Hi, new boy on the block. I am looking at buying a 2008 Granturisimo, I have been on the look out for some time now and was attracted to this vehicle as it has been fitted with LPG. Does anybody here have any experience of running a Maserati or any other car for that matter with LPG, is it a good/bad idea, what potential problems may I face. It seems like a good idea to me but you never know what issues may be lurking. What other things should I look for? Many thanks in advance.
New boy after info
- Thread starter Philjay50
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dickygrace
www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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I think it’s a dreadful idea. Sorry, I’m sure it’s not what you want to hear but just don’t do it.
Vampyrebat
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Me too 100%. That's like saying there is a Maserati that runs on diesel!!..........................Oh, wait...
Grantoonriusmo
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Just my opinion but it seems like a bad idea. The lure of a Maserati Granturismo is that V8 NA Engine, which produces the intoxicating rumble and noise. MPG shouldn't really be something you should be concerned with (assuming that's why someone has gone to trouble to install an LPG tank), and if it is, it's probably the wrong car for you.
I assume the LPG tank is located in boot, if so, the boot is already a squeeze at best, so makes it even more impractical.
I assume the LPG tank is located in boot, if so, the boot is already a squeeze at best, so makes it even more impractical.
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Noooo, don't do it! That'd be like dating a student nurse that doesn't drink.
Anyway, welcome and happy hunting.
Strad
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I had a 5.7L Hemi engined Grand Cherokee Jeep converted to LPG and wouldn’t do it again. The range was about 150 miles so you were constantly filling up….. only you weren’t because you could never find a garage that sold LPG so you ran on petrol which defeated the object.
Then there was the reliability of the LPG system, it was Italian so you would have thought I would have learnt my lesson……..
Then there was the reliability of the LPG system, it was Italian so you would have thought I would have learnt my lesson……..
zagatoes30
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So I am getting the impression that you don’t think it’s a good idea?
Responses did seem to be skewed in one direction not surprising as there does seem to be a few of their fans on this forum of recent times
Zep
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Welcome to the forum. As you can see, it’s a good place for opinions.
There are a few concerns I would have about an LPG conversion. The first is that there is pretty fine control on fueling as the engines are pretty highly strung and the engine management is tied into things like the gearbox ECU (even more so on a MC Shift) and so I’d be looking very carefully at how such a conversion would work.
The second is about where the tank would go, in the middle of the boot it would prevent you getting to the battery and the fuses / relays EPB that live in there, which would probably be a pain.
The last would be maintenance. These cars do occasionally have issues and fault finding can already be a pain. Adding a layer of complication probably won’t help.
Having said all of that, it’s your money, so choose what will work best for you. Have a good search around to see the key points to look out for on any used GT (Subframes, Clutch wear (MC Shift), trim damage, et al) and have a go.
There are a few concerns I would have about an LPG conversion. The first is that there is pretty fine control on fueling as the engines are pretty highly strung and the engine management is tied into things like the gearbox ECU (even more so on a MC Shift) and so I’d be looking very carefully at how such a conversion would work.
The second is about where the tank would go, in the middle of the boot it would prevent you getting to the battery and the fuses / relays EPB that live in there, which would probably be a pain.
The last would be maintenance. These cars do occasionally have issues and fault finding can already be a pain. Adding a layer of complication probably won’t help.
Having said all of that, it’s your money, so choose what will work best for you. Have a good search around to see the key points to look out for on any used GT (Subframes, Clutch wear (MC Shift), trim damage, et al) and have a go.
StuartW
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Welcome along and I assume that this is the car you mention
I guess with the work having been done, the present owner will have some real life experience of running it so it would be interesting to hear why they took this step and how practical it has been
The car itself looks a decent example and it is well priced - I would imagine it is unique in having had this conversion, I certainly don't recall seeing another?
2007 Maserati Granturismo V8 2dr Auto COUPE Petrol Automatic | eBay
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www.ebay.co.uk
I guess with the work having been done, the present owner will have some real life experience of running it so it would be interesting to hear why they took this step and how practical it has been
The car itself looks a decent example and it is well priced - I would imagine it is unique in having had this conversion, I certainly don't recall seeing another?
Last edited:
Andyk
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Welcome along and I assume that this is the car you mention
2007 Maserati Granturismo V8 2dr Auto COUPE Petrol Automatic | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2007 Maserati Granturismo V8 2dr Auto COUPE Petrol Automatic at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!www.ebay.co.uk
I guess with the work having been done, the present owner will have some real life experience of running it so it would be interesting to hear why they took this step and how practical it has been
The car itself looks a decent example and it is well priced - I would imagine it is unique n having had this conversion, I certainly don't recall seeing another?
When I looked in the boot I though he must be a deep sea diver….Not much room for the weekly shop in there…
Soenvious
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Extended discussion on here, although it's a few years old.
