LUXOBARGE (sub5k) of the week/day

unkel

Phaeton has been for sale for a very long time. I can't remember the details, but I get a feeling the price is a good bit lower now than before. Still, unfortunately it's a diesel. A hand made diesel Bentley at that. W.O. would turn in his grave if someone told him that. A Volkswagen badge on his Bentley is one thing, but to actually put a tractor engine in it?

I wonder how much it would be to VRT a V8 petrol of similar age. Would love one as my next car. It's not on the VRT calculator, no surprise there :rolleyes:

Tropheus

Love the 44.2 mpg showing on the DIS in the photo. He must have reset it at the top of the nearest hill and rolled down to get that. I'd say 25-30 mpg in the real world considering the weight and AWD

unkel

I'd say that's the current consumption. At a constant 110 km/h in 6th gear (very low revs) that sounds about right.

Skommando

what's the reliability and servicing costs like on them ?

Tropheus

Skommando wrote: »

what's the reliability and servicing costs like on them ?

Servicing costs would be ok. Given it's based on other models in the VAG range, there will be plenty of non-OEM parts available.

Like all big VAG engines, regular servicing with the correct oil is a must.  If it's been well looked after, it should be very reliable.

punisher5112

I'm really thinking of buying a Lexus GS.

Am I mad please tell me I am as I'm thinking of converting it to gas also.

Truckermal

punisher5112 wrote: »

I'm really thinking of buying a Lexus GS.

Am I mad please tell me I am as I'm thinking of converting it to gas also.

I don't think the GS can be converted but I could be wrong..

26000 Elephants

unkel wrote: »

W.O. would turn in his grave if someone told him that. A Volkswagen badge on his Bentley is one thing, but to actually put a tractor engine in it?

Considering the heavy engineering gone into his early cars, I'd say W.O would be well down with the tractor analogy.

They were fast, but by god were they crude. Bugatti I think called his cars "the fastest lorries in the world.."

punisher5112

Truckermal wrote: »

I don't think the GS can be converted but I could be wrong..

From what I can find online many have converted to lpg. I'm really thinking of buying one can hold onto see how I get on with it and then look into converting.

There is a filling station near me so not far out of the way and with petrol on the up again it may sway me.

137.9 garage beside me has gone to today.

Anyone anything to add what one would need to look for on a GS been a very long time since I drove one back in 2007 and before but only short trips.

selectamatic

punisher5112 wrote: »

I'm really thinking of buying a Lexus GS.

Am I mad please tell me I am as I'm thinking of converting it to a giant single turbo monster.

Fixed your post

But in all seriousness apart from tax they're really not a bad barge from a running costs perspective.

racso1975

punisher5112 wrote: »

From what I can find online many have converted to lpg. I'm really thinking of buying one can hold onto see how I get on with it and then look into converting.

There is a filling station near me so not far out of the way and with petrol on the up again it may sway me.

137.9 garage beside me has gone to today.

Anyone anything to add what one would need to look for on a GS been a very long time since I drove one back in 2007 and before but only short trips.

:eek: where you living!!! I thought 130.9 was bad and saw it today in newbridge for 129.9

punisher5112

racso1975 wrote: »

:eek: where you living!!! I thought 130.9 was bad and saw it today in newbridge for 129.9

I know its getting worse. Down the sticks Wicklow garden county.

Truckermal

punisher5112 wrote: »

From what I can find online many have converted to lpg. I'm really thinking of buying one can hold onto see how I get on with it and then look into converting.

There is a filling station near me so not far out of the way and with petrol on the up again it may sway me.

137.9 garage beside me has gone to today.

Anyone anything to add what one would need to look for on a GS been a very long time since I drove one back in 2007 and before but only short trips.

If I was going down that route the LS would be my choice, I have over 10k on my GS with absolutely no problem but mine was maintained by a very meticulous Boardsie! ! There is a guy here called Mullingar with a LS on LPG, he's a sound lad if ya want to ask him on the specifics. You won't regret it though I absolutely love mine and never give the fuel or tax cost a thought anymore..

jharr100

racso1975 wrote: »

:eek: where you living!!! I thought 130.9 was bad and saw it today in newbridge for 129.9

I filled up with petrol today in Skibbereen for 121.9 (yes! petrol!)

punisher5112

Truckermal wrote: »

If I was going down that route the LS would be my choice, I have over 10k on my GS with absolutely no problem but mine was maintained by a very meticulous Boardsie! ! There is a guy here called Mullingar with a LS on LPG, he's a sound lad if ya want to ask him on the specifics. You won't regret it though I absolutely love mine and never give the fuel or tax cost a thought anymore..

Hi thanks for the info. Wonder how much was to convert there are different prices going around.

I want something comfy to drive and yes tax is high but you only live once and absolutely love anything with an engine and insurance isn't an issue at all so that's one thing ticked off.

Truckermal

punisher5112 wrote: »

Hi thanks for the info. Wonder how much was to convert there are different prices going around.

I want something comfy to drive and yes tax is high but you only live once and absolutely love anything with an engine and insurance isn't an issue at all so that's one thing ticked off.

