Michael McAleer answers your questions
From Vincent O'Malley:
I have just purchased a new VW car. The documentation states that in order for the warranty to remain valid the vehicle must be serviced by a VW main dealer.
I am almost certain that I read recently that a new EU directive contradicts this in that it is only necessary to have servicing and repairs carried out by a qualified mechanic using genuine VW spare parts.
New EU competition rules for the car market - known in the trade as the block exemption rules - mean that you cannot be forced to go only to a main dealer to have your car serviced and still retain your warranty.
However, there is a catch. Your choice is limited to main dealers and authorised service centres. Since the new rules were introduced, any mechanic or garage can apply to a manufacturer for recognition as a service outlet for their brand. In turn they must meet certain criteria, such as having the right equipment, properly qualified staff and the right sort of parts available. However, if such an outlet meets the criteria laid down by the firm then the manufacturer must accept them as an authorised service centre.
What's relevant for you is that there are now four approved VW service centres in Ireland, with another one soon to be announced. The downside is that you can't simply get it serviced by your local mechanic. As for parts, there are a myriad of approved parts, not all of which come in VW packaging that will not impact on your warranty.
From Isaac M, Co Meath:
We have four children and we're finding that the company car I have just isn't big enough to accommodate us all. We've visited a few showrooms but we're still stumped as to what to get. We are a particularly tall bunch. Any ideas of a people carrier with decent legroom in the back? My budget is €30,000.
The problem most people face with people carriers is that even with seven seats you're going to struggle to fit all the family and any luggage as the children grow up.
To get some decent legroom in the back and some sort of a boot, you really need to be looking at the larger people carriers: the likes of the Renault Espace, Chrysler Voyager or Seat Alhambra.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for a new car, then most of the entrants in this market are over your budget, though only by a few thousand. However, there are a few cars that might just scrape inside it. There's the Hyundai Trajet 2-litre petrol at €29,000 and the Kia Sedona 2.5-litre at €27,995.
After that you are really looking at buying used. The deals on the used market can be quite good, although you have to accept that these are coming from the family market and as a result many will have suffered the usual mishaps and spillages of family life. I found the Ford Galaxy to be a good all-rounder with six adults and some luggage recently, but again you will be looking at the used market.
From M Cumming:
In last week's review you opted for the BMW M5 over the M6. Are you mad? The M6 is a real rival to the current crop of sports cars and has none of the ugly lines of the current BMW saloons. The M5 is a frumpy saloon. What about the M version of the Z4?
You call the M5 "a frumpy saloon" and you question my sanity? The M5 offers virtually all the power options of the M6 but in a more discreet way. Sure the M6 will turn heads aplenty, but there's something enticing about taking a family saloon and offering the sort of handling that would give a Porsche 911 a run for its money. The M6 is beautifully styled, but is it worth spending an extra €30,000 over and above the M5? I don't think so. A colleague got to drive the Z4 M recently and we'll have a full report on it next week.
As for my sanity, that's still open to interpretation.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie