What do S40's do mpg on lpg?

Andy625 · Jun 21st, 2014, 20:37

I'm currently looking at buying a S40 with a factory fitted lpg kit. Can anyone give me any idea on the mpg I can expect to get out of a 2001 1.8 being driven on a daily 20mile motorway commute??

Would you guys recommend an lpg S40?

capt jack · Jun 22nd, 2014, 08:49

Sadly the factory fit LPG systems do appear to have more than their fair share of troubles, and unless you can be sure that this car is either running well on LPG, or it has been thoroughly sorted, then the general advice would be not to buy.

If you have a read through this section you'll find plenty of tales of woe.

I believe that it is quite possible to overhaul the LPG system and fit an after-market front-end LPG system in place of the factory-fit kit, but there's then an argument that says you might as well convert a standard petrol car.

MPG-wise, you'll get around 80% of the figure you'd get on petrol, so if you look up the mpg figures for the petrol model, then take 80% of the 'combined' figure you'll get a fair idea of the fuel consumption you can expect. The money is saved because LPG is around 65p a litre at the moment, as opposed to £1.30 for petrol.

Would you be recommended to buy a factory-fit LPG S40? In all honesty, if you're looking for trouble-free economy for the daily commute then probably not.

This is of course only my opinion. Having owned a converted V70 has made me a regular on these pages over the past few years, and I've seen a lot of problems with factory-fit cars discussed on here.

Cheers

Jack

Andy625 · Jun 22nd, 2014, 09:00

Thanks for the reply. That's interesting to hear that the factory fit conversions aren't that great. The car I'm looking at has been with the current owner 10yrs and they say it's not given any problems. Fill service history etc. I'm looking to use it instead of my 03 1.6 astra.

capt jack · Jun 22nd, 2014, 09:21

Well you have to remember that generally speaking it's only the bad news about the duff cars that reaches forums like this! Loads of cars out there are problem free and so never get discussed on these pages.

As I said in my post, my comment is only based on what I've seen on here, and that the factory fit systems have a reputation for unreliability. If someone has owned a car for 10 years then of course they are in a much better position than I am to judge.

Trying to be as objective as possible then it's fair I think to say that you're probably taking a bit more of a risk than were it a standard petrol car.

But if the price reflects that, the car is otherwise sound, and you're prepared to budget for possible repairs then why not?

I'd perhaps suggest contacting a local LPG specialist and get from them a view on what repairs would cost should the LPG system fail. Then you can budget accordingly.

Good luck

Cheers

Jack

brokenbritain · Jun 24th, 2014, 18:58

Not sure about the volvo but I have ran long term 2 factory LPG fords, a transit and a mondeo and both were quite poor on mpg whilst running on gas, I know the cost per litre is a lot less but I would bet the real world mpg is also a lot less plus you are taking on more complexity, just my opinion but you won't actually know the figures until well after you have bought the car, also if something goes wrong it can be difficult to get anyone to look at it if you have a problem, even LPG specialists will be very reluctant to look at kit they have not fitted,

TomW · Jun 24th, 2014, 23:23

I run a 2002 s40 factory fit bifuel . It's done 150k and used to miss a beat when on low revs under load but since I flushed carb cleaner through the in line filter and onwards she's been fine for the last 20k miles and returns 30 mpg.

TomW · Jun 24th, 2014, 23:26

When you take it for a test drive try taking her out of a roundabout on the flat gently accelerating in 3rd from 18 mph. If the engine doesn't hesitate or lump then in all likelihood the LPG system is fine.

Andy625 · Jun 24th, 2014, 23:33

Thanks for the replies. I decided to bite the bullet and bought it today. It test drive fine with no hiccups. The old chap that I got it from has had it for 9yrs and had kept absolutely every receipt. He said the lpg's always been fine, and there are no receipts for any lpg work apart from servicing, so we'll see. Very pleased with it so far. I'll try and post some pictures at some point.

capt jack · Jun 25th, 2014, 09:11

Good luck with the new car! Hope it serves you well.

Cheers

Jack

Andy625 · Jun 25th, 2014, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt jack

Good luck with the new car! Hope it serves you well.

Cheers

Jack

Thanks!

