LPG conversion for E34 535i? Recommendations?
Discussion
PJ S said:
Can't help on who to use, but do you really think pumping £2K (it is an 8 cylinder, isn't it?) is money well spent?
It will take you circa 20K miles before the system has been paid for with the use of LPG, and needs annual or 10-12K mile check/filter change.
No, E34 535i is M30 I6 engine, I do see where you are coming from on this.............It will take you circa 20K miles before the system has been paid for with the use of LPG, and needs annual or 10-12K mile check/filter change.
Ah, so only 6 cylinders then - that'd bring the install down to £1500-1800.
Even so, annual mileage will dictate playback time frame.
http://www.drivelpg.co.uk/savings_calculator.php
Even so, annual mileage will dictate playback time frame.
http://www.drivelpg.co.uk/savings_calculator.php
Given the mileage you need to do to recover the costs of installation i'd make sure that the E34 is in top condition because you might find keeping it on the road long enough to cover the mileage will be expensive.
Gas tank will create more weight in the rear so make sure the suspension is up to it.
Gas tank will create more weight in the rear so make sure the suspension is up to it.
The car is in excellent condition.
I am replacing all the tired parts, cooling, suspension, steering, brakes all OEM parts so a full refurbishment. Thanks for the info. The cooling systems are fine if in good fettle. I've replaced everything with new parts.
Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated on gas pros and cons.
I am replacing all the tired parts, cooling, suspension, steering, brakes all OEM parts so a full refurbishment. Thanks for the info. The cooling systems are fine if in good fettle. I've replaced everything with new parts.
Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated on gas pros and cons.
Again to echo others, I really wouldn't bother waste of time and money and will also spoil the car, I have never been a fan of it, had a vehicle with it once, caused more problems than it solved, it is only good around town, but really it does ruin the car, you have to drill a hole in the car for the tank filler neck, and drilling into the manifold.
just not worth the time or effort and money
just not worth the time or effort and money
Given this an older car then £1500-1800 is surely for the more expensive kits. Are there not cheaper ones available?
As for the M30 cooling system - there is nothing wrong with it, it works fine so long as you do not have a clogged radiator or tired viscous coupling. I had several 3 E28's and now and E34 and all use the same cooling system. The only time it has gone wrong is when I left a tired viscous coupling on the car and it failed.
As for the M30 cooling system - there is nothing wrong with it, it works fine so long as you do not have a clogged radiator or tired viscous coupling. I had several 3 E28's and now and E34 and all use the same cooling system. The only time it has gone wrong is when I left a tired viscous coupling on the car and it failed.
I forgot to add. I have had an LPG car before a Pt Cruiser. I went for a top of range system and it set me back £1800. It paid itself back eventually but I had to replace spark plugs more often and filling stations around east anglia are few and far between so it became a hassle to run it.
If you can get a cheaper single point system fitted for £1000 (it won't be as efficient but the M30 is not exactly efficient) then I would say it worth it.
If you can get a cheaper single point system fitted for £1000 (it won't be as efficient but the M30 is not exactly efficient) then I would say it worth it.
pits said:
You could however buy another E34 diesel as a cheaper run around and keep the 535i as a nice car to sort out and keep nice and go about in a diesel 34 for less than the price of an LPG kit, and it is better to look at than an LPG kit
That's fine so long as you've got room for two cars, can afford to run two cars and are happy to put up with an "old technology" diesel that's going to be quite rattly compared to more modern diesels. 525tds is terrible on fuel. I don't know why it is so shocking but you only get low 30's at best.
If I had the cash the best option would a single point system with a mixer I think so you would never have to use petrol. Some LPG systems will start even when cold on LPG. Those are the ones you need. Then you could ditch the fuel tank and have one LPG tank mounted in the spare wheel well and the other where the fuel tank is. Then you would not lose any boot space and have sufficient fuel for a sensible range.
That is the only LPG system I would consider. Then have the engine rebuilt using high compression pistons and dream LPG car. It will remain a dream though.
Go with LPG it is worth it if you do the miles. Just get a big tank.
If I had the cash the best option would a single point system with a mixer I think so you would never have to use petrol. Some LPG systems will start even when cold on LPG. Those are the ones you need. Then you could ditch the fuel tank and have one LPG tank mounted in the spare wheel well and the other where the fuel tank is. Then you would not lose any boot space and have sufficient fuel for a sensible range.
That is the only LPG system I would consider. Then have the engine rebuilt using high compression pistons and dream LPG car. It will remain a dream though.
Go with LPG it is worth it if you do the miles. Just get a big tank.
4rephill said:
pits said:
You could however buy another E34 diesel as a cheaper run around and keep the 535i as a nice car to sort out and keep nice and go about in a diesel 34 for less than the price of an LPG kit, and it is better to look at than an LPG kit
That's fine so long as you've got room for two cars, can afford to run two cars and are happy to put up with an "old technology" diesel that's going to be quite rattly compared to more modern diesels. 
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