pixel8r

lol I would love to know what difference it actually makes to fuel consumption. I'm guessing it wouldn't even be measurable.

I was recently looking at switching back to a s2 C34 and getting a lpg conversion. My other option was a ford falcon wagon (I was looking at cutting costs and really it is just a daily runaround). What I figured out was that when you work out ALL of the ownership costs, there wasn't a whole lot of difference between owning a ford falcon BF wagon on PETROL than a C34 on lpg. Obviously not everyone wants to drive a ford though... Other things I found out are: * at about 20,000 kms a year the lpg system would take more than 2 years to pay itself off, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong. Remember that due to the faster burning nature of LPG (and inefficiencies of current LPG systems, not including liquid injection) you only really get a maximum of 30% savings, at best. * LPG can be prone to cold start issues (as in taking a few more seconds to start) and also problems fueling up if the tank is hot (ie. in summer). * You lose a lot of boot space (unless you go with a dedicated lpg system - in which case you better hope the install was done well), making the point of owning a wagon somewhat moot. * I wasn't sure of a LPG installer who would know how to tune it properly or who would know what they were doing on a stagea. * With dual fuel you still need to run some petrol through every now and then. You dont want the petrol in your tank to go stale either...so if you're doing a tank of petrol every month that further offsets any savings. At the end of the day, if you think you'll be keeping your car for more than 50,000kms, then you'll probably at least break even, if nothing goes wrong with the system. If you keep it longer than that you'll start to genuinely save money...but in my case I'd be saving a maximum of about $20 a week. I could just as easily save $20 a week some other way and have a lot less headache and a car that runs perfect on the fuel it was designed to use. Sorry for my bias showing through...I've looked into it a few times, and it always seems like the best way is to buy a car that is already converted and has evidence of running well. Other than that, the car runs great on petrol. It does cost about $30 more a week to own than a ford falcon but its also a much nicer/better car than a falcon.

hmmm, the reason for the vibration is because the revs were too low, and the engine wasn't idling properly. Putting it in neutral lifts the revs...and the problem goes away. Nothing to do with the auto at all. I've spoken to a few auto transmission specialists (I normally try to extract as much info as I can when I go in for a service...yeah one of those annoying customers...but hey i'm paying for it), and they all pretty much say that modern automatics work best when you just leave them in drive and let them work it all out. The computer in the auto is probably as complex as the one for the engine, and it knows what to do in any given situation. Most auto boxes have stuff programmed in to protect the box no matter what happens. Having said that, its fine to use tiptronic too. As has been said already, if it was bad for the auto, they wouldn't put the tiptronic mode in. Obviously the harsher you are with it the more it will wear...but under normal use there's no problem at all. As for putting it in neutral...have a think about it. Autos are all electronically controlled these days - so if it was better for the box to go into neutral when stationary - it would do that by itself. The fact is, its completely unnecessary, and you may as well just leave it in drive because that's what they're designed to do.

Price drop $13999!!! there are no issues with this car. I just want it sold.

See my sig. If I dont get any offers in the next month I'll probably look at trading it in. It's listed on carsales and on here (has been since early this year). Is it worth putting it on autotrader and ebay as well? would've thought most people will check carsales. I need to sell it because I have a mortgage (built new house, moved in 2 months ago) and need to reduce my costs a bit. Otherwise there's nothing wrong with the car. Would love to keep it but need to prioritise. The price is super low because I just want it sold. (interstate buyers also welcome - but you'll need to arrange your own pickup etc.)

make an offer please. interstate buyers welcome, however you will need to arrange your own pickup etc. If I dont get any offers soon I may just look at trading it in.

I know 3PointJ is selling one. pretty sure its NSW. for sale thread - link

If you are looking for a cheap (but clean) M35 Stagea, or know someone who wants one...check out my sig. Its a 2003 model, RS4 (AWD, VQ25DET), stock, and in excellent condition. If you were looking at C34's, at least come and take a look at an M35 - you will be impressed.

reasonable offers considered. this is a seriously good bargain. i've priced it low because I want it sold.

If you want to save some money, mine is for sale. 124000kms genuine (I have auction papers. how many others are genuine kms?). The price is low because I imported it myself so I paid a lot less than others originally (nothing wrong with it - was auction grade 4), also I want it sold fairly soon. I've owned if for almost 2 years and it is very reliable. $15,499 - see my sig for the links to the 'for sale' thread and also the ad on carsales.

