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E34 M5 Discussion 1988-1995 Sedan and Touring

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Old 18th September 2002, 03:08   #1
PSB
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Optimax

I have started putting shell's optimax in the M5. Seems to run with a bit more vigour. However does anybody know whether it is necessary to reset the ECU to extract full potential - i.e. so the engine can 'learn' to use the new fuel? If so, how? Unplug the battery for a few hours - or does this screw a load of other stuff up like alarm etc?

Would appreciate your thoughts.

P

PS. Bryn - is that you from the Evo site with the M5?
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Old 18th September 2002, 12:36   #2
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Yes its me

I don't believe you need to make any changes to the ECU to benefit from Optimax, but I could be wrong.

I did read on the evo forum that Optimax is just 95 ron with octane booster added. Apparently octane booster deteriorates rapidly, so an older batch of Optimax may not be exactly what it says on the tin.

Cheers,
Bryn.
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Old 18th September 2002, 17:34   #3
bandit
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We have a similar fuel here in Iceland which is called V-Power. However that fuel is not with an added octane booster but a high quality high octaine fuel. It is 99+ Ron and the Ferrari Formula 1 race cars can run on it without problems.

I have used this fuel for almost a year now without exception. I felt more power at first and it is easy to see wether it makes a difference by doing a little test.

Find a nice strip of straight and clear road.

Accelerate at 30 kmh in third gear and keep the speed constant. Mark two spots for measurement purposes, one to start accelerating at and one two take notice of your final speed in third gear.

You may not change gear so the strip must not be too long between the markers.

The point is this. You drive at a constant 30 kmh speed in third gear and when you cross the first marker you floor it! When you reach the second marker you must notice you speed or time your run.

You do this with a full tank of regular fuel and with a full tank of optimax and you should get a clear result of the any difference in the fuel quality.

If it works, you end speed should be higher. And there is no human factor in this either since you don't change gears and allow for a smooth run at 30 kmh for some time before you floor it.

Try this.

I did and the difference was about 4 car lengths over a 1/4 mile.
In favour of the V-Power

However I kept using this fuel mainly because of the cleaning qualities which are unsurpassed by any other fuel bar none!
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Old 18th September 2002, 17:44   #4
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Well whatever's in it, it feels better to me.
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Old 18th September 2002, 23:16   #5
Steve Mac
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Works for me!I abUSE it in the ///M5 the Cossie and even the wifes SRi i find it makes a positive difference..

Also i read the ECU automatically adjusts the timing to the grade of the petrol up to 99 octane

Must befriend somebody with a rolling road to get the real results,does anybody on the board have this luxury??

Results would be interesting

Just me tuppence!!

Steve Mac
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Old 20th September 2002, 00:20   #6
Ashok Arora
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I use Optimax exclusively. It's actually 98+ octane, more than any other (forecourt) fuel on sale in the UK. A few years ago, super unleaded was 'diluted' from 98 octane to 97 octane and the oil companies thought we wouldn't notice ( ).

Thankfully, Shell realised that some of us want more than cheap supermarket fuel in our tanks.

Ashok
2002 Carbonblack/Caramel
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Old 20th September 2002, 23:17   #7
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Hi

Just to add to the discussion i used optimax in my '90 m5. It was like a different car after a couple of tanks. Engine runs smoother and gear changes seem to be smoother.

Paul.
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