Oct 22, 2020 | Buying advice |
The first Opel Astra was launched in 1991. With it, Opel wanted to give a worthy successor to the very popular Opel Kadett. As always, Vauxhall had a lot of competition in the mid-segment. Although the Astra did well in terms of sales figures, they could not VW and later Peugeot In terms of sales figures, the Astra doesn't beat the competition. This may be explained by the somewhat bourgeois character, the Astra doesn't excel in anything, but on the other hand it doesn't score an insufficiency on the components, reliability, space and equipment. The finish isn't on the VAG level, but it isn't bad either and generally stands the test of time well.
In this article we will discuss the Opel Astra Mk6, production took place between 2009 - 2015 and was offered with both diesel and petrol engines. In addition, there were many different body styles, from a beautiful coupe to a spacious estate car. If you are considering buying an Opel Astra Mk6, you might want to check the following points.
Common problems Opel Astra
- The M32 six-speed manual transmission can fail. Opel recognises this problem and replaces the gearbox. So please check whether this has been done.
- Look in the boot for signs of water leakage. There may be a puddle of water near the spare wheel. Replace rubbers.
- As written, the finish is in order but not top-notch. This can cause squeaks and creaks. If you want to remedy this, it can be a long quest. So pay attention to this during a possible test drive.
- The cruise control may be disabled and the brake lights may flash due to a known parking sensor fault.
- The bearings/balls in the front suspension wear out quickly, leading to knocking when the car drives over bumps. Fortunately, replacement is not very expensive.
- The 1.4 engine has a few points of interest. High oil consumption can be caused by a broken crankcase ventilation membrane. The cooling system of the 1.4 engines can show leakage. In addition, the water pump and the thermostat can give up the ghost sooner than you might expect. A false report of a low cooling water level is caused by a broken float in the reservoir or a defective sensor.
The pros and cons of the Opel Astra Mk6
Generally, buying an Vauxhall Astra is a safe choice. Although this car doesn't really excel in anything, it doesn't fall through the cracks either. There are some annoying problems, like the six-speed gearbox that can fail, but which Vauxhall does replace. In this case it is advisable to check whether this has already been done. Finally, the 1.4 engine can be disappointing in terms of reliability.
Oct 15, 2020 | Buying advice |
In the past, Volvo gained fame with large, safe and comfortable models. In the past, only the Volvo 480 was sold in the compact segment. With the introduction of the Volvo C30 in 2006, the Volvo again with a compact model. The Volvo C30 is strikingly styled and good to drive. This is because it shares many parts with the well steering Ford Focus. The Volvo C30 sold reasonably well in Holland, but could not compete with for example the Ford Focus. Golf 6. This is probably partly due to the lack of a 5-door variant. This is a shame, because the C30 has a lot to offer, not least excellent safety levels, good build quality and most models are also well equipped. The C30 also came with some excellent engines, from mild to wild. However, the small boot, limited rear legroom and lack of availability of a five-door option made the C30 a serious option for not everyone. Because of these drawbacks, today you can buy a Volvo C30 for relatively little money. Of course, every car has some common problems, and the Volvo C30 is no exception. Below are the most common problems with the Volvo C30.
Problems Volvo C30
- Wind noise of some early cars can be a problem, mostly due to the design of the wing mirror; it can be solved.
- Air conditioning stops working when the condenser fails, although system leaks are not uncommon either.
- Large rims on sporty C30s easily get kerb damage. This is due to the cluttered body.
- The focus is on style rather than practicality; the C30 cannot carry more than four people, as there is no fifth seat.
- Door cladding panels can squeak or creak, solving this can be a time-consuming task.
- If you drive in the dark a lot, it is worth buying a car with xenon lights, as the standard lights are not that good.
- Windshields are prone to chipping and cracking; check if they have already been renewed.
- The 1.6 diesel engines, are not bad but always need new oil according to the maintenance schedule. Check this, otherwise the turbo may fail sooner than you expect.
- Most models are equipped with a timing beltCheck whether it has been replaced.
- We find the 1.6 petrol engine too light for this Volvo, the 1.8 is fine.
Pluses and minuses of this compact Volvo
As you would expect from a Volvo, the safety level is extremely good. The NCAP gave this car 5 stars and scored the maximum in many areas. In addition, the build quality is simply good, which keeps the Volvo looking good as it ages. The engine range is good, with our preference going to the 1.8 petrol and the 2.0 diesel. These are nicely balanced engines with sufficient power and are also relatively fuel efficient. The small boot space and the lack of a 5-door may be a reason for people to ignore this nice Volvo. This is also reflected in the purchase price, which is interesting on the occasion market.
