Petrol Vs Diesel- Update 22/09/11

[eco_generator]

Would you be keeping the 318is?

Since the approx. fuel costs are the same per mile traveled, I would say that if you can trade in your car and pay 1000 out of pocket, then go diesel. Then you would have the option to go grease in the future, which would mean possibly free fuel.

Otherwise fit the LPG to your car. You would have to factor in diesel repairs, and whether they would cost more into your analysis, also.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by 320touring

These seem to suggest I'd pay back an LPG conversion in approx 2years.. But- Do I wanna have such Low MPG?

2 years payback time on a 16 year old car ?

Unless I'd want to turn it into a nice classic / historical car I wouldn't put much money in a 16 yo car.
But then, if I wanted to turn it into a true classic, I wouldn't add LPG

or is Diseasal a plan?

I'd expect it to be more expensive than a petrol Beemer to buy ?

[Arragonis]

LPG has one other benefit which may apply to your car - once converted you can re-register it as an alternative fuel vehicle which means you save on annual road tax - probably an amount which would pay for perhaps 2-3 tanks of petrol, or 3-6 tanks of LPG.

You also get to drive in London's congestion charge zone for free. But as you are 450 miles away thats maybe not such a benefit.

Not sure what you mean about the converted 318 near you, do you mean you would strip the LPG off and add it to yours ? Doesn't an installation have to be approved by someone, not sure on this though.

There are rumours (nothing stronger than that though) of a change in the taxation for LPG, and these changes usually result in uk.gov removing more of our money not the other way round.

Can't help thinking that if I ran a 328i, 330i or even an M3 then this would make sense, but I wouldn't convert a car with reasonable MPG like your 318is. As you like the iS and are torn about letting it go, could you SORN it instead and run a smoker diesel hatch as an everyday car - bangernomics style ? Or as an alternative get your 335 converted and run that instead.

Or for top spannering swap the 335 engine into the iS - but keep everything else looking standard.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by eco_generator

Would you be keeping the 318is?

Since the approx. fuel costs are the same per mile traveled, I would say that if you can trade in your car and pay 1000 out of pocket, then go diesel. Then you would have the option to go grease in the future, which would mean possibly free fuel.

Otherwise fit the LPG to your car. You would have to factor in diesel repairs, and whether they would cost more into your analysis, also.

I'm currently keeping the iS as it stands.- happy to invest in it if required.

With diesels I can see there being more potential for issues repairs wise-esp on say a 200 TDI.

Originally Posted by euromodder

2 years payback time on a 16 year old car ?

Unless I'd want to turn it into a nice classic / historical car I wouldn't put much money in a 16 yo car.
But then, if I wanted to turn it into a true classic, I wouldn't add LPG


I'd expect it to be more expensive than a petrol Beemer to buy ?

Whats the Payback period on your Volvo?

The car has depreciated fully- and assuming it ran for antother two years it'd still be worth what I paid, and have covered the cost of LPG conversion...


I also have a ropey old single point LPG kit lying at the unit- I'm just loathe to fit it unless I can get someone to guide me..

It wouldnt be as efficient, but it cost £180 so payback would be almost instantaneous

[Arragonis]

PS - to my previous post, Car Mechanics is covering LPG in the current issue, including an old single point system fitting.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

PS - to my previous post, Car Mechanics is covering LPG in the current issue, including an old single point system fitting.

I'l look out for thaat!

all good newsagents i presume?