ML55 AMG LPG Conversion

[abbos]

Evening all,

I'm posting this for a friedn of mine who is looking at getting an ML and wants to know would it be better to buy an ML500 then get an LPG conversion or does it not make a difference?

He has heard from one or two people that it's not good to get the AMG versions converted. Is this rubbish or does it have some truth in it?

Thanks,

 

[Howard]

If he's looking to do an LPG conversion to save money then he shouldn't be buying a big V8 500 or 55 to begin with surely .....

 

[glojo]

If he's looking to do an LPG conversion to save money then he shouldn't be buying a big V8 500 or 55 to begin with surely .....

I might have been slightly more tactful,


nope!!!

It is sacriledge to put AMG and LPG in the same sentence

Red blobby to them

Green one to you

LPG, AMG shock, horror

John

 

[Seamster15]

Do it, be fast and frugal!

 

[Howard]

I didn't mean it to be rude , but it just seems crazy buy an AMG ML that will do 12-15mpg on a good day and then try and save some cash by fitting LPG ....

If you're bothered by fuel consumption then a 270 CDi or a 320 might be better , but the words 'fast' and 'economical' rarely go hand in hand !

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think the AMG may suffer a bigger hit come re-sale time, as I suspect that an LPG conversion maybe less palatable to potential AMG owners than potential 500 owners. Only my own view of course.

 

[Shude]

I think the AMG may suffer a bigger hit come re-sale time, as I suspect that an LPG conversion maybe less palatable to potential AMG owners than potential 500 owners. Only my own view of course.

Remove the LPG equipment before selling. Easy eh?

Remember to put the LPG filler somewhere that won't be permanently damaged.

 

[Tan]

If the LPG option would not detract from the performance of the AMG then I think its a brilliant idea..... afterall its the fuel economy that puts most people off buying these fun cars. I'd rather have an LPG AMG than the sensible diesel that I have.

 

[glojo]

If the LPG option would not detract from the performance of the AMG then I think its a brilliant idea..... afterall its the fuel economy that puts most people off buying these fun cars. I'd rather have an LPG AMG than the sensible diesel that I have.

Hi Tan,
This is a question and not a statement.

If you were really looking at buying an ML55AMG, then surely fuel economy is not a high priority. I totally accept that it would be nice to save money on fuel economy, but for the performance the 55 gives it is not the most thirsty of beasts?

Where would the conversion fit? One of the reasons we turned down the ML was its lack of space?

Folks that run AMG's talk about using Optimax to spoil the engine, I use the word 'spoil' in the context of looking after. What effects would LPG have?

John the curious

 

[Shude]

Folks that run AMG's talk about using Optimax to spoil the engine, I use the word 'spoil' in the context of looking after. What effects would LPG have?

You get worse MPG with LPG and it's a higher octane than super unleaded. It might make the engine run a tiny bit hotter but a big lazy lump like the 55 V8 should be able to handle it perfectly!

I'm sure some room can be found in the boot area for the extra tank etc, especially if the spare wheel is mounted on the rear door.

 

[glojo]

I'm sure some room can be found in the boot area for the extra tank etc, especially if the spare wheel is mounted on the rear door.

No doubt, but that would be the stowage space gone with a capital 'G'

Did someone talk about the rights and wrongs of fitting the conversion in the passenger compartment? The rear of an ML is actually part of the interior?

John lover of AMG's

 

[abbos]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My actual first reaction to him when he asked was "tw@t".

Ok, back to the facts. The effects of LPG on an AMG ML55 will mean a hotter running temp of the engine which in the long run could impact of the life/maintainance? MPG will not be increased? What other things??

 

[glojo]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My actual first reaction to him when he asked was "tw@t".

Ok, back to the facts. The effects of LPG on an AMG ML55 will mean a hotter running temp of the engine which in the long run could impact of the life/maintainance? MPG will not be increased? What other things??

The siting of all the equipment is a major, major question. If your friend is a family person and this is the main vehicle, then it must be a consideration.