I think he did his own conversion but he's a crafty hoor!!!! I have driven loads of new cars and none of them are better unless a 5 series.

punisher5112

Truckermal wrote: »

I think he did his own conversion but he's a crafty hoor!!!! I have driven loads of new cars and none of them are better unless a 5 series.

That's cool I wouldn't mind doing if I knew how.

I seen a place does it they take the car for up to 3 days to fit.

Truckermal

punisher5112 wrote: »

That's cool I wouldn't mind doing if I knew how.

I seen a place does it they take the car for up to 3 days to fit.

Shoot him a PM he will tell you everything you need to know!

punisher5112

Truckermal wrote: »

Shoot him a PM he will tell you everything you need to know!

Nice one thanks.

I'll try find him.

mullingar

Yes, I did install LPG kits on a 98-05 shape gs300 and my 04 Ls430. It took a few days for each install, but well worth it. I also got them certified safe to keep Mr insurance happy.

Nearly all older style indirect injection cars can be converted. A lot of newer Direct-injection cars can't be converted without a dedicated kit (eg some VAG stuff). Newer gs300 the 05+ can't.

Anyway, If your not mechanically minded, just pay for a professional installation. Don't go cheap on the parts. Buy middle grade stuff and you will be fine. Yes it will cost around €1500 for the kit installed, but it's all paid back in approx 6 months of average driving. Don't forget, you will always have your petrol system running in the background if you run out of gas.

punisher5112

mullingar wrote: »

Yes, I did install LPG kits on a 98-05 shape gs300 and my 04 Ls430. It took a few days for each install, but well worth it. I also got them certified safe to keep Mr insurance happy.

Nearly all older style indirect injection cars can be converted. A lot of newer Direct-injection cars can't be converted without a dedicated kit (eg some VAG stuff). Newer gs300 the 05+ can't.

Anyway, If your not mechanically minded, just pay for a professional installation. Don't go cheap on the parts. Buy middle grade stuff and you will be fine. Yes it will cost around €1500 for the kit installed, but it's all paid back in approx 6 months of average driving. Don't forget, you will always have your petrol system running in the background if you run out of gas.

Thanks very much for that.

Dam I was looking for na your nuts don't do it man......

My bank account won't be happy but I think I will be smiling....

mullingar

Approx 1 years of fuel savings will pay for both the years tax & LPG kit.

Petrol: Say 12k miles @ 22mpg @ 1.30/litre= €3,300

LPG: Say 12k miles @ 18mpg (LPG has 18% less energy per litre than petrol) @ 0.63/litre = €1800 + €1500 kit = €3300.

Job done,

Matt Simis

Tropheus wrote: »

Love the 44.2 mpg showing on the DIS in the photo.  He must have reset it at the top of the nearest hill and rolled down to get that.  I'd say 25-30 mpg in the real world considering the weight and AWD

In fairness my V10 TDI (bigger and older engine, 5.0l twin turbo) Phaeton got 28mpg.. the 3.0TDI gets very high 30s.

Big Nasty

Matt Simis wrote: »

In fairness my V10 TDI (bigger and older engine, 5.0l twin turbo) Phaeton got 28mpg.. the 3.0TDI gets very high 30s.

Jaysus Matt - long time no post!

Howz NZ treating you?

jca

Big Nasty wrote: »

Jaysus Matt - long time no post!

Howz NZ treating you?

He's driving a V10, not too bad I'd imagine:D

Big Nasty

jca wrote: »

He's driving a V10, not too bad I'd imagine:D

A V10 diesel. That was here by the way.

Although he did bring his V12 petrol with him IIRC

Matt Simis

Big Nasty wrote: »

Matt Simis wrote: »

In fairness my V10 TDI (bigger and older engine, 5.0l twin turbo) Phaeton got 28mpg.. the 3.0TDI gets very high 30s.

Jaysus Matt - long time no post!

Howz NZ treating you?

Pretty good but returning to Ireland in January for a couple of years!  Car are a bit $$ here but tax is peanuts! 
Slightly more on topic but not quite hitting the EUR limit on luxonomics, there is infact  a V10 TDI Phaeton for sale in Ireland (I sold mine ages ago), here tho I note it has no VRT on it, so prob not mine.

Big Nasty

Easing yourself back in so!

Eric Cartman

Matt Simis wrote: »

Pretty good but returning to Ireland in January for a couple of years!  Car are a bit $$ here but tax is peanuts! 
Slightly more on topic but not quite hitting the EUR limit on luxonomics, there is infact  a V10 TDI Phaeton for sale in Ireland (I sold mine ages ago), here tho I note it has no VRT on it, so prob not mine.

funnily enough I think it got sold yesterday to a lad I used to go to school with , he was tagged in it on bookface.

166man

Matt Simis wrote: »

Pretty good but returning to Ireland in January for a couple of years!  Car are a bit $$ here but tax is peanuts! 
Slightly more on topic but not quite hitting the EUR limit on luxonomics, there is infact  a V10 TDI Phaeton for sale in Ireland (I sold mine ages ago), here tho I note it has no VRT on it, so prob not mine.

Do you still have the 850? And if so, will that be returning with you? :cool::D