BP ultimate

[Oliver_u]

Is this around in the rest of Europe yet? I've been running on the new 100 octane fuel and its amazing! 8) Better boost in both upper and lower rev ranges as well as smoother running. Supposed to give better MPG as well, but I haven't managed that yet

My bro has been running it in his 900i as well. Says it makes a remarkable difference. The diesel is also said to be a vast improvement. Only downside is the price €1.10 a litre for petrol yikes

[ZARS]

Have'nt used BP Ultimate yet because I've heard it's not that good, well here in England anyway. It seems that Shell Optimax is more popular (however I don't think the Octane rating is as high as the BP one :-?? :-?? )

Would be interested to know if anyone in the UK has tried it out

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by ZARS

Have'nt used BP Ultimate yet because I've heard it's not that good, well here in England anyway. It seems that Shell Optimax is more popular (however I don't think the Octane rating is as high as the BP one :-?? :-?? )

A couple of useful links:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/vi...=233460#233460
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/johnnya...ng.htm#optimax

[jnorris]

I use it every time I fill up now and I've been generally happy with the results and there is a noticable difference from standard BT unleaded. I don't feel it is quite as good as Shell Optimax though in terms of performance. As far as I know the BP Ultimate that is available in the UK is only 98 octane rather than the 100RON available elsewhere in Europe.

[pda]

I have tryed BP Ultimate
it is not as good as Shell Optimax..
the BP has a lower RON & its dearer per litre to buy
so I will stick with Shell Optimax..
until Shell bring out V-Power in the UK (100RON)

Paul

[Oliver_u]

I think the octane levels must be different then. BP ultimate is definitely 100 RON here. V Power was launched about three weeks ago, but I haven't tried that yet.

Incidentlly, you can't get 98 octane at any of the BP pumps anymore. I think they are doing the same with shell, despite the hefty price differance (up from €.98 to €1.10)

[Alex]

BP Ultimate is a minimum of 97ron in the UK (annoying as the rest of Europe seems to get the 100ron version)

Optimax has a maximum rating of 98.6, but due to the volatility of the additives used is actually unstable so Shell only makes it to the requirements of RUL, which means that its octane can drop below 95 :! This is also why its cheaper, the fuel tax on regular is less than that for super.

In my case I would prefer to use Optimax, but with the car getting less use these days it may not be so suitable, but with a 20mile round trip to the closest Shell station, or a 30second drive to the local BP Ultimate place, if the car is low it now gets the BP stuff.

[rage]

Originally Posted by Alex

In my case I would prefer to use Optimax, but with the car getting less use these days it may not be so suitable, but with a 20mile round trip to the closest Shell station, or a 30second drive to the local BP Ultimate place, if the car is low it now gets the BP stuff.

I have a similar problem, only its a 50 mile round trip for Shell BP Ultimate isn`t that great in my experience, but it`ll do if thats the closest.

[Scotty Mc]

I use both, whichever is nearest at the time. I do own a Lazy Pressure Turbo so not a huge difference in performance.

I have heard a rumour that the additives used in Optimax can deteriorate (sp?) so to speak and that to buy it from a well-used garage

[Simon]

I find filling up with Optimax not only seems to increase the power it also drastically improves fuel consumption.

[Scotty Mc]

Originally Posted by Simon

I find filling up with Optimax not only seems to increase the power it also drastically improves fuel consumption.

and drastically reduces your bank balance

[Alanb]

Originally Posted by Simon

I find filling up with Optimax not only seems to increase the power it also drastically improves fuel consumption.

Even after my brief thrash of your car?

Alanb

[Cuba]

Originally Posted by Alex

BP Ultimate is a minimum of 97ron in the UK (annoying as the rest of Europe seems to get the 100ron version)

Optimax has a maximum rating of 98.6, but due to the volatility of the additives used is actually unstable so Shell only makes it to the requirements of RUL, which means that its octane can drop below 95 :! This is also why its cheaper, the fuel tax on regular is less than that for super.

In my case I would prefer to use Optimax, but with the car getting less use these days it may not be so suitable, but with a 20mile round trip to the closest Shell station, or a 30second drive to the local BP Ultimate place, if the car is low it now gets the BP stuff.

I knew this would come up. Saab recommends 98 and min of 92.
This is where the confusion sets in: The RON method of octane measurement is not used in the United States. In the US, a different method entirely is used, called the CLC method. The number that results from this method is the average of the RON octane number and the MON octane number, so (RON + MON)/2 = CLC octane number. This is the number that you will find printed on a yellow label on gas pumps in the United States.

[greenphotos]

Originally Posted by Scotty Mc

Lazy Pressure Turbo

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

Not laughing at you, it's just that I've never heard it called that before
Thanks, brightened up my morning loads

Mark

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Scotty Mc

I do own a Lazy Pressure Turbo so not a huge difference in performance.

Scotty - you'll notice a bigger difference when using these fuels if you fit an intercooler and manual boost controller so you have a not-so-lazy pressure turbo like mine!

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Scotty Mc

and drastically reduces your bank balance

Optimax actually works out to be cheaper for me as I get something like 20% better fuel consumption. It really is that much!

[ragtopcav]

Originally Posted by Simon

Optimax actually works out to be cheaper for me as I get something like 20% better fuel consumption. It really is that much!

I have about 5 - 10% improvement with Optimax. Also at the last MOT the toxic emmissions at 3000rpm and idle were both 0% [CO] and 0 ppm [hydrocarbons] I wonder how much the fuel grade has helped towards that?

[Cuba]

we're noticing some problems with idle in the 900's associated with Optimax downunder. I will tend towards ultimate or caltex vortex if I'm desperate.

[fura]

Originally Posted by pda

I have tryed BP Ultimate
it is not as good as Shell Optimax..
the BP has a lower RON & its dearer per litre to buy
so I will stick with Shell Optimax..
until Shell bring out V-Power in the UK (100RON)

Paul

Shell V-Power was available here but I've never tried it as it was much more expensive. Later Shell sold it's petrol station business to Statoil.

Uno-X (Hydro-Texaco chain of petrol stations) has 95 octane petrol with some additives called Nitro 3000 here. My car runs stronger with it indeed.

[Scotty Mc]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Scotty - you'll notice a bigger difference when using these fuels if you fit an intercooler and manual boost controller so you have a not-so-lazy pressure turbo like mine!

Mine is a later model so it already has the intercooler. I have a manual control valve knocking around somewhere but I don't want to loose any of the trionic features!