How economical is the BMW 520d?
What mileage per gallon would I get from a 2009/2010 BMW 520d?
Colm Costello (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Most drivers of the 2009/2010 BMW 520d saloon see between 40- and 50mpg (7.1- to 5.6 litres/100km) depending on their driving style and where the car is used. It'll certainly do that when used on the motorway.
Hope that helps.
What's the Toyota GT86 like on Irish roads?
Hello, will you be doing a review soon of the Toyota GT86 now that it is in Ireland? I'm aware that there is a review on the website already but that was done in Europe on smooth roads so I thought a review on bumpy Irish roads would be appropriate now.
Regards, Brian.
Brian Farrell (Dublin)Jul 2012 Filed under: new car ordering
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Good timing! We have the GT86 on test this week. Here it is on the very twisty and very bumpy Dublin Mountain roads:
Review will be done in time, but I can confirm that it's even more impressive here than it was at the launch in Spain. Its small size and low weight are ideally suited to tight and twisty roads and though firm, the suspension deals with rough surfaces and bumps (even mid-corner) brilliantly. The none-too low profile tyres no doubt help with that.
On the open road it's hugely engaging and very fast. It feels weightless and while it goes where you point it there's a lot of movement underneath if you want it. Turn off traction control and it regularly slides too - though don't expect big drifts on the public road!
While it is lacking a little in low-down torque, it's only an issue for overtaking, as the car feels quick at all times, and is very quick if you use all the revs.
Away from driving for the fun of it, the GT86 is still brilliant. Some might not get it, and it's not quiet, but it even works well in town, where its small size, quick steering and relatively supple suspension mean it doesn't feel at all out of place.
Overall: a fabulous car. Really works on Irish roads. Really special.
Is a diesel Nissan Qashqai a good replacement for our Golf?
Hi we are looking at a Nissan Qashqai 1.5 Visia dCi diesel. I have never had a diesel car and have had very trustworthy Golfs to date. We are not car people but want a change that is not going to break the bank. My main concern is the diesel issue as we are Dublin based.
Sinead Oboyle (Dublin)Jul 2012 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
Before tackling the diesel issue, the Nissan Qashqai is a fine car. It's a little bigger than the Golf and feels it because of the higher driving position and larger boot. In general it has proved to be a reliable car with only a few minor issues cropping up.
The 1.5 dCi diesel is a good choice of engine, though if you really do stick to Dublin and its environs it may be worth considering the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol instead. It's a shame Nissan doesn't currently have a smaller capacity turbocharged alternative, as that would be a great option. The diesel car will be more economical for sure.
Hope that helps.
How economical is a Hyundai i30?
We have a Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi. How far can we go on a quarter tank?
Lisa Long (Peterhead )Expert answer
Hi Lisa,
You're better placed than us to answer that question, as it really depend on your driving style, the road conditions, how heavy traffic is, the type of road and how full the car is.
Saying all that, the official combined consumption figure for that car is 3.7 litres/100km (76.3mpg) and it has a 53-litre fuel tank. So that means 358 kilometres. The 'combined' figures can be a little misleading though, as they don't relate to the real world.
We'd estimate 250 kilometres on average for that car.
Hope that's of some help.
What is the performance of the Renault ZOE?
What is the kw/km performance for the new Renault ZOE electric car?
Denis Mulcahy (Peterhead )May 2012 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Denis,
We put this question to Renault and the official response was:
According to NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) ZOE has a range of 200km, but in real use it will be around 150km as the range is influenced by:
- the speed;- the driving manner ;
- the road profile;
- and the use of heating or air conditioning
ZOE's top speed is 135km/h and the battery capacity is 65kW.
We hope this helps.
What small car for €8,000 could replace my MINI?
Hi, I am driving an 08 MINI Cooper 1.6D that is a work lease car. I want to buy a small car for less than €8,000 - ideally a 1.1 or so that I don't feel the drop too much! I do very low mileage - 5,000km per year - but want something that could manage a motorway journey or two a year ok. What would you recommend? I have been looking at something 08 or newer: Hyundai i10, Toyota Yaris; old model Fiesta/Polo - any other ideas?
Suzie Perry (Dublin)May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Suzie,
Others to consider include the Citroen C3 and Fiat 500, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift. They're all good small cars. Given your low mileage you're definitely better off with a petrol model.
I assume you know that you could afford slightly larger cars in the Ford Focus class as well with that budget, but that you don't want one that big? They'd be far more comfortable on the motorway.
