Hi all,
I have just bought a BMW 530i Sport. My cars user handbook says that I should use 98 RON fuel, but that 95 RON fuel can be used.
Which do you recommend I use? If there is a proper reason for the use of 98 RON fuel then I will do so, but it seems most odd that the manual states 95 is perfectly acceptable if it would prefer you used 98.
I am currently using 95 RON fuel and am returning 37mpg on Motorway runs and 30mpg in mixed driving.
Whats the deal here?
Thanks!
|
|
You'll probably get more performance and slightly better economy using higher octane fuel. Try a tankfull of Tesco's "Greenenergy" 99 ron petrol, only about 4-5p more.
|
|
It is a legal requirement that all cars sold in the EU must be able to run on 95 RON(euronorm).
|
|
|
|
that I should use 98 RON fuel, but that 95 RON fuel can be used.
>>
michaelr - i use 95 ron all the time.
but see also www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=45...0
however, more importanly, tell us a bit more about your 530 sport. e.g. how much, where did you buy(was it via jow dowd at auction?, is it the manual gearbox you wanted, etc.?
|
however, more importanly, tell us a bit more about your 530 sport. e.g. how much, where did you buy(was it via jow dowd at auction?, is it the manual gearbox you wanted, etc.?
Sure - picked it up on Sunday from a private seller. It's 4 and a half years odld and it's absolutely immaculate both inside and out - I am staggered as to its condition, it's really lovely. With the exception of a few stonechips on the front there is not a mark on it both inside and out. The rear seats look brand new, the front seats look nearly new. Even the drivers seat isn't excessivly worn. It is the exact specification I wanted - Titanium Silver wtih Black Leather and manual gearbox. It's a one owner from new car with BMW warranty until the end of the year and full BMW Service History - the guy had an enormous folder containing every invoice/bill/bit of paperwork the car has ever had - seemed a really nice guy. Even had original purchase invoice for £33k.
I'm dissapointed I wasn't able to get one with Joe - I thoroughly recommend his services and he has been an absolute pleasure to deal with. I'm looking at sourcing a Mini for my Grandmother in the not too distant future, so hopefully he'll be able to get me something along those lines. I think the problem I had was that I was being exceptionally fussy and the car I wanted was very rare and hardly around at auction.
I love the car, its everything I wanted and more - I never expected to get one quite this nice.
Just need to ensure I am not tempted by 84.9p a litre fuel!
|
|
|
|
|
Listen - BMW build engines that thrive on two things. Revs and decent fuel. 98 RON. Avoid anything else even though it seems cheaper in the short term. Enjoy.
|
|
|
|
just read this , vauxhall engines factory set for ron 95 can also run on ron 98 without problems. there are no advantages however.
|
|
If he wanted a Vauxhall he'd have bought a three cylinder Corsa.
|
|
i utterly totally agree with mr pug
|
Talking of Vauxhalls my old V6 Vectra was 10% more economical on 98ron Optimax and felt a bit more perky too, chances are the BMW will respond in the same way.
More beemer details, mileage etc?
|
I'd echo the views of others that say you may will get more out of the car on the higher octane fuel - I run my 968 almost exclusively on Shell Optimax (as was) and it performs better for that; I reckon that it just about pays for itself fuel efficiency wise as well (I track fuel efficiency quite carefully as a measure of how the engine is, but don't get too hung up on it!)
In passing, I reckon the new V-Max fuel from Shell is even better for the engine, both in terms of performance and economy...
Enjoy the car - can I ask how much you paid for it?
Jon
|
|
|
|
I am currently using 95 RON fuel and am returning 37mpg on Motorway runs and 30mpg in mixed driving.
Crikey, thats good for a 530i !!
You must be very gentle !!
|
|
IIRC, 98RON contains much less sulphur than ordinary unleaded: about 10% of the level. One of the reasons to specify 98 is to prevent contamination. The other is that the engine knock sensors operate both ways: the 95 option is a fall-back, and the ignition is remapped, i.e. retarded.
|
Hi all,
Well I filled up today with 97 RON Super Unleaded. Finding places that sells 98 or above is a bit of a nuisance really and Shell Optimax is considerably more expensive than regular fuel and not easily available. There is one filling station selling it within 30 miles.
Car itself, paid £7k for it. Private sale, one owner from new with.. wait for it... 140k miles. But you really wouldnt notice, apart from a few stonechips on the front it is immaculate - it is on a par with my Dads 530d condition wise and his has covered just 47k miles, which really adds more credit to the theory that age, not mileage, results in shabby cars. Even the steering wheel isnt really worn.
I've got the security of the extended BMW warranty until the end of the year, as well.
|
|
|
|
You'll only get the max bhp (IIRC 231 for pre-2005 and 258 for 2005 onwards) when using 98RON.
Sounds like your search paid off - enjoy!
|
|
Shell have replaced Optimax with V-Power, everywhere I think (certainly everywhere I've been recently). Optimax was 98 RON and V-Power is 99 RON (91.9p hereabouts); Tesco Greenergy is 99 RON too, available at 88.9p around here (Herts).
|
|
|
|
