Ethanol E-85 FFV (Flex Fuel Vehicle) Conversions

[geokoppmann]

I would like to make contact with any BMW owner who has, (or is considering), converting their BMW vehicle (any model) to enable it to burn E-85 (85%Ethanol/15% unleaded gasoline).

I am planning to convert my wife's 2001 BMW X5 3.0i to an FFV using a Full Flex Gold kit [ www.fullflexint.com ] and would appreciate input from any one who may have already completed such a conversion.

I have just completed 4,000 miles on such a conversion of my '98 Ford F-150 XLT 2x4 pickup powered by a 4.2L V-6 SFI engine w/ 5 spd Auto.

 

[bmw046series]

Not worth it, E-85 is by far less efficient and funny enough costs more per gallon!

E-85 is a joke and purly political, it doesn't work.

 

[Kirby]

The biggest issue I have with E85 is the amount of conventional energy it takes to produce it. If you look at information on the "overall energy balance", E85 costs more and uses too much energy to make it viable. It's like spending $25 to buy a $20 bill.

 

[wood_e]

Yeah, everywhere in iowa ethanol is a big deal, but it costs more to run in your (non-flex fuel) car than regular gas

 

[bmw046series]

^ What's this about Minnesota pushing for E20 by 2013? They are trying to do it in WI. How will that affect my car besides reduce the mileage?

 

[wood_e]

Ethanol corrodes fuel lines more quickly than gasoline. 10% is ok but 20%? Uh oh...


I've sent letters to Iowa's senators about the issue of unresearched effects of ethanol, but have had no replies to my letters. I guess they don't want to upset the farmers. Too bad no one account for that the cost of making ethanol is very high environmentally as well.

 

[frolf]

its far less efficient in cold weather, and it contains less energy than gasoline. basically its a stupid political idea propagated by stupid politicians and their stupid followers

 

[bmw046series]

^ Sadly it is politics first, being efficient last.

Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota it is about getting the vote from the farmers, just wait until ethanol goes mainstrem— ¡Las Tortillas costaron a MUCHO! No Bien! ¡Tengo que ahora trabajar tres trabajos!

I heard today that some guys from Manitowoc WI (southeast of Green Bay) were making biodiesel and the Dept of Revenue is going after them for "not paying tax on it." Which is illegal because it is far beyond excise taxation, if you make it you don't pay tax on it, if I grow cotton and knit a sweater why would I pay tax on it?

http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/news/126030

 

[frolf]

people think "dependency on foreign oil" is something that we do by choice. well find and economically sound alternative and it'll be there. wasting on corn is not an economically sound alternative, even if the farmers do love it. eff 'em

 

[adamsonem]

Not worth it, E-85 is by far less efficient and funny enough costs more per gallon!

E-85 is a joke and purly political, it doesn't work.

Costs more? I don't know what the gas prices are in your area, but here 87 is roughly $2.60 per gallon and E-85 is roughly $2.00 per gallon. Slightly better performance (I've heard as much as 5%), but worse gas mileage... Seems decent to me for $0.60 less.

 

[wood_e]

I did the math with 10% ethanol blend and regular gas. 10% blend ended up costing $70 more per year to use.

 

[bmw046series]

Well I do live in a tax and spend state, therefore E85 costs more

Keep in mind if for every gallon of gas you save the efficiency goes down the other way, X-Scale you are gaining nothing and actually losing.

It doesn't perform better and it sucks fuel--it doesn't work. Sorry

 

[BBARON]

Your car will only go 60% as far on a full tank of E85 as it would on a full tank of gas, so unless E85 costs at least 40% less and you enjoy stopping to fill up, why would you ever consider E85?

 

[Kirby]

I read an article in the Wall Street Journal regarding E85 and Big Oil companies. Basically, it's almost impossible for a gasoline dealer who is a franchisee of big oil to sell E85. Their contracts are written so tightly that it is either impossible or not profitable to sell E85, and the Big Oil companies will not distribute E85.

For example, some contracts stipulate they must buy ONLY from their Big Oil supplier. Or if they are allowed to buy non-gasoline products from other suppliers, they still MUST sell 3 grades of gasoline. Therefore, they will have to invest $200,000+ to install a new tank for E85. AND they cannot put the E85 pump at the gasoline island. AND they cannot advertise the price of E85 on any signs, etc, etc, etc.

So not only is E85 more expensive per BTU for the consumer, but it also is more expensive for the gas station owner to sell, due to Big Oil's franchise policies.

The article said the best hope for E85 is that Walmart, Costco, and Food Stores chains with gas pumps will pick it up. This apparently is a strategic plan for some of them.