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•27w

I am considering buying the BMW M340i and have heard from a few sources, including a BMW service technician, that it may be prone to frequent tyre punctures or sidewall damage due to its low-profile run-flat tyres and minimal sidewall height. Could you please clarify whether this is a common issue in real-world Indian driving conditions, especially on highways and roads with occasional rough patches? Also, would switching to non-run-flat tyres or opting for a higher sidewall setup significantly reduce this problem?

•27w

On the BMW M340i, what you’ve heard is largely true in Indian conditions. The car comes with low-profile run-flat tyres that have stiff, reinforced sidewalls. This helps you continue driving after a puncture, but it also means there is very little cushioning. On rough roads or sharp potholes, the impact is transferred more directly to the tyre and wheel, increasing the chances of sidewall damage or bulges. This is not a constant issue, but it is something owners do experience on broken roads or bad patches, especially at speed.BMW M340i

Switching to non-run-flat tyres does help. They offer more sidewall flex, which improves ride comfort and reduces the likelihood of damage. Moving to a slightly higher sidewall setup will help, too, but to maintain the overall diameter, you would need to switch to smaller wheels, which adds to the cost.

Since the M340i already comes with a space saver spare, switching away from run-flats is much easier and more practical, as you still have a backup in case of a puncture.

It is also worth noting that this is not unique to the M340i. Cars like the Mercedes AMG C43, which are sportier versions of the standard model with larger wheels and lower-profile tyres, face a similar risk on poor roads.

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•40m

I was reading a report and as per that Sierra clocked more dispatches in september than the Kushaq, Taigun, Elevate and Duster combined. Didn't expect it to make this much noise!

•21h

I own a Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol (6-seater) AX7T since last two months. It delivers a mileage of around 5.7 kpl in the city and got a 12.6 kpl in the highway at a speed of 100 kph. Do you think I should aspire for more?

•3h

Your fuel efficiency figures are broadly in line with what we would expect from the XUV 7XO petrol. The 5.7 kpl in the city is on the lower side, but it is not unusual for a large, heavy SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine, especially if your city driving involves heavy traffic, frequent stop-start conditions and short trips. The 12.6 kpl on the highway at 100 km/h is actually quite reasonable for this car, and suggests the engine is operating efficiently at a steady cruise.You can try a few things to improve city mileage: use the lightest possible throttle, anticipate traffic to minimise braking, and avoid idling with the air conditioning on for long periods. Also check tyre pressures regularly and keep the car well maintained. But fundamentally, this is a big, powerful petrol SUV and its fuel efficiency will never be its strongest suit. If your usage is predominantly city driving, this is simply the nature of the car rather than something to be overly concerned about.

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•5h

There is a 10% drop in mileage. Earlier my Honda city CVT used to give 11+ in bumber to bumper traffic now days it is giving only 10. Highways was always 19+ but now it gives 17-17.5 max

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•6d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•5d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•1d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

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•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•2d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

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