Expert answer

Hi Daniel,

As that car is pre-2008 it is taxed according to its engine size. Following the Budget announcement (December 5, 2012), the cost of taxing that car for a year has risen from €962 to €1,034.

Hope that helps,

Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

In general the Superb has proven to be very robust, as it's built on Volkswagen Group mechanicals. Make sure you check the car's history (we recommend Cartell.ie for that) to ensure it wasn't a taxi in a previous life.

Other than that, check the air conditioning is working.

We wouldn't particularly recommend the 1.8 T petrol model due to a few known engine issues, but that car is not so common here anyway.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Lorraine,

The 1.6-litre TDI engine is available in either 85- or 105hp outputs both of which have an official combined cycle consumption figure of 4.5 litres/100km (62.8mpg). The 105hp version is also available in BlueMotion trim with its longer gearing, unique bodystyling and other tweaks allowing for fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100km (74. mpg). By way of comparision the 140hp 2.0-litre TDI Golf returns 4.8 litres/100km - or 58.9mpg in old money.

So while less powerful the 1.6 TDI is more efficient. All of the 1.6 variants also qualify for Band A tax of €160 whereas the 2.0 TDI is Band B, costing €225 annually. 

Just to throw a spanner into the works; over shorter journeys like the ones you outline a petrol powered model may actually prove to be more economical due to the time it takes a diesel engine to heat up and reach ideal operating temperature. And of course it will be cheaper to buy in the first place.

If you would like to discuss this further let us know. 

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

Nice choice of cars to be thinking about. Before we look at the stats of the cars, the driving experience in the 3 Series vs. the Audi A4 is quite different - and will be the deciding point for many, so please do try to get a test drive in examples of both. That's the case whether you go for the older 3 Series Coupé or the newer saloon.

Personally, I prefer the way a 3 Series of this age drives in comparison to an A4. It's more 'dynamic' and engaging thanks to the rear-wheel drive layout. However, not everyone likes that and I've heard non-enthusiastic drivers call the feeling 'skittish'. There is no doubt that a front-engined, front-wheel drive car like the Audi A4 will find more traction on snow and ice than a rear-wheel drive BMW (assuming neither has winter tyres), but our climate is too mild for that to be a serious car-buying priority.

In terms of running costs, the early versions of the E90 BMW 320d saloon and Audi A4 2.0 TDI 140 are very close and, as you'll be buying a car registered before 2008 with that budget then tax will be the same, as it's based on the engine size. The E46 320Cd coupé is a little heavier on fuel, but not much.

The 320d saloon has the most powerful engine of these three, though there's not much in it really.

Both saloons are generally quite reliable, though we'd recommend getting full service histories and getting mileage checks with Cartell.ie as each car has its own known issues that crop up from time to time - like turbo issues on the BMW and burning oil in the Audi. The E46 coupé is also reliable, though it's built on older architecture so won't be as modern in general.

One final thing to bear in mind. While the S line Audi specification is highly tempting, it comes with firmer suspension, which may not be to everyone's taste. Test drive it before committing. Likewise an M Sport version of the BMW 320d, though you may not find many of those within budget.

Now, whether you should consider petrol instead of diesel is a whole other story. The decision really should come down to your average mileage. The diesel models will definitely be far more economical on a long run or commute, but not in town. Likewise, you can get lower capacity engines in the petrol cars bringing your annual tax bill down.

If you want to discuss the latter point in more detail come back to us and we'll go through options.

Hope this all helps

Expert answer

Hi Adrian,

There's no doubt that premium cars of this age can come with costly repair bills. The older they get the more likely something will go wrong, no matter how reliable they are in general. The example you're looking at already has quite high mileage so we'd say budget for a grand or so of repairs a year just in case.

This generation of the A4 was reliable enough. Most problems seem to have stemmed from heating and cooling systems (in particular the air conditioning) and electrics so thoroughly inspect the car - preferably with a bit of professional help. Ensure that the gearbox (assuming it's manual) is smooth and noise-free and that there is no clonking from the front suspension.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Eamon,

Why? Because the government can get away with it, that’s why. The EU has repeatedly told the Irish government that VRT is unfair, but then all the government has to do is wave in the general direction of Denmark, which also charges hefty taxes on cars. Basically speaking, at some point, the patience in Brussels will run out and VRT will have to be scrapped. But don’t get your hopes up — no government can afford to give up a €1 billion annual tax take, so VRT will simply be renamed and repackaged in some other form. It’s never going to go away.

Expert answer

Hi Colm,

All BMW 520ds of that era should be in Band B for tax at the time of writing, which means an annual tax bill of €225.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Ruth,

The two-wheel drive 2.2 D-4D 150 emits 156g/km, which puts it in Band D. That's €481 per annum. The same engine with four-wheel drive costs the same with 159g/km.

Go for the automatic version with four-wheel drive and emissions rise to 186g/km, with motor tax costing €677 per year - Band E.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Holly,

This is correct I'm afraid. In 2008 the tax system changed over to a CO₂ emissions rating (from engine size bands) and the 1.3-litre Jimny went from €358 overnight to €677. It's quite an inefficient car for the size of the engine.

If you really do like the Jimny then you'll need a pre-2008 model to keep your annual tax bill down.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

We assume you mean the latest Mercedes-Benz E 200 BlueEfficiency. With the seven-speed automatic gearbox this uses 6.5- to 6.9 litres/100km (43.4- to 40.9mpg) depending on the version. It's either Band C or D for tax (depending again on version), costing €330 or €481.

If you have a specific model in mind come back to us and we'll answer more precisely.