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.
Talk me through the Passat trim lines...
What is the difference between the VW Passat Comfortline/Trendline etc? The one that I am currently considering is a Volkswagen Passat 1.6 FSI four-door B6 115hp. Also are Audi/BMW generally expensive to service and maintain in comparison to a VW?
Bryan Molloy (Dublin )Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bryan,
Trendline is a the most basic VW trim level, so it’ll be pretty bare inside, and lacking for ‘toys.’ Comfortline is a step up, and on a model of that age should include such things as climate control and cruise control, amongst other niceties.
Beware though — that 1.6 FSI engine was not the most reliable thing that VW ever made, so make sure it comes with a full and complete service history. As for servicing, generally a VW will indeed be more affordable to service than one of the premium brands, but if you’re interested in buying a BMW or Audi then you can bring your servicing costs down a lot by going for a good independent specialist rather than a main dealer.
Audi Q7, BMW X5 or Toyota Land Cruiser?
Hi,
We are looking at buying a 2007 Audi Q7, BMW X5 or Toyota Land Cruiser with around 60,000/70,000 miles on the clock. We need four-wheel drive and seven seats. Are there any reliability issues with these SUVs? What would you recommend?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks
S Walsh (Waterford)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Siobhan,
The Audi should be pretty solid, but make sure you buy with a full service history. Ditto the BMW, but they do occasionally have turbo issues, so watch for that. The Land Cruiser is basically indestructible, and if it’s reliability you’re looking for is definitely the best of the three.
Value of a 2002 Honda Civic Saloon?
What is the value of a 2002 Honda Civic Saloon 1.4, 74,000 miles and NCT for nine months?
Sunny Varg (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Sunny,
It will depend on the condition and service history, but probably around €1,200.
How best to put my Avensis through NCT?
I had my car serviced in November with four new tyres and is now due for NCT in April, it is a 1999 Toyota Avensis. Should I just do the test and fix anything that fails if it fails? Car is serviced every year.
Ronan Ballantine (Sligo)Mar 2013 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Generally speaking, it’s best to get the car serviced beforehand, and let the garage know that it’s going in for its NCT. That way you’re dealing with all issues that are there, not just what the NCT picks up on. That said, with it being a Toyota, and you having serviced it every year already, you shouldn’t have any major issues I suspect.
Read our Eight top tips on how to prepare your car for its NCT feature
Market value of 1998 Toyota Corolla?
What is the current market value of a 1998 Toyota Corolla for insurance purposes?
Sandra Bickerdyke (Millstreet)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
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.
Is the 2004 Kia Carens a reliable MPV?
Hi there,
I'm planning to buy a car for our aupair. I saw a cheap Kia Carens (2004) I could buy from a dealer for €2,350. I'm wondering how economical and reliable this car is. I'm not sure Kia would have been as reliable then as it is now.
Alison Stone-Thompson (Wexford)Mar 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Alison,
It should be pretty solid. Kia has always had a good reputation for quality and reliability, even back before the days of the seven-year warranty. We have heard of old-shape Carens having engine failure problems, but it’s a difficult issue to diagnose ahead of the fact. Just make sure it has a full (or at least close to full) service history.
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.
Cost to upgrade to newer Peugeot 207?
I want to trade in a 2007 Peugeot 207 SE for a similar 2011 model. Assuming no problems with my car roughly how much should I expect to pay?
Mary Greene (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mary,