Converting to LPG / Autogas

Milky_Mocha

andy88 wrote:

Milky_Mocha, investigate prices for this work in France, Belgium and especially Netherlands. Very likely to be half the price or less. The basic job is about £300 of gear and 8 to 15 hours work and ludicrously overpriced here.

A friend was very tempted to do it when we were in Lithuania last year for ~£300, but it was a bit more technical for that car and the bits would not have come in time.

Talking of Lithuania, a friend/colleague has driven to/from home a few times, and has a converted car. So the ferry is ok, but he said no to the tunnel when I mentioned it the other day.

Good point. We could make a one-night holiday out of the trip as the savings are likely to be substantial. I'm well pleased that the ferry is ok. Apparently LPG vehicles are prohibited for the Dartford crossing too. I suppose that could be avoided.

ArsenalFC

Isn't there a switch install in the driver area in the form of a button that you can switch to petrol when you want? Or it is the case that any car which has gas cylinder are not allow throught the channel tunnel.

Talking of getting a car convert abroad, will it be accepted as legal use in the uk after having it converted abroad. Could insurance companies have issues with it?

Dave_G_5

It's due to the gas cylinder that it is banned from the tunnels, even though it is probably safer than a tank of petrol!!

ahll

Hi,
I converted my Landrover to LPG over 4 years ago. Over this time I have noticed a great increase in the number of places you can buy it. I had two tanks put under the car as I didn't want to take but the boot space, as I use it regularly. Over this time I have had no problems with my system. Mine starts on petrol and as soon as I rev the engine it swiches to gas(in seconds). I don't notice any great difference in performance between running it on gas and petrol.

I also understand that running on LPG is better for the environment which pleases me. I usually take my car over to France one a year (on the Ferry as can't go use the tunnel). One thing I have noticed in France is that in certain areas if u have LPG they divert you around long tunnels.

I like running my car on LPG and I certainly like the price, as there is no way I could afford to have my car if I ran it on petrol. My tanks takes about 60 ltr and I believe I get about 160-70 miles out of it.

In the comments about I didn't understand what was so good/different about the BMW BMW 530d if anyone can explain this too me.

ArsenalFC

The bmw 530 diesel TMWebster was talking about it returns great economy with 900miles to the tank. So one would not need to consider converting to gas to get good fuel economy if one has money (£10k) to spend. Being a bmw, it is a great car to drive.

ahll

OK thanks ArsenalFC for the explaination. So if I was to trade in my LPG car you would recommend the BMW 550 diesel. This seems quite cheap for a BMW I generally associate them with being really expensive !

PS Does anyone know a good place to good priced replacement LGP cap from ?

ArsenalFC

You're welcome. I have never driven the bmw 530d but I can recommend you bmw cars are great to drive as i own a 318is petrol model. Bmw 5 series never appeal to me because of the size of the car, a bit too bulky for my liking. I personally like the 3 series alot.

I do not know the exact figures of fuel consumption on these bmw 3 & 5 series model, parker and manufacturer's guide will show that. Bmw owners always say that once you own a bmw you'll never want to downgrade, that is so true. The £10k figure is for a second hand bmw so to speak.

Cant help on the lpg cap as i dont have a clue.