CLK LPG Conversion

[Alastairp]

I have come across a CLK550 for sale which has a switchable LPG conversion.

Not sure whether this is a good or bad thing - any experience or opinions on this?

 

[s5tuart]

I have come across a CLK550 for sale which has a switchable LPG conversion.

Not sure whether this is a good or bad thing - any experience or opinions on this?

Some years back I had a Range Rover with LPG and had no issues whilst I had it. To me the switch and performance was imperceptible. Not all service stations have it available so I presume any really long journeys would need a degree of planning.

 

[Wighty]

Might be worth checking what it does to the insurance ?

 

[harrye500]

I had a Freelander 2 with an LPG conversation. 3.2 IL6, a volvo engine I believe, very free-revving and quick. The engine lovely, the car nice but appalling build quality. Check that the conversation was carried out by a reputable fitter if you can. Paperwok would be an advantage. There were various parts I had to have secured and / or retrofitted as many had worked dangerously loose. It was a monumental MOT failure! A1 in the end but whoever fitted it originally was a cowboy and no longer in business. If in doubt, I have it checked over. However, it did save a LOT of money over running Petrol 100% of the time with no noticeable difference in power or output. I don't recall it affecting the insurance and they weren't at all bothered about it!

 

[rorywquin]

I purchased a SAAB 95 with 115,000 miles of the clock with a LPG conversion (needed a car for 9 months so it made sense). The original owner was selling it was a rep. Never missed a beat. It has to start with petrol and then at somepoint switched to gas.

I believe that the trick is to find one that has been professionally done and not by some DIY’er with a kit.

 

[harrye500]

Yes I think the key is checking the std of fitting. It did start on petrol then switched to gas when it detected the engine was warm enough.

 

[LostKiwi]

I had a Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado V6. Definitely saved a fortune using LPG and it made it cheaper to run than the equivalent diesel.
Filling stations are an issue near us - nearest is 20 miles away so it wasn't practical to keep it.

Even though it was professionally fitted (petrol tank removed to fit smaller one and large LPG tank and all very well fitted) there was a noticeable difference in power on gas which usually bended up in my swapping to petrol for overtaking then switching back.

 

[horatio]

I read a lot of the remaining LPG stations are being phased out.

A nasty plastic filler drilled into the rear quarter would be a killer for me on such a good looking car! There are videos about removing an LPG system on YouTube.

 

[LostKiwi]

It would be a pity if LPG were to be phased out. Far less polluting than either petrol or diesel and on an engine designed for it can be more powerful than the equivalent petrol.

Surprising it hasn't been pushed harder as a cleaner alternative.

 

[Wighty]

It would be a pity if LPG were to be phased out. Far less polluting than either petrol or diesel and on an engine designed for it can be more powerful than the equivalent petrol.

Surprising it hasn't been pushed harder as a cleaner alternative.

The government doesn’t get enough VAT from it ?

 

[horatio]

LPG conversions were a great idea. It burns very cleanly. As it is though, it’s probably just going to be lost boot space and a bunch of obsolete plumbing under the bonnet making maintenance trickier. I would want the car cheaper to account for putting it back to standard.

 

[Alastairp]

LPG tank in spare wheel well in boot



Switch adjacent to headlamp switch



Engine bay



LPG filler is below rear bumper



The seller says that he bought the car last August but he doesn't have any information on who did the LPG conversion.

 

[harrye500]

Looks like a tidy install esp. with the hidden filler. Fitted to that V8 would surely save a very tidy sum! Maybe test drive it from cold and check system switches to gas when engine is warm + for any rattles. If the car is well priced and you like it at the end of the day its a handsome CLK with a MB 5 litre - there are worse things in life

 

[Botus]

I have come across a CLK550 for sale which has a switchable LPG conversion.

Not sure whether this is a good or bad thing - any experience or opinions on this?

channel tunnel get funny - u have to declare - not sure what happens when you do - guess they give you a life jacket, some bathroom sealer for the doors and an outboard motor ?

another downside they tend to blow up when you fill them up - as the experts that fit the budget kits haven't yet passed their McDonalds toilet cleaning course (check the bolt they ran through the boot floor - animals !)

kits cost around 2k and you about get 3p off your road tax to boot - other than the points above, brilliant idea, 5% power loss, emission win and 1/3rd the fuel bill

 

[Snake Charmer]

As a Coupe with a tan interior I would buy that especially if fitted with fully functional LPG. The conversion is neat. Does the filler tuck away?

 

[Blobcat]

Being an 07 with an M273 engine, worth checking the below for balance shaft issues.

Mercedes Benz balance shaft engine issues. How to check by VIN. M272/273 – MB Medic

www.mercedesmedic.com

 

[s5tuart]

LPG tank in spare wheel well in boot

View attachment 82866

Switch adjacent to headlamp switch

View attachment 82867

Engine bay

View attachment 82868

LPG filler is below rear bumper

View attachment 82869

The seller says that he bought the car last August but he doesn't have any information on who did the LPG conversion.

It looks to be very well done.
Nice car

 

[Alastairp]

channel tunnel get funny - u have to declare - not sure what happens when you do - guess they give you a life jacket, some bathroom sealer for the doors and an outboard motor ?

another downside they tend to blow up when you fill them up - as the experts that fit the budget kits haven't yet passed their McDonalds toilet cleaning course (check the bolt they ran through the boot floor - animals !)

kits cost around 2k and you about get 3p off your road tax to boot - other than the points above, brilliant idea, 5% power loss, emission win and 1/3rd the fuel bill

Not planning on going abroad (except crossing to south of the border) as otherwise the steering wheel would be on the wrong side.

Blowing up when filling the tank doesn't sound like much fun. I guess I could get it checked over by someone who has passed the course referred to.

 

[Alastairp]

Looks like a tidy install esp. with the hidden filler. Fitted to that V8 would surely save a very tidy sum! Maybe test drive it from cold and check system switches to gas when engine is warm + for any rattles. If the car is well priced and you like it at the end of the day its a handsome CLK with a MB 5 litre - there are worse things in life

What would you think is a good price for an 07 CLK550 with 87k miles on it?

"FSH (mix of dealer and specialist). Serviced a few hundred miles ago, everything works with no warning lights. Will come with 12mths Mot." But strangely with no documentation pertaining to the LPG conversion.

5.5L V8 with 7-speed auto box

 

[Alastairp]

Being an 07 with an M273 engine, worth checking the below for balance shaft issues.

Mercedes Benz balance shaft engine issues. How to check by VIN. M272/273 – MB Medic

www.mercedesmedic.com

Have asked seller if he can send me the VIN so that I can check