Okay, i've come to a crossroads transport wise and I'm looking for some advice and feedback.
I've recently accepted a new job offer which means that i'll be commuting some 120 miles per day. I currently drive the following:
B5 a4 1.8t sport
'97 AEB code engine
145k miles
Custom Code stage 1 ma[
engine is in good order and returns nearly 40mpg on a run and uses minimal oil/water
As i see it it have a number of options:
1) Keep the car and run it into the ground on petrol (cost for the year £3,600 - £3,800 on petrol + maint).
2) sell the car for about £1k and buy a small diesel for less than £2k, criteria to include A/C for the occasional sunny days we get here in scotland, be comfy enough for the daily commute, give 55mpg and not be too rubbish (i'm not wanting to spend more than this as i'm not the new car type and there seems to be little economic sense in spending money to save money).
3) convert the car to LPG. I have found what i believe to be a knowledgeable installer near to me who specialises in high performance and turbo LPG conversions. A sequential ROMANO kit would be about £1,800 fully installed and certified. There is minimal insurance impact, and i'm assured minimal impact on economy and performance too. So on the surface for a 1 off hit of £1,800 i will have a payback period of just less than 1 year providing it doesn't go bang......
I've spoken at some length with him about a number reservations I had regarding the LPG kit, including:
exhaust issues
petrol starting issues
valve/seat wear
mapping/running issues
economy
use of flashlube kits
etc etc.
All of which i've been re-assured about, as always though, I always take this with a healthy dose of "he's bound to say that".
I'm also aware that the internet, whilst a great tool, is a place for moaners to voice their opinions rather that a place to sing a products praises. To that end, most of the threads/searches i've done online through up questions or gripes from 2 years plus ago (maybe kits have moved on in this time).
So my question is, given the info above what would you do? I have done the sums and know what will save money given time, i have (i think) considered most angles of the conversion including the increase caps on LPG duty increases until 2014.
I am also interested to hear any anecdotal stories, or indeed any 1st hand stories and feedback of LPG - especially on this engine and any other potential issues that i may have overlooked.
Cheers
I've recently accepted a new job offer which means that i'll be commuting some 120 miles per day. I currently drive the following:
B5 a4 1.8t sport
'97 AEB code engine
145k miles
Custom Code stage 1 ma[
engine is in good order and returns nearly 40mpg on a run and uses minimal oil/water
As i see it it have a number of options:
1) Keep the car and run it into the ground on petrol (cost for the year £3,600 - £3,800 on petrol + maint).
2) sell the car for about £1k and buy a small diesel for less than £2k, criteria to include A/C for the occasional sunny days we get here in scotland, be comfy enough for the daily commute, give 55mpg and not be too rubbish (i'm not wanting to spend more than this as i'm not the new car type and there seems to be little economic sense in spending money to save money).
3) convert the car to LPG. I have found what i believe to be a knowledgeable installer near to me who specialises in high performance and turbo LPG conversions. A sequential ROMANO kit would be about £1,800 fully installed and certified. There is minimal insurance impact, and i'm assured minimal impact on economy and performance too. So on the surface for a 1 off hit of £1,800 i will have a payback period of just less than 1 year providing it doesn't go bang......
I've spoken at some length with him about a number reservations I had regarding the LPG kit, including:
exhaust issues
petrol starting issues
valve/seat wear
mapping/running issues
economy
use of flashlube kits
etc etc.
All of which i've been re-assured about, as always though, I always take this with a healthy dose of "he's bound to say that".
I'm also aware that the internet, whilst a great tool, is a place for moaners to voice their opinions rather that a place to sing a products praises. To that end, most of the threads/searches i've done online through up questions or gripes from 2 years plus ago (maybe kits have moved on in this time).
So my question is, given the info above what would you do? I have done the sums and know what will save money given time, i have (i think) considered most angles of the conversion including the increase caps on LPG duty increases until 2014.
I am also interested to hear any anecdotal stories, or indeed any 1st hand stories and feedback of LPG - especially on this engine and any other potential issues that i may have overlooked.
Cheers
Last edited: