Selling my LPG Lupo Sport. Interest?

[polariskid]

Hi all,

Haven't been on here in a while, new job and moving out has taken priority. Which is the main reason for one of the hardest decisions. Being that I'm now a property surveyor, the Lupo doesn't quite suit the suit (if you know what i mean). I'm looking to get a BMW 330d e46. Which unfortunately means selling my pride and joy, the UK's first LPG converted Lupo Sport.

Now i know the mods frown upon this, as it is a 'feeler'. But i just want to see if anyone is interested in it on here before it reaches the dreaded eBay. I can't be dealing with the tyre kickers quite yet, so I thought seeing as everyone on here has always been so helpful I'd give you guys first look.

The specs are as follows

Lupo Sport 'W' Reg Flash Red

75k, FSH, 12 months MOT (4 advisories, tyres and brake hose chaffing), 6 months tax

New clutch (4000 miles ago)

Full service (3000 miles ago)

Modifications

Full LPG Romano Multi Point Injection System, 3x8L tanks in the boot (Install costs of £2000)

Remapped LPG fuel management system

NGK Iridium Laserline LPG Spark Plugs (£80!)

BMC CDA Induction kit with cold air feed

Custom made Sportex exhaust (the BEST noise ever to come from a Lupo)

Fly wrapped headlights, indicators and fogs

Rear lights smoked with metallic flake (reflectors stuck on lower bumper to be legal)

Custom boot build over LPG tank. JBL 1400w sub and JBL GTO 400w amp

Camber shims on rear

Lowered 55mm front and 40mm rear on Hi-Tech springs

Other points

No dents that I'm aware of, however there are a few stone chips on the front and the odd scratch here and there.

But for it's age, very good condition.

I also have a full set of VW Scalas/Snowflakes that have been shot blasted and rubbed down ready for spray or polish that will throw in for the right price.

Obviously all standard parts will be included in the sale. Along with a couple spare Sport alloys and tyres.

Detailed specs and operation of the LPG system can be provided upon request (it's not that difficult, trust me)

I'm looking for £3500 for it. But am willing to listen to sensible offers.

I love my little Lupo and have spared no expense on it so I'm just looking for what I think is fair.

Contact me on here or on 07577781815

Pictures upon request,

PS. Mods, I will put up a classified soon!

Cheers,

Tom

Edited September 4, 2012 by polariskid

[JBarr]

Not personally interested but I may know someone who is... But in my interest -

Sell the snowflakes on their own?

[polariskid]

Everything's for sale at the right price

[Cooper_GTI]

Everything's for sale at the right price

I beg to differ.

£3500 is unrealistic.

[polariskid]

How is that unrealistic? I've spent over 5k on that car and the LPG system makes it such a cheap run around it's well worth the price. Plus as I said, it's open to sensible offers

[ministig]

Hold out for what you want for it. There will be someone who will see it as the ideal car, may just take a while for them to spot it!

A good low mileage sport would fetch 2500 ish tops. Unfortunately I don't think many people looking at the lupo would see the LPG as a selling point - buyers being new drivers etc.

At least there is substance for the price, not like the normal 1.0l cars up for mad prices because they have been cleaned a bit.

[polariskid]

Yeah a very fair point. That's the thing, what new driver is looking to spend 3k+ on the first car? :/ but as you say I'm just gonna hold out for someone willing to pay that. Even if everyone's saying it's steep, just gotta wait long enough and it'll sell

[JoeA]

New drivers aren't often looking for sports. Your best bet is to target people upgrading to a sport who want that bit extra. Lol probably potential tdi people.

[Defcon5]

I wouldn't imagine the type of people who want an LPG car are the same type of people that want loud exhausts and induction kits.

I'd be inclined to split the mods an sell it standard with the LPG.

[polariskid]

All good points which I hadn't really considered. I'll give her a bath over the weekend and put it up in the classifieds. If I get no interest as it stands, I'll put her back to standard. But honestly, who thinks the price is too steep? I really don't wanna let it go for much less

[Defcon5]

Mods don't really add value, and if the idea of the LPG is to save money, then is it worth paying a third more to gain a few mpg?

