Paul Gover is one of Australia’s best, and most respected, car writers. His columns appear every Monday and Thursday on Starts at 60.
Q: I’ve got a 2010 Toyota Corolla hatch and I’m thinking about getting an electric vehicle. Do you have any suggestions? Toyota’s all electric bZ4X is too expensive as I only want to spend around $30,000, maybe a bit more. What do you think about the 2026 BYD Atto 2? I saw on a YouTube video that it’s the second top selling car.
Fiorenzo
A: You should never rely on (anti) social media for car advice; people with complaints are more than 10 times more likely to post than someone who is happy. And big sales usually only mean a good price, not a quality vehicle. Your budget is small for a battery-electric vehicle, so BYD scores on value and it is making a big push into Australia which should mean good service and back-up.
Q: I got a recall on my BMW 330I in October 2025. I keep ringing to get it fixed but they say don’t have parts. Can you help me in any way to get it fixed?
David Peterson
A: The recall for the starter motor on your car was instigated overseas, not as a result of a problem in Australia. When that happens, with any brand, there can be a lag in supply of the parts needed for cars here. In the past there have been many delays on many brands, including Hyundai. Best advice is to be patient, but don’t rely on the dealership and get in direct touch with BMW Australia in Melbourne for a timeline on arrival of the replacement parts.
Q: I’m looking for a used dual-cab ute 4×4 for my son as he is possibly going into a trade next year. Have looked at the Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max amongst others, and the 2-litre Volkswagen Amarok seems to come out on top as far as bang-for-buck and kilometres driven. But I don’t know if this is a wise choice, so I was wondering if you could give me some guidance.
Simon beckett
A: The Amarok has yet to fire in Australia, probably because Volkswagen is not considered by pick-up buyers. So it’s a slightly left-field but smart choice, and the mechanical package comes from the Ford Ranger which is the sales champion. Main difference is the Amarok is built in South Africa, not Thailand, so the specification and equipment will be slightly different.
Q: I bought a Mercedes-Benz C63 demonstrator, 2024, and it has been having brake squeal. It is frequent and really annoying. It is only obvious at very low speed, in car parks and at lights, with light application of brakes. The dealership is saying it is normal and won’t help. What do you think and where should I go to complain further as I don’t think it is normal at all.
Yusuf
A: You bought a high-performance sports sedan, which means it needs powerful brakes. That means what are called ‘hard’ brake pads, with a compound that works best when hot. The downside is that can mean squealing when the brakes are cold. It’s a commonplace complaint across brands, and the only real solution is a change of pads. It’s obvious at low speed because there is less outside noise, but also because the pads are barely touching the brake discs and that’s the worst conditions for squeal.
Q: I am looking to buy a new car around $30,000, but can go over. I am 75 and currently have a Hyundai i30 2014, which I’ve had since new, with 187.000 kilometres. I need a car that is a little higher than the i30 as I am experiencing difficulty getting in and out. I have looked at a few cars – MG, Hyundai Kona and a couple of other Chinese cars – however prefer to have my blinkers on the right-hand side. I looked at a Hyundai Venue and found it to be really comfortable and so far my best choice but haven’t driven any yet. I don’t drive many long trips anymore and, since losing my husband, I find it quite overwhelming trying to make a decision. I hope you can steer me in the right direction.
Marian Melville
A: Look no further than the Venue, as it will be a good size for you, is from a great brand, and has an excellent reputation for quality and reliabilty. I’ve recently been using a (very rare) manual-gearbox Venue to teach my son to drive and it has been a winner.
Q: I have a 2002 BMW 330CI M Sport convertible Carbon Black which I have owned since 2003, so 23 years. The car had 6500 kilometres when purchased with current 113,000. I have every single receipt including light bulbs and battery and everything in between. It’s very clean and totally original. There’s some talk about the E46 330CI M54 engine being a future classic. Do you agree that there may be some improved future value and worth retaining or would you move it on? I will likely keep it and give it to my boys anyway, but interested in your opinion.
Nayer Radly
A: It’s the M3 version of the E46 which is already a collector’s car, with values rising solidly. Still, the 330 is also a lovely car. You should never keep a car for its future value, just for the smiles it gives you right now. So if it makes you happy, keep it and enjoy it.
Got a question for Paul Gover, email him at community@startsat60.com