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[Union Jacks]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

One thing on the turbo engine is the fuel rail operates at a very high pressure compared with the normally aspirated versions, hence the slight diesel-like ticking noise the turbo S engine can give.

In principle there shouldn't be any problem to convert a turbo engine to LPG. In fact it can even be better due to the high octane number of LPG, preventing engine knock when running higher boost levels. In practice though, I'm not sure how the LPG would affect various conponents of the engine such as valves etc...

Worth checking to see what kind of warranty the company carrying out the conversion will give, and whether or not it covers damage to the engine.

I passed the MINI Email onto the LPG Guys at Greenfuels and here's the reply:-

Thanks for the email,
Firstly I would disagree that the vehicle requires massive modification, the BRC equipment will match the power and performance so there will be no noticiable difference in how the car feels or sounds driving on LPG, if anything driving on gas is smoother and quieter so I don’t know what MINI standards would be lost. The equipment has its own ECU fitted, its own injectors, its own tank, it uses the exhaust etc but doesn’t require what I would term a 'massive' modification. An LPG system can be completely removed from a vehicle.
With regards to lubrication, This is correct, LPG doesn't have the lubrication. It is not necessary for all vehicles to have lubrication added. Japanese vehicles are common candidates to have a lubrication system if you go back to our website and produce a quote for a Nissan or Toyota for example, the quote would say that the system being installed is BRC Sequent + Flashlube. Flashlube is a lubrication system to overcome the highlighted issue. Its not something we regard necessary for your engine. As this falls under our warranty it would be within our interests to add this if we thought it was required. It can be added if you would like however.
I would say that the point of the car being heavier is negligible, you wont be driving around with a full tank of petrol and you also wont have the weight of the spare wheel.
Speaking to our engineer, he belives that this model now uses a Peugeot 207 GTi engine. In France (like every other country in EU are way ahead of UK in terms using LPG) this vehicle comes off the production line with an LPG installation so I would suggest the engine is built to drive on LPG! Further to this Germany are the fastest growing country in terms of converting to LPG, BMW actually developed a 3 series on LPG, called the Schnitzer, which holds a record for reaching 197mph on LPG so BMW are very much involved in area.
The vehicle can easily be serviced as normal, you will just require to have the LPG system serviced seperately. The fact that they do not recommend the conversion is irrelevant the law is clear, if they cant prove that the LPG system has caused an issue they must honour the warranty. I would ask them to clearly state their position.
For whatever reason most manufacturers will try to put people off doing this, mainly due to costs such as having to train their staff in LPG. Also people who are converting do so as an investment which means you are likely to keep the vehicle for longer and wont be buying newer models, ultimately a drop in sales for the manufactures.
At the end of the day its probably wise to read reviews from people who have had conversions done and saved thousands on fuel costs. There are plenty of forums on the website. Hope this helps! any further questions please let me know.
Kind Regards

UK Sales Adviser
The Greenfuel Company
Monkton Combe Garage
Warminster Road
Bath
BA2 7HY

So its sounding quite likely i'll have it done and my servicing will be done at a local German Car Specialist who are already Servicing LPG cars and for only £48.50 per hour instead of £100 per hour at MINI