Oct 7, 2020 | Buying advice |
When the 308 entered the market in 2007, it was supposed to succeed the popular 307. This Peugeot 308 was a lot better than its predecessor in terms of comfort, refinement, fuel-efficient engines and vastly improved interior quality. Few small family hatchbacks offer the same ' value for money' as the 308. And because Peugeot is not that value-for-money, it is quite affordable as an occasion car. The Peugeot 308 is also safe, with a Euro NCAP crash test rating of five stars. However, the space on the back seat is not great and the 308 is not the best steering mid-sized car on the market. But with a decent fuel consumption of the diesel engines and very low purchase prices, the 308 may be just the right choice for a price-conscious family.
Peugeot 308 checklist
- From January 2010, ESP became standard on all 308s, with the exception of the entry-level Urban editions.
- If you don't cover many kilometres, cars with a particulate filter are likely to cause costly problems.
- The electrics can be erratic and the engine can fail. Starting the engine can also be a problem due to faulty electronics. So check that everything works. You can do this by having the car checked before buying it.
- The instrument panel may have problems. This causes the trip computers and service indicators to malfunction. The odometer may also have problems; the remedy is a software update.
- The interior trim is weak and sometimes the interior suffers from squeaks and creaks
- Look for signs of water leaking in through the windscreen seals. This can cause annoying electronics problems.
Plus and minus 308
Although the Peugeot 308 is not the most desirable model in its class, it can be a good rational purchase. This is primarily due to its competitive purchase price. You simply buy a lot of car for relatively little money. In general, the Peugeot 308 can be called reliable, although there have been a few annoying electronics problems. That is why it is wise to have the car checked before buying it.
Oct 5, 2020 | Buying advice |
With the VW Golf Mk6 caught up in the emissions debacle, you might think that you should ignore this VW, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although some owners have complained that the VW emission cuts have ruined their diesel-powered Golf, it doesn't affect the petrol versions and the same goes for a diesel model. The result is that you can still enjoy an excellently built family car that simply drives well, is well equipped and scores well in terms of safety, see NCAP report. Despite the emissions scandal, a Golf 6 still holds its value. You still pay more for a Golf than for an equivalent Ford Focus or Peugeot 308. Whether you want to pay this extra price is of course entirely up to you, but we are happy to put down a few hundred euros more for the Golf 6.
Golf 6 checklist
- While S-trim comes with a space-saving spare wheel, posh Golfs only get a tyre mobility kit.
- Some 2.0 TFSi engines suffer from defects in the ignition coils, which can lead to an unevenly running engine.
- The 1.4 TSI engine may suffer from cracked pistons, although it is difficult to check before purchase, it may be smarter to avoid this engine.
- Alarm systems can be erratic and go off for no reason. It is usually just a matter of having the ECU software updated by a dealer.
- In some early examples, the Bluetooth system did not recognise most types of phones; it can now be fixed, but the cost may be high.
- The squeaking and creaking coming from the cabin of the Golf is not unknown. It is often because the backrest of the rear seat is not locked properly.
- Creaks from the underside at the front are due to the suspension bushes drying out. It is usually best heard in dry weather.
Strengths and weaknesses of Golf 6
As we reveal in the article, the Golf is a pleasant car. Although the model has been a bit weighed down by the diesel emissions scandal, it is a good car with a wide range of engines. As can be expected from the VAG group, the build quality is excellent, you notice this especially when a car gets older. The higher purchase price in the used car market takes some getting used to, but in many cases you will see a return when you trade it in.
Sep 30, 2020 | Buying advice, Diesel |
The well known 1.9 tdi engines of the VAG group have been used in many brands and models, from Audi to Skoda!
The first generation of this engine dates back to 1991, then known as the TDI-VP and was available as -75, 90 and 110 hp, and the fuel was delivered via a Bosch rotary pump. The strongest variant is characterised by the use of a variable geometry turbine and a floating flywheel (this is often replaced for a fixed flywheel when older). The engine was offered in a wide range of VAG models from 1991 to 2010 and quickly became popular for its low fuel consumption and good dynamics. But it was also criticised for being noisy.
The technology behind TDI
The direct fuel injection used in the 1.9 TDI engines requires very high precision and high pressure. In general, direct injection diesel engines are louder than indirect injection diesel engines, which is why a two-stage injector was introduced in the 1.9TDI engines.
