News

Live Q&A update

* Readers questions answered
* Shanghai motor show, VXR replacement
* Browse our Q&A archive
Live Q&A update

In our live Q&A earlier this afternoon, we didn't have time to answer all of your questions in our one-hour lunchtime slot.

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We don't like to disappoint, so here are the questions sent in by Martin and Chris and the answers supplied by our team of experts.

Any good stuff going to be launched at the Shanghai motor show that we should be looking out for?
Martin

Deputy website editor Pete Lawton: Audi's Q3 baby crossover makes its world debut thatll be interesting. So will Mercedes-Benz's new front-wheel-drive platform concept, which paves the way for the new A- and B-Class.

Citroen's DS5 family car arrives to expand that sub-brand, while Volkswagen will show the new Beetle.

Theres also plenty of exciting cars being unveiled at the New York motor show this month. The BMW M5 Concept model will be in there. It's not really a concept car at all, with only minor revisions expected between now and November when it goes on sale for around 75k.

The new Lexus GS will be shown, too, and Peugeot, Rolls-Royce and Seat will have concepts models on display, but they havent told me what theyll be yet.

The Shanghai motor show takes place on April 19, while the New York motor show is a day later on April 20.

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After a terrible experience buying an accident-repaired (unknown) Vectra VXR, I am currently looking at replacing it. I have a 12k budget and want the best performance diesel. Any good suggestions?
Chris

Deputy production editor Barnaby Jones: Hi Chris, I assume you need something similar in size to your Vectra.

The BMW 330d and 535d are both excellent fast diesel saloons. 12k will get you a 2005 330d, or a 2004 535d.

If thats too old, you can get a 2008 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI CR vRS for the same money.

The Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi 175 is also worth a look, although itd have to be a high-mileage 2008 car to fall in your budget.

If I were in your position, Id go for the Octavia.

Browse the Q&A archive
You can browse the entire archive of previous Q&A sessions by clicking here.

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