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Thinking of replacing the family car in the not too distant future and have been looking at the above.
Been driving my Dads 2019 Petrol Duster for the last few weeks as waiting for long lead dealer only part for my Hyundai i40.
Have been quite impressed with the little Duster.
Had a look in the showroom and the sales guy was talking up the Bi-Fuel version - which is also significantly cheaper than the diesel.
I like the idea of a potential 700+ mile range between the two tanks, and the cheaper cost of LPG.
Anyone have any 'real world' experience of the any of the Dacia Bi-Fuel range?
Isn't LPG infrastructure gradually being pulled?
Not something I'd buy now, it was a thing, now it's not.
Not got experience of the Duster, but driven a fair few LPG cars. Things to note - the tanks are often pretty small - I would be filling my car every couple of days when I did big mileage as each tank would do about 220 miles. The gas smells, and some people struggle to use the fillers as you have to lock them on (I always have to refuel my mums car for her as she can't do it).
And as muffin man says, check where it is available for you to use on common journeys and near home. I found even a few years ago that places were grafually phasing it out, although it is big in the campervan world for cookers etc, so I guess there will always be somewhere. (I do remember cruising around the odd insustrial estate looking for the one place that sold LPG a few times....) Obviosuly the car is duel fuel, so you would never be stranded, as you can use petrol, but you will wince at the price!
Never noticed any issues with engine wear, performance etc on LPG (and one car was a 4.3 litre that liked to go fast).
HTH
Did you mention range just for convenience of avoiding refuelling when out and about day to day, or are you planning on doing road trips to the continent? If the latter, bear in mind that LPG vehicles are not permitted on the Eurotunnel.
I would say the availability of LPG isn't great. Can't say I've seen a single one at a fuel station.
We got as TCe150 4x4 Duster. Decent car, not economical and built down to a cost. We bought it as a tool and it fulfils the purpose wel. Would not want to use it every day. Lots of little irritations
. Cruise control on/off is by the hand brake
. Steering wheel buttons no backlight
. Lots of minor rattle.
. Boot floor flimsy
. Wind noise.
But I am comparing to a premium German car.
Thanks all - had forgotten the Euro Tunnel issue!
It was mainly as I do some long motorway trips for work - the relative cheapness of LPG was the draw. Plus less fuel stops on road trips.
You want to drive 700 miles in one go?
My Passat had a big tank and would do 800 miles on a tank, sometimes up to 1,000. I didn't actually do it, that was when averaging 65mpg and adding up the distance travelled + remaining distance.
Isn’t LPG infrastructure gradually being pulled?
Which wasn't exactly 10 a penny to start with.
I had an LPG car years ago it was a pain in the arse
FWIW There are a couple of "major" retailers in the UK who are phasing out LPG filling in late 2024, early 2025.
Not sure how many pumps there will even be left by then. But you'll probably lose a massive chunk in one fell swoop.