John

 

[Tan]

Hi Tan,
This is a question and not a statement.

If you were really looking at buying an ML55AMG, then surely fuel economy is not a high priority. I totally accept that it would be nice to save money on fuel economy, but for the performance the 55 gives it is not the most thirsty of beasts?

John the curious

Hi John

I love AMG's and big engined cars in general, at the moment I do about 500 miles a week and thus fuel economy is very important. I have sacrificed the big engine for a sensible diesel on these grounds. I now that the mpg would not increase but as LPG is appoximately half the price of unleaded, you could effectively achieve 30 MPG which is more acceptable. If that makes any sense.

Regards

Tan

 

[mergli]

Can't speak for the ML but I've averaged 25.x since I got the CLK (about 50/50 mway/urban split) and can easily get 30mpg on a long run. I certainly would not consider an LPG conversion.

 

[996jimbo]

Well for what it's worth I think it would be a great idea. I had a P38 Range Rover previously which I had converted to LPG which gave me running costs equivalent to about 25 mpg on petrol (fuel economy is about 85% ish of petrol, but at half the price).

The only reason big engined cars are unpopular is because of the running costs. If you reduce the running costs then they become more popular. Converting to LPG reduces the running costs. That meant I sold my Range Rover easier.

The only proviso is that it could be done without having an adverse effect on the engine. Given that ML's run happily in far hotter climes than GB, as a non expert I wouldn't expect any worse wear than you might expect anyway.

The only problems I had with LPG were 1. Loss of spare wheel 'cause that's where I stuck the tank and 2. tank range which was just about 200 miles. However it meant I could better afford to run a big tank of a car, and the same would be true of an ML55.

I've sometimes toyed with the idea of converting my C43 but the conversion costs £2000+ and I'm not sure how long I'll hang on the the C43 so I haven't had it done... has anyone ever heard of an AMG running LPG?

 

[glojo]

Just had a thought,
Everyone knows how I prattle on about warranty issues

The ML55AMG is quite a modern vehicle, would converting it invalidate any warranty terms?

Sorry about that,
John

 

[richard]

Interesting - I have a SL55, and an A180CDI - the latter I've just bought because i'm going to be driving a load more miles (and most of the monthly payment is covered by the saving in Fuel) - so that was my solution to the 16-18MPG from the SL55

I think the long and short of it is, that theres a small market for AMG vehicles, and a small market for LPG vehicles, so the combined market is tiny - this would only result in really bad residuals. Unless of course you can remove the conversion and pretend it was never done (I'd not buy an AMG car if there was any hint it had been tampered with).

The other problem with the ML is that theres no where for the tank without losing the boot. The spare wheel lives under the vehicle (if you dont have the carrier on the back), and I dont think your'e allowed to mount a gas tank in an exposed location (or you're crazy if you do). This suggests to me that there'd be a load of panel work needing replacing in the boot to remove a LPG conversion, and thats not going to be pretty in the wallet department ..

So, my suggestion is keep the AMG for when you're doing pleasure trips, and a smaller Mercedes (which actually is *very* nice to drive, even though i'm spoilt my the SL55) for the regular journey. You can con yourself into thinking that the petrol saving pays for the other car (it works for me!)

You can buy a basic A150 3dr for £99 per month over 3 years, hand it back at the end (offer until end of the month) - A better spec one is available at £199, and even my reasonably speced A180 CD is considerably under £300

Cheers

Richard

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think the long and short of it is, that theres a small market for AMG vehicles, and a small market for LPG vehicles, so the combined market is tiny - this would only result in really bad residuals. Unless of course you can remove the conversion and pretend it was never done (I'd not buy an AMG car if there was any hint it had been tampered with).

Good point well made!!

 

[l5foye]

I recently drove a X5 -4.6L sport model-with LPG. It was great. The owner had bought the X5 cheap -17k miles, 14 months old, less than £25k ( for a vehicle which cost nearly £60k new).