4.6is - decided to LPG convert

[Imy]

Admittedly BP filling rate is super slow but anyone tried shell? There's ran almost as fast as petrol...

[Jamine16]

I always use shell and it takes forever to fill the tank.

[Geezer]

Picked up the fully converted 'X' a couple of days ago and have covered 350 miles of spirited driving. First tank of LPG saw me about 200miles, and I'm still on my second tank.

First impressions are great.Although the LPG fuel level indicator is rubbish and seems to have a mind of its own.

All in cost was £1850, which includes £1500 for the conversion and £300 for a service (plugs and filters) and change of both rocker cover gaskets and £50 for a full tank of LPG.

After a weekend of fun, I can report that the system can take full throttle no problem.

[JimmySpeed]

I haven't been on here since I sold my 4.4i (e-gas LPG system) but I bought an estoril 4.6is on the weekend with a Prins conversion already done 12 months ago and I can confirm both cars could take full throttle without issue. The e-gas one would change over if the LPG was really low on full throttle, but other than that it was fine.

The e-gas one did seem a tad slower when on full throttle on LPG than petrol, but my new one seems just as fast on either fuel. I never actually drove the 4.4 on full throttle for considerable amounts of time so it didn't make too much different. Any thing less than full throttle and it was even with either fuel.

[JimmySpeed]

lol just noticed my 4.4 pic is still my avatar  )

[Raj]

Good to hear both. I'm popping in to see Billy at Hilton Autogas about doing my 4.8is.

Does anyone have a definitive answer to whether the X needs the valve are stuff to protect the valve stems, etc? I don't think you do as even Prins themselves suggested the BM engine is fine without it.

[Graham_The_Baker]

[quote="Raj"]
Good to hear both. I'm popping in to see Billy at Hilton Autogas about doing my 4.8is.

Does anyone have a definitive answer to whether the X needs the valve are stuff to protect the valve stems, etc? I don't think you do as even Prins themselves suggested the BM engine is fine without it.
[/quote]

You defoe dont need the lube Raj. the BMW blocks ect are fine for LPG conversions. You also get a two year guarrantee with the BRC kit.

HTH

[Geezer]

As above,the BMW engines don't need the lube.

No noticeable loss in power, although I haven't tested it out in sports mode yet.

Raj - You're lucky being in the Midlands, as Birmingham has some of the cheapest LPG prices in the country. I filled up at BCS autogas opposite Star City in Birmingham for 63p at the weekend. In London,the cheapest I can find is 72p.

[JimmySpeed]

I was there today too. Couldn't believe the price. Last time I had an LPG X5 (early 2012) it was 69-72p there! This must be the only fuel that actually gets cheaper over time 

[Raj]

Cheers all. Going to see Billy in the morning hopefully.

[DaveB]

This thread got me thinking, so I contacted my local LPG conversion company (LPG Centre, Cambridgeshire). The guy spent a while talking me through what he does and the costs. Although he's now based at home, he's been around a long time and clearly his overheads are now lower and he's 5 miles away.

He only fits Emer systems (Italian) with a 95ltr tank fitted where the spare normally sits. It takes about 85ltrs of gas to be full. The air suspension pump is relocated under rear, right hand panel in the boot. He can fit a bigger 105ltr tank if the floor is slightly raised. He fits this to 7 seaters X5s. The downside is obviously no spare, but if the battery needs changing, the tank need to come out. If it's full of gas this can be a bit of a pain. I think I'm going to replace the sliding load panel for a static one anyway, cos it's I don't find it that useful.

His opinion is BMWs are great to convert and take the conversion very well. He does loads of X5s - he was in the middle of doing one while I was there - and said there are no valve seat issues and in his opinion are the best cars to convert with Range Rovers coming a close second.

The filler is located on the right rear bumper panel and can be coloured coded for £40 by Chips Away. I'd probably do this myself.

For travelling in Europe, you just get a pack of adaptors to screw into the fitted filler.

Servicing needs to be done every 15k miles (not time based) which he can do and involves changing a couple of filters.

Inside, the small LPG switch has 2 LEDS showing whether it's running on gas or petrol, a button to manually swap and a gas level gauge which isn't that accurate cos the gas in it's liquid state tends to slosh about. Apart from that, everything is automatic and you can't detect the swap over if it's setup properly, but it's based on engine temp and rpm.

The fittings are very well made and look like BMW factory components - a mix of metal and plastic mouldings. Apparently the Emer injectors are very good and fast, whatever that means.

The cost? £1600 and it takes him about 3 days to fit and setup.

I just need to work out if it's worth it. I'm not planning on selling anytime soon and probably do 5-6k miles a year. That equates to about a 3 year payback. But it does keep the resale value up a bit.

Or I could spend the same money on a set of wheels or a hoopy exhaust and ECU upgrade. But since I'm planning a few trips to France where LPG is plentiful I may be swayed.

[Don Coffey]

Nice write up Dave. 

Don

[Sanj]

Thank you for taking the time.

I've always wondered though, can the filler cap not be hidden? Does it HAVE to be stuck on the bumper? Is this a legality thing? I think the cap ruins the looks of the car... any car...

[DaveB]

I guess it can be fitted anywhere given the time, but if it's colour coded it'll just look like a bigger parking sensor.

One thing I forgot. The safety features on the tank are probably better than the petrol tank. There's even a pressure relief valve that points rearwards in case of an accident. Something I hadn't considered. So I guess if someone drives in the back of you with enough force to blow the tank (and probably the petrol tank), they'll get the brunt of it.

[Jamine16]

[quote="Sanj"]
Thank you for taking the time.

I've always wondered though, can the filler cap not be hidden? Does it HAVE to be stuck on the bumper? Is this a legality thing? I think the cap ruins the looks of the car... any car...
[/quote]

Mine is hidden behind the rear tow bar cover.

It can be a bit awkward to fill up, but definitely looks better than a filler cap on the bumper or wing.