Added value of LPG

[Hollis]

Hi

I am trying to cost whether it would pay to convert the 2.5 petrol to run on LPG.

I expect I will only be doing low mileage but I wonder what a non converted V6 would be worth against one that has been converted.

Also the reduction in MPG that I can expect.

I thought I only need cost the conversion cost after allowing for an increase in resale value.

I expect someone has already done these figures.

I have paid £5,400 plus £250 for cam belt change Xreg with 60,000 miles. Newly imported.

Many thanks for your help.

Derek

[teenmal]

This mighy help a wee bit.

http://www.ozonlpg.com/lpg_calculator.html

[mikeWalsall]

I had my Bongo converted to LPG just before Christmas ..

I have had my Toyota for nearly seven years .. had her converted to LPG about five years back ...

When I queried about part exchanging my Toyota for a Bongo the general feed back I got from dealers that although the LPG enhanced the selling potential of the motor it did not add to the price they would offer me ..!!

So do not expect to get the fitting costs back on top of the market value when you come to sell ... I would assume that when (if) I sell my Toyota she will realise a similar price to an unconverted one in similar condition .. but may (hopefully) be easier to sell ..!!

[Hollis]

Hi Teenmal

Thanks for the link but I do not think their figures are right unless I am looking at the chart wrong. They say the difference in cost per mile is 7.8p per mile and then make the savings on 5000 miles £588.93 against 5000 x .78p = £390.

It might be me but!

Derek

[teenmal]

Hi Teenmal

Thanks for the link but I do not think their figures are right unless I am looking at the chart wrong. They say the difference in cost per mile is 7.8p per mile and then make the savings on 5000 miles £588.93 against 5000 x .78p = £390.

It might be me but!

Derek

Hi Hollis,what figures are you using?

Cheers.

[mikeWalsall]

I've never really done any precise figures .. but around me Supermarket Petrol is around £1.32 - £1.34 a litre..

LPG now @ £0.72 a litre as risen over the last few weeks ... maybe because of winter supply / demand on the domestic heating scene ... and less cut throat competition as in Supermarket / petrol stations ..

But like I have said before .. to me .. over the years, the physiological value of paying for a full tank of LPG compared to petrol, out weighs the initial conversion costs ...

There are quite a few posts on the forum about plus and minus of going onto LPG ... you do need petrol to start the car I put about £10 in every 4-6 weeks .. I use Flash lube say £7 every 3-4 months .. LPG service / laptop tune up on top of the 'normal' petrol service around £40 a year ..

[Hollis]

Hi Teenmal

Thanks for the link but I do not think their figures are right unless I am looking at the chart wrong. They say the difference in cost per mile is 7.8p per mile and then make the savings on 5000 miles £588.93 against 5000 x .78p = £390.

It might be me but!

Derek

Hi Hollis,what figures are you using?

Cheers.

Hi

I was just taking the difference in cost per miles X the miles I had entered which came out different to the savings they show. Might be me.

Derek

[teenmal]

Hi Teenmal

Thanks for the link but I do not think their figures are right unless I am looking at the chart wrong. They say the difference in cost per mile is 7.8p per mile and then make the savings on 5000 miles £588.93 against 5000 x .78p = £390.

It might be me but!

Derek

Hi Hollis,what figures are you using?

Cheers.

Hi

I was just taking the difference in cost per miles X the miles I had entered which came out different to the savings they show. Might be me.

Derek

Hi Derek,if you are doing about 5000 miles per year,you should save about £600.

[apole]

Hi there,

You need to figure in the added cost of LPG system servicing, circa £50-80 every year or so.

Also don't just go for the cheapest conversion, it is more likely to be unreliable or not last very long. Stick with a reputable converter that has experience with Bongo's. Paul at LPG imports is good, as it tubbs at independent autogas.

I wouldn't rely on any real increase in resale value by adding LPG but it does make it alot more attractive to a potential buyer. You would need to keep the bongo for a while to recoup the conversion cost and make it worthwhile.

Having said all that I have had 2 cars on LPG and can recommend it.

Andy

[Hollis]

Hi

Jusy taken my Bongo in for its conversion to run on LPG.

With the paper work I had to sign it stated some coolant loos may occur during the installation but they would only top up with water and I would have to add antifreze.

My question is how should I go about this as I honestly do not have a clue when it comes to mantainence items. Will I need to get the coolant checked or can I do this myself?

Derek

[westonwarrior]

Can I ask who are you getting to do it and at what cost

Pm if you feel more comfortable or tell me to mind my own lol

[mikeWalsall]

They should clamp the coolant pipes when plumbing in the vaporiser to limit the amount of coolant that is lost ..

BUT ... It's not the amount coolant that is lost what's the problem ...like it to a similar scenario to a cars braking system ...it is air that enters the cooling system that leads to air locks ...

If the converter is not 100% OK with the Bongos cooling system ... maybe point them in this Utube direction ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRAKOSxg ... re=related ... part one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUndta6M ... re=related ....part two

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuGFnKxd ... re=related .... part three

Maybe also print the info out from the members section...

[Hollis]

Can I ask who are you getting to do it and at what cost

Pm if you feel more comfortable or tell me to mind my own lol

http://www.professautogas.co.uk/prices.html

£950 plus £61 for a certificate.

Derek

[lpgimports]

Like anything higher end brands will enhance value to the vehicle, Prins BRC Romano, but eastern European unknown systems or unestablished in the UK systems will have no value and possibly make it less saleable in the future.

Paul

[mikeWalsall]

I have mentioned in previous posts that I had my V6 converted by Paul at lpgimports (Coventry) .. also that Initially I was going to let the Walsall Autogas guy who converted my Toyota convert my Mazda Bongo ..

But I now feel at ease in my mind and more confident that I got a Bongo 'specialist' to do the job ...

With the better Romano LPG system .. fitting a tow bar .. a general service .. a loan Ford V6 ... collecting / delivering mine back to Walsall ... I was very well pleased with the the overall price and level of service I received from Paul at lpgimports ..

Plus he did not charge 'extra' for any anti freeze (which seems penny pinching) or the essential DVLA / insurance data base input ('certificate') ...!!