LPG, is it worth it?
Discussion
I am looking at changing cars, I want something fairly quick, (0-60 in less than 7 secs etc) but also economical, instead of going the devils route (diesel) I was thinking of buying a 330 that has been LPG'd.
Is it worth it?
Do they break often?
If they do break, what are the costs involved?
How do you know if it's a good job?
Do they still effect performance by a small amount?
Does the engine sound any different on LPG or petrol?
Any advice appreciated!
Is it worth it?
Do they break often?
If they do break, what are the costs involved?
How do you know if it's a good job?
Do they still effect performance by a small amount?
Does the engine sound any different on LPG or petrol?
Any advice appreciated!
opinion seem to be divided over LPG, I'm half thinking of getting an LPG Range Rover.Had my 1.8T golf converted nearly 3 years and 60k miles ago. It's been great. I converted at 120k miles, higher than recommended but all has been good to be honest. Does about 27mpg on Gas, would do 30ish on petrol. Don't really notice the loss in power at all.
price of LPG is going up, 68p/litre now which is the most I have paid. In relation to diesel cost wise it works out at over 50mpg most of the time.
Downsides, have to fill up every 250miles and you get used to the running costs making it very difficult to justify changing the car, especially when you do 500ish miles a week like I do!
The latest systems are very reliable and if well fitted will last the life of the car and you shouldn't notice any difference driving on gas or petrol.
Oh and no spare wheel anymore.
price of LPG is going up, 68p/litre now which is the most I have paid. In relation to diesel cost wise it works out at over 50mpg most of the time.
Downsides, have to fill up every 250miles and you get used to the running costs making it very difficult to justify changing the car, especially when you do 500ish miles a week like I do!
The latest systems are very reliable and if well fitted will last the life of the car and you shouldn't notice any difference driving on gas or petrol.
Oh and no spare wheel anymore.
I've been running an LPG Peugeot 406 V6 for a few years now.
I've had no issues with the LPG system (wish I could say that for the rest of the car) and will be buying an LPG car again.
I pay 58p per litre, no noticeable difference in engine sound or performance.
When I first bought mine everybody was telling me that the government will put tax up on LPG and it will be the same as petrol but I'm still happily filling up at around £30.
It is a bit of a gamble as it could get put up but its worth the risk.
I've had no issues with the LPG system (wish I could say that for the rest of the car) and will be buying an LPG car again.
I pay 58p per litre, no noticeable difference in engine sound or performance.
When I first bought mine everybody was telling me that the government will put tax up on LPG and it will be the same as petrol but I'm still happily filling up at around £30.
It is a bit of a gamble as it could get put up but its worth the risk.
andrewrob said:
I've been running an LPG Peugeot 406 V6 for a few years now.
I've had no issues with the LPG system (wish I could say that for the rest of the car) and will be buying an LPG car again.
I pay 58p per litre, no noticeable difference in engine sound or performance.
When I first bought mine everybody was telling me that the government will put tax up on LPG and it will be the same as petrol but I'm still happily filling up at around £30.
It is a bit of a gamble as it could get put up but its worth the risk.
The goverment needs by law to give 3 years notice if they want to put up the LPG tax . Just for future refI've had no issues with the LPG system (wish I could say that for the rest of the car) and will be buying an LPG car again.
I pay 58p per litre, no noticeable difference in engine sound or performance.
When I first bought mine everybody was telling me that the government will put tax up on LPG and it will be the same as petrol but I'm still happily filling up at around £30.
It is a bit of a gamble as it could get put up but its worth the risk.
frosted said:
andrewrob said:
I've been running an LPG Peugeot 406 V6 for a few years now.
I've had no issues with the LPG system (wish I could say that for the rest of the car) and will be buying an LPG car again.
I pay 58p per litre, no noticeable difference in engine sound or performance.
When I first bought mine everybody was telling me that the government will put tax up on LPG and it will be the same as petrol but I'm still happily filling up at around £30.
It is a bit of a gamble as it could get put up but its worth the risk.
The goverment needs by law to give 3 years notice if they want to put up the LPG tax . Just for future refI've had no issues with the LPG system (wish I could say that for the rest of the car) and will be buying an LPG car again.
I pay 58p per litre, no noticeable difference in engine sound or performance.
