 BMW 318i for a 2011 BMW 318i. The main difference I discovered between the two models was the steering. The older car's steering was lighter and more responsive while the newer model feels that bit heavier. If I did not know better I would think I was driving a car with front-wheel drive. The car has Run Flat Tyres, and my question is, do you think its the tyres that is causing this experience and if so would it be worth my time to replace them?
Regards,
Hugh McGarr, Dublin
Hugh McGarr (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Hugh,
OK, first off - well done. You obviously have sensitive driving senses. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed. Secondly, BMW's steering has gotten noticeably heavier over the years - basically as a way of adding more "sporty feeling" (inverted commas author's own) to the car as less and less real road feel is transmitted. So it's partially built in to the design of the car.
As for changing the tyres. It might help - changing the tyre, especially if you change the brand of the tyre, can have an effect on steering effort and it's possible that a switch to low rolling resistance tyres may lighten the steering a bit. But it won't make an enormous difference, and I'd seriously advise you not to change from runflats to conventional tyres - the car was designed around runflats and you could be setting yourself up for an evening on a wet hard shoulder, with no spare wheel, if you swap out the runflats.