E30- diesel engine swap!?

[dtm]

Hi guys,

Has anyone ever converted their e30s to a diesel engine for better MPG?
If so does anyone have any ideas on this?

The reason im thinking of doing this is because my own 316i would do approx 28MPG (driven easy) and my girlfriends '03 tdi golf is doing over 50MPG!!

Aside is there any common faults that happen with the M40 that could give me such low MPG. I know there is countless threads here on MPG from a 325i but i just want to know about the m40

Thanks for the advice in advance lads!

[Brianmoooore]

LPG is the way to go! Petrol performance/Diesel economy

[dtm]

Sounds good!
Thanks for the fast reply

Has anyone done this?
Does it cost much for the conversion?

Only down side is the low number of petrol stations that sell it.........

[Brianmoooore]

I've been running a 325 on LPG for six and a half years without any problems, except for one small replacement part needed about two months ago.
Cost depends on professional or DIY (Not difficult, but MUST be done properly, to the regs, and NO bodging).
Parts, new, will be around £500 -£600, but I bought a compete set, except for the mixer plate and a bit of pipework of ebay a month or so ago, for £160.
There are enough LPG stations around for availability not to be a serious problem, and overlays available for satnav systems to find them. It's no great disaster if you do run out of gas, as you can just switch back to petrol.
Not sure of the exact numbers, but there are several others on here running BMWs on LPG.

[dtm]

Cheers mate

What sort of MPG are you getting on the 325i? On petrol i believe they are redic......

[Speedtouch]

Why not buy a 324d or td?

[suzie650]

Because they smoke, stink and are as fast as turtles?
(sorry, I'm exagerating...)

But an E30 330d or even better 335d would be interesting. Problems with wiring, though, as it certainly means E46... but 272bhp and that torque in a light shell, must be something!

[dtm]

My ideal conversion would be a golf tdi engine (very high MPG and very common engines) The only worry would be wiring, which gearbox, space etc etc etc !!!

Has anyone a diesel E30? Im not after performance- im just after decent milage for my cash!

Cheers for the replies

[Brianmoooore]

Cheers mate

What sort of MPG are you getting on the 325i? On petrol i believe they are redic......

About 24 MPG, which gives a petrol cost equivalence of about 52 MPG.
Added bonus of much less engine wear and oil contamination, CAT type emissions levels at MOT time, and already meeting our illustrious leader's plan for 20% CO2 reduction.

[Speedtouch]

He would have saved that and more by not going to war!

[maxfield]

S14 diesel thats the way to go.

It did about 100mpg (on the back of a tow truck)

[dtm]

Cheers guys

Has anyone but any different diesel engine in an E30?
Vauxhall, VW etc??

[Brianmoooore]

Other manufacturers put BMW diesels in their cars - for very good reasons!