B6 S4 on LPG and Re-mapped???????????

[T89 Callan]

Right then, after a spell unemployed I'm hoping to be back in work soon although on a reduced salary compared to when I bought the S4 so need to cut my running costs slightly.

I was initially thinking of selling the S4 and getting an Alfa 159 JTD as it is the only car beautiful enough to distract me from the fact it's a FWD Oil Burner.

But I've been having a think and realised that selling the S4 and taking out new finance for the Alfa would cost me a few £K and some s crashing into and ruining two panels on the S4 (and then leaving the sodding car park) have left me needing to repair it before I can realistically sell it.

So I was thinking instead (after going in my mates LPG powered Supra TT) of spending the money on making the S4 awesome and cheap by having it fitted with LPG, this way I will still have the sound and performance but with fuel cost reduced by half. I'd probably also get a re-map and a new (ie. Louder) exhaust at the same time to take full advantage.

Anyway, has anyone ever done this? Does anyone know anyone who would do the conversion? And is there anywere that could do the LPG and a re-map?

I want to end up with a car I love that is fast, sounds great and is cheap to run and hopefully will have a bit more re-sale value in these belt-tightening times.

[psymonr]

Bad news about the car, that really sucks, but yeah I have looked at similar options, as the fuel is a killer!

I certainly know of one place that has experience with the same engine, they have converted an A8 4.2 V8 and an S8, it is worth a look:

linky

Just click 'conversion gallery' on the left hand bar and then click 'Audi' in the main window,

I know another place that converted a 2004 S4 avant, but I can't remember the website, I'll have a dig around and see if I can get the address,

[psymonr]

This is the other one that did the avant:

linky 2

[marctwo]

I believe the conversions can cost quite a lot (several thousand) so you'd have to be doing quite a few miles to recoup the costs of the installation. I'm pretty sure this question has been asked on one of the other Audi sites, although I don't remember which, either rs246 or audisrs.

Sorry to hear about the damage.

[psymonr]

Yeah, that is a good point marc, the quotes I have had have ranged from about £2-2.5k, and you won't halve the fuel costs as such, as lpg runs lower mpg than petrol and you need to warm the engine up to temperature on petrol with some systems, so it could take a lot longer to make it pay for itself, I do around 18,000 miles a year and it would take me over a year to recoup the costs as an estimate so if you are only doing low millage, it is a bit of a no go as it doesn't appear to add any value second hand from the prices I've seen the lpg converted S4s go for, though these obviously tend to come with very high miles on the clock!

[T89 Callan]

I do tend to do big mileage. I have done 23k in the last 10 months and do alot of long journeys.
Yes it does cost quite alot, my mates Supra TT cost £1800 to get converted but it is a nice job and he swears it is the best decision he has ever made.

To be honest I love the car and originally intended to keep it for the long term (4-5 years) so if say doing 20K per year over the next 4 years I should save...... gets calculator out...... assuming 102ppl for unleaded and 49ppl for LPG (Shell prices today) 22mpg and that prices don't increase (not likely)...... around about....... £8833!

So in the long term even if it cost £2500 and didn't always use LPG I still reckon a saving of a £1000 a year. And I won't have to fk about getting a new car and having to drive an oil burner.

Cheers for the links I'll check them out and make some more enquiries.

[Dilligaf10]

I see you are based in Gloucestershire. There is a place in Stonehouse that does LPG conversions. PM me if you want more details.

There is also a guy here that does LPG Conversions, don't know what he charges but if the quality of the hot rods he builds is anything to go by then his work should be excellent.