For LPG - LS400 or X308 XJ8?

[PistonPete81]

So, I am changing jobs soon and my commute will soon be lots of A roads and some motorway. I'll be doing about 20k a year. Currently have a low mileage e46 325ci sport and do love how it drives but it has a fair few issues and fancy a change and something more luxurious. I do like the idea of a big engined barge for a change. I've ruled out diesel and want to try the LPG route and want something a bit different. It has to be reliable and not be a money pit. Well aware of the negatives with LPG but that's not what this post is about, I want to give it a go; the fuel costs with petrol with the type of car I want would be ridiculous.

What do people reckon, LS400 or X308 XJ8? They both seem to work well with LPG. Or is there anything else reliable that fits the criteria? Although I have my Chimaera for weekends I do still like to enjoy my driving in the week and worry an LS400 might be a wonderful car but not something I would actually enjoy. I can't imagine it's a handler!

Any experiences / thoughts welcome! Budget is about 3.5k for the car and then a quality LPG conversion will be on top of that.

[PistonPete81]

Anyone got any experience of either? Or ideally both?

[OldGermanHeaps]

The ls might surprise you with the handling, i had a go of one and you could still chuck it down a back road, less wallowy than an s class as long as it isnt fked.
Look at the vialle liquidsi , you gain power on lpg lpg not lose it.

[PistonPete81]

Cheers, I need to try one. Just need to find one near to where I am. I'll look into that type of system...

[Loyly]

Get the Lexus. I previously owned an X308 XJ and whilst it had loads of character, I wish I had bought an LS400 instead.

[PistonPete81]

Thanks for the info Loyly. What makes you say that? Reliability? Durability?

[Loyly]

PistonPete81 said:

Thanks for the info Loyly. What makes you say that? Reliability? Durability?

A bit of everything. The Jaguar has a lot of character in things like the interior design, the feel, the smell, the sporty seating position...

But that is tempered by an overall feeling of cheapness. They really don't feel like the same sort of over-engineered mastery as the Lexus LS400. The LS400 may seem a little anodyne by comparison but they are really built to last. The Jaguar isn't a badly made car but they are prone to niggly little faults. Rust, leaking cooling towers etc etc.

[User33678888]

The XJ is surely the better drive; the LS is better built.
For your miles the LS will probably be a better buy but either have the propensity to throw big bills your way. The Jag is just more likely to. And to rust.

[Krikkit]

The LS sounds like the choice for you if it has to work like a Swiss watch, but the XJ is the better steer imo.

[Tony427]

I am both an LS400 fan and an LPG fan.

Together with a mate I ran a £300 LS400 for 8 years as a snotter , Le Mans car, tow car for Cadillacs, caravans and generally abused the thing and apart from requiring a rear brake disc and a timing belt, thankfully non interference 'cos non VVTI, again you have got to love it, the gangastamobile was absolutely, boringly, reliable. Everything worked. We could park it up in an open car park in October, leave over winter and it would start first turn of the key in May. Eventually brake pipes started to corrode and so I broke the thing on my drive and its engine and gearbox sits in my shed ready for when I blow up either of the Lexus V8's we have in our two Cobra's. I also have two turbos and an LPG kit waiting to go onto my Cobra when I eventually get round to it.

Re LPG get a good kit or get a car that has already been converted. Run a valve saver system and enjoy paying on average 50ppl which is what I have been doing on my Volvo S80 for the last 74k miles. OIl stays clean to well over 20k but watch the spark plugs as LPG can be a bit hard on ignition systems.

I had a habit of collecting LPG kits and most of them came from Jaguars broken because of engine problems. I would not touch a Jag with LPG because of that.

So go for the Lexus and lpg the thing.

Cheers,

Tony

[PistonPete81]

Cheers for all the advice chaps, really useful info. If the Jags are troublesome with LPG then that kind of makes my mind up, as much as I like the idea of one. I do love their retro, low-slung look. But whatever I get has to not give me too many problems. Large costs for maintaining cars is something I want to avoid, especially with having two cars to run. I've heard how well the LS runs on LPG and loads seem to go that route. I'm sure they aren't the most soulful of cars but they are different from the masses and the effortless V8 will surely keep me entertained in its own lazy way. Think I'll go for a 2nd gen LS then

[rovermorris999]

LS definitely. I've ran a 1999 LS400 for several years now, boringly reliable and lovely to drive. Quick too, especially when overtaking. There's also one on lpg locally being used as a taxi.
I'm thinking of switching to an LS460 but reading the forums they don't seem quite as bullet-proof.