By Paul Gover.
Q: I read some time ago a note comparing the environmental impact of petrol-driven cars versus all-electric cars.
It stated that, taking the environmental impact of raw materials, producing all materials, building the cars, and the disposal-recycling, a Tesla car versus an equivalent-sized petrol car would have to be driven for 80,000 kilometres before it would have less impact on the environment.
Even if the electricity for the electric car is a from renewable sources, wind or solar, it would have to be driven 49,000 kilometres before it is more environmental friendly.
Could you make some comment please?
Peter S
A: No-one has the definitive answer on this and the situation is changing fast as the cost of batteries comes down and production of electric cars grows rapidly. Some new European research says, based on the whole-of-life environmental impact of the rivals, it takes 18-30 years before an electric car gets ahead. But the switch is more about combating global warming, and the various green policies in individual countries. Australia is obviously lagging way behind in the adoption of electric vehicles with no sign of a significant breakthrough in the short or medium-term future.
Q: A new service station has opened in my town and it has premium diesel pumps, so I wonder if is there any advantage to premium over standard diesel.
I have two diesel vehicles that are spectrums apart, a Mercedes GLC Coupe 350D with Add Blue and a LandCruiser dual-cab 79 Series and I have tried premium in both but cannot pick the difference in either vehicle.
Pat O
A: Diesel fuel in Australia is already way, way above the standard of the heavy-sulphur unleaded petrol that is third-world standard. Premium diesel will only give you a major benefit if the PET number, the equivalent to the RON rating for petrol, is significantly higher than regular although oil some oil companies say there are other engine-friendly additives in the fuel.
Q: My brother-in -law has a 320i BMW 320i, only runs it to the shops and back and once a month to Frankston from Mt. Martha in Victoria which is about a 20-minute run.
His mechanic has told him he must run it on 95 fuel, not 91.
He is on a pension, so is he wasting his money?
Paul V
A: Even if he doesn’t do much driving it’s important to look after the car. The extra expense of 95-octane fuel is worth the security, but if the owner’s manual says 91 then it should be fine.
Q: We had a Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and we loved it.
We downsized to a C43 which, again, we love.
The only thing that bugs me is the run-flat tyres, especially in the morning – even during the day if you are parking – where it wants to go straight and is definitely crabbing.
It has only done 10,000 kilometres and, at its first service, I told them what I thought and they said that it was quite common and that they would do a wheel alignment which they said would improve it. At a cost of $400.
It didn’t improve it but I do know that the C43 is an all-wheel-drive and my question if this is this normal, is there a fix, or do we just live with it?
I do know other cars that are all-wheel =-drive and don’t have this problem but don’t have run-flat tyres.
Lori M
A: It’s not that the tyres are run-flats but that they have a soft rubber compound for cornering grip and the front suspension geometry is optimised for high-speed running in Europe. This complaint has come up many times but Mercedes-Benz Australia says it is a characteristic of the cars, including its SUVs, and is not a concern. Switching tyre brands can help, but not eliminate the problem.
Q: I have a 2016 Skoda Fabia which had a 3-year factory warranty and I’m 99 per cent certain it has a leaking water pump.
I tried to go through Skoda Australia, but their only help is to direct me to a dealer for a $220 diagnosis after which I can try and claim it under warranty.
If not, I am out of pocket the $220 which is a huge amount of money for me at this time which essentially does nothing to fix the issue.
What do you think are my chances for having this failure done under warranty?
Richard C
A: The fee for diagnosis is common to almost all brands. As for a warranty claim, it’s 99 per cent certain there will be no help from Skoda unless you have a full factory service history and the company is prepared to make a ‘loyalty contribution’ for the cost of replacement parts.
Q: What is your opinion of the Ford Puma?
Peter F
A: I have spent a lot of time recently with the Puma and like it a lot. It manages to be both a compact SUV and a sporty-ish small hatch.
Q: I’m looking at buying a medium-sized SUV.
I have crook knees so it must be easy to get in and out.
What would you recommend between the Havel 6, Nissan Qashqai or Kia Seltos.
Rodney M
A: An easy one. The Seltos is easily best of those three.
Q: We are looking at an Audi Q3, but Is there any other SUV we should be looking at?
Lyn D
A: The Q3 shares its basics with the Volkswagen Tiguan, so that is the obvious starting point if you’re not badge-centric and want to save some money. In the prestige ranks there are dozens of rivals, but the most obvious – and my choice – is the Volvo XC40.
Q: I leased my wife a 2016 XF Jaguar with certain extras, brand new, back in 2016 and in November the final payment is $34,000 dollars when the 5-year lease ends.
The car has done 16,500 kilometres so do I pay it out or convince her to buy another car with the $34,000 it’s going to cost us to own it?
I would have bought a Mercedes but she didn’t like the fact there are too many on the road. She thinks the Jaguar is a better looking car.
Theo L
A: You won’t get anything special with a Jaguar or Benz badge for $34,000. So if she still likes the Jaguar then why bother to change?
Q: What is your opinion of the current Ssangyong Musso?
I’m currently in the process of retiring to Gippsland and part of that is to buy a new 4×4 ute.
With the current price of the usual brands I’d normally be looking at, my eyes started wandering to the less-expensive alternatives.
I’ve read a few reviews of the Musso and have been impressed by the overall reaction to it. The sharp pricing, 7-year warranty and a current offer of free servicing for the first 3 years is pretty attractive too.
One of the main concerns I have is the current state of Ssangyong Korea’s company position having gone into receivership, and from all accounts currently, unlikely to find a backer with a rescue package…..
John H
A: Ssangyong is not a great brand, although the Musso is robust and affordable. If you have concerns about the future of the brand, then another value brand that is surprisingly good is GWM.
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
