Diseasel or LPG?

[OGR4M]

I travel roughly 65 miles per day commuting from Staffs to Derby (A38/A50 - easy journey) and currently 'enjoying' a 43mpg average from my Alfa 159 1.9 estate.

BUT - I'm not enjoying diesel any more, it seems the engine just isn't right for the car, it's hard to explain but as a young petrol-head I don't feel 'right' in a nice italian motor being powered with coal and spanners.

SO - in the experience of the mighty PH community, should I just shut up and live with a decent(ish) average MPG (it matters to me) or should I chop in the diseasel for a nice petrol and get it LPG converted, on the basis that petrols are now as cheap/cheaper than the equivalent diseasel?

I know that the 'effective MPG' of LPG isn't going to be on par with a diesel, but my man-maths suggests that the enjoyment out of, oh I don't know, a 159 3.2 V6 Q4 and its effective 35MPG-ish, would surpass the low 40s and 4,000rpm clattering misery I'm experiencing now.

This is all a bit of a brainstorm at the mo, as I am happy with my Alfa (but not its reliability), but I want to be happier.

Answers on a postcard!

[Mr SFJ]

upgrade to the 1750TBI engine. 200hp, and fairly frugal IIRC.

[Rich n Em]

How odd, I'm in almost EXACTLY the same boat. Staffs to Derby, A38/A50, Alfa 159 1.9 - depressed by the dullery of diesel.

I did extensive man-maths, my answer - BMW 320i (2008 on)

150 bhp -> 170 bhp
8.9 0-60 -> 8.1 0-60
49 mpg -> 45 mpg

I worked it out to cost me about an extra £5 a month (aside from cost to change).

[OGR4M]

Rich n Em said:

How odd, I'm in almost EXACTLY the same boat. Staffs to Derby, A38/A50, Alfa 159 1.9 - depressed by the dullery of diesel.

I did extensive man-maths, my answer - BMW 320i (2008 on)

150 bhp -> 170 bhp
8.9 0-60 -> 8.1 0-60
49 mpg -> 45 mpg

I worked it out to cost me about an extra £5 a month (aside from cost to change).

Don't by any chance work at Rolls-Royce do you? we could car share and solve our fuel woes

My problem is that I like to stand out - whilst having a limited/sensible budget.

My Alfa cost me a shy over £5.5k, so I can't justify something like a 3 series M-sport (phwoar) that I would like, which I think is my biggest limiting factor.
Also should really be and estate/über practical saloon, 'cos family etc.

P.S. my Alfa is tuned to produce a quoted-but-untested 185bhp so my 0-60 is a tested 8.0s. Not once received 49mpg for it though...

[Rich n Em]

Used to work at RR many moons ago. I'm further down the A50 these days, in Kegworth. Still know a few of the IT boys there though.

Small world!

I've struggled to find anything as nice as my Alfa to run daily, if I'm honest. Live with the diesel and turn the stereo up a bit.

:-)