With all that in mind, and sticking to your small car demand, we reckon one of the three Volkswagen Group cars makes the most sense - that's the Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza or the Polo. If you'd like help narrowing down your search further come back to us.
Should I swap my 5 Series for a BMW X3 or a Merc M-Class?
Hello I need some advice please.
At the moment I own a 2010 new model BMW 5 Series, which I bought new. It's a fantastic car, but my previous car was a Nissan X-Trail and I really miss the high driving position. We have recently had a baby, which means lots of bending with car seats and buggies. We also have a five-year old and elderly parents who sometimes travel with us.
We have decided to trade the 5 Series for a 2.0-litre diesel SUV and have narrowed the choice down to two. My husband likes the new BMW X3, but I am more drawn to the Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2.0, as I don't really like the looks of the X3.
My question is, which of these two do you think would suit us best?
Thanks.
Jenny Moran (Cork)Apr 2012 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jenny,
I'm a family man myself so I know well your needs! Before saying anything more though I assume you've looked at the pricing of the BMW and Merc and that's not a consideration? The X3 starts at about €47,000, while the M-Class costs from €71,000.
If price is not a problem then the answer has to be the Merc. It's a bigger, more luxurious car with more equipment. There's nothing at all wrong with the X3 (I'd consider owning one myself), but the Merc is in a different league - as it should be for that price difference.
Come back to me if we can help further.
What's that whining sound from my car?
Hi there,
When I turn the steering left when driving I can hear a whining sound. It stops when going straight. What do you think it could be?
Sean Larkin (San Roque ,cadiz ,,spain)Apr 2012 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
It's always difficult to assess such problems remotely. It could be an issue with the power steering, a wheel bearing or something rubbing in the wheelarch.
On this occasion we'd have to advise you to bring the car to a mechanic to look at.
Can you recommend decent seats for my new Volkswagen Golf?
Is it possible to add an Alcantara sports seat into my new Volkswagen Golf Edition-R? If so, how much would VW charge?
Reason I'm asking is that I'm finding the "Comfort" seats quite uncomfortable and after two months on the road I still cannot find a comfortable driving position. The main issue is the side supports on the seat are too far apart. As I'm fairly thin, my back tends to move side to side a lot when turning etc. no matter what position the seat is in. It's driving me mad. My old BMW had sports seats and I never had this problem. It's detracting from what is an otherwise excellent car. I cannot find any seat cushions for my back that will help me fit more snugly. It's gotten to the point where I'm willing to shell out a few hundred if necessary to get a sports seat put in.
Any help appreciated!
Eoin S (Dublin)Apr 2012 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
We contacted Volkswagen in relation to your question and 'officially' there does not seem to be a simple solution.
Thankfully there is the unofficial way of doing things and this is something we have experience with having swapped the sports seats in a Mk IV Golf for Recaros from the GTI. A quick search of a certain well-known online auction site reveals that Alcantara sports seats are available, but the shipping costs can prove prohibitive - unless you live near the seller of course.
Our advice would be to contact a large car dismantlers like http://www.traynors.co.uk/ or http://www.eddietorrensinternational.com and see if they have the parts you require. The actual fitting of the seats is just a case of undoing a few bolts and clips with the only problem you might encounter being the possibility of the airbag wiring loom not matching up. This is a simple fix for any auto electrician though and should not cost much to rectify.
We hope this helps.
New Beetle or used Porsche/Mercedes SLK?
I have a choice between the new Volkswagen Beetle or a 2007 Porsche Boxster or 2008 model Mercedes-Benz SLK. I live in Cork (no Porsche repairs) and am not thinking of resale value/fuel economy, but am thinking of repair/servicing/parts etc.
Any tips?
Kieran F (Cork)Apr 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Nice position to be in! We're a little puzzled at the shortlist, but each to their own. I'm sure you know that the Beetle won't be a patch on the Boxster in terms of driving thrills and the Porsche trumps the SLK on that front too.
However, if your priorities are ease of repair, etc. then the Beetle seems to be the obvious choice, as there are loads of Volkswagen dealers around and a new car won't need much doing to it anyway.
Saying that, the Mercedes and Porsche are quite reliable and you have a choice of Mercedes-Benz service centres. While there are no official Porsche service outlets in Cork that we know of, as resale value is not of importance to you I'd suggest you get the number of a recommended mechanic. They'll do just as good a job with a more personal service. Get in touch if you need help on that.
Personally, I'd have the Boxster. Though of course I can understand the lure of the new car. The SLK is a distant third place.
Let us know how you decide - and if you need anything else.