300 / 600 LPG conversion
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Sydney (and sometimes Shanghai)
a car that confirms all your prejudices
300 / 600 LPG conversion
This is just something I'm toying with at the moment - I'm wondering whether it's possible or practical.
At the moment, I've got a 93 600SEC, and I've got a 91 300CE which I'm about to send to my brother-in-law in Australia.
Petrol (gasoline for the Americans), is pretty expensive in Hong Kong, and it's getting more expensive in Australia. In Hong Kong, it's about US$ 9 per gallon, whereas LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) (I don't know what you call that in America - it's called liquefied natural gas in some places), is only about US$ 1.50 per gallon. The price differential isn't as huge in Australia, but it's still significant - LPG is about 50% cheaper than petrol.
A lot of cars here, especially Toyotas and Nissans, have been converted to LPG - it burns the same as petrol, so all you need is the extra LPG tank and a load of (safe) tubing. The car can still run on petrol too, if you're not near an LPG station. You can also get a government subsidy for the conversion.
So I was wondering... Have any of you heard of this being done to either a 300 or a 600? Is it practical? Is it safe? Does it affect the performance of the car? Does it affect its resale value? Would you buy a Mercedes that had an LPG conversion, or would you run away?
At the moment, I've got a 93 600SEC, and I've got a 91 300CE which I'm about to send to my brother-in-law in Australia.
Petrol (gasoline for the Americans), is pretty expensive in Hong Kong, and it's getting more expensive in Australia. In Hong Kong, it's about US$ 9 per gallon, whereas LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) (I don't know what you call that in America - it's called liquefied natural gas in some places), is only about US$ 1.50 per gallon. The price differential isn't as huge in Australia, but it's still significant - LPG is about 50% cheaper than petrol.
A lot of cars here, especially Toyotas and Nissans, have been converted to LPG - it burns the same as petrol, so all you need is the extra LPG tank and a load of (safe) tubing. The car can still run on petrol too, if you're not near an LPG station. You can also get a government subsidy for the conversion.
So I was wondering... Have any of you heard of this being done to either a 300 or a 600? Is it practical? Is it safe? Does it affect the performance of the car? Does it affect its resale value? Would you buy a Mercedes that had an LPG conversion, or would you run away?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 21
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From: United Arab Emirates
1992.5 400E W124
I remember a british guy saying his 7 series BMW was converted to LPG, cant recall if it was E38 or E32, but I do remember him saying it was succesful.
I don't think a 600 can be much worse, the thing is to get someone experienced enough to install the LPG kit, thats all.
Also LPG has lower BUT, meaning more is needed to provide the same power as gasoline, this may max out the injectors (running at 100% duty), also you may need to lower the redline a bit if the injectors or fuel system won't provide enough fuel at high rpm.
otherwise if you find the right person i say go for it, if the do LPG conversions on newer toyos and nissans then the benz would be no problem, just more work because of the 12 cylinders.
BTW the engine might run at a higher temperature.
I don't think a 600 can be much worse, the thing is to get someone experienced enough to install the LPG kit, thats all.
Also LPG has lower BUT, meaning more is needed to provide the same power as gasoline, this may max out the injectors (running at 100% duty), also you may need to lower the redline a bit if the injectors or fuel system won't provide enough fuel at high rpm.
otherwise if you find the right person i say go for it, if the do LPG conversions on newer toyos and nissans then the benz would be no problem, just more work because of the 12 cylinders.
BTW the engine might run at a higher temperature.