Take the deal.

PRICE DROPPED TO $15,499.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I am looking at going dual fuel, and therefore I want a SVI system so that it has the separate piggyback ecu for the gas. This way it will have a different tune for petrol vs gas and should get the best results. The tune is important so I'm hoping wherever I choose to take it is good with tuning as well as competant with the installation. Whilst I'm not chasing big power or anything, I would like it as close to the performance on petrol as possible, but will need to see how I go. At the end of the day - I need to sell my M35 first...but good to know the options I have.

Very true - the detail is in the system and the installer/tuner. the right combination of these should give good results. I should be clear, I'm not doing this for performance...it'll be a family wagon and for the most part will remain stock. I'm looking for a wagon that's going to be fairly low cost to own, and the choice came down to a LPG falcon (BF) or LPG stagea. I'm fully aware of the extra cost associated with an import (have owned 2 stageas now and 2 other imports before that) but in reality, other than repairs, the difference is pretty negligible - something like $10 a week or so. As far as repairs go, we've had a fantastic run with both stageas. Falcons aren't too bad these days reliability-wise but it can be a bit of a lottery...whereas stageas do seem to be more reliable on average. The idea is, I can sell the M35, buy a C34, convert it go LPG (+ get $1500 rebate), and still have some money spare for other things. Its about lowering our costs without severely impacting our lifestyle, hence the preference for sticking with a stagea. We've owned a C34 before and reckon its worth doing, considering the fuel savings, and the fact that this is all possible using money from the sale of the M35. Just wanted to make sure it is feasible as far as getting the work done professionally in SA, before I jump in and buy another stagea.

maybe an M35?? (see my sig!!) I'd come if it was a saturday...or sunday mid-arvo??

when the AFM reads too high or the boost sensor reads too high (more likely the afm), the ecu will cut fuel for a split second. Basically it needs a better tune - if you have a piggyback ecu that bends the afm signal, then it is not bending it enough and still hitting the upper limit set by the ecu. it cuts fuel to protect the engine in case the engine is getting more air than the afm can reliably read. shouldn't be necessary to disconnect the boost sensor - just tune the afm signal better (on a dyno).

Hi guys, I'm looking at switching back to a C34 stagea and converting to LPG. (see my sig - the M35 is for sale. I'd convert it to gas but just dont have the funds...hence i'm looking at going back to a series 2 c34 and using the extra cash difference to pay for the LPG conversion) Wondering if anyone can recommend a LPG conversion place that specialises in this sort of thing or at least would be competant (and willing)? Looking at getting a SVI system if I can. Any idea of cost as well? i'm thinking somewhere around $4k, or $2500 after rebate.

Just thought I'd mention - the kms are genuine - I have the auction papers and all import paperwork. Price is also negotiable.

Also - no swaps. sorry.

Photos (same as on carsales)

ok, you tell me - what do you think this car is worth? If you're looking for a new stagea, what would you be willing to pay? Is this one still too expensive?? or maybe I'm not asking a high enough price so people think there must be something wrong with it ? make an offer people. that is all.

both of my stageas have over-read the speed. When the GPS reads 100km/h the speedo usually says about 108km/h. Its a bit less than 10% but it means if I sit at 65km/h via the needle I'm actually doing about ~60km/h - most of the time i sit closer to 60...but the extra leeway has saved me from a fine more than once.

I can answer the question - all you need is an australian insurance approved immobiliser - which most car security places will fit for you (most dealers offer this these days too). As for making the car more theft-proof, you may need to spend a bit more. From what I've learnt of car security, it has more to do with the INSTALL than the security system itself. If the wiring is clearly visible or isn't installed well, your alarm/immobiliser is useless.

As the title says. The time has come to sell the M35 and move to something cheaper (to reduce my debt). I've owned it for almost 2 years and it has been very reliable. I believe this is the best value M35 on the market right now. Buy it before someone else does... For all the details, see the ad on CARSALES. There are no known issues with the car. Contact me via PM here or via carsales. cheers

They may have been thinking of the 8cpl subsidy the QLD govt used to do. In practise however, the servos in QLD pretty much set the prices about the same as other states and pocketed the extra 8cpl. You're obviously referring to govt excise, which is much higher as you said.