m104 vs 230 kompressor

[mario andretti]

Well I am thinking of a c class and my engines are the m104 2.8 or a 230 kompressor. I am wondering about economy as the car will never see a city so country roads and some motorway usage. Is there a big reliability issue with either engines and has anyone used LPG on these motors.

 

[flango]

230k engine is bombproof as long as its not the 1.8 version. 280 the same both proven reliable engines. Kompressor engines aren't normally suited to LPG mods, people do them but I have seen some disasters. If you plan on going this route then the 280 is a much better option and probably a better engine suited to motorways.

 

[John Jones Jr]

If you'd prefer a manual go C230K also it will return better fuel economy than a 2.8, thus I wouldn't bother with an LPG conversation. The other advantage the Kompressor has is it's very cheap & easy to get another honest extra 30BHP from it, with little or no effect on economy while making it a quick car, loads of torque too. Still, hard to beat a 280 as a cheap daily driver.

 

[mario andretti]

It would have to be LPG with the mileage I am doing. Can I ask what were the problems with the kompressors on LPG as I am looking at the higher end systems and not the mickey mouse ones

 

[John Jones Jr]

Can't assist with that.

Can't understand why 230K would any different from the norm, there could very well be a logical reason but never heard of anyone having problems with LPG on one. Now, C200/C230K's are renowned for the S/c not functioning correctly when there's MAF issues but that's all about air intake pressure, air temp it seems not fueling, other than I'd presume that it's basically the same as any other forced induction engine.

 

[poormansporsche]

My C230k has a LPG conversion and ive never had any issues whatsoever

Ive had both and the M104 is the "nicer" engine - I personally would stick to one of those if it wont be seeing the city. The "K" engine is the best for stop start city racing

Shame you are in Ireland as im outing it soon !

 

[mario andretti]

How do you find the LPG conversion as what system are you using. What type driving are you doing and how do you find consumption vs petrol

 

[flango]

The 230k I have seen and repaired were both on prinz system and had suffered extreme valve seat regression also the block internals were very corroded

We ran our discovery's on LPG for years with no issues it just suits some engines better than others and rule of thumb is the bigger the better

 

[mario andretti]

Interesting as I take it we are talking internal bore damage as were the systems serviced or were they set up correctly. I am wondering if setting up a supplementary oiler would be a good idea.

 

[flango]

Interesting as I take it we are talking internal bore damage as were the systems serviced or were they set up correctly. I am wondering if setting up a supplementary oiler would be a good idea.

Yes very corroded bores I don't know if they were serviced or set up properly they came in with engine faults put a short motor in one and a Crewe engines engine in the other

We ran Flashlube systems on our Discovery's to prevent valve and head damage worked perfect

 

[mario andretti]

If I do it I would be looking at using a flashlube type system just to help the engine

 

[poormansporsche]

How do you find the LPG conversion as what system are you using. What type driving are you doing and how do you find consumption vs petrol

The LPG was on the car when I bought it. Its a "Dream 21" system whatever that is ! The car was on 60k when the LPG system was fitted and now on 100K and still not dead ! I don't know how it compares with petrol as never had to use the petrol. I have a very repetitive commute, 3 miles country lane, 15 miles slow motorway, 5 miles city traffic - my car gets 300 miles on 60 litres of lpg, (plus about a fiver of petrol) this compared to about 275 miles on 50 litres of petrol in my C280 M104

 

[mario andretti]

That is not bad economy wise as would you have a bit of a heavy right foot in either cars