Audi A5 or BMW 3 Series Coupe?
Hello,
I am looking at buying a used car at the moment. Trying to decide between an Audi A5 and BMW 3 Series Coupe. The 2.0-litre diesels look like the sensible option. I would like low mileage, but don't want anything newer than 2008 really. I would get M Sport if I end up going for BMW, but S line not so important for the A5. Max budget is €25k.
I'm interested in your general opinion of both cars. Would you have a preference? Is there anything in particular that I need to watch out for? Better engine options keeping in mind the tax, resale etc? I only do about 10k miles per year...
Thanks in advance, John
John O'Connor (Celbridge)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
At 10k miles a year, to be honest, you’d be better off going for a petrol model as you’re just not going to get the fuel savings out of a diesel to justify the extra cost, plus you might be running into issues with exhaust filters. Of the two cars, the BMW is without question the nicer to drive, and it has a fractionally more spacious interior than that of the Audi. The Audi is seriously well-made though, so from a reliability point of view, we’d probably give that one the nod. Just make sure you buy one with a full, preferably main dealer, service history.
Looking for frugal, comfy, automatic car...
Hi, could you advise me? I am looking for a economical automatic car that is comfortable for long driving.
Thanks
Eileen
Eileen McCarthy (Tipperary)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eileen,
A lot here depends on what kind of car, and indeed what size of car, you’re looking for. There’s a huge choice out there, and most models now have at least the option of an automatic gearbox. Overall, it’s as ever hard to get away from the trusty VW Golf in cases such as this. A 1.6 TDI diesel or 1.2 TSI petrol with the DSG automatic gearbox would seem ideal.
What is the value of a 2002 Volvo V70?
What is the value of a 2002 Volvo V70 with a petrol engine?
John Kenny (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
I'm afraid we'd need to know a little more, such as condition, mileage, which of the petrol engines is it (2.0- or 2.4-litre?), etc.
A rough estimation would be between €3,000 and €4,000.
Come back to us if you'd like us to narrow this down.
Does my dad's car need a new ECU?!
Done the pedal test on my dad's 2001 Opel Astra (it was running slow and drinking petrol) and got the codes p1122, p1120 and p1155; we were told these are to do with the car's computer and will cost in the region of €1,000 to replace the computer and reprogram. Is this correct or is it easily fixed?
Maebh Bushe (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Maebh,
Codes P1122 and P1120 relate to the accelerator pedal position sensor, but we can't find P1155. It should be possible to just change the accelerator pedal assembly rather than the whole computer going on that information, unless P1155 means something else entirely of course.
How much on trade-in for my VW Golf?
How much can I get for trade-in of a five-door 2000 VW Golf, 1.4 petrol, 115,000 miles, NCT expires in May? Great car, just too small for the family. They're selling online for €1,500-€2,000, but I want to trade in. How much can I expect to get for a Golf?
Thanks!
Louise Byrne (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
There are a number of scrappage schemes around, so depending on what you’re trading in against, that could be boosted up to as much as €4,500.
What's a good medium, auto SUV?
What's a good small/medium size SUV that has reasonable tax and fuel consumption, but is also automatic? It's for my wife so not a Nissan Qashqai, too common; Kia Sportage, build quality not too hot; and VW Touran is just too boring.
Any suggestions welcome, but has to be auto.
Eoin Heaney (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
Have you tried the new Peugeot 3008? Great-looking, good to drive and comes with an (optional) six-speed auto. The 1.2-litre 130hp petrol turbo engine is the one to go for. Alternatively, you could try and grab a run-out Skoda Yeti (always one of our favourites and built like a tank), or have a look at the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, which is striking to look at and really good to drive. Here are our relevant reviews:
Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
What's the Peugeot 207CC like?
Are there any common problems with the Peugeot 207CC? Do they have a timing belt or chain? What is mileage like to be?
Dolores Lunders (Dublin 15)Mar 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Dolores,
They’re pretty shoddy, to be honest. The alternators are troublesome, as are turbos on both petrol and diesel models. Head gasket trouble is common, and the timing chain on the 1.6 petrol needs regular checking. Electrical problems are common and the roof mechanism on the CC model is spectacularly unreliable, often getting stuck half open or closed. The timing belt/chain question rather depends on which engine you’re talking about, but economy will work out at around 35mpg for the petrol models, or 45-50mpg for a diesel.
Need a mid-sized saloon for up to €9,000.
My wife and I are looking for a second hand saloon, mid-size (1.5 to 1.8-litre), primarily for her use, with a budget of maybe €8,000 to €9,000. Possibilites we've spotted include a 2008 Mazda6, a 2008 Toyota Avensis and a 2007 Skoda Octavia. The car would be doing 15,000 to 18,000 miles per year, so we're trying to find something that doesn't have excessively high mileage already. Might be a tall order, but any advice on the ones I've mentioned, or are there any suggestions on any other makes and models that might fit the bill?
Many thanks.
Colm Lambert (Wexford)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Of the ones you’ve suggested, I’d say that the Octavia is the best bet, not least because a Mazda6 or Toyota Avenisis with a 1.8-litre engine is going to be at the very bottom of the range. Your budget should get you an Octavia with the 1.2 TSI turbo petrol engine (which is actually a better choice than a naturally aspirated 1.6 or 1.8) and probably with a 131 numberplate.
Yes, you might have to swallow a high-is mileage, but as long as you get one with a full service history, that shouldn’t be a major issue as the Octavia is a reliable car. Other models worth considering are the Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta, SEAT Exeo (if you can find one) and Honda Civic.
Value of my 2004 Volvo XC90 AWD?
Hi, what's the market value of a 2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T AWD (petrol)? The car is in good overall condition with all the bells and whistles. It's a seven-seater with 160,000km on it. What could I look to get from the dealer in terms of trade-in value (presuming some dealer wants a huge petrol in their stock)?
Piotr Berlowski (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Piotr,
The XC90 is perennially popular, but as you say this one has a big petrol engine (normally a no-no) and it’s a 14-year-old car now. I’d say it would be worth about €2,000 on a trade-in. Maybe a little more if the dealer has someone looking for something similar.