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      06-01-2010, 05:16 AM   #1
BMWdriver85
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BMW e90 lpg?

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked b4 but i was just wondering if anybody here has had their BMW E90 professionally converted to LPG?

I have a 2007 BMW E90, 318Se, thankfully i don't have the efficient dynamics on my model which i suspect would complicate any LPG installation.

Does anybody know which LPG system is best for my car? Also will an LPG system upset the BMW internal computer mangament system of my car; i know the diagnostics of the car are very sensitive - i don't want to end up with an LPG system fitted which caused a light to flash up on my dashboard!!

My LPGA approved installer believes a BRC system would be suitable - my car is the 2007 model before efficient dynamics so does not have direct injection (which i believe is not really compatible with lpg)

Any helpful comments appreciated
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      04-04-2012, 08:07 AM   #2
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Did you convert to LPG in the end?
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      04-04-2012, 03:34 PM   #3
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Quote:
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Did you convert to LPG in the end?
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      04-04-2012, 03:48 PM   #4
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      04-04-2012, 03:51 PM   #5
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Well there are not many threads on LPG so had to go back a bit!
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      04-04-2012, 05:36 PM   #6
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He hasn't logged in for 2 years so one must assume someone crashed in to the back of his car and the LPG unit blew him in to orbit.
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      01-17-2013, 10:08 AM   #7
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Sorry for taking so long to reply.

Yes, i had my car converted in summer 2010 with a system by Versus http://www.versusgas.com/

you can see my car here:

http://www.autogas-kit.com/index.php...roducts_id=103

No wayne the car didn't blow up, but it has saved me over £3500 over the past 2.5 years, which after taking conversion costs into account = £2300.

The car runs fine with lpg: engine management has been unaffected, i also had a vap flash lube type lubrication system installed which isn't really necessary on bmw engines but was more of a safe guard measure. This liquid costs me £18 every 6 months and helps to cool the valves as lpg burns at higher temps.

Of note is the fact that my car is just pre-direct injection which was standard from Summer 2007 onwards. LPG is more difficult to install in Summer 2007 BMW onwards due to the change in engine design.

BMW continue the routine servicing and are interested in how it runs, i think BMW themselves are busy developing liquid phase injection lpg in association with prins.
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      01-20-2013, 03:58 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWdriver85 View Post
Sorry for taking so long to reply.

Yes, i had my car converted in summer 2010 with a system by Versus http://www.versusgas.com/

you can see my car here:

http://www.autogas-kit.com/index.php...roducts_id=103

No wayne the car didn't blow up, but it has saved me over £3500 over the past 2.5 years, which after taking conversion costs into account = £2300.

The car runs fine with lpg: engine management has been unaffected, i also had a vap flash lube type lubrication system installed which isn't really necessary on bmw engines but was more of a safe guard measure. This liquid costs me £18 every 6 months and helps to cool the valves as lpg burns at higher temps.

Of note is the fact that my car is just pre-direct injection which was standard from Summer 2007 onwards. LPG is more difficult to install in Summer 2007 BMW onwards due to the change in engine design.

BMW continue the routine servicing and are interested in how it runs, i think BMW themselves are busy developing liquid phase injection lpg in association with prins.
Cheers mate, thank you for the update

was considering it until i had endless problems with my 320i, its been that bad the dealer are buying it back
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      01-20-2013, 04:08 PM   #9
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What happened with your 320i?

I'm off to bmw next month for routine servicing and MOT, for some reason this year i have a feeling its going to be costly. The first BMW service i had for my car in 2009 cost me £85, i nearly fell over with surprise, thought it was going to be £250.

This year i feel i will be lucky if its £250

The way i have found BMW, they will look after you if you are loyal to them with servicing. Last year however i betrayed them on the MOT front as they didn't answer the phone... so i took it to Chevrolet who were very courteous

(Back to BMW again this year, they have always serviced it in any case)
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      01-20-2013, 04:25 PM   #10
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2008 with under 40k. Endless injectors / coilpacks / running issues. Not to mention ABS sensors, traction control failure, catalytic converter
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      01-20-2013, 04:34 PM   #11
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oh wow thats unlucky, maybe keep away from the 320i.

Come over to the 318i

If it makes you feel any better i reversed my car into a post last month

It hit right next to the bumper sensor, i though i should take a photo and show to my main dealer when i was in for servicing... how ironic it should hit there (it was a low fence post at my new house)

Now i have to call the bumper clinic £££
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      01-21-2013, 02:56 PM   #12
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i take it the mondial warranty would be void if I LPGd my 335i? Not planning on selling it anytime soon so an LPG conversion seems life a decent idea, but not if i'm ganbling saving a bit with the possibility of some humassive bills...
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      01-22-2013, 03:10 AM   #13
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I've never heard of mondial but i didn't get my 2007 bmw converted until the main dealer warranty ran out.

So far the lpg has not caused one single problem in the running or routine servicing of the car (got my next service in late feb so will know more then)

This June will mark the 3 year anniversary of having LPG in my car, i'm sure i can still sell it for the same price as a standard 2007 318i, but when i do sell it i will add half the cost of the conversion to the book price of the 318i.

But then i don't plan to sell it any time soon
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      01-22-2013, 04:46 AM   #14
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Why not just grt a prius???

Did you tell insurance about the conversion?
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      01-22-2013, 04:48 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wayne71 View Post
He hasn't logged in for 2 years so one must assume someone crashed in to the back of his car and the LPG unit blew him in to orbit.
hahahahaha
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      01-22-2013, 05:14 AM   #16
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I dont want a prius as i dont want an old persons car. I dont want a toyota in any case. Ive driven bmw for 4 years now why would i want to downgrade to toyota?

My insurance company were made aware and the insurance stayed the same. Car tax went downwards due to the greener credentials of lpg.

Waynes comment is ok but based in ignorance since the lpg tank is thicker than the petrol tank, if my car is heavily impacted from behind my petrol tank would go before my lpg tank.

The main advantage to lpg is being able to drive places without having to consider cost
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      01-22-2013, 02:00 PM   #17
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I don't know much about LPG, but how much of a power decrease did you get, if any?
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      01-22-2013, 02:26 PM   #18
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I thought LPG conversion was for farmers mainly? People with shoguns

Even though this original post is from 2010 one observation would be surely a 318i is fuel efficient enough??
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      01-22-2013, 02:36 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by briers View Post
I thought LPG conversion was for farmers mainly? People with shoguns

Even though this original post is from 2010 one observation would be surely a 318i is fuel efficient enough??
This!

335i i could understand but a 318i?
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      01-22-2013, 02:39 PM   #20
BMWdriver85
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Well that shows how much you know, mitsubishi (aka bits-are-missing) are poor candidates for lpg as they have softer valves and are at risk of valve seat recession. Actually i think farmers work with red diesel.

As i said above BMW themselves are working with lpg technology and aim to release a liquid ignited lpg car in the future. Diesel has had its day and as its small particulate emissions become increasingly linked to cancer, so will the tax rise on it - and so it should

There is no noticeable power decrease, although it is documented to be 5% lower power and 5% lower fuel economy but i could never tell any difference in either case.

Its true the 318i is already economical but it becomes even more economical when you pay 65p a litre.

Normally i would change my car every 3 years, but the money i save on petrol has gone into my property instead, and i don't forsee changing my car in the near future

Last edited by BMWdriver85; 01-22-2013 at 02:58 PM..
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      01-22-2013, 02:43 PM   #21
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So go on then, rub it in: what are your fuel costs per mile then?


Me? 22p/mile in my normally-powered 330i N52...
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      01-22-2013, 02:51 PM   #22
BMWdriver85
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Well it used to be 9p per mile but its now just over 10p a mile.

To be fair there are other costs.. LPG servicing is £65/year

And i still have to put petrol into the car - petrol is used in the warm up stages as you drive off and it then seamlessly switches to lpg. Thus more petrol is used in the winter than spring/summer/autumn.

You need to keep at least 1/4 tank of petrol in the car to allow the petrol fuel pump to remain lubricated (this remains running even when your on lpg), In the winter the car uses £30 of petrol every couple of months, but in the summer it barely uses any petrol so i have to put a squirt of stabil in the petrol tank to help stop the petrol going stale.

Now if you were really taking it too far you can over-ride the car starting on petrol and make it start on LPG but this isn't recommended as i think it may risk some longer term damage to the ignition system.
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