This solution allowed the implementation of the so-called pre-injection with traditional high-pressure "Bosch pump" fuel pumps that were mounted on 1.9 TDI engines from the beginning. The first smaller injection prepares the cylinder for the main injection of fuel into the cylinder and improves the main combustion, which is not sharp, i.e. it reduces the noise. The 1.9 TDI-VP uses a turbocharger, intercooler, EGR valve and heating elements in the cooling system for easy starting at low temperatures.
The new PD generation
In 1998, a new generation of 1.9 TDI - 1.9 TDI PD came on the market. This used pump nozzle injection, which replaced the traditional injectors and pumps. This solution helped to increase the injection pressure, thus reducing fuel consumption (in practice, the difference is nil) and again improving performance. Unfortunately, in this case a small side effect had already emerged: slightly higher maintenance costs, this engine had a floating flywheel and a turbine with variable geometry.
The noisy character of the TDI
The only accusation against the 1.9 TDI and 1.9 TDI PD is that they are quite noisy. Fortunately, this inconvenience is only felt in lower class cars, and generally at low speeds. When driving at a speed of around 100 km/hr, the noise isn't too bad, but the difference with, for example, a diesel of BMW is considerable. It is important to note that to counteract the vibrations, the manufacturer (VAG) uses engine mounts with oil-filled rubbers.
The TDI was a breakthrough in the 90s
In the late 1990s, Volkswagen brought a solution with the TDI that would later be used in many passenger cars. The pump-spray injection system made it possible to achieve even higher injection pressures, thus reducing fuel consumption. Unfortunately, neither the two-stage injector pump nor the pump-spray system eliminated the main disadvantages of the TDI engine: diesel rattling and strong vibrations transmitted to cars, pedals and steering wheels of smaller cars. If you hear a loud rattle under the bonnet of your car, it does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with the engine - all 1.9 TDI engines do.
The pump injector was an improvement
With the arrival of unit injectors, the 1.9 TDI engine began to run more quietly and the raw sound decreased somewhat. In addition, these engines had slightly lower emissions, which of course became increasingly important.
In the case of the 1.9 TDI engine with a unit injector, it is especially important to check the timing belt replace them in time. Very high mechanical power is required to move the piston of the injection pump. That is why the timing belt is under extra strain.
Timing of TDI engines
With the 1.9 TDI engine, the intervals for changing the timing belt vary considerably and range from 60000 km to 120000 km. This depends on the engine generation. If you buy a car with a 1.9 TDI engine, it is best to replace the timing belt immediately when the last change is uncertain.
Most reliable 1.9 tdi generation
The most reliable TDI generation are the earlier versions of the 1.9 TDI diesel, which has a rotary pump and outputs from 75 to 110 PS. The most popular version is the diesel engine with 90 hp. It is usually with fixed-geometry turbines, and with any luck, the car will no longer have a floating flywheel. A 90 hp 1.9 TDI engine can reach 500,000 km with regular maintenance, even if the driver has a heavy right foot.
Consumption of the 1.9 TDI engine
Of course, not unimportant for a diesel, the consumption! TDI engines can be very economical, especially the first generation with 75, 90 and 110 hp can easily achieve an average consumption of 1:18 and if you are a quiet driver, 1:20 is not at all exceptional. The new generation with pump injector is slightly more sensitive to the driving style of the driver. If you drive calmly, a consumption of 1:18 is also fine, but if you drive fast, it can suddenly become 1:15. Of course, still not bad values. Oil consumption is usually limited to 0.5 litres per 10,000 km, if your TDI uses more, it could indicate a leak or a space on one of the components.
The 2.0 TDI vs. the 1.9 TDI
When the 2.0 TDI engine appeared in 2003, it was thought that the 1.9 TDI would slowly disappear from the VAG group's engine range. Unfortunately, the new diesel proved to be very unreliable. Partly because of this, the 1.9 TDI was still sold for over 6 years in various VAG models. So if you are faced with the choice of buying a 1.9 TDI or 2.0 TDI, choose the older generation of engines. These usually offer much more security and have a similar performance.
CONCLUSION - 1.9 TDI engine
The 1.9 TDI engine comes in many models and versions, so you can easily find one that suits you. If the TDI has had regular oil changes, they are reliable, economical and quite fast workhorses.
Of course, you may have bad luck once you buy a car with a 1.9 TDI engine. Fortunately, they are relatively simple blocks and low repair costs are the rule rather than the exception.
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