Petrol/LPG or diesel across europe

Hi guys,

I am planning a 3 - 6 months trip across Europe, which should cover Belgium, Netherland, Luxemberg, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Belgium then back to UK.

I am currently running a Range Rover Classic with 3.9 V8 with LPG.

My basic queries are 1) Ease of obtaining lpg 2) Reliability issues, availability on spares and repairs.

As currently there's only a 50 litre lpg tank in boot. In order to obtain more mileage per fill-up, extra tanks needed to be fitted (2 x under slung, 2 x spare wheel space & perhaps another in boot. Space will not be an issue as only 2 person travelling). The cost involved in adding the tanks is making me considering trading to a diesel with added long range diesel tank.

What do you guys think? Petrol/lpg or diesel?

Also, If any of you have any info about this routes, it will be highly appreciated if you could share.

Thanks!

Or instead of trading the classic, swap to a 200 /300tdi or maybe even td5. All or any info on the different diesel engine will also be appreciated.

Thanks.

You need to work out the approx cost of each option then start from there. Otherwise folks are just guesing. ****e in = ****e out

I am out in Bulgaria and driving out here LPG is easily available across the areas of Europe I covered and is fairly constantly half the price of petrol.

Just remember that the filler coupling is different in continental europe

Countries covered

UK
France
Luxenburg
Netherlands
Germany
Austria
Hungry
Romania
Bulgaria

There is gas everywhere. You don't need extra tanks unless you know of major price differences from one country to the next.

Just search the Internet for the relevent country LPG suppliers and they will email you a list of outlets. Then just enter that into your sat nav and away you go. There seems to be plenty of LPG stations about now anyway so save your money/space with the tanks and spend more on servicing/maps/security. Also worth mentioning is to look through the various forums for common breakdowns specific to your vehicle i.e. if you see the fuel pump features in more than a few breakdowns consider having a chat with a local supplier and get one on sale or return. Or perhaps go to a breakers and pick one up, once you have confirmed it works stick it in a box along with other bits such as spark plugs and rotor arm and you may get yourself out of trouble that way. This IMHO is where you should put some money.

regards

Dave

Plenty of lpg availability and the cheapest way to travel , having said that a 50 litre is abit small for a RRC To save you having to divert for lpg , i would try adding the sill tanks.
How long have you had the RRc , how reliable has it been, if the answer to both is a long time, then why think just because its in a different country its going to break down. I would just take out a good travel/breakdown cover with a suitable motoring organisation, instead of converting the vehicle to a mobile parts dept.
The range rover with the V8 is the ideal, long distance tour vehicle, the easy performance and quietness sets it apart from a diesel. JMHO HTSH

PS its easy enough to get adapter here for filler variation

tacr2man said:

then why think just because its in a different country its going to break down. I would just take out a good travel/breakdown cover with a suitable motoring organisation, instead of converting the vehicle to a mobile parts dept.

Click to expand...

Whilst I would be the first to agree the V8 is a great tourer it is not without its achilles heel as many vehicles are. Take any vehicle and use it on a daily basis to and from work/shops ect and it may be fine from one day to the next. Now just casualy throw in a few thousand kilometres in a short space of time and the chance of a problem rearing its ugly head becomes very real. Breakdown cover is an obvious must but if you can get yourself going within a few minutes because you happened to have spent a few quid on 'known' problematic components then all the better.

Most breakdowns occur when a vehicle is called on to do an unusual amount of work (20 countries in 3 - 6 months is a 'tad' unusual) and the saying 'your car never breaks down in your garage on a warm sunny day' is so so true. Of course English speaking Romanian breakdown mechanics that carry spare V8 rotor arms are just falling out of the trees!

regards

Dave

I was not disagreeing with what Dave suggested about spares, eg belts, hoses (esp in view of being lpg) plug lead or two, rotor arm, dizzycap etc, but keep it in reason, i.e. no spare springs etc. a good long shakedown trip before you go will show any tendency to overheat etc.

Hi Guys....thanks for all the feedback....

As of current....the trip will have to be postponed 'indefinitely' as am considering joining the property ladder if something me and me wife likes pop up...

However, since posting the question, I had gathered lots of spares incl hoses, sparks, leads, rotors, caps, belts and lots etc etc..even 2 matching spares..as with the lpg tank, my best options will be to add an extra 160 litre tank on top of the 70 litre tank (50 litre in real terms) in the back row seats area just for the journey and take it off after, thus increase the range from 150 miles to prob500 miles.

As to the condition of the vehicle....would not hesitate to take her on a 1000 miles round trip anywhere, anytime!! Break down cover is already on the list. LPG filler adapters are also on the shopping list when I revive the trip....hopefully in the near future...

Regards to all

Kingson