What petrol?
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=19123
Printed Date: 02-May-2024 at 03:42
Topic: What petrol?
Posted By: __Andy__
Subject: What petrol?
Date 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 22-June-2005 at 07:28
|
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...) ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: __Andy__
Date 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 |
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 22-June-2005 at 10:58
yes  ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: Glenn
Date 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?
|
Posted By: brybusa
Date Posted: 23-June-2005 at 07:50
|
Depends on what forum your on as to which is "best" Glenn!
|
Glenn wrote:Posted By: __Andy__
Date 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 |
Posted By: UweM3
Date 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------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: skull
Date Posted: 23-June-2005 at 11:05
|
my M3 MANUAL dont say 95ron it says 97 pretty sure it does. ------------- just a little crazy. My drive E46 M3 COUPE [MAN]CARBON BLACK GREY LEATHER H/K 19"s LED REARS S/B. |
Posted By: SHEPSM3
Date 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......... ------------- [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1a1.jpg">[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1b1.jpg"> |
Posted By: __Andy__
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 03:13
|
What's BWOC please? Andy |
Posted By: Glenn
Date 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...............
|
Posted By: M3PSM
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 08:00
|
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 ------------- Drive it like you stole it! ___________________________ 1995 3.0 E36 Coupe 1989 E30 325 Touring 1992 Yamaha TDM 850 www.myallracing.co.uk |
Posted By: brybusa
Date 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?
|
Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 09:28
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?  ------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
Posted By: brybusa
Date 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! |
Posted By: John W
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 11:21
| At a few selected petrol stations down south, Tesco have started selling 99 RON fuel......get in! |
Posted By: SHEPSM3
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 13:25
Its the supplier of fuel. Like Shell, BP, Esso, Elf, National - remember them (the smurfs!) ------------- [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1a1.jpg">[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1b1.jpg"> |
Posted By: SHEPSM3
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 13:34
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. ------------- [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1a1.jpg">[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/ShepsM3/New-1b1.jpg"> |
Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 17:38
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!!!!! 
------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
Posted By: Torch Str8 6
Date Posted: 24-June-2005 at 18:30
|
i still do occasionally run my 3.0 on optimax and will try the 99ron
tescos fuel when it arrives up here but more often than not i use asda
95 ron and have also had it rolling roaded with that and it was
no different, not running too bad very slightly lean but still kicked
287 Bhp on a std engine and also returned over 380 miles to the tank  ------------- Summer Project on its way...... |
Posted By: Glenn
Date Posted: 25-June-2005 at 14:15
|
Yep, E46 M3 Owners Manual recommends Premium 98 ron for best performance and fuel economy although it says 95 ron is acceptable.
|
Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 25-June-2005 at 14:20
It doesn't seem that much better than base "95" unleaded, yet is sold at an extortionate price.... -------------   
|