Which Car for Retirement

I am soon to retire, and need to purchase a car. I am thinking of a 2-3 year old petrol automatic - options are narrowed to Mercedes-Benz C220/250, BMW 320 or Ford Mondeo. Which would you advise as best...

Reported MPG against real - can this be right?

I've recently bought a BMW E93 Convertible 325D Auto and have been looking carefully at the MPG figures. I never get anything like what the manufacturer says but I can live with that but I decided to...

BMW 116i - What are the benefits of alloy wheels?

I recently started driving a 2004 BMW 116i, and I really enjoy driving it. It's fitted with steel 16in wheels. What benefits (other than cosmetic) would swapping over to alloy wheels give? The reason...

Chain or belt on a BMW Z4?

My son-in-law's Z4 has just had to be recovered with a belt failure circa 55k miles and just short of the service when the belt is apparently due to be changed. The BMW garage (independant) advises this...

I can recommend winter tyres after fitting them to my wife's BMW 325M.

We live in semi-rural Aberdeenshire and we do have winters up here, the last three returning to what were 'normal' winters a few years ago. My wife drives a BMW 325M diesel automatic, and we fit winter...

Why are low profile tyres becoming more common?

I am puzzled by the way tyre profiles have changed in the new millennium. On many cars they are now of such low profiles as to resemble a bit of tape wound around a big wheel. I have read your views about...

Which estate or large hatchback to replace my Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

I shall soon be changing my six-year-old Mercedes-Benz A180 and was wondering if you could suggest a few options. My main criteria are for low CO2 emissions, good fuel economy and excellent comfort, plus...

Large company car - but which one?

I have recently started my own company and the time has come to consider company vehicles. I am however getting stuck when it comes to finding something suitable. I am ideally looking for something Passat/...

Stop-start effect on turbos in automatics

I'm waiting on delivery of a new 328i touring automatic in the next couple of weeks. It's my first automatic BMW and my first with stop-start technology ... so quite a bit of learning to do! I had a 330d...

3 Series or Jag XF?

Thinking of retiring and buying a new 328i Tourer or XF Jaguar. Mileage likely to be less than 10,000 PA Which is best and what about residuals after 3-5 years? Is petrol the best option ?