B-Fuel V70

[Oily_]

Does anyone have any experience of the above (2.4 Bi-Fuel V70)?

My hours will be changing shortly at work, and I'm looking for an LPG car that will get me free travel through the congestion charge in London (which most factory fit LPG cars are - including the S60, V70 & S80 2.4 Bi-Fuel cars).

I need a baby carrying, dog carrying, mountain bike carrying estate that is safe. I've owned 740's, 760's & 940's, so the V70 seems a logical step.

Any thoughts/pointers greatly received.

Thanks

[Bhowani 2]

I have had both the FF S60 and V70, completing 95,000 miles in them in total.

They do exactly what they say on the box, provided that you must expect to replace the LPG distributor as you approach 60,000 miles. Cost £306 2 years ago for the last one I had replaced at Autogas 2000, Thirsk.

When the 2.4 engine was discontinued on the V50, I took the opportunity to buy a low mileage (1,500 ) one and gassed that. Same old story - 19 mpg around town and ? 28/29 on a trip which means real life 36mpg mpg/58mpg. Others will query the maths, but this is the figure that hits you in the face at the pumps, DISREGARDING any conversion cost and slightly lowere mpg.

Happy hunting

Bhowani
V50 2008 2.4 SE Auto a real magic carpet

[capt jack]

LPG is brilliant and something of a well-kept secret. It can save you a small fortune.

If you have a wander through these pages you may well come to the conclusion that it's better to convert a petrol car than to buy a factory-fit bi-fuel.

The factory-fits do seem to be more troublesome. My experience is of 160,000 miles of pretty much trouble-free LPG motoring in my converted V70 Classic. The conversion itself cost me £1700 five or six years ago, and I reckon to have saved around £12,000 in fuel costs over the time I've had the car.

Downsides of a conversion are the up-front costs and the fact that you lose some load space. On the plus side you know that it's been done properly from the outset (always assuming you've down your homework and get the conversion from a reputable supplier). Also, you keep the full-size petrol tank, which gives the car a phenomenal range - my V70 fuelled up would be good for 700 plus miles!

Buying a second-hand factory fit bi-fuel is more difficult - there weren't that many actually built, so getting the right car with the right spec, mileage, colour, trim etc etc that's also bi-fuel is tricky. Buying a car to convert means that you have loads more choice.

Some conversions I believe can be London Congestion Penalty Tax exempt - mine isn't as it happens, but as I live in God's own county and seldom descend to the desolate metropolis, that doesn't bother me!

Also, you'll possibly find that Volvo dealers are not very good at sorting out any bi-fuel problems - I've not got direct experience, but again reading through previous posts on here suggests that this is something of a recurrent theme.

Finally, be sure that there are plenty of LPG petrol stations along your route. Some parts of the country are very well served - which keeps the prices down, whilst in others, LPG is hard to find, which can make it quite pricey.

Were I in your position I'd be looking for a nice lowish mileage V70 which met my requirements for spec, age, price etc, and budget for a good quality conversion, doing my homework to ensure Congestion Tax exemption.

Cheers

Jack