Volvo V70 t5 ex police conversion {taxi}

[Secant]

Hi,

Much appreciation for taking a look at my question.

I am looking at converting an ex-Police Volvo v70 t5 petrol over to LPG. However, the use for the vehicle will be as a taxi for a few months (until I move in to a career).

Having searched the Internet I've noticed some people have had bad experiences with this, moreso with this vehicle in question. I've contacted auto gas who have given me a quote of approximately £1500. I believe it is a 'lovato system' that they have recommended.

My biggest worry is the valve wear that this could cause, autogas are willing to include a lubricant which should deter that.

Having read to this point, could some kind soul(s) educate me on this with their knowledge or experiences?

Many thanks

[classicswede]

Conversion prices can be found here

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=135975

To know if you need valve protection I would need to know the model year.

[Secant]

Thank you for your reply.

I have yet to buy it (hopefully this week!), but the vehicles I am looking at are 2005, 2006 and 2007. With it being used as a taxi whilst I study, I am concerned of any possible engine faults?

[sneakypenguin]

If your only going to be doing the taxi for a few months then I doubt your going to recoup the initial investment of the gas system. I'd have thought a D5 or similar would be better suited plus you'd get the benefit of being able to sell it on quicker when you've started your new career.

Not only would it be better on fuel but the insurance on a D5 will be much lower than a T5 especially in liverpool.

Hth

mick

[Secant]

A D5 would be fantastic, but I've yet to have any luck in finding one below my price range. At the moment a t5 seems, financially at least somewhat better.

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by Secant

Thank you for your reply.

I have yet to buy it (hopefully this week!), but the vehicles I am looking at are 2005, 2006 and 2007. With it being used as a taxi whilst I study, I am concerned of any possible engine faults?

You will need a valve care system on those ages. 2003 onwards I recomend fitting the oiler system to help combat VRS. I will soon be offering a cylinder head upgrade to remove the need for adding any additive. I'm just on the testing stages and need to get some miles on the head that I have done.

[RMBBob]

Originally Posted by sneakypenguin

If your only going to be doing the taxi for a few months then I doubt your going to recoup the initial investment of the gas system. I'd have thought a D5 or similar would be better suited plus you'd get the benefit of being able to sell it on quicker when you've started your new career.

Not only would it be better on fuel but the insurance on a D5 will be much lower than a T5 especially in liverpool.

Hth

mick

I have a T5. (Expensive running). The advice here is good. Get a D5. Good performance and economy. and much more resaleable. You will probably want to keep a D5. For ever!

Best of good fortune to you in your job search.
Do not pay £1500 for conversion.

[classicswede]

Rather than either the T5 or D5 a 2.4 turbo would be the best bet for fuel consumption/power. The 2.4 turbos are much better on fuel than a T5 but still have enough go for what you need. It would be the cheapest to run especialy when driving in town.

[LPG-T5]

Hi
Not sure if this helps at all but the figures (pence per mile) make a T5 with a decent LPG conversion good value. Masses of horsepower, loads of car for your money and around 10-11p per mile on a run which equates to 65 diesel miles per gallon. My friend with a 2007 D5 only gets around 55 on a run and around 38mpg from driving hard.

Down side - having 305bhp creates a massive itch under your right foot which just occasionally you *have* to scratch at which point you're lucky to get 15p per mile which is only 43 diesel miles per gallon but... that's still better than a diesel.

I'm writing a blog called "T5 on a shoestring" which will be hosted at http://www.gaspoweruk.co.uk (the people that did my conversion) on how I sourced an ex police V70 T5, got converted it to LPG and swapped out the tired old police interior with a less tired full interior and all the pit falls and pendulums on the way I've encountered. I've been massively pleased with the results, Dai's support gave me the confidence to dive in and get it done.

Budget:
£5,200 (car £3,100, LPG £1,500, Donor car for interior, tow bar etc £600)