Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Siobhán Mulligan:
I was wondering if you've ever reviewed a Toyata 1.3 Corolla Liftback. I need to change my car to accommodate my new baby. I wanted to buy a Polo but the boot was too small after testing the buggy in it. The size of the Golf's boot wasn't much better, while the Corolla's boot is huge so I'm tempted to buy one and especially since Toyota has a reliable reputation. My budget is €9,000 or under, and I am looking for a hatchback (as the Corolla saloons don't look too hot).
I haven't driven the 1.3-litre model myself, but my colleague Andrew Hamilton has, and is confident the Liftback will serve your needs, though he suggests that you look to other marques as well before making the final decision. For example, the Skoda Octavia has a large boot and is also worth considering.
(We know that this is the second week we've referred to the Octavia, but we can assure you we are not secretly trying to sell a couple of old Octavias on commission).
However, you don't specify the age of your potential purchase and given that the Corolla name can be traced back through the annals of time, it's worth going for a newer model. But with a budget of €9,000 you have the chance to buy one with a 99 or 00 registration.
From Denis O'Kane, Donegal:
Can you tell me when can we expect to see in Ireland the new 3 series saloon to replace the E46?
The new 3-series should be introduced by autumn next year. However, if you are expecting more "Bangle" surprises, you're set to be disappointed.
Given its importance to the firm - representing over 50 per cent of overall sales - changes are going to be moderate compared to the radical step BMW went on replacing the former 7-series by today's model.
Apart from the X3-inspired newly shaped headlights and a wider twin-kidney grille, no more design excesses are to be expected.
Dimensions won't be changed much, but the longer wheelbase and higher roofline will benefit rear bench passengers, and the tall boot increases space in the luggage compartment.
While most safety equipment will be standard yet in the entry-level 318i, luxury and sporty features will be optional only. Amongst those are the active steering system, larger 17, 18 or 19-inch wheels, adjustable shocks (EDC), adjustable stabilisers (Dynamic Drive), air-suspension and level-control at the rear axle and the second generation all-wheel-drive.
Like the current model, the new 3-series will get McPherson struts at front and a multi-link rear axle.
The biggest difference between the current model and the new one will be the line-up.
As with the 5- and 6-series, BMW plans to clearly differentiate the two-door models from the four-door ones, so the future 3-series will consist of only two models, the four-door saloon (E90 - due for launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005) and the five-door Touring (E91, summer 2006).
From then on the coupé (E92, end 2006) and cabrio (E93, spring 2007) models will take the moniker 4-series in the future.
The difference won't only be the name. The new 4-series will feature a significantly re-designed body, a more complete equipment, more powerful engines - and, of course, a higher price.
Thankfully there will be no Compact version. This version never really looked the real deal for BMW, and the 1-series will take up the hatchback mantle for the Munich firm.
From Robin C Sykes:
I am heading for France this summer with my wife and three children in our Opel Zafira. In order to give us more room for the mountain of gear I have been advised to bring, I have purchased a 410-litre roof box. My question is, where should I mount the box to reduce drag to a minimum? Should it be at the front, back, middle or does it not matter?
I take it you bought one of the roof boxes in Opel's €399 promotion. According to the advice we have sought, there's no definite position where it should be placed, but it's probably best in the middle in order to balance it. These boxes come with a slanted front that reduce drag and wind noise and after that, the difference in drag is relatively minor whether at the front or back. The most important point is to attach it properly and not to overload it.
From John McCarthy:
I read with interest the article on clock conversion written by Daniel Attwood on speedometers (Motors, April 21st). In the motorcycle world we have been using a stick-on converter for a number of years now. One of my bikes is an Italian import and reads in kph but it also has the mph shown in smaller numbers but you get quite used to converting from km to miles. I have also had the stick-on converter on a previous bike and they are made to order for different instruments for different models.
• Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie