What petrol

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

jibbers
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:14 pm

Hi , i feel a bit of a bell end here but what fuel should i be puttin in a 325i , my 320i on a G used unleaded , oh the 325i is on a E ?
Feel a right pleb but i only just got the 325 and i dont want to blow it up

Cheers Jibbers :D
SwirlyE30
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1509
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Worthing-Brighton South Coast

Post Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:31 pm

Yeh unleaded mate, you can use that unleaded 97 stuff, or whatever it is, cant say it made much difference to me, but its more expensive and meant to be a little better on your motor.

You could put diesel in if youve hit hard times and need to save the pennies, but i dont think your engine will like it!!
1986 Chevrolet Corvette. 330ftlb torque....V8s rule!
Gwynleym10
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3650
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London/Cymru

Post Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:34 pm

Petrol man petrol! don't be putting diesel in it now!

Er should be o.k with unleaded (should be a little green sticker on the inside of your 'flap which says unleaded min91 octane.

i belive it will still work with LRP, but not with Diesel or LPG....

Some belive that Shell optimax (98 octane) is the only fuel for them. I'm pretty sure i get more mpg when i use it.
Image
Dual wheel carriers -------195litre Fuel Tank
London 2 Cape Town
www.Overlandinthesun.com
jibbers
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 248
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:52 pm

CHEERS sWIRLY, oops thats better ,another quick one , i just got 45 miles out of a tenner in the 325 , mind you that was kikkin it a bit at times , new car and that !
I was gettin 60 from a tenner in my 320 , that was a mixture of mad and normal too , do these sound like average to you ?

Jibbers :?
Adam318i
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cornwall

Post Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:59 pm

I get 80 miles to a tenner in my 318i :tongue:
Image
I love my Rice!
SwirlyE30
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1509
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Worthing-Brighton South Coast

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:01 am

I put a fiver in earlier, probably got about 10 miles lol, driving a twat though!

Not sure on what a 6cyl should normally do, but if i motory way it ,for example to lakeside and back, around 80 each way, i managed 20 quid
1986 Chevrolet Corvette. 330ftlb torque....V8s rule!
Chaos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2460
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cardiff, South Wales

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:10 am

ive always used SUL in my 325i's tho i spose normal 95 unleaded is ok.

opticrap is overrated.
its not a genuine SUL, if u check its BSnumber its the same as normal unleaded, this is because its only normal petrol with some additives and it degrades. A petrol has to be stable and retain its RON for 2 yrs to get its BSnumber so by using the same rating as 95 (eg what its based on)as it degrades it wont be under its minimum level.
Super unleaded however is refined at 97 and is stable for at least 2 yrs.
Chaos
causing havoc and mayhem wherever i go

Image
User avatar
hoshy
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
Posts: 4118
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Munich

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:56 am

I've read the same about the optimax. I tend not to use it and swap between whatever I find at the garage. I suppose the optimax may be ok if you put petrol in a tenner at a time a I do though.

I usually get 70-75 miles from either 95 or 97. Will give the optimax a go and report back. My day to day driving is a mix or 2000rpm every gear for work and a little bit of rapage here and there. I try to go super-economy for work to offset the rapage when the roads are clear :)
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.
Zayyan
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6385
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aylesbury

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:51 am

I'd say go for standard Esso petrol and if you want to treat your car once in a while go for the "Supreme" stuff, I find the car idles a bit better on it.

Just avoid Optimax (high sulphur content) and supermarket crap and it'll be fine :thumb:

If I'm trying I can do just under 100 miles on a tenner of Esso, with my driving being mostly in town at 30 or 40mph with little/no traffic and rolling up to red lights with the engine off :lol:
Image
User avatar
hoshy
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
Posts: 4118
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Munich

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:02 pm

lol, that's not bad.

I guess what would be really cool is in-car adjustable conrods. slice a 1/4 off your displacement with the push of a button. Not for the forced induction boys I'd imagine.
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.
M3Imy
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 526
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:32 pm

there is no benefit in using optimax unless your engine is mapped to run on it. Unless you want to benefit form any cleaning agents it contains.
User avatar
hoshy
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
Posts: 4118
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Munich

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:42 pm

Anybody know of a simple way to alter the advance curve on these motronic systems. Something like putting a resistor in the circuit of something. I know modified chip or whatever is whats ideally needed but it would be cool if there was some kind of "hack".
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.
Geeman
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:42 pm

Oh dear. I use Optimax ALL the time.

So am I better off finding an ESSO station and using their Super Unleaded then...?

Giles.
Zayyan
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6385
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aylesbury

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:15 pm

Definitely - as I said my car idles badly and it's a lot less random on the Esso Supreme stuff.

It's also flat above 4500rpm on standard Esso and Optimax but with Esso Supreme it'll keep pushing til 5000rpm.

I've heard a lot about the sulphur content of Optimax and also that the cleaning properties work too well to be an advantage in an old engine - i.e. if seals etc. have been replaced/strengthened with carbon deposits over time and the Opitimax cleans away the carbon, it can't be good :?

Esso Supreme's also a bit of a bargain (if you can ever call petrol a bargain :roll:) at the moment as it's only 6p more than the standard 95 octane as opposed to I think 8p normally.

So give it a try :thumb:

And no I don't work for Esso :P
Image
Chaos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2460
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cardiff, South Wales

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:23 pm

Early e30's wud have been designed with 4* in mind and the closest u can get to that these days is SUL.

Esso Supreme and BT Ultimate (both just fancy names for SUL) are the best imo. Optimax can be ok if its freshinto the tank at the petrol station but unless its a busy station id say avoid it if u can.

Texaco SUL can be ok, but round where i am that seems to depend which garage u go to (contaminated tanks maybe???)
Chaos
causing havoc and mayhem wherever i go

Image
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:20 pm

i've tried them all, optimax does work, a deal better mpg and more performance if only a small amount. It will guzzle supermarket stuff so stay away there. I now stick to shell or esso anywhere like that. I don't do BP cos they are always 4p more a litre and their squirt isn't that good!
Gwynleym10
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3650
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London/Cymru

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:34 pm

Never even been to an esso petrol station (for ethical reasons), so wouldn't know what there petrol is like....

I def get more mpg from optimax, tested it more than a couple of times. I agree with choas though, it must degrad because is deff diferrent from different pertrol stations. Cheapest stations useually mean busiest, therefore best petrol IMO.
Image
Dual wheel carriers -------195litre Fuel Tank
London 2 Cape Town
www.Overlandinthesun.com
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:52 pm

what ethical reasons?
Chaos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2460
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cardiff, South Wales

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:53 pm

Gwynleym10 wrote:Never even been to an esso petrol station (for ethical reasons)
u wanna elaborate ?
Chaos
causing havoc and mayhem wherever i go

Image
Gwynleym10
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3650
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London/Cymru

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:04 pm

A couple of reason;
Esso made $17.7 bn in profits worldwide last year - the biggest ever profit for any company, but spent not one dollar on renewable energy. If anyone can afford to tackle global warming, it's Esso
Shell, BP texaco all spent proportions of their profits on renewable energy resources.

UN scientists have confirmed that global warming - bringing with it floods, storms and droughts, is caused by burning oil, coal and gas. Over 160 governments agree. But, like the tobacco companies who denied smoking causes cancer, Esso denies burning oil causes global warming.

And why did Bush ditch the Kyoto global warming treaty (the only international agreement to stop global warming) Esso has used its wealth and power to run a ten year campaign of dirty tricks to sabotage the. Esso give very large donations to Bush and his campaigns, so large that it would be immpossible to ignore their point of view. Democracy? I think not.

I realsise that other petrol compainies are far from angels, but Esso is particually bad.
Image
Dual wheel carriers -------195litre Fuel Tank
London 2 Cape Town
www.Overlandinthesun.com
320Touring
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 12316
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Glasgow (Scotland)

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:30 pm

Gwynleym10 wrote:A couple of reason;
Esso made $17.7 bn in profits worldwide last year - the biggest ever profit for any company, but spent not one dollar on renewable energy. If anyone can afford to tackle global warming, it's Esso
Shell, BP texaco all spent proportions of their profits on renewable energy resources.

UN scientists have confirmed that global warming - bringing with it floods, storms and droughts, is caused by burning oil, coal and gas. Over 160 governments agree. But, like the tobacco companies who denied smoking causes cancer, Esso denies burning oil causes global warming.

And why did Bush ditch the Kyoto global warming treaty (the only international agreement to stop global warming) Esso has used its wealth and power to run a ten year campaign of dirty tricks to sabotage the. Esso give very large donations to Bush and his campaigns, so large that it would be immpossible to ignore their point of view. Democracy? I think not.

I realsise that other petrol compainies are far from angels, but Esso is particually bad.
I hear ya on that one!however esso are not the worst offenders...

General Motors regularly post turnovers of $177 billion and profits of $20 billion...

to put this into perspective, GM create more revenue that the WHOLE of NORTH AFRICA!!
The big Unit Parts Clear out Make me an offer on parts!
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 81#2766881
Gwynleym10
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3650
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London/Cymru

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:47 pm

Loads of other things witth esso as well, couple of years ago they got cuaght drilling "to far north" in Alaska. I think i'm right in saying that it was in the "world heritige area".

I terms of GM though they have done some reaserch into alternative technology, such as electric cars (well they had to in calafornia). Its not all about bashing big companies. But yes they have there problems as well.... as do all!
Image
Dual wheel carriers -------195litre Fuel Tank
London 2 Cape Town
www.Overlandinthesun.com
User avatar
hoshy
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
Posts: 4118
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Munich

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:51 pm

320Touring wrote:
Gwynleym10 wrote:A couple of reason;
Esso made $17.7 bn in profits worldwide last year - the biggest ever profit for any company, but spent not one dollar on renewable energy. If anyone can afford to tackle global warming, it's Esso
Shell, BP texaco all spent proportions of their profits on renewable energy resources.

UN scientists have confirmed that global warming - bringing with it floods, storms and droughts, is caused by burning oil, coal and gas. Over 160 governments agree. But, like the tobacco companies who denied smoking causes cancer, Esso denies burning oil causes global warming.

And why did Bush ditch the Kyoto global warming treaty (the only international agreement to stop global warming) Esso has used its wealth and power to run a ten year campaign of dirty tricks to sabotage the. Esso give very large donations to Bush and his campaigns, so large that it would be immpossible to ignore their point of view. Democracy? I think not.

I realsise that other petrol compainies are far from angels, but Esso is particually bad.
I hear ya on that one!however esso are not the worst offenders...

General Motors regularly post turnovers of $177 billion and profits of $20 billion...

to put this into perspective, GM create more revenue that the WHOLE of NORTH AFRICA!!

rock on you both. Except that it *should* be about bashing big corporations.
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.
Chaos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2460
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cardiff, South Wales

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:11 pm

Gwynleym10 wrote:Loads of other things witth esso as well, couple of years ago they got cuaght drilling "to far north" in Alaska. I think i'm right in saying that it was in the "world heritige area".
if theres oil there i say we drill.
Chaos
causing havoc and mayhem wherever i go

Image
Gwynleym10
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3650
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London/Cymru

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:19 pm

what about those penguins you have in you avateur?
Don't think there was any thing there anyway
Image
Dual wheel carriers -------195litre Fuel Tank
London 2 Cape Town
www.Overlandinthesun.com
Chaos
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2460
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cardiff, South Wales

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:21 pm

Gwynleym10 wrote:what about those penguins you have in you avateur?
Don't think there was any thing there anyway
isnt that what zoo's are for ? :lol:














only kidding.

anyways seriously if they can keep damage to a minimum i say let them drill wherever they need to.
Chaos
causing havoc and mayhem wherever i go

Image
User avatar
alan325i
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 369
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Yardley, Birmingham

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:48 pm

Gwynleym10 wrote:Petrol man petrol! don't be putting diesel in it now!

Er should be o.k with unleaded (should be a little green sticker on the inside of your 'flap which says unleaded min91 octane.

i belive it will still work with LRP, but not with Diesel or LPG....

Some belive that Shell optimax (98 octane) is the only fuel for them. I'm pretty sure i get more mpg when i use it.
DONT put diesel in as i found out one day.....put Ԛ£10 of diesel in before realising, i was distracted :oops: , i then topped it up with Ԛ£15 of petrol...........ran like shit at low end revs and alot of smoke, but did it fly when u got it abouve 4000 rpm.
Took about 5 or 6 tank fulls to get rid of it all and the horrible diesel smell from the exhaust.
Gwynleym10
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3650
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: London/Cymru

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:59 pm

i was distracted
She must have been fiiiiit! or was it a car....
Image
Dual wheel carriers -------195litre Fuel Tank
London 2 Cape Town
www.Overlandinthesun.com
User avatar
hoshy
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
E30 Zone Wiki Guru
Posts: 4118
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Munich

Post Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:00 pm

alan325i wrote:
Gwynleym10 wrote:Petrol man petrol! don't be putting diesel in it now!

Er should be o.k with unleaded (should be a little green sticker on the inside of your 'flap which says unleaded min91 octane.

i belive it will still work with LRP, but not with Diesel or LPG....

Some belive that Shell optimax (98 octane) is the only fuel for them. I'm pretty sure i get more mpg when i use it.
DONT put diesel in as i found out one day.....put Ԛ£10 of diesel in before realising, i was distracted :oops: , i then topped it up with Ԛ£15 of petrol...........ran like sh*t at low end revs and alot of smoke, but did it fly when u got it abouve 4000 rpm.
Took about 5 or 6 tank fulls to get rid of it all and the horrible diesel smell from the exhaust.

I've got some sadistic desire to put a fiver of diesel on top of 15 petrol just to see what happens. lol
E46 M3 CSL but dreaming of another E30.