Lpg?

Simon Wallwork · #1 18th May 2011, 07:15 PM

With the S8 being such a heavy drinker, I'm starting to think about an LPG convo.

Is it DIY able? What about the cost? Who's had a good experience?

Architex_mA8tey · #2 18th May 2011, 07:19 PM

I noticed that A8 parts have 3 different kits for sale on their website the other day Simon if thats any use - will be much cheaper than new

Singh · #3 18th May 2011, 07:55 PM

Check this LPG calculator. http://www.drivelpg.co.uk/savings_calculator.php

It's not really that economical on LPG either, it's about acceptable for a petrol V8 when running on gas. The petrol consumption on an S8 is just silly. If your doing mega mileage then pay the extra and get a D3 TDI IMO. Others think LPG is fantastic and rave about it, my experience put me off.

1. You won't find LPG in every station
2. You still have to fill up petrol
3. It farts and stinks after a fill up
4. Some garages won't work on it
5. If it does go wrong it will be pricey (LPG injectors, separate ECUs)*
6. It needs servicing
7. LPG gauges not accurate, you need to reset your mileage counter and go on that.

Honestly, not a fan of the stuff.

Also, I wouldn't fit it myself as some insurance companies want to see a certificate of installation which you will only get from an authorised fitter. Hopefully Mike/Nathan will be along soon to speak about their positive experience with the stuff.

Simon Wallwork · #4 18th May 2011, 07:59 PM

Archi

Thanks. Never even crossed my mind to go seconhand.

Singh. Thanks for posting. I'd not thought about it from that point of view at all. The petrols dear these days tho and I really like my D2. Always been an old car guy, always will be.
Might get a D3 when they get old enough tho!

Conan_the_Librarian · #5 18th May 2011, 08:14 PM

As Amar says I really rate LPG. I could not have run my PF S8 without it. I got a fully sequential Prins kit professionally fitted for 2.5k. It paid for itself in 11 months and 26K miles. I averaged the financial equivalent of 30.5 mpg over the 4 years I kept records. Plenty of garages have it. A poi add-on to TomTom made sure I found them easily. I'm tough enough not to be bothered by smelly farts!

However, I won't be doing it to my FL S8 as the fuel consumption is better and with a Revo map is better still.

The_Laird · #6 18th May 2011, 08:31 PM

I'm thinking seriously about LPG. I love the D2 and the S8 especially - so a D3 TDi isn't an option for me just now. I've been through the 'sensible' cars with diesel estates for the family 'cos we needed space and economy. Now I'm of an age where my car is a hobby and a real pleasure and, like Simon, older cars really ring my bell. But a 65mile round trip commute on crappy roads and a £500 a month fuel bill are begining to hurt.

Is there somewhere good north of thr border that you guys would recommend?

A8 Owner · #7 18th May 2011, 08:50 PM

A8 LPG

1. You won't find LPG in every station
(AGREE Need to plan route) country wide u get a account card and can use pump 24/7 even if there shut

for us in the country)

2. You still have to fill up petrol
( put £20 of Shell petrol in and i get a good month or so on it, with no problems)

3. It farts and stinks after a fill up
(Never had this problem of farts. Only stink i get is when u take filler off pump)

4. Some garages won't work on it
(Never had this prob but i know it happens)

5. If it does go wrong it will be pricey (LPG injectors, separate ECUs)*
(Only had odd thing go wrong and that was not fault of lpg more the install.)

6. It needs servicing
( i get mine serviced every 18months at the cost of £145. Thats from main importer for the UK, for my system. so they have everything in stock, as they supply the UK agents. Plus there fitter's train there UK agents.
Not far either, just outside Bath. They have it for a morning while i go around town.)

7. LPG gauges not accurate, you need to reset your mileage counter and go on that.
(Never had this prob either, i just got 4 green lights showing full. When it gets to 2 or 1 if you know where the staion is. After 1 the bar flashes to say its about to run out then it flicks over auto to petrol. No dramas)

Think Singh was just unlucky with his. Sure if he gave it another go, in the future, he might change his mind.

As for mpg in my 3.7 sport, i get 22.5. Daily running around @70p a ltr. Works out same if not better than i was spending on my passat tdi. Now tho i have smile as i drive.

I def did miss the LPG, when i hadto wait 2 weeks, to get car booked into fix fault. My fuel bill did go up alot.Fault was when the installer installed it, he didnt protect the cable from exhaust. So it melted and earthed out on it, tripping LPG out

(installed before i got it)

http://www.greenfuel.org.uk/company
"Greenfuel the official UK importer of BRC LPG equipment."

Singh · #8 18th May 2011, 09:13 PM

1. See I couldn't be arsed to plan a route, the LPG locator app took me to three stations. One was shut, the other had been converted to a car showroom and the third '24 hour' one closed at 8.
2. £20.00 is barley enough to turn the petrol light off.
3. I need to man up on the fart smell

4. Believe me it happens, and I couldn't work out how to take the damn thing off to enable me to change a coil.
5. Still it's another thing to go wrong.
6. True, not really much of an issue just something to be made aware of.
7. Being slightly colour blind probably didn't help!

Part of the reason I was so disappointed was a local taxi driver has an A8 4.2 on LPG and reckoned it was more economical then his 1.9 TDI A6. So I was disappointed when I as Mike has said only got about 30 mpg finical equivalent. Which is what you get on a petrol D2 or D3 A8 4.2.

Also Ben told me he hated the stuff so there must be a reason...

Simon Wallwork · #9 18th May 2011, 09:31 PM

Conan.

What's a 'Revo map'?

Also. What's it cost, what's the best kit? Why is it a no-go on your FL S8 (cos that's what I'm smoking!)

Conan_the_Librarian · #10 19th May 2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wallwork

Conan.

What's a 'Revo map'?

Also. What's it cost, what's the best kit? Why is it a no-go on your FL S8 (cos that's what I'm smoking!)

The Revo map is a software update to your ECU that changes (improves) the power and fuel economy mapping in your ECU.

Cost at the moment I'm not sure. They had a special offer last month; ask Revo_Ben.

LPG can be fitted to the FL S8, I'm just not going to do it as I recently retired and stopped my high mileage job; therefore it's going to take me a lot longer to recoup my outlay. My PF S8 only averaged 19mpg, but my FL S8 is just short of 23mpg atm. With the Revo Map I can expect 26-27mpg so it's just a matter of economics. If I were still doing my 25-30k per annum it would have gone straight on.