325 tds

[Morat]

Personaly I think an decent e36 d lump in an e30 driven very sensibly on a run would average 50 mpg especialy with a well matched diff and wheel size!

I'd love to see some figures to back that up. The E30 is not exactly aerodynamic.

[m8782538]

is it safe and legal to install LPG DIY?

If i can get a cheap kit 2nd hand kit and a new tank any idea on how much if would cost to get installed and running well? I know nothing about LPG so wouldn't attempt it myself.

I know the benefits of LPG but its just things like finding petrol stations who sell it, only 2 in swindon as far as i am aware and neither are exactly close to me.

[m8782538]

If it is safe and legal??

Anyone on here able to fit if i source all the parts, beer tokens and grub (can it be done in 1 day)?

Thinking Beer (or alternative) and got an all you can eat indian resturant (buffet lunch) round the corner, any takers?

I don't need this doing straight away, want to get the car back on the road first.

[mattrs]

Personaly I think an decent e36 d lump in an e30 driven very sensibly on a run would average 50 mpg especialy with a well matched diff and wheel size!

I'd love to see some figures to back that up. The E30 is not exactly aerodynamic.

Me too, surely someones dropped a diesel lump in at some point???


An e36 on diesel will surely average 45+ on a run and e30's are lighter! Maybe that would be offset by the fact there sqaurer and pressumably less areodynamic as you say.

[bigmace2004]

thanks for the info brianmooore will be looking into LPG for the future as fuel is going up up up up

[mattycoops43]

I have always been told that aerodynamics don't have a massive effect until you hit 100mph, I wouldn't think they are that bad at 60-70 if you want to drive for economy. I reckon the lightweight will give a really good mpg.

[m8782538]

If i can find a cheap way of going LPG i may well do it, just need to find cheap 2nd hand parts, doughnut tank for spare wheel well and someone to fit.

[e301988325i]

Me too, surely someones dropped a diesel lump in at some point???


An e36 on diesel will surely average 45+ on a run and e30's are lighter! Maybe that would be offset by the fact there sqaurer and pressumably less areodynamic as you say.

You're picking figures out of thin air, "45+ on a run" perhaps once the engine is warmed along a flat road at 60mph, mine averages 35-38mpg measured at the pump fill to fill over 50K, it's worse on the motorway

[mattrs]

Me too, surely someones dropped a diesel lump in at some point???


An e36 on diesel will surely average 45+ on a run and e30's are lighter! Maybe that would be offset by the fact there sqaurer and pressumably less areodynamic as you say.

You're picking figures out of thin air, "45+ on a run" perhaps once the engine is warmed along a flat road at 60mph, mine averages 35-38mpg measured at the pump fill to fill over 50K, it's worse on the motorway

Not thin air, my mates dad has one and he drives with fuel conservation in mind! Its a subject close to my heart too as we both do silly mileage!

I wonder if your doing a good mixture of driving and less frugally too!? Also it may be that yours isn't as efficient as his or others for a number of potential reasons! Also its only "worse on the motorway" if you do 80-90mph.

I still maintain an e30 with a decent, serviced diesel lump might be able to do 45 even 50+ especially with the right diff and wheel size! maybe more If it was nursed along on a run!

More over it may well be able to give an lpg'd one a run for its money in real world average mpg too! Not to mention other advantages like power/torque and longevity when compared to a petrol 4 pot!

[e301988325i]

If i can find a cheap way of going LPG i may well do it, just need to find cheap 2nd hand parts, doughnut tank for spare wheel well and someone to fit.

The hardest bit about DIY is soldering neatly, and not shrinking the heat shrink insulation with the heat from the soldering iron!!

There's no need to rush the install in one day, only the fitting of the vapourisor coolant hoses and the cutting of the injector common wire will actually leave your car immobile.

[Brianmoooore]

but its just things like finding petrol stations who sell it, only 2 in swindon as far as i am aware and neither are exactly close to me.

There are maps and lists available, and I have a download that marks them all over the UK and Europe on my Autoroute/GPS set up.
Do you know about the Countrywide Stores self service/24 hour key operated pump on the Oasis estate?
There's one at Wooton Basset, a BP on the A420 past Farringdon, and one between Wantage and Grove.

[m8782538]

Yes the closest is the Shell at the Oasis and th self service one near the oasis,

Reason i said can it be done in a day is i use the car every day, and have to. I work 2 jobs, 5 days a week and 3 nights a week incl the weekend so i cannot be without my car, saturday daytime and sunday morning i can possibly be without but thats it.

Can't even borrow the mrs car as its a personal lease car and not insured for business use which i need for both my jobs.

[Andyboy]

Sell the E30 and buy a 325tds.


Sorted.

[mattrs]

Not quite having his cake and eating it though Andy!

[m8782538]

That would cost me money, i got the E30 for nothing and a restoration budget of £1500.00 to have it back on the road looking half decent, plus the E30 has been in the family since 1989 (its a 1987 car). An E36 325tds would cost a fair bit more than £1500 and i am struggling to find that at the moment. doing bits and pieces as i can afford it. cross fingers its done by the end of the year.

Probably going to go down the LPG route, depending on what mpg i actually get when its back on the road.

[Morat]

Hire a car for a week while the LPG is installed.

[Andyboy]

You can't find a clean 325tds for less than 1500 quid? Where do you live, the Phillipines? You will find any number of tidy ones for around £700. Ever heard of Ebay?

You're struggling for money yet you're thinking of spending £1500 butchering an old M51 into an old E30.

Weird. You need to have a talk with yourself.

But as if by magic.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-325-TDS-SE-/2 ... 2eb5e6ec8e

[Morat]

99p!! Sounds a bit rich for the OP's wallet

[Blitz]

Its not worth it. Thats why you dont see anybody doing it. As Andyboy said, get the E36 325 TDS or LPG your E30.

[m8782538]

Have to keep my eyes on that 325tds see how it goes, main thing is i am not a fan of E36's, turned down a few of them, one a mint 328 which less than 100k on it.

[Blitz]

You may want to think about a 318i as well theres less things to go wrong.

[mattrs]

Some one must have done it! Or what about an e39 530d lump, now that would definatly be worth it!