Wanted: A8 D3 4.2 petrol

[Godders]

Originally Posted by IT

For my two penneth, its a bit underwhelming. Its a very basic spec for a D3 and its only interesting feature is the low mileage, which to be honest I dont find half as appealing as a well specced car in a nice colour combo...

Go take a look, but I suspect the one you look at after it will seem better

I agree, described as fully loaded which in my world means most if not all boxes ticked for options when ordered so where's (as I can see them on the pics) :

• Solar sunroof
• Adaptive Lights

Does it have :

• Power boot
• Detachable towbar
• Home Link
• Interior light pack
• Rear heated seats
• 4 zone climate
• I could go on

He's obviously struggling to sell it as the PH price is £500 less than the windscreen price (just lazy IMHO) so may be able to get it cheaper.

[Godders]

Originally Posted by RickB

Just personal experience with my parents Rangey, had numerous issues with LPG and has just put me off. I have no real need for the mileage, so would rather steer clear of LPG.

Did the Rangey have an old style evaporator system or a proper, more reliable, sequential injection system and was it fitted properly ?

From what I understand the old RR V8 wasn't happy on LPG for a number of reasons more often down to poorly fitted and calibrated conversions.

I was apprehensive myself when I bought mine and did have to sort out some of the niggles (coolant leaks, calibration and cheap injectors) but now I've sorted those (took a lot of research and learning about LPG) I would take the plunge again on any car.

LPG is a relative unknown to most of us but Google and, being happy to get your hands dirty help. I've had no problems with mine since sorting everything and would be shipping it to Australia but I can't justify the outlay with all the other expenditure.

[RickB]

Thanks for replies guys.

Yes, its not a great spec I dont think and not in the colour combo or alloys I'd want. The mileage is not an issue for me, so long as its well looked after and serviced (Which this sounds like it isnt). So the only thing going for it is the price, but I doubt I'd want to spend anywhere near £5k on it with all the niggling doubts highlighted on here

The other issue I have is there are 2 local to me which are more or less perfect for what I need spec wise, but both at £6k and no movement on price despite not being sold for 1/2+ months. I can't justify paying £1-2k more for just my preferred colour over cars that are priced at £5-£5.5k on ebay and pistonheads which havent shifted themselves in a month.

[IT]

Well, this might be stating the obvious but I'm another one who thinks you should be at least taking a look at Godders car. I dont know the car, but its a great colour with lots of toys and with slightly higher mileage it should come in on budget I should imagine. It sounds like a perfect fit apart from the LPG conversion, which everyone else would see as a bonus.

I've had more LPG Vw/Audi cars than I can count and I've honestly not had an issue with any one of them, the last one of which was a 2003 4.2 D3 now owned by gninnam

Ive had only one LPG converted Range rover and it blew the head gasket writing it off. I think you're confusing german build with the Midlands finest.

If you're desperately desperately not wanting the LPG, disable or remove it, both of which are cheap (if slightly bizarre) options and very do-able.

And no, I'm not on commision....

[RickB]

Originally Posted by Godders

Did the Rangey have an old style evaporator system or a proper, more reliable, sequential injection system and was it fitted properly ?

From what I understand the old RR V8 wasn't happy on LPG for a number of reasons more often down to poorly fitted and calibrated conversions.

I was apprehensive myself when I bought mine and did have to sort out some of the niggles (coolant leaks, calibration and cheap injectors) but now I've sorted those (took a lot of research and learning about LPG) I would take the plunge again on any car.

LPG is a relative unknown to most of us but Google and, being happy to get your hands dirty help. I've had no problems with mine since sorting everything and would be shipping it to Australia but I can't justify the outlay with all the other expenditure.

I will have to ask the parents to confirm what style system it was on.

Originally Posted by IT

Well, this might be stating the obvious but I'm another one who thinks you should be at least taking a look at Godders car. I dont know the car, but its a great colour with lots of toys and with slightly higher mileage it should come in on budget I should imagine. It sounds like a perfect fit apart from the LPG conversion, which everyone else would see as a bonus.