Jun 21st, 2014, 20:37	#1
Andy625 Junior Member Last Online: Jul 6th, 2023 13:13 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastleigh	What do S40's do mpg on lpg? I'm currently looking at buying a S40 with a factory fitted lpg kit. Can anyone give me any idea on the mpg I can expect to get out of a 2001 1.8 being driven on a daily 20mile motorway commute?? Would you guys recommend an lpg S40?

Jun 24th, 2014, 18:58	#5
brokenbritain Senior Member Last Online: Mar 29th, 2019 01:52 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Martock , Somerset TA12 6HB	Lpg Not sure about the volvo but I have ran long term 2 factory LPG fords, a transit and a mondeo and both were quite poor on mpg whilst running on gas, I know the cost per litre is a lot less but I would bet the real world mpg is also a lot less plus you are taking on more complexity, just my opinion but you won't actually know the figures until well after you have bought the car, also if something goes wrong it can be difficult to get anyone to look at it if you have a problem, even LPG specialists will be very reluctant to look at kit they have not fitted,

Jun 22nd, 2014, 08:49	#2
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 18:56 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Sadly the factory fit LPG systems do appear to have more than their fair share of troubles, and unless you can be sure that this car is either running well on LPG, or it has been thoroughly sorted, then the general advice would be not to buy. If you have a read through this section you'll find plenty of tales of woe. I believe that it is quite possible to overhaul the LPG system and fit an after-market front-end LPG system in place of the factory-fit kit, but there's then an argument that says you might as well convert a standard petrol car. MPG-wise, you'll get around 80% of the figure you'd get on petrol, so if you look up the mpg figures for the petrol model, then take 80% of the 'combined' figure you'll get a fair idea of the fuel consumption you can expect. The money is saved because LPG is around 65p a litre at the moment, as opposed to £1.30 for petrol. Would you be recommended to buy a factory-fit LPG S40? In all honesty, if you're looking for trouble-free economy for the daily commute then probably not. This is of course only my opinion. Having owned a converted V70 has made me a regular on these pages over the past few years, and I've seen a lot of problems with factory-fit cars discussed on here. Cheers Jack

Jun 22nd, 2014, 09:00	#3
Andy625 Junior Member Last Online: Jul 6th, 2023 13:13 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastleigh	Thanks for the reply. That's interesting to hear that the factory fit conversions aren't that great. The car I'm looking at has been with the current owner 10yrs and they say it's not given any problems. Fill service history etc. I'm looking to use it instead of my 03 1.6 astra.

Jun 22nd, 2014, 09:21	#4
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 18:56 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Well you have to remember that generally speaking it's only the bad news about the duff cars that reaches forums like this! Loads of cars out there are problem free and so never get discussed on these pages. As I said in my post, my comment is only based on what I've seen on here, and that the factory fit systems have a reputation for unreliability. If someone has owned a car for 10 years then of course they are in a much better position than I am to judge. Trying to be as objective as possible then it's fair I think to say that you're probably taking a bit more of a risk than were it a standard petrol car. But if the price reflects that, the car is otherwise sound, and you're prepared to budget for possible repairs then why not? I'd perhaps suggest contacting a local LPG specialist and get from them a view on what repairs would cost should the LPG system fail. Then you can budget accordingly. Good luck Cheers Jack

Jun 24th, 2014, 23:23	#6
TomW Senior Member Last Online: Apr 12th, 2024 21:13 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: ipswich	I run a 2002 s40 factory fit bifuel . It's done 150k and used to miss a beat when on low revs under load but since I flushed carb cleaner through the in line filter and onwards she's been fine for the last 20k miles and returns 30 mpg.

Jun 24th, 2014, 23:26	#7
TomW Senior Member Last Online: Apr 12th, 2024 21:13 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: ipswich	When you take it for a test drive try taking her out of a roundabout on the flat gently accelerating in 3rd from 18 mph. If the engine doesn't hesitate or lump then in all likelihood the LPG system is fine.

Jun 24th, 2014, 23:33	#8
Andy625 Junior Member Last Online: Jul 6th, 2023 13:13 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastleigh	Thanks for the replies. I decided to bite the bullet and bought it today. It test drive fine with no hiccups. The old chap that I got it from has had it for 9yrs and had kept absolutely every receipt. He said the lpg's always been fine, and there are no receipts for any lpg work apart from servicing, so we'll see. Very pleased with it so far. I'll try and post some pictures at some point.

Jun 25th, 2014, 09:11	#9
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 18:56 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Good luck with the new car! Hope it serves you well. Cheers Jack

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