General impressions and questions from a non-owner

[YorksMG2016]

Thanks Stan

As I said when I started the thread, I own a ZT190 (which I love) but having recently driven a 260, then I feel the beginnings of an addiction which I am sure everyone on here has! :-)

If I were lucky enough to be able to get the right 260 for me (at the right price) then I will keep my 190 as everyday transport

Andrew

[Cribbit]

I come from a ZT190 background, and have had the 260 for quite a few years now. The 260, for me, is no more expensive to run than the 190, including all fuel and servicing considerations. My 190 dropped from the 5k I paid after the demise of a MGR to £1,800 in two or three years. My 260, if it were still standard, would be worth the same now as I bought it for maybe 7 years ago.

The temptation to improve the 260 has, however, cost me a small fortune!

The 190 is a thirsty car, and with VIS valves encouraging you to keep the revs over 4,500 for full power you can crack through the fuel quickly. The 260 is effortless, you can poddle about in fifth at 30mph and gently sip fuel. That said, you can supercharge it and drive it hard and get well done into single figures, but that just a choice you make when you decide to plant the loud pedal.

In the long run, LPG converted or not, a 260 is a no-brainer over a 190. The real difference is in the sale price of a 190 against the purchase price of a similar condition 260. If you can get over that difference financially, then the rest really isn't a significant difference.

As a daily driver there will be differences, but I'm talking about it as a special car that does around 5k miles a year. You'd need a 190 oil change yearly anyway, for example.

[David]

Absolutely. "There ain't a substitute for inches".

David

[mh007]

I also own a 190 (aswell as far too many other Rover 75's & a ZT-T, all KV6's apart from one 1.8) & as already said, the 260 just plods along (if you want it to) at such low RPM, it's just effortless.
I love all my cars & the it's fair to say, even my 190 just pulls itself along without having to thrash it.
I guess a lot depends on how a driver tends to drive as to how slow (or fast) the fuel gauge drops.

[SJR]

On the LPG front, we use a self refillable gas system to power the systems in our Motorhome (not the engine, it's diesel) we fill the tank at service/petrol stations.
we have noticed and have also been informed by petroleum company's that some are starting to reduce stations with LPG.

Apparently this is due to dwindling demand, and lack of support from the government.

SJR

[YorksMG2016]

Thanks SJR - good old government, always messing the people about!

Anyway I hope to meet a few members at POL and have a good chat about 260 ownership (and if anyone does have an Lpg car there, I woul​d be REALLY interested to have a look)

Andrew

[ksilver]

Trikey has a LPG converted car for sale, the mileage is high (sorry!) but a lovely car to drive.

Having had two 260's converted I think I can offer my opinions on that subject, first I converted both cars as they were my daily drivers and I hit c30,000 miles a year and it just made sense, it is a bit silly to suggest on V8 forum to go and get a fiesta diesel instead.

On the subject of availability etc you need to check if you have any garages locally that sell the stuff but when travelling you need to plan ahead to see where you can fill up. Other systems may be able to do the same but I used a free phone based sat nav called Waze, you can set it for LPG and it will show you where you can fill up on your route and the prices.

Also while there may be LPG garages locally you need to check what systems they deal with, there are many systems and most garages will only deal with one or two.