Calling all BMW x25i/x30i owners

[325i]

Thanks for the feedback.

I recently got my 325i converted and initial impressions is that its thirsty on LPG. Its early days at the moment but i did not 130 mile motorway journey and only got 25mpg. On petrol this would have been around 36mpg.

Almost everyone i spoke to said you should get a max of 20% reduction in consumption but have now realised that this is not the case. As two of you have mentioned that this is normal for large BMW engines, this is a slight dissapointment to me now.

Your idle and low speed issues sound familiar as it happens to me but only when the engine is cold. Once it warm, it is fine and there are no issues. I have got my 1000mile service shortly so will speak to the installer about it.

[e301988325i]

In winter that is a few miles and uses a lot of petrol from cold.

Welcome Robin, I would not be happy with the above. 2 miles in -5deg is the longest our 330i took to change over, I asked for the changeover temp to be dropped at the 1,000 mile check, he dropped it from 45deg to 35deg and this has had no negative effects whatsoever, ours is a BRC.

Does yours have the 5 or 6sp box, as the 6sp should be getting better motorway figures anyway due to the the overdrive 6th?

[325i]

I don't believe any E46 325i came with a 6 speed box, even the facelift.

As I say, its early days but my 325i is not very economical on gas.

[robinthecheerful]

Hi - thanks for the welcome aboard! Unfortunately it is a 5 speed. Which petrol model BMWs have 6 speed?
As for the other issues its due a gas 12,000 mile service soon so I will take issues with the installer as I am still getting a hunting idle quite often.
Furthermore after 1 1/2 hours of motorway driving CEL light comes on - goes out again after local running so trims are outside parameters.
Have extensively changed hoses on intake side and also oil seperator and am about to change cam cover gasket just to be sure its nothing obviously wrong on vacuum side of things.

Cheers
Robin

[Morat]

The 330i has a six speed box, post facelift (2001 iirc). Gears 1-5 are very close to the 5 speed ratios and there's a long overdrive on top. The 5 speed box is regarded as stronger, but I guess you have to take your chances on that.
Will you save enough cash to make up the difference in road tax? Depends on your mileage/useage.

[325i]

Im pretty sure that the 6 speed box was only available from 2003 onwards.

[Morat]

True for the coupe (facelift in 03), the rest were facelifted in 01.

[325i]

Yes but the 6 speed box came on 2003+ on all variants. I have never seen any pre 2003 petrol E46 that is 6 speed.

[Morat]

I do believe you are right....