How economical is the new Edition C Merc C-Class?
What is the economy like on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Edition C? Manual vs. automatic?
Colm Fahy (Portumna)Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Taking the C 200 CDI as a baseline, the official figures are 58mpg for the manual, 55mpg for the automatic. Did you read our road test of the car?
What's the road tax on the MINI Clubman?
What's the road tax on the MINI Clubman?
Carmel Obrien (Cork)Feb 2014 Filed under: road tax
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
What should I look for on a Discovery 3?
Anything I should be aware of when buying a 2007 Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 from a garage with 120,000 miles on the clock?
Craig Brunker (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Craig,
Thankfully, not as much as Land Rovers of old. It seems that, bar the occasional 'Friday afternoon car' the Disco 3 is a well-made, mostly reliable product. Check carefully though for any electrical gremlins (literally push every button and make sure that what it's supposed to control responds as it should) and check for any leaks or uneven sitting from the air suspension - could be a sign that the compressor is on its way out. Make sure that the automatic gearbox (few were sold as manuals) shifts crisply and cleanly too - the Disco 3 doesn't have the same reputation for chewing transmissions as its predecessor, but it can still be a weak point. And, as with any big off-roader, check carefully to see if it's been abused or worked hard as a builder's mate.
Should I go for this Mazda6 I've found?
Hi, I am looking at purchasing an 08 Mazda6 2.0 diesel. I did a history check and I can see it appears to have a full service record. It is originally a UK import. There is about 85,000 miles on the car. I am now deciding between a Mondeo, Volvo S40 and this Mazda6. I still have to find a Volvo in the same price range of the Mazda. Is it worth paying out on average €1,000 more for an S40 or is the Mazda6 just as reliable and considered a good purchase? Any particular known issues with this car?
Mike
Michael Campion (Tipperary)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I'd go for the Mazda above the Volvo every time in this case. The old S40 is much smaller and less spacious than the Mazda6 and the Japanese car is also excellent to drive.
Mazdas are generally exceptionally reliable, but on the 2.0 diesel just watch for low oil pressure and a sticky manual gearshift. Both can be fixed but they are recurring problems. Check the air conditioning system for leaks too.
Would an automatic Hyundai Sante Fe suit my needs?
I'm thinking of buying a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe (100,000 miles). Is this a good buy? I have two teens and a toddler so want the option of seven seats. Is four-wheel drive more expensive to run than two-wheel drive? Also, any advantage in getting an automatic?
Thanks, Andrea
Andrea McLean (Leopardstown, D18)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andrea,
Yes, it's a cracking idea. While the old Santa Fe isn't as sophisticated as the current one (hardly surprisingly) it's still an excellent used buy, very reliable and nice to drive.
A figure of 100,000 miles on the clock shouldn't be a significant hurdle as long as the service history is all up to date. The basic rule of thumb is that four-wheel drive and automatic gearboxes always add to the fuel consumption. The auto box on that generation Santa Fe wasn't the greatest so I'd say stick with a manual and 4wd is down to where you live - if you regularly need rough road or slippery surface capability it's worthwhile, if you live in town then not much.
Let us know how you get on
Expected economy of Subaru Forester?
What is the expected mpg of the Subaru Forester?
Gerry Carolan (Mayo)Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
If you mean the current model, then the 2.0D X model with a six-speed manual gearbox has an official figure of 49.6mpg on the combined cycle.
How much is the tax on the new Outlander?
Hi, can you tell me how much it would be to tax a Mitsubishi Outlander 4x4 automatic?
Thank you
Helen Bell (Narraghmore)Jan 2014 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Helen,
The automatic version of the all-wheel drive Outlander has higher emissions than the manual one so it costs more to tax - €390 versus €280 per year.
Hope that helps
Should my Audi A6 be juddering in first?
Hi, I am driving a 2009 Audi A6 with 91,000 miles on the clock and a manual gearbox. It shudders on take off in first gear, mostly after starting in the morning. Any idea what it might be? I have had it to the garage and they tell me its a "feature" of the car. Not convinced!! Can you help? Gearbox oil has been changed.
Jim Hynes (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
I'm inclined to agree with you, though it's difficult to know for sure without experiencing it for myself. From what you say it really sounds like a clutch or flywheel problem and the only way to fix it could be a replacement of those items. Not cheap, sadly.
How much is my one-year-old Peugeot 508 worth?
How much is my car worth? It's a Peugeot 508 2.0-litre manual Allure saloon bought in January 2013. It now has 30,000km on the clock.
Thanks
Bill Hughes (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
Bear in mind that resale values are just all over the place at the moment thanks to the scourge of pre-registering, but I'd take a stab at between €25,000 and €28,000.
What's the automatic Volkswagen Polo like?
Thinking of buying an 04 Volkswagen Polo automatic. Is this a reliable car and is there anything to be aware of relating to the automatic gearbox?
Peter Malone (Tallaght)Dec 2013 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
Yes, it's reliable and no, there are no major issues to watch out for. Just bear in mind a couple of things. Automatic cars can be a little harder on brakes than their manual cousins, and they can of course be more thirsty. More significant still, the smaller-engined versions of the Polo 55- and 65hp 1.2 petrols are pretty sluggish at the best of times and with an auto 'box both drawing power and adding weight, you could be looking at really slow-motion driving.