LPG – CD Changer and Nav Anyone?
 

I was wondering if anyone has LPG on their X5, I recently bought a ’01 X5 4.4i and got the system installed before even bringing it home (gas is far too expensive in Italy..). The car works great, the only inconvenience is no spare tire because of the tank (I can always through one in the trunk),
I had to relocate the compressor for the air suspension on the bottom of the right side compartment (where the OEM Sub would go) you can here it kick-in but its barely noticeable with the radio on.
The battery had to be relocated too, it went in the left compartment, I installed an Optima to avoid acid spills. Now since the X5 has Nav+TV+Phone+CD-changer I have no alternative than to move the Nav and Changer, I
tried installing the Nav vertically but it doesn’t work, anyone know a fix on that?
An alternative would be to install the Nav and Changer in the right side compartment, they fiscally fit, but the wiring won’t reach, the changer cable is routed from that side so I just have to pull it back, but the 3 pole connector needs an extension. For the Nav I need to extend all wiring. Is anyone aware of some extension cables ready made? I would hate to cut the original wiring.

Thanks

hmm strange, i have a 01 3.0 also running on lpg , and very happy with it!
in belgium gaz is 1.4 euro/litre , lpg 0.4/litre.
but i didn't have to change nav or cd changer? can you post some pics of your installation? I find it quite strange your installation.

sorry to sound stupid... but what is lpg?

Liquid Propane Gas.

so, is this available to the us.....also how much did the kit cost and what type of modifications was done to it....mpg....power diff?

the kit installed by a pro mechanic is about euro 1800.00, i get 5.5km per litre and little if any performance loss. Since I didn't want to waste my trunk with a huge cylindric tank, I opted for the "dounut" model that basically is in the spare wheel well, that why I moved the battery, I wouldn't want to take the tank out just for a dead battery...
I'll be glad to take some pics and post them.

Interesting. I did some quick calculations. There are a few assumptions here:

4.4 (new, valvetronic) is rated around 12.5 litres/100 km for 50/50 highway/city

4.4 (non valvetronic) is noted above as getting 5.5 km/litre on lpg, which equals 18.2 litres/100 km (assume similar highway/city mix)

brad_p lists lpg as 0.4 e/litre in Belgium, gasoline at 1.4 e/litre (assume similar price in Italy)

Fuel cost per 100 km calculates as 17.5 euro for gasoline, 7.3 euro for lpg.

Calculated saving is 10.2 euro per 100 km.

If the installed price for the kit is 1800 euro, the payback is 17,600 km or 11,000 miles.

Disregard the performance difference, as it is likely very close. Disregard the potential extended oil change on lpg, as the X5 already has a lengthy oil change interval.

Not bad. :thumbup:

rustybj, are those numbers close? And what is your km range with the small donut tank?

:iagree:

Do you have pics of the setup? Would be great outdoor car with a burner in back for BBQ... j/k;)

I have an 86 litre tank that gives my about 450km range between fills, here in Italy LPG is about euro 0.63/litre, still VERY convenient compared to gas.

Here's a link to the system I've installed.

http://www.bigas.it/prodotti.asp?lan...emi&Prod=Sgisn