Michael McAleer answers your queries
From David Murphy, Mullingar, Co Westmeath:
The factory fitted Mercedes Car Kits is compatible only with the Nokia 6310i range of mobile telephones. This model has now been withdrawn by Nokia and is becoming difficult to source in the event that a new one is required.
I have been told by Vodafone and O2 that once the current stocks of this phone are depleted they will not be restocking them. I recently lost my 6310 phone and after a lot of searching I eventually found a dealer with a stock of two Nokia 6310 phones, both of which I purchased to ensure I would have a compatible phone for the car kit, should any future mishap occur.
I have heard stories of people opting for the car-kit option only to be told by the phone dealers, on delivery, that they cannot supply the compatible phones.
Are new cars ordered with the car kit option being fitted with this car kit or one compatible with the new Nokia phones?
Does Mercedes have any plans to offer existing customers the option of upgrading our car-kits to a newer version?
Current models of Mercedes now offer phone kits for three brands of phone - Motorola, Nokia and Siemens - and a total of 14 different phone models. The choice of kit is generally made at the time of order.
You could also change your phone to the 6310i which is still on sale and, I believe, can operate on the same cradle.
If not, according to Karl Fagan of Mercedes importers MDL, your dealer should be able to change the cradle to suit whatever new version of the phone you use. Of course it will mean extra cost, but in fairness to the car firms they are not at fault for the constant upgrading of phones. For that, blame the phone companies.
Perhaps you should consider getting a bluetooth headset, which works on the 6310.
What's more bluetooth technology seems to be the way forward for in-car communication. It doesn't require cradles and by simply picking up the signal from your phone it links in to the in-car system. Most luxury cars now use this technology and it will not be long before it makes its way into every new model.
From Andrew Scanlan:
Could I trouble you for an opinion on my next car purchase ?
I have three children - one aged six and two aged four. My wife is at home but also works part-time. She drives a Ford Focus Estate. My current car is an Audi A4, but I now need room for two sets of golf clubs and the children, as I do the school drop.
Along with many others I quite fancy an SUV. Should I wait for the BMW X3 2.0d (due out in 2005 at approximately €55,000) or invest in the KIA Sorento GSE €45,000? Another paper recommended a Nissan X-trail which does nothing for me.
Of the two you're considering, I reckon the X3 may end up being slightly underpowered and the current ride quality is quite jarring for passengers (BMW needs to add a comfort option to the suspension settings).
Of the more affordable SUVs, the Sorento is a very popular choice, but you may also want to wait until the new Land Rover Discovery arrives later this year.
Given that the X-Trail did nothing for you, perhaps you might like something a little more muscular. For our money, if you are off-roading and looking for an SUV, then Land Rovers and the Toyota Land Cruisers are the kings. You could get a long-wheelbase diesel Land Cruiser for €56,950.
But do you really need the SUV? Although you've got three children, unless you're looking for an extra row of seats - which is not a feature of either the X3 or the Sorento - then you could do just as well with the likes of the new Audi A6 or BMW 5-series.
Both have wide rear seats, both have enormous boots, and both will offer a better drive and more comfortable ride.
However, if you are determined to follow the SUV trail, then what about the VW Touareg 2.5 TDI, which comes in at €57,105. Perhaps that's a little over your budget, particularly when you add on the extras, but it's got the look I suspect you're after.
Don't dismiss Nissan however. When it introduces its Murano model in the next few years it will dramatically change the perception of the brand.
From Robin Hamilton:
The web address on the story about SUV rollover doesn't seem to be working. Is the address shown correct? If not can you give me the link.
The address is www.safercars.gov Due to a production error the letter "r" was omitted. Apologies.
Send your queries to: Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie