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__Andy__ 
Senior Member I
Joined: 03-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 123
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 Topic: What petrol?
Posted: 22-June-2005 at 06:20 |
Reading the smelly M3 thread, I wanted to explore the fuel thing without hijacking his thread...
My E39 M5 manual has hand written in the recommended fluids section that Optimax is to be used.
The chap with the smelly M3 said 95RON was recommended in his manual. Is the M5 different? It's a less stressed engine than the M3's so I'd have imagined it was less fussy on fuel octane.
What's the story?
Andy
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UweM3
Moderator Group
Joined: 11-February-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 5445
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Posted: 22-June-2005 at 07:28 |
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Basically you can use any fuel you want with the M5 as the knock sensor will adjust your ignition accordingly.
But if you want to most bhp out of it and the best economy than go for Optimax. All M engines should be run on Optimax (or any other 98OKTAN but stay away from that BP crap...)
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E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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__Andy__
Senior Member I
Joined: 03-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 123
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Posted: 22-June-2005 at 10:57 |
Indeed. So I wondered why the manual specifically states Optimax in a bit that looks like the dealer completed it at time of sale.
Also, what's OKTAN!!?? Is it German for octane? (C8H18) ;)
Andy
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UweM3
Moderator Group
Joined: 11-February-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 5445
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Posted: 22-June-2005 at 10:58 |
yes 
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E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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Glenn
Newbie
Joined: 05-June-2005
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 26
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Posted: 23-June-2005 at 07:18 |
Just out of interest, a few people have made less than complimentary about BP ultimate. Why is it considered inferior to Optimax?
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brybusa
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 02-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 676
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Posted: 23-June-2005 at 07:50 |
 Glenn wrote:
Just out of interest, a few people have made less than complimentary about BP ultimate. Why is it considered inferior to Optimax? |
Depends on what forum your on as to which is "best" Glenn!
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__Andy__
Senior Member I
Joined: 03-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 123
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Posted: 23-June-2005 at 08:38 |
I think Optimax is 98RON wheras BP ultimate is 97. But I could be wrong.
Furthermore, (ahem) "you're" is the contraction of "you are", "your" is to do with posession.
Is there no end to the education available on this site? :)
Andy
Edited by __Andy__
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UweM3
Moderator Group
Joined: 11-February-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 5445
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Posted: 23-June-2005 at 11:01 |
When I fill up with Optimax I get quite a few more miles out of a tank. That's why I prefer Optimax. And the higher Octane (that's for you Andy  ) of Optimax
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E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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skull
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 20-April-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 640
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Posted: 23-June-2005 at 11:05 |
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my M3 MANUAL dont say 95ron it says 97 pretty sure it does.
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just a little crazy.
My drive
E46 M3 COUPE [MAN]CARBON BLACK GREY LEATHER H/K 19"s LED REARS S/B.
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SHEPSM3
Bavarian-Board Contributor
UK Sport Evolution.
Joined: 26-December-2004
Location: Bristol, UK.
Status: Offline
Points: 1934
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Posted: 23-June-2005 at 19:05 |
Just leave supermarket fuels well alone! I wouldn't even put it in my lawn mower!
We sell BWOC unleaded which seems to be as good as any optimax or BP ultima unleaded. I have no idea what octane it is, although I will find out. My car (Astra GTE 16v and 318is) runs best from the BWOC fuel, but then its convenient too. We also sell genuine leaded 4 star fuel too which will totally destroy your catalysts! But neither car ran any better with the leaded fuel.
I guess you pays your money.........
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__Andy__
Senior Member I
Joined: 03-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 123
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 03:13 |
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Glenn
Newbie
Joined: 05-June-2005
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 26
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 07:34 |
Got a feeling mine says 98 ron, which would be Optimax. I'll check when I get home...............
skull wrote:
my M3 MANUAL dont say 95ron it says 97 pretty sure it does. |
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M3PSM
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 27-May-2003
Location: Tropical Essex
Status: Offline
Points: 451
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 08:00 |
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I use "that BP crap" because I had totally variable performance from Optimax every time I filled up.
Sometimes it was great & other times it started missing.
Since using BP I've had no problems & performance is fine every time.
I agree on the supermarket petrol though - don't touch it.
Paul
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Drive it like you stole it!
___________________________
1995 3.0 E36 Coupe
1989 E30 325 Touring
1992 Yamaha TDM 850
www.myallracing.co.uk
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brybusa
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 02-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 676
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 08:25 |
Tell me, why is supermarket fuel so bad?
Is say, BP 95RON better than Tescos 95RON?
I thought it all came out of the same refineries?
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
Status: Offline
Points: 10000473
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 09:28 |
brybusa wrote:
Tell me, why is supermarket fuel so bad? Is say, BP 95RON better than Tescos 95RON? I thought it all came out of the same refineries? |
Interesting question! It doesn't all come out of the same refineries, but what does happen is a BP station would be serviced by a Shell tanker, when the Shell Refinery is closer than BP's - and visa versa.
Supermarkets buy their fuel from the major refiners - so I could 'assume' that the same thing could apply, the TESCO tankers you see could contain BP or SHELL or ... un-leaded? 
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Cats know your every thought.
But don't care.
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brybusa
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 02-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 676
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 10:39 |
Which would explain why in 20 odd years of driving ive never had any problems with any fuel....
I suspect a bit of fuel snobbery going on!
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John W
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 01-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 630
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 11:21 |
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At a few selected petrol stations down south, Tesco have started selling 99 RON fuel......get in!
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SHEPSM3
Bavarian-Board Contributor
UK Sport Evolution.
Joined: 26-December-2004
Location: Bristol, UK.
Status: Offline
Points: 1934
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 13:25 |
__Andy__ wrote:
What's BWOC please?
Andy
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Its the supplier of fuel. Like Shell, BP, Esso, Elf, National - remember them (the smurfs!)
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SHEPSM3
Bavarian-Board Contributor
UK Sport Evolution.
Joined: 26-December-2004
Location: Bristol, UK.
Status: Offline
Points: 1934
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 13:34 |
brybusa wrote:
Which would explain why in 20 odd years of driving ive never had any problems with any fuel....
I suspect a bit of fuel snobbery going on!
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I would much rather pay less for my fuel than I do, and all the supermarkets fuels are cheaper than where I buy mine. If thier fuel made my car feel as responsive and economical as the BWOC fuel does then I wouldn't hesitate. As to optimax, I have had the same experiances as someone above (M3PMS I think?) Alot of people won't use anything else.
Morral of this is, find a fuel station which your engine likes and stick to it.
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thepits
Moderator Group
Joined: 09-July-2003
Location: far far away
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Posted: 24-June-2005 at 17:38 |
SHEPSM3_&_brybusa wrote:
Which would explain why in 20 odd years of driving ive never had any problems with any fuel.... I suspect a bit of fuel snobbery going on! I would much rather pay less for my fuel than I do, and all the supermarkets fuels are cheaper than where I buy mine. If thier fuel made my car feel as responsive and economical as the BWOC fuel does then I wouldn't hesitate. As to optimax, I have had the same experiances as someone above (M3PMS I think?) A lot of people won't use anything else.
Moral of this is, find a fuel station which your engine likes and stick to it. |
I use Tesco petrol - especially when they give you 5ppl off after spending £50 in store
BUT when I'm feeling rich I use Optimax - and it does seem to improve the car.
and when I'm very very rich I use real 4 star!! - now you're talking!!!!! 
Edited by thepits
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Cats know your every thought.
But don't care.
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What petrol?