LPG conversion on an E39 M5?

Welcome aboard

The subject has come up on here a few times but I'm not convinced by LPG.  Nowhere near me sells it and it costs just over half as much as unleaded and you get just over twice the fuel consumption so I don't think it adds up.  If it did, more folk would convert to LPG and more manufacturers would install LPG tanks as standard.

Andrew

....but you don't buy an M5 and then worry about fuel consumption.

Thanks for these comments. I have read on some sites that there may be an issue with reliability?

I don't mind a bit of a drop in performance, as I can always switch back to petrol when I'm having my fun ...!

Depend were you fit it, Can go in the spare wheel well.

Thanks for all the reply's so far...

I understand the comments that I 'shouldn't' worry about fuel consumption on an M5.  But - what if I 'must' find a way to reduce fuel costs in order to turn the dream into a reality due to not having seriously deep pockets?

I accept that it wont be a cheap car to run, but need to ensure that it is at least workable.

Does anyone have any views on the likely performance drop (or not?)?

Also, will I do any damage / will it run OK with a modern multi point LPG system.

Obviously no point in me asking the LPG companies at this stage as they naturally enough will be biased in their opinions!

Further comments / help please!

Thanks.

JPboost - Thanks for your comment, but I would be very interested to know why, in your opinion the fitting of LPG will devalue the car? What is so negative about the conversion that will affect resale value in a negative way?

Interesting to see that my point was not shot down in flames...makes a change!

An E39 M5 has 400 bhp and gets what 20mpg at a push IMO.  An 02 02 plate M5 will cost �18-20k

My E60 545i has 333 bhp and gets on average 25-26 mpg and it cost me �16k from a BMW dealer with all the BMW dealer back up and still with 1 years servicing . 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 155mph limited speed, it's quick enough!

Will you notice the 67bhp difference between the two cars?  Ok the M5 will have better handling than my SE E60.

The M5 will mean you attract far more attention on the road that a seriously quick E60, you might be better off in a slightly more subtle car that has just about the same amount of poke but without the drawbacks of a 'flashy' M5 but the E60 545i will be far cheaper to run than an M5 without too much 'loss' in performance.

just my opinion....

Andrew

Isn't LPG lower octane than petrol! and apparently it will trash your engine
in the long run.

I am sure I have read that an engine produces less power when runing on
LPG, presumably this is because current petrol engines cannot be modified
to utilise the extra power available from the extra octane?

hopalong wrote: Thanks for all the reply's so far... I understand the comments that I 'shouldn't' worry about fuel consumption on an M5.  But - what if I 'must' find a way to reduce fuel costs in order to turn the dream into a reality due to not having seriously deep pockets? I accept that it wont be a cheap car to run, but need to ensure that it is at least workable. Does anyone have any views on the likely performance drop (or not?)? Also, will I do any damage / will it run OK with a modern multi point LPG system. Obviously no point in me asking the LPG companies at this stage as they naturally enough will be biased in their opinions! Further comments / help please! Thanks.

1. If it mnt you haveing YOUR DREAM of owning a M5 Then you do it I know I wood.

2. It will make cluck all diffrence ti the resail off the car if anthing.

3. AS said LPG is great for the engine the Oil stays cleaner for longer, and the engine wear is a lot lot less.

4. On A modon LPG system You will lose nothing much on LPG you will get near the same MPG.

5. If fitted well the M5 along with all other BMW v8 run great on LPG.

IMHO It's very snobish to say no just because it's a M5 and all that. As I have said if it ment owning my dream car over not having my dream car for somthing stupid like have a LPG convershion I would go for a LPG system and have my Drewm car and rolocks to the lot off you Plese JMHO

Edited by bmw1066

I'm not 100% but it's partley due to the position off the injecters and were thay are. There placed as near as poss the the industion side off the manafold. best place is were the petrol injectors are most modon cars been direct injection now to give fare greater berning.

LPG has come along way from were it was sucked like a old carb just arfter the MAF it did and could calse a lot off probloms and the power was down but the new age of cars and LPG is so much better you will probloy lose 2% too 5% power mabe a little more in some car's.

The LPG system is put in and the car's Injecter loom is run through the LPG's ecu 1. to stop any fault lights coming up when the injecters are switched off. 2. So the LPG can utalise the injecter timing. it may and can be ajusted bye computer for the ignition time but its very good. LPG is also spliced in to the lamber sensors so it can stop any fault lights. We had a t5 volvo runing on a very simaler system and he was over harthin his fuel costs he did a lot of miles and got him � back in 9 munths, theres a little more to it then that but I'm not very good at explaining things

But I must stress onley get it fitted at a well know and improved place. I have seen some very poor fitting, wiering must all be solded and heat shrunk and well taped up. I would always have a good look at car's thay have converted and the qualtey off the work that has been dun to your car.