[polariskid]

We've been here before Defcon..... What's petrol now? 135ish? Lpg is 60p. That's under half price. The potential is huge!! So yeah maybe £3500 is a touch steep. But I don't think £3000 is out the way? Really

[JoeA]

We've been here before Defcon..... What's petrol now? 135ish? Lpg is 60p. That's under half price. The potential is huge!! So yeah maybe £3500 is a touch steep. But I don't think £3000 is out the way? Really

Stick to your guns mate

[Cooper_GTI]

You really can't expect a modded LPG car to fetch more than a normal car. As has been said, people who want a Lupo Sport don't really want economy, and people who want economy would rather a bog standard, no frills diesel, so you've priced it out of the market completely at that price, not to mention most modification actually devalue a car.

For £3500 you could get a real good, standard example of a GTI, which is a few years newer than your sport, faster, better spec, looks smarter etc.

I'm not saying that half price fuel isn't a MAJOR plus point, but there are certainly a LOT of downsides to running LPG, such as loss in performance/MPG, availability, reliability, burning excess oil, having a huge tank in the boot, poor running when cold, declaring to insurance etc...

[polariskid]

All valid points. But as said, I'm gonna stick to my guns. I'll put it up for £3500 and if it doesn't sell, I shall bring it down in price over time. I'm in no hurry to sell, so I'll happily see what happens over the coming months.

However, most of the downsides you've mentioned are incorrect and somewhat over exaggerated. We now have 6 LPG vehicles of different sizes and over the 10 years we've owned them I've learnt a few things that I'll share with you.

Firstly being that LPG is a gas, it's dry stuff to run on. We've found that some inlet valves would stick open (especially cylinder 8 for some reason) due to the lesser (or nill) lubrication that LPG has. In solving this I've found it best to switch back to petrol in the last mile or so of driving so everything if left 'wet' as it were. Without doing this, seals start to perish and when the block has to come apart bills get big.

Your point about MPG is a valid one. Anything from 5-10% less MPG is expected. Personally on my Lupo I've only found it to be 6.3%. But when you look at the big picture of your total saving, it isn't really anything to write home about.

Performance is a minimal issue, when the system is installed the LPG fuel management system can be 'remapped'. To give a higher power output to exceed or match the standard performance. Without tweaking it (like my mother's Lupo) you can honestly not notice a difference. In the old systems (5-10 years ago) I'll admit there was a noticeable power drop. But no more is this the case.

Reliability issues. I can only really speak for our V8 Defender on that one, it's conversion was 11 years ago and apart from it's yearly tunes ups. We've never had a single problem with it. Mine and my mothers Lupo have given us nothing but trouble free miles. And I've never noticed any of our vehicles drinking excess oil, and I personally service every one.

Availability again is a downside, but the there are mobile apps, internet maps and sat nav add ons available to find your nearest filling station. Generally speaking, I've never been on a drive longer than 30 minutes without spotting one by eye. Obviously if you don't live near one, then yes there isn't much point using LPG.

The LPG tank is generally located in the spare wheel well. So it makes no difference to the boot capacity. Mine being the exception due to the exhaust configuration making it awkward to fit the system practically without loosing what was already a poor excuse for a boot. Other 4x4 often have the tanks bolted to the under carriage providing there is adequate space.

Furthermore, upon start up, an LPG vehicle will run on petrol for anything from 1-3 minutes (depending on it's ECU set up) This allows the vaporiser to warm with the engine temperature. Therefore it changes seamlessly from petrol to LPG and continues running as such.

Insurance wasn't a problem for me personally. It made no change to my premium. However I am aware some insurance companies do increase the premium due to it being classed as a modification. But not all.

I hope what I've said has been insightful and maybe given you a first hand perspective on the matter

Cheers,

Tom

[Johnny Tapia]

i cant see it actually fetchin over 2k, u can get a tdi lupo for around 3k which r known legends for there reliability, and doing starship mileage, my mates mum has one done 195,000miles as she's a door to door nurse (yes quite hot in a milf way), can u ever see a lpg shafted 1 do that much? anyway no harm tryin on the bay but it'll b a waste of ad spend

[Piers]

i have an lpg tank in my boot.... at least thats what i tell people who ask.

GLWS mate.