lpg conversion to E46 M3!

[mwg123]

I have owned 3 E46 M3's in the past and the fuel consumption has always made me sell them! And help with if lpg conversions work well with the M3 and what the consumption figues are?

[edb49]

As a general rule, power and consumption will be a touch down (5-10%) but the cost of fuel is much less.

[mwg123]

will it do the engine any harm?

[taffyracer]

Would you not be better off just buying a 330d and remapping it, would be about the same I suspect but alot easier and possibly cheaper, the thing that makes the M3 so good is the engine, buggering about with LPG will destroy it's class IMO

[drgav2005]

Yep - would totally agree with Taffyracer - get yourself a good E46 330d instead. I've had 2 in the past and they were excellent cars. Get it down to DMS if the 204 bhp isn't enough - but saying that, the wall of torque is already mightily impressive - I found I could drive round in 3rd gear all day if needed!

I'd stay clear of doing an LPG conversion, since when you sell (and I suspect at some point you will!) then I cannot see many potential buyers looking to get that type of 'modification'

[Cliffv8]

don't think LPG would work, the ecu is to complicated and even if you did get it to run is unlikely the venos would work. If it comes to the point when i can't afford to petrol in my car then i think I'll get a Monaro or a Mustang with there nice big simple engines

[JezF]

AFS Autogas reckon they could do it.

I pondered about doing a conversion on my E36 M3, but as others have said, there are other cars that make more sense to LPG and it does take some time to get your money back.

[Vixpy1]

Cliffv8 said:

don't think LPG would work, the ecu is to complicated and even if you did get it to run is unlikely the venos would work. If it comes to the point when i can't afford to petrol in my car then i think I'll get a Monaro or a Mustang with there nice big simple engines

There is no reason why it would'nt work. Its just a different fuel with its own delivery management.

Having said that, i'd say it was pretty pointless, if you want something econmical, buy a 330d

[E36GUY]

Also remember that this LPG is also a bit of a fad. It seems to be falling out of favour and more and more garages are saying it's not worth stocking. Also the Govt incentives for assisting with the cost of conversion have been withdrawn as well. Probably realised how much tax they'd lose if everyone converted and it's quietly been dropped from the agenda.

Given the above I wouldn't bother.

[mwg123]

Thanks for all of your help and advice guys.

Matt

[JezF]

E36GUY said:

Also remember that this LPG is also a bit of a fad.

Not sure it's a fad? However, it isn't cheap - you are talking £2500+ for a decent conversion and that's a lot of fuel. Plus, you will loose 5% power.