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Fuel Query
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Author:  Anto [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Fuel Query
I know we've had many debates over fuel before, but they have usually been along the lines of Optimax vs BP Ultimate. Both very good fuels. However, I only know of one place in Canberra you can get Ultimate, and it is a fair distance away so that isn't viable. The problem is, Canberra currently has an Optimax drought. So I'm considering other options.

I have a tank of Shell unleaded at the moment, and it doesn't run particularly badly, but you do notice a difference compared with premium. Since I have trouble getting Optimax, can people give me some opinions on other fuels, namely Caltex Vortex, and BP premium petrol (only 95 octane). I can get both of those locally, but I have never liked Caltex, and BP premium isn't as good as Optimax, and recently has been reported to cost upwards of $1.24/litre. My other option is to put octane booster in normal unleaded (until the 'drought' is over) - somewhat expensive I think.

Okay people, let's hear some ideas. :)

Anto.
Author:  Lillee [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gee, a drought!

are you running a high compression ratio? if not I don't think it really matters what you run. Doc's always told me to run on regular unleaded as it makes no difference. I beg to differ (i can feel some difference, remarkable or not) but in reality if push came to shove I would go back to regular unleaded or just plain premium 95.

Not sure about those octane boosters, but I did use one once in the bombadore. My cousin (mechanic) asked me to try some of it awhile back, 1 litre per tank of petrol and it did work out quite ok from memory. Almost zippo performance gain, but it ran smoother and quieter? Not sure about long term effects etc...
Author:  Anto [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well I wont be going to normal unleaded if it is at all avoidable, I noticed a difference today for sure. Might try some BP premium. I've had Caltex recommended but I have mixed feelings... maybe I'm just prejudice against red petrol stations or something.

Octane booster is about $15 a bottle and will do about two tanks of petrol (with a 25L tank). If you fill with normal unleaded it will boost it to 97 octane, and if you fill with Optimax you get 100. Too expensive to put in my motor I think.

Anto.
Author:  Mini Mad [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 2:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have run nothing but Caltex Vortex for a while and I have no problems with it, wouldn't run their unleaded though..

Optimax isn't bad, but BP Ultimate is probably the best as it burns cleaner..Optimax has quite a few additives. Not sure about the Vortex though, but I have no problems with it, I just run it cause it's local and the BP near me..well lets just say I don't like the people that run it :)

With premium in a car that can't take advantage of it performance wise, you may only get and increase in mileage, and it may run a little bit better, but your probably better off sticking with unleaded.
Author:  miniVan [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
well you guys sound bloody spoilt over there, we have 3 petrols.. lead replacement (crap)
normal unleaded
and premium

shells premum can hardly be called premium,

so our real only choice is caltex Vortex which is only 97 octane over here
or BP Ultimate which is 98 (what i use and go out of my way to use)

but what i do know is that premo fuel is better on your exhaust valves and seats, (burns cleaner and cooler)
but premo comes at premium prices, and very little choices over here.. bp only sells ultimate as their premium, no other choices, is optimax a shell product? we dont get that here, shells premium is 95 octane and thats it
Author:  drmini in aust [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
I found the BP Premium was the best of the 95-6 octane stuff, before Ultimate 98 & Mobil 8000 came. If I can't get 98 (BP or Mobil) that's what I run.
But, lots of BP outlets here are selling Ultimate now.
Vortex... I'll use it, if that's all the Premium available. :wink:

BTW, I'm running 10.4:1 C/R. If you are less than 10:1, any 95-96 should do.

If it's only a stocko 8.3-8.5:1, run unleaded & save yer money.. 8)
Author:  bnicho [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
I work for BP. (ducking)

We are in the midst of an Ultimate rollout. Most BP outlets should have it soon.

BP's Premium is 96 Octane. But as I have said before, if you can get BP LRP (and you don't have cat converter), use that instead of Premium. It's the SAME stuff, same octane, just has a few more additives chucked in to combat valve seat recession.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
bnicho wrote:
I work for BP. (ducking)

We are in the midst of an Ultimate rollout. Most BP outlets should have it soon.

BP's Premium is 96 Octane. But as I have said before, if you can get BP LRP (and you don't have cat converter), use that instead of Premium. It's the SAME stuff, same octane, just has a few more additives chucked in to combat valve seat recession.


How consistent is the additive/fule mix in LRP? I remember when LRP started a lot of it was crap, octane down to 88 or so on some tested.

(I'm a bit dubious of premixes- I remember BP Zoom 50 outboard mix, back then. It was a lottery getting the right oil mix- the distributors just didn't take care.) :wink:
Author:  bnicho [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:10 am ]
Post subject: 
I work in the IT area, so I'm only getting info second hand. But from what I understand they are very strict now on the quality of the LRP (and all other fuels). The distributors/franchisees get it pre-mixed from the terminal or refinery, they don't add any additives themselves. Spot checks are done at the retail sites. If they are caught adding anything (eg: ethanol, paint thinners) they immediately lose their franchise agreement.

I don't think we sell pre mixed two stroke (Zoom) anymore - certainly I have been unable to get any? I mix it myself instead.
Author:  MadMin [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 4:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Dare I bring up the subject of ethanol blends :roll:

Anyone tried it :?:
Author:  zippytheclown [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
miniVan wrote:
is optimax a shell product? we dont get that here, shells premium is 95 octane and thats it


No optimax????????? I don't think I would run anything else, I dislike bp intensely, even though there is one right across the road, the only time I would use it is when I don't have enough petrol to go somewhere else (or when I am driving somebody elses car!!) My wrx ran best on optimax, and my 1098 definitely ran better on it compared to unleaded, very noticable difference
Author:  min13k [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
bp diesel is best :)
my 4b loves it :)
makka
Author:  drmini in aust [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
min13k wrote:
bp diesel is best :)
my 4b loves it :)
makka


Now you've done it Makka- I think Zippy detests BP diesel above all their other products.. :shock:
Author:  Lillee [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have a shell across the street from my place but I drive 15 mins to the nearest BP for Ultimate :lol:

I admit I have never tried optimax in the mini but i have never had problems using ultimate so why fix something if it aint broke?

As for using LRP vs Ultimate vs Premium vs Regular... I usef LRP for ages and had nothing wrong with that either. Now that I have a bottle of flashlube I don't mind paying the extra dollar for Ultimate. I think it runs better. Even if it is only a perception then that's good enough for me!
Author:  justminis [ Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ultimate 98 has just been rolled out in Cairns which is just great. Optimax ain't available north of Rockhampton (or if it is I'd like to know). Tried Ultimate in Christina's new BINI S and it rockets. Loves it, noticable difference. Steve
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