I've had more LPG Vw/Audi cars than I can count and I've honestly not had an issue with any one of them, the last one of which was a 2003 4.2 D3 now owned by gninnam

Ive had only one LPG converted Range rover and it blew the head gasket writing it off. I think you're confusing german build with the Midlands finest.

If you're desperately desperately not wanting the LPG, disable or remove it, both of which are cheap (if slightly bizarre) options and very do-able.

And no, I'm not on commision....

I am just really cautious based on previous experience. I agree it might not have any problems now, but thats not to say it wont in the future. My brother had his apprenticeship at Audi, and with my tooling I can get round most things but LPG scares me. I guess its just down to research, but I dont want the "what if" feeling everytime I hear an unfamiliar sound. Removing or disabling it will also give me the feeling of issues later on, I would much rather pay my hard earned onto a normal petrol.

I completely understand your point of view guys, I am just very risk adverse.

[RickB]

Sorry, another question.

What mileage is the belt usually done? And if its not done by mileage, what is the timescales it should be done by?

There is another I have my eye on which had its first belt at 90k, but is now at 135k. Trying to work out when it would next be due (Was it overdue at 90k, or is this normal?)

[Godders]

Originally Posted by RickB

and with my tooling I can get round most things but LPG scares me. I guess its just down to research, but I dont want the "what if" feeling everytime I hear an unfamiliar sound.

LPG did scare me but they are really a simple system :

• Tank in the back
• 8mm copper piping to the reducer
• Coolant to the reducer in circuit with the exisitng system
• Flexible gas hose to a filter and then to injectors
• Injectors are re-wired to allow LPG ECU to switch them on/off
• Few other feeds into sensors, loom and vacuum
• Gauge in the cabin

All in less complex than the standard system though obviously not as well engineered as 'factory' and down to how well its been installed. Whoever buys the car I'll happily bore them with how it all works and how to service / set-up etc

My car had been converted for the previous owner and suffered the usual install problems of leaking coolant (wrong size standard pipes on unions with over size clips), bad calibration and the injectors leaked (they were cheap horizontal Valteks and the rubbers were perished).

Where required :

• I replaced the leaking pipes with silicone or brass reducers and connectors where necessary and correct size clamps.
• Worked out how to properly calibrate the system
• Replaced the injectors with vertical mount REG by OMVL rails
• Added a balance pipe on the back of the two rails to equalise pressure as I was getting occasional lean running on a bank at WOT
• Fixed the vacuum feed on the manifold, the installer managed to fit a union in the manifold that restricted the movement of the internal flaps so torque was affected

Don't get me wrong my car is no prom princess and at 174k she has a few scuffs and scratches (I'm picky) but mechanically she's spot on and is good for a few miles yet.

I have one electrical niggle I need to fix before sale (roof lights) but I'm sure whoever buys her will be happy - well happier that I was when I bought it. I ended up in court with the trader but that's another story

[The_Laird]

Originally Posted by RickB

I can't justify paying £1-2k more for just my preferred colour over cars that are priced at £5-£5.5k on ebay and pistonheads which havent shifted themselves in a month.

Just goes to show how different we all are - I happily paid top dollar for my current '8 because it was just the right colour combination and a FE. I wouldn't even think of buying a car if the colour wasn't what I wanted - even if it was cheap.

(Am I turning into a girl? )

[Architex_mA8tey]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

(Am I turning into a girl? )

If you are then we need to change your name to "Her_Lairdyship"

[RickB]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Just goes to show how different we all are - I happily paid top dollar for my current '8 because it was just the right colour combination and a FE. I wouldn't even think of buying a car if the colour wasn't what I wanted - even if it was cheap.

(Am I turning into a girl? )

£2k more for just the colour? Not for me, if not for just the sheer principle (You girl :P ), then you could get it wrapped for cheaper