LPG Conversion

[540 touring]

Hello

I was considering an LPG conversion to my 540 touring. Has anyone done one and what do they think ?

[Ferret]

Hello

I was considering an LPG conversion to my 540 touring. Has anyone done one and what do they think ?

I take it you're in the UK if you're looking at an LPG conversion?

I had a 535i guesstimated by a bimmer specialist down here, and he reckoned it'd cost about £2400 to get it fitted to a straight 6 with direct injection.

V8's I'd be thinking you could probably push the barge out to about £3k for the direct injection conversion...

The direct injection conversions you hardly notice the difference at all - but you pay less than half the value of unleaded at around 38-45p/litre - which means you'd pay the same as if your 540 was doing 40mpg in fuel costs.

Just my $0.02 but I'd weigh up the cost very carefully against the amount of fuel you're using and work out the savings and how long it'd take you to break even on the conversion...

EDIT: Also forgot to mention if you're in the UK, make sure your installer is 'certified' and can offer you an install certificate - otherwise beware of insurance rapeage if you have a bit of a prang... not sure what the US etc insurance companies are like though...

[cooljules]

I take it you're in the UK if you're looking at an LPG conversion?

I had a 535i guesstimated by a bimmer specialist down here, and he reckoned it'd cost about £2400 to get it fitted to a straight 6 with direct injection.

V8's I'd be thinking you could probably push the barge out to about £3k for the direct injection conversion...

The direct injection conversions you hardly notice the difference at all - but you pay less than half the value of unleaded at around 38-45p/litre - which means you'd pay the same as if your 540 was doing 40mpg in fuel costs.

Just my $0.02 but I'd weigh up the cost very carefully against the amount of fuel you're using and work out the savings and how long it'd take you to break even on the conversion...

EDIT: Also forgot to mention if you're in the UK, make sure your installer is 'certified' and can offer you an install certificate - otherwise beware of insurance rapeage if you have a bit of a prang... not sure what the US etc insurance companies are like though...

I drive to Poland often from UK, i was told over there its about 300quid and same standard, so thinking of going that route for one of my E34's

[540 touring]

I drive to Poland often from UK, i was told over there its about 300quid and same standard, so thinking of going that route for one of my E34's

thanks . Let me know how you get on.



phil

[540 touring]

I take it you're in the UK if you're looking at an LPG conversion?

I had a 535i guesstimated by a bimmer specialist down here, and he reckoned it'd cost about £2400 to get it fitted to a straight 6 with direct injection.

V8's I'd be thinking you could probably push the barge out to about £3k for the direct injection conversion...

The direct injection conversions you hardly notice the difference at all - but you pay less than half the value of unleaded at around 38-45p/litre - which means you'd pay the same as if your 540 was doing 40mpg in fuel costs.

Just my $0.02 but I'd weigh up the cost very carefully against the amount of fuel you're using and work out the savings and how long it'd take you to break even on the conversion...

EDIT: Also forgot to mention if you're in the UK, make sure your installer is 'certified' and can offer you an install certificate - otherwise beware of insurance rapeage if you have a bit of a prang... not sure what the US etc insurance companies are like though...

thanks for the advice. I hope to keep my e34 going as long as possible, so when I get saved up I think I'll go for it. Does the mileage have any bearing ?

thanks very much

[Morgenster]

Even if you shell out 3k for the conversion it 'll increase resale value considerably or you can keep the setup for another car after the e34. Although in the latter case You'd only be able to use it on a V8 car.

[cooljules]

thanks . Let me know how you get on.



phil

As soon as i can more concrete info will post, might be a few days...its seems the Poles coming here just about all get conversions done, i was told a adapter was needed for the nozzle...not sure if its true or why...i guess it must to be a EU standard.

[rob101]

As soon as i can more concrete info will post, might be a few days...its seems the Poles coming here just about all get conversions done, i was told a adapter was needed for the nozzle...not sure if its true or why...i guess it must to be a EU standard.

we the australians would also be interested in knowing how it goes, we get a 2k rebate on aftermarket LPG systems. personally i'd like to go to single fuel (and ditch the petrol), which uses port injection LPG. I assume when you say "direct injection" this is what you mean.

[Ferret]

we the australians would also be interested in knowing how it goes, we get a 2k rebate on aftermarket LPG systems. personally i'd like to go to single fuel (and ditch the petrol), which uses port injection LPG. I assume when you say "direct injection" this is what you mean.

Yeah, the guy was saying you could have a complete swap over to LPG injectors and do away with the petrol if you really want... but didnt reccomend it as LPG isnt taking off as much as they'd like here.

[Morgenster]

Yeah, the guy was saying you could have a complete swap over to LPG injectors and do away with the petrol if you really want... but didnt reccomend it as LPG isnt taking off as much as they'd like here.

Worse even, the classic gaseous injecion systems still rely on an evaporator to run. That's why so practically every LPG car starts on petrol. The evaporator needs a hot coolant feed from the engine in order to keep working and will easily freeze shut if you start the car on LPG when cold.