Hey up fellow motor enthusiasts, thought I'd make a quick reader's rides thread for my motor, as I'm currently procrastinating sat in front of Fifth Gear instead of getting onto all the other things I should be doing.. Also, I've been meaning to make one for a little while!
So, my Lada Riva estate was coming up to needing an MoT and I decided that if was to get it through it's MoT, I'd have to then justify it by keeping it a while longer, and if I kept it a while longer I'd have to spend money on sorting the rust and the brakes etc.. I decided to sell it on, as cool as it was, so I was on the lookout for something else......
This 'something else' had to have a few features that I don't normally look for in a car..
1. Reliability
2. Economy
3. Comfort
These frankly boring stipulations were in place due to my commute now being extended to about 30 miles each way and my spare time being almost entirely removed for the next year or so.
Long story short I got bored of my 'Citroen AX diesel' eBay searches and began on an 'LPG converted luxury car' eBay journey instead.....
I had various Mercs, Beemers, Lexi (?) and Jags in my watch list, but after seeing this Jag, I had to have a punt.
Long story shorter, ended up winning it and Meltedcheese and I jumped in his turbo Volvo and boosted over to North Wales to pick up my new 'gentleman's express'.
I was unsure when I arrived, and if I'm honest - a bit annoyed with the seller, as he had negated to inform me that this mobile drawing room had a 'miss' at idle...
It also appeared to have a power steering fluid leak...
My head told me to walk away but my heart ensured that I was signing on the dotted line and cruising home in my handsome new steed.
Had the usual 'oops, what have I bought?' feelings for a few weeks and tried to sell her on before my insurance renewal was up but I ended up keeping it and if I'm honest - I'm (currently) chuffed I did!
Anyway, if you've got this far (I always waffle on these threads..) then you've deserved some pictorial evidence!
Here are some pics just after it arrived on my driveway:
The powerplant!:
and one of my favorite bits:
I'll be honest - I've not done a lot other than pile on the miles. I've never had an LPG converted car before so this was a confusing place at first:
Didn't take too many trips to sort it out though! It's good on fuel - well, once you've worked it out! If I was running it on petrol not gas, I'd be saying it's bloody horrendous on fuel but the fuel is half the price, so once you've factored that LPG contains slightly less energy per litre than petrol, its just under twice the indicated mpg... Once worked out it basically does about 38mpg around town and on a long distance run over 55mpg. The only problem is the tank can only fit in about 40 litres of the stuff so I have to visit the pumps more often. Small price to pay for a small price to pay though, don't you think?
As mentioned, I've not done a lot really - I changed the plugs and coolant temp sensor, had the gas system checked by a pro and checked the coil packs, cats, compression, vac lines, gaskets etc.. but to no avail - she continues to vibrate on idle! It's not changed at all since I got it, it's a little rougher when cold for just under a minute, then it's only apparent when you come to a stop. Oddly, as soon as the go pedal is pressed even very, very lightly she pulls away as smooth as silk. As such, it's not causing me any headaches as it's an absolute joy to cruise about in so I shall see it as a part of its 'character'. It is a 16 year old Jaguar at the end of the day, if it didn't have a few issues it'd be German I guess.
So, my Lada Riva estate was coming up to needing an MoT and I decided that if was to get it through it's MoT, I'd have to then justify it by keeping it a while longer, and if I kept it a while longer I'd have to spend money on sorting the rust and the brakes etc.. I decided to sell it on, as cool as it was, so I was on the lookout for something else......
This 'something else' had to have a few features that I don't normally look for in a car..
1. Reliability
2. Economy
3. Comfort
These frankly boring stipulations were in place due to my commute now being extended to about 30 miles each way and my spare time being almost entirely removed for the next year or so.
Long story short I got bored of my 'Citroen AX diesel' eBay searches and began on an 'LPG converted luxury car' eBay journey instead.....
I had various Mercs, Beemers, Lexi (?) and Jags in my watch list, but after seeing this Jag, I had to have a punt.
Long story shorter, ended up winning it and Meltedcheese and I jumped in his turbo Volvo and boosted over to North Wales to pick up my new 'gentleman's express'.
I was unsure when I arrived, and if I'm honest - a bit annoyed with the seller, as he had negated to inform me that this mobile drawing room had a 'miss' at idle...
It also appeared to have a power steering fluid leak...
My head told me to walk away but my heart ensured that I was signing on the dotted line and cruising home in my handsome new steed.
Had the usual 'oops, what have I bought?' feelings for a few weeks and tried to sell her on before my insurance renewal was up but I ended up keeping it and if I'm honest - I'm (currently) chuffed I did!
Anyway, if you've got this far (I always waffle on these threads..) then you've deserved some pictorial evidence!
Here are some pics just after it arrived on my driveway:
The powerplant!:
and one of my favorite bits:
I'll be honest - I've not done a lot other than pile on the miles. I've never had an LPG converted car before so this was a confusing place at first:
Didn't take too many trips to sort it out though! It's good on fuel - well, once you've worked it out! If I was running it on petrol not gas, I'd be saying it's bloody horrendous on fuel but the fuel is half the price, so once you've factored that LPG contains slightly less energy per litre than petrol, its just under twice the indicated mpg... Once worked out it basically does about 38mpg around town and on a long distance run over 55mpg. The only problem is the tank can only fit in about 40 litres of the stuff so I have to visit the pumps more often. Small price to pay for a small price to pay though, don't you think?
As mentioned, I've not done a lot really - I changed the plugs and coolant temp sensor, had the gas system checked by a pro and checked the coil packs, cats, compression, vac lines, gaskets etc.. but to no avail - she continues to vibrate on idle! It's not changed at all since I got it, it's a little rougher when cold for just under a minute, then it's only apparent when you come to a stop. Oddly, as soon as the go pedal is pressed even very, very lightly she pulls away as smooth as silk. As such, it's not causing me any headaches as it's an absolute joy to cruise about in so I shall see it as a part of its 'character'. It is a 16 year old Jaguar at the end of the day, if it didn't have a few issues it'd be German I guess.