UlstermanAbroad
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Hiya Phil and welcome to the forum.
FYI. I have a 2008 Granturismo (left) which I'll be advertising in a month or so. Just waiting to get the MoT done.
Its a public system here in N.I. so when the unions mess about, the wait time goes nuts.
Anyhoo.
I also have a Range Rover Classic with an LPG adaption, so I might be able to offer some observations.
Many insurance companies are a bit luke warm regarding LPG. Some won't insure LPG adapted cars.
Those insurance companies who will insure an LPG adapted car, usually demand an annual inspection and certification of road worthiness by an accredited LPG installation engineer. This gets more problematic as LPG engineers become fewer. Any old accreditation won't do. It has to be the British Association of blah de blah.
Can't recall off hand what they're called. Some also ask for a copy of the system installation certification and again, it must be by an engineer with the right accreditation.
I'd imagine that an LPG adaption might lower the value of the car. In the eyes of purists anyway.
In my area, I've seen the number of petrol stations with LPG pumps shrink from half a dozen to one, in
a few years. If they're not doing enough volume to warrant the expense, you'll arrive one day to find the pump gone.
It's a little bit messy (or at least my system is) when filling the tank. But there are no extra smells etc once the tank is filled. LPG systems can work in SUVs because you can have a choice of what shape of tanks to put in different places.
So-called torpedo tanks are popular. Fitted one per side to the chassis. You loose a little range, compared to a big tank in the boot, but since the point of an SUV is it's load carrying capacity, why would you destroy that by having a big tank in the boot?
So far as I understand, you don't really have a choice with a Maserati. Its the boot or nothing. Is this something you can live with?
On the economics of LPG. It all depends on the size of your tank and the relative prices of LPG and petrol and whether you fill up on unleaded or super unleaded. From memory, you also get less mpg from LPG.
There's not really much point, me commenting on the RR Classic, since your numbers will be different.
I think, I brought my mpg up from high single figures, with the standard Rover 3.9 engine, with a chilled driving style. To high teens and exceptionally, low twenties. So, it does make a difference. But, ONLY if you have a competitive local market and high demand for LPG and you're fitting it to an SUV.
You'd want to research how the LPG market is trending. Last time I looked, around three years ago. It was definitely in long term decline and with every manufacturer backing EVs, I'd suggest that this will only increase over time.
If we were talking SUVs, I'd suggest a diesel. A Maserati with LPG sounds as odd as a flying chicken
FYI. I have a 2008 Granturismo (left) which I'll be advertising in a month or so. Just waiting to get the MoT done.
Its a public system here in N.I. so when the unions mess about, the wait time goes nuts.
Anyhoo.
I also have a Range Rover Classic with an LPG adaption, so I might be able to offer some observations.
Many insurance companies are a bit luke warm regarding LPG. Some won't insure LPG adapted cars.
Those insurance companies who will insure an LPG adapted car, usually demand an annual inspection and certification of road worthiness by an accredited LPG installation engineer. This gets more problematic as LPG engineers become fewer. Any old accreditation won't do. It has to be the British Association of blah de blah.
Can't recall off hand what they're called. Some also ask for a copy of the system installation certification and again, it must be by an engineer with the right accreditation.
I'd imagine that an LPG adaption might lower the value of the car. In the eyes of purists anyway.
In my area, I've seen the number of petrol stations with LPG pumps shrink from half a dozen to one, in
a few years. If they're not doing enough volume to warrant the expense, you'll arrive one day to find the pump gone.
It's a little bit messy (or at least my system is) when filling the tank. But there are no extra smells etc once the tank is filled. LPG systems can work in SUVs because you can have a choice of what shape of tanks to put in different places.
So-called torpedo tanks are popular. Fitted one per side to the chassis. You loose a little range, compared to a big tank in the boot, but since the point of an SUV is it's load carrying capacity, why would you destroy that by having a big tank in the boot?
So far as I understand, you don't really have a choice with a Maserati. Its the boot or nothing. Is this something you can live with?
On the economics of LPG. It all depends on the size of your tank and the relative prices of LPG and petrol and whether you fill up on unleaded or super unleaded. From memory, you also get less mpg from LPG.
There's not really much point, me commenting on the RR Classic, since your numbers will be different.
I think, I brought my mpg up from high single figures, with the standard Rover 3.9 engine, with a chilled driving style. To high teens and exceptionally, low twenties. So, it does make a difference. But, ONLY if you have a competitive local market and high demand for LPG and you're fitting it to an SUV.
You'd want to research how the LPG market is trending. Last time I looked, around three years ago. It was definitely in long term decline and with every manufacturer backing EVs, I'd suggest that this will only increase over time.
If we were talking SUVs, I'd suggest a diesel. A Maserati with LPG sounds as odd as a flying chicken
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