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Previously answered questions

Should I stretch my car's legs regularly?

Thanks very much for your reply on fuel additives for a Skoda. In the normal event, it is probably the case that an engine doesn't get raced very often, and probably runs at fairly low revs most, if not all, of the time. Is there a benefit in running an engine, either petrol or diesel, from time to time at high revs and, if so, how often and for how long?

Your review of the Jaguar F-Type 2.0-litre was very interesting. I have one comment about the engine noise. There are times driving on a back road when it is a pleasure to hear an engine crackle and roar, but perhaps not always. I was driving along a long Spanish sea side resort behind an F-Type, where there were ramps and pedestrian crossings every couple of hundred yards. My thoughts were that one could quickly get tired of that roar every time the car started off again.

Perhaps, that's just me getting old and grumpy!

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous

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I need advice on a 2008-2009 Audi A4...

Hi,

Am looking at replacing my current car with an 08/09 Audi A4 diesel. I was looking for some advice as to things to watch out for on this type of car second hand. Also in terms of spec, is it worth holding out to get an S line model?

Thanks

Derry Lynch (Carrick On Shannon)

Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

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What do you think of the Dacia Duster?

Hi,

I have an 02 Audi A6 1.8T converted to LPG; my problem is when it rains, the floor behind the driver's seat gets soaked; where is water getting in?

Also, I'm considering buying a Dacia Duster; what's your opinon on them?

Chris Mcguirk (Meath)

Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

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Should my Opel Astra get a power upgrade?

I find my Opel Astra 1.4 (2011) sluggish after dropping from 4th to 3rd in traffic and then trying to go back up again to 4th. The car has 100hp. Would or could I get an upgrade in power?

F D (Dublin)

Nov 2013 Filed under: performance

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Ok to pay for UK car on finance from Ireland?

Hi,

I want to import a car from the UK on Hire Purchase. I intend to register it as you have previously advised here that it is ok to register a car with outstanding finance. My question is, will the car company whose bank provide the finance, have an issue with this and will they even find out given all payments will be made as usual

Regards Hugo

Hugo Macaulay (Dublin)

May 2017 Filed under: finance

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How does the Skoda Octavia 1.0 perform?

I have just ordered the Skoda Octavia Combi 1.0-litre petrol. How does the one-litre engine perform with a fully loaded car?

Mark Conway (Dublin)

Jul 2017 Filed under: performance

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Why are cars not properly changed to RHD?

Hi! Hope you're well and hope you don't mind having a read of my rant to see what you think.

I'm wondering lately what is it with car manufacturers, in particular European ones, who in recent years have decided to skimp on doing full right-hand-drive conversions on their cars. For example, in the current Skoda Octavia, the bonnet release is on the left, as it was designed to be. The access buttons for the stereo are also to the left for easy access by the driver. If you take a look at the right-hand-drive model though you see the handbrake, bonnet release and stereo controls still placed for the left-hand-drive market. Same applies to the latest Golf; Volkswagen has been doing that with the Golf since the MK3 model.

And marques outside of VAG are also guilty - in particular Renault and Peugeot stand out as prime offenders for this - so much so as not bothering to convert the wipers to the right side.  It looks so lazy - and I presume it's saving a meager sum on each car sold. You'd know this is the case as the premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes still go to the trouble of doing the conversions properly - but what's frustrating is that Skoda was doing proper conversions until recently. Their MK2 Octavia, sold until 2013, had it done properly. So it's a shame to see it going in the wrong direction.

Is there any way you could run this by your people in the motoring industry? I love new cars, but I'm sure most people would be willing to pay the extra €100 per car or whatever it is to have it as intended for the market. I'm sure some acknowledgement of it might make them reconsider. The poor attempts at the minute look very, very shoddy and I wish they'd give us the same attention as they do the left-hand-drive world.

Thank you for reading. I know - first world problems right?

Colin Moynihan (Waterford)

Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous

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Audi A3 or Volkswagen Golf, for space?

Which car has the most interior space: the Volkswagen Golf or the Audi A3?

F D (Dublin)

Aug 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

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Kia Optima or Volkswagen Passat?

Considering buying a 2016 Kia Optima, but am sceptical of its resale value or trade in value. Other options being considered are a 2015/16 Passat, which will be more expensive now, but would it be better in the long run from a trade in value perspective in the future?

Daithi Glynn (Limerick)

Aug 2017 Filed under: resale value

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Worth using fuel additives in my Skoda?

Hi,

I have a 1.6 TDI Greenline 2012 Skoda Superb with 70k km up. An injector recently had to be replaced. I don't know why, possibly because the car is unused for a few months each year. Is there any benefit in using a fuel additive to prevent further damage and, if so, which?

I also have a 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged Mercedes-Benz C-Class (245hp) of much more recent vintage. Is there a benefit of using a fuel additive from early in a car's life? Is there any evidence that these products. work?

Many thanks,

Philip

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Aug 2017 Filed under: aftermarket

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