When I first bought mine everybody was telling me that the government will put tax up on LPG and it will be the same as petrol but I'm still happily filling up at around £30.
It is a bit of a gamble as it could get put up but its worth the risk.
I had a 330i Converted and enjoyed it. It may be the one you are looking at as there were very few around (I could not find anyone when I did my conversion who did a 330i). The reg of mine was LA51FMG, a black facelifted (02) 'M' S sport sedan with grey interior, wooden trim(!)) and a sunroof. Miss that car...
Ry_B said:
Is it worth it?
Depends on what your criteria is - for me it was as I really wanted a 330i but with lower running costs. I was driving a petrol 3.0 for the same cost as a 320d - result in my book!
Do they break often?
If they do break, what are the costs involved?
Don't know - mine did not break, only had some tuning issues in the beginning which they did warn about and the car went back to adjust the fuelling after I had used it for a week. The systems consists of a tank, lines, filler cap/neck, injectors and and ecu. I may have missed something out here though...
How do you know if it's a good job?
Having the conversion done yourself is the best way to be sure but you can easily check on who the installer was and vist the premises, check online etc. And also check up on the brand of kit used. Mine was Prins system done by a great firm. It cost 2.2k though but I was not going to skimp on the system as many others do. I went to the converters premises and saw all sorts of expensive machinery, new and old so made me feel allot more confident that they were good. These are the guys: www.afs.uk.com
Do they still effect performance by a small amount?
Yes but very marginal. It still did the indicated 150mph on gas. When going for a very spirited drive I would I would use some Shell Vpower as response was ever so slightly crisper and felt torquier but I am splitting hairs here...
Does the engine sound any different on LPG or petrol?
No - sounds the same on both - ie great!
Only gripe was the range - I had a 45 'donut' tank and the way I drove was getting about 20mpg. Bear in mind the tanks have an expansion gap so a 45l tank takes only 40l or so. So fill up were too regular. If I kept it longer I would have changed/added the tank and put in big cylinder up against the back seats.Depends on what your criteria is - for me it was as I really wanted a 330i but with lower running costs. I was driving a petrol 3.0 for the same cost as a 320d - result in my book!
Do they break often?
If they do break, what are the costs involved?
Don't know - mine did not break, only had some tuning issues in the beginning which they did warn about and the car went back to adjust the fuelling after I had used it for a week. The systems consists of a tank, lines, filler cap/neck, injectors and and ecu. I may have missed something out here though...
How do you know if it's a good job?
Having the conversion done yourself is the best way to be sure but you can easily check on who the installer was and vist the premises, check online etc. And also check up on the brand of kit used. Mine was Prins system done by a great firm. It cost 2.2k though but I was not going to skimp on the system as many others do. I went to the converters premises and saw all sorts of expensive machinery, new and old so made me feel allot more confident that they were good. These are the guys: www.afs.uk.com
Do they still effect performance by a small amount?
Yes but very marginal. It still did the indicated 150mph on gas. When going for a very spirited drive I would I would use some Shell Vpower as response was ever so slightly crisper and felt torquier but I am splitting hairs here...
Does the engine sound any different on LPG or petrol?
No - sounds the same on both - ie great!
TheCarpetCleaner said:
Is it worth it on smaller cars - say 1.4l Corsa?
If it is my own money then for me no. The attraction for me was to have nice engined car (ie 6cyl, powerful, nice sound etc) with diesel costs. The enjoyment more than made up for the hassle of limited range (because I had a small tank) and restricted choice of garages to fill up at. I may be wrong but I don't think a 1.4l Corsa engine scores highly in those criteria - probably better off with a 1.4l diesel - at least you have some turbo whistle and a bit of torque to make life a bit more interesting!
If your criteria is 'green motoring' and excellent MPG than maybe yes.
If you are getting a free conversion/converted car at a really cheap price then it's a different story. Also depends if you use London CC zone as my BMW was not exempt but I believe most Vauxhals and Chryslers are as they have sent the cars for approval - there is a list of approved cars online.
Edited by Dino D on Wednesday 5th May 08:17
TheCarpetCleaner said:
Is it worth it on smaller cars - say 1.4l Corsa?
One of my berlingos is converted to lpg which is a 1.4 engine, it's now on 140k and with an 80L tank we get around a 550 mile range from it, but that is a business van i don't thimk i would bother if it were my car.Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff