Fuel Economy

[LeStempy]

Mine is usually around the 8.2km/l mark, but I try to avoid short journeys so most mileage is done on steady dual carriageways. Short journeys and round town driving kill the mpg.

 

[Nara]

What is everyones average on the fuel screen for km/l in petrol.. mine on average states about 4.5-5! is this normal and how can i get it bigger apart from doing a lpg conversion??

no silly jokes around here pls.. we're all grown men and women with no money in our pockets since buying an Elgrand and i want to get it as close to 19.99999km/l as i can

if i add another engine next to the current one will i get higher km/l??

Using mine as a camper (so long distance only), I average 10km/l on the screen. If it's anything lower, I slow down until I get back to 10!!

 

[jkay]

I didn't check any fuel screen but did 515kms yesterday, took 65litres (topped tank back up) about 450 on open road at 80 to100kph as posted speed signs dictate, passing as required, hilly journey for the most part nelson to chch, through the lewis pass (nz) and the rest around town.
That works out to 7.92km per litre or 12.62litres per 100km, and are pretty happy with that, 3.5l petrol, running 95 octane

 

[Mirvin8]

We have found that our 3.5 V6 at 70mph is in the 22/23 mpg area , what kills it is the "bye bye nail it " traffic light Grand prix stuff , still worth it just to shut down a Range Rover sport , last Friday , fuel cost bearable , look on RRovers drivers face Priceless lol, I know someone will say the RR is faster 0-60 or whatever but its reaction time off the lights that counts , and NO , that wasnt not in a town or built up area .and as far as im aware , there is no saying how fast you can get even to 30mph if thats the speed limit ?

 

[Mirvin8]

I didn't check any fuel screen but did 515kms yesterday, took 65litres (topped tank back up) about 450 on open road at 80 to100kph as posted speed signs dictate, passing as required, hilly journey for the most part nelson to chch, through the lewis pass (nz) and the rest around town.
That works out to 7.92km per litre or 12.62litres per 100km, and are pretty happy with that, 3.5l petrol, running 95 octane

Very useful post. You've answered my question but to clarify, the van can run on both 95 & 97 Ron. Is this correct? I'm looking to get one and just want my eyes open!

 

[Ian H]

Yes that is correct, although the higher Ron should get better results in the 3.5 as that is what it is tuned for. The 2.5 is tuned for the lower Ron.

 

[jkay]

Very useful post. You've answered my question but to clarify, the van can run on both 95 & 97 Ron. Is this correct? I'm looking to get one and just want my eyes open!

Hi I was running 91 (nz 91 is pretty good) but have a discount fuel stop just round the corner and 95 is cheaper there than 91 at other fuel stations, $2.18p/l for 95 there or 2.33p/l for for 91 down the road, go figure, (fuel cost in nz is about 50 % tax)

 

[Gwilo365]

Hi I was running 91 (nz 91 is pretty good) but have a discount fuel stop just round the corner and 95 is cheaper there than 91 at other fuel stations, $2.18p/l for 95 there or 2.33p/l for for 91 down the road, go figure, (fuel cost in nz is about 50 % tax)

So almost like UK, where's it's subject to a tax, when then makes the whole thing subject to tax again at a different rate.

 

[Sid]

@Lpgc how much is it to convert a e51 Elgrand to LPG these days?

Just curious to see what the damage is, I'll be doing about 7k a year on average in mine I'd imagine so wondering what an LPG conversion will cost and
how long it would take me to pay it off from a cost of fuel point of view.

Cheers Champ!

At 7000 miles per year. petrol cost say £1.38, autogas cost say 78p = £700 saving per year. Fitting cost about £1400 so pays for itself in 2 years.

see https://www.drivelpg.co.uk/about-autogas/savings-calculator/

 

[Sid]

@Lpgc how much is it to convert a e51 Elgrand to LPG these days?

Just curious to see what the damage is, I'll be doing about 7k a year on average in mine I'd imagine so wondering what an LPG conversion will cost and
how long it would take me to pay it off from a cost of fuel point of view.

Cheers Champ!

did I post this link already? Cost calculator, https://www.drivelpg.co.uk/about-autogas/savings-calculator/

 

[robert edwards]

the traffic light grand prix is fun but drinks fuel faster than you can pump it in

 

[dave_s13]

At 7000 miles per year. petrol cost say £1.38, autogas cost say 78p = £700 saving per year. Fitting cost about £1400 so pays for itself in 2 years.

see https://www.drivelpg.co.uk/about-autogas/savings-calculator/

More like £1700 to convert.

But...LPG near me is between 50.1 and 59.9p/litre. I think I've just about covered the cost of my install now (just over 1 year) as I did about 12k miles last year.

As an example:-
10000 miles
MPG 20 (that's about what you get on petrol in a 3.5)
Fuel Cost 130 pence/Litre (recommended to put higher octane in these)

This journey would cost you £2954.96

10000 miles
MPG 17 (about what you get on gas)
Fuel Cost 55p/litre (my rough average)

This journey would cost you £1470.79

Saving £1484.17

So from that you can say that roughly:-

For every 1 mile you cover, you are saving. £0.15p approx

So in my case 12000 miles x £0.15 = £1780
Which is about the cost of the install.

 

[Sid]

Calculations are complex! Fitting costs vary from place to place and in quality. There is a place in Plymouth with a good reputation,, (Ive never been there) that will fit a basic system for £1300 and a better one for £1500 and an even better one for ..... well you get the idea.

I think you need to do loads of miles, or have a low mileage car that you are going to keep for a few years to make it worthwhile. I am not sure what the maintenance/safety costs are for a LPG system but it must add to that as well.

Saying that we are looking for a top spec low miles (under 40K) Elgrand to convert to a camper and keep for years and years. Probably end up paying a specialist to source exactly what we want from Japan and do the bookwork and import it for us.

 

[dave_s13]

Yep. It's impossible to be anything other than ballpark with so many variables at play.
What I also haven't factored in is the fact it still uses petrol on startup, not a lot but it's still add up to a few tanks full over a year.

Maintenance costs are pretty negligible though.

I use mine as my daily commuter, family car and for occasional camping. Wouldn't be able to live with it like that if it wasn't converted to gas.

If it was just an occasional vehicle then probably best left as is.

 

[Peterallen99]

Are we sure the 2.5 is fine on normal petrol 95 Ron? The fella who sold me mine said premium only.

 

[LeStempy]

Are we sure the 2.5 is fine on normal petrol 95 Ron? The fella who sold me mine said premium only.

 

[Peterallen99]

Thanks, that is conclusive and will save me a few quid.

 

[StuartCoopland]

Expect poor economy. Really. I'm not gonna lie to you.

They are a 2 tonne bus with pretty appalling aerodynamics and large engines. They are designed for comfort and luxury, not for cheap motoring.

As a brief run down:

E50 QD32 3.2 Diesel - 26mpg average. 18mpg around the doors. 36mpg on long runs at 55.

E50 ZD30 3.0 Diesel - 28mpg average. 20mpg around the doors. 40mpg on long runs at 55.

E50 VG33 3.3 V6 - 18mpg average. 14mpg around the doors. 28mpg on long runs at 55.

E50 VQ35 3.5 V6 - 16mpg average. 12mpg around the doors. 28mpg on long runs at 55.

E51 VQ25 2.5 V6 - 22mpg average. 18mpg around the doors. 32mpg on long runs at 55.

E51 VQ35 3.5 V6 - 20mpg average. 16mpg around the doors. 30mpg on long runs at 55.

These are worst case scenarios. If you are getting less than this, you have a problem (either with your engine or your right foot). If you go into buying an Elgrand with these figures in mind, then you won't be swearing 6 months down the line when you are on first name terms with every petrol station attendant within 30 miles of your house.

So I’ve just done my first fill up click to click. 99 octane always used.
I just did 18mpg. 25miles of still showing people how awesome the thing is and the other ‘trying’ to keep at 60mph on motorway. I found it impossible it just wants to go!!!! . I will be fitting cruise ASAP and new plugs for what it’s worth also cataclean.
I was upset a minute ago. I thought I’d have got a 20+ figure due to run on motorway BUT once again the forum has put me at ease. Thanks again and all the help I’ve had over the last month has been priceless and the reason I haven’t hesitated to go premium permanently.
Thankyou Karl.

 

[Thevan]

2.5 owner here. Average 25mpg. Running 95ron. Paying between £1.20 -£1.30 per ltr atmo around here.

 

[Elnewbie]

Hi Stevie,

Same £1595.

If we know £1595 and 7000 miles per year, we just need to know average mpg to calculate payback time.

Suppose you get 20mpg, that's 350 gallons, if petrol is £1.20 per litre that's £1911 per year on petrol.

If LPG is half price (60p) that'd be £955.50 per year but you use a bit more (say 10%) LPG than you would petrol, then again it depends on the price you can buy LPG.. You can buy it at far less than 60p some places, but let's assume 60p and you use 10% more. So now you use £955.5+10% = £1052 of LPG in a year. Actually you'll use a small amount of petrol during the brief engine warmup period too, so call it £1100. So 1595/1100 = 1.45 years = 17.4 months.

Converted about 20 Elgrands so far this year, got another coming for conversion on Monday, another the Monday after, 2 coming the week after that! Got Elgrands booked in through October and November too but not fully booked up, could fit other Elgrand conversions in during that time.

Thanks,

Simon

Hi Simon,
I've been considering an LPG conversion cause my wife has been complaining about the petrol bills, but can you tell me where do you put the LPG tank? I need the space in my boot. If it does go in the boot how much space does it take up?
Thanks,
Tim