Optimax....shhhhh, there's no trip sensor ;)

[dragstar]

Just eaten last nights Jalfrezi and dont feel to good
I'll brave on, for the good of the team.

Since summer last year i've ran super unleaded, up until a few weeks ago.

I thought i'd try Optimax, just for a change. I understand the ECU cant differentiate between this and normal octane levelled fuel, but i still thought i'd try it.

The first time i got in, it felt like a rocket! Obviously a placebo effect, but i thought id try it over a few weeks.

Final Verdict? Feels a tiny bit quicker but the main improvement is in the smoothness of the engine. Its alot smoother and idles less erratically, compared to before (wasnt "bad" before either).

As it "cleans" the engine, i think ill keep using it. Any other "users?"

I suggest giving it a try for a week or 3,

I think ill leave it a half hour before tackling the balti

[NJS25]

Hiya Drag,

Yep, I run on Optimax and have done since I bought the car.

I believe your right in that the ecu cannot differentiate between super unleaded and Optimax. I totally agree with your experiences. I think the smoothness of the power delivery is what makes the car feel quicker.

I use Optimax every 5 fill ups or so on our Alfa Romeo, but the all the time for the Elise.

The additional cost is nominal on such a small tank. I also find I get better fuel economy on Optimax, around 5-10% which offsets the additional cost per gallon.

Regards, Neil

[S Works]

I'll be running mine on Opti - the old S Works was a different car with it and no other juice came close.

I'm sure it wasn't a placebo effect (although I await correction from a petro-chemist ) as the car really did feel a lot smoother with it.

BTW, which curry house was it from Drag? Is Haweli still there? Used to do a mean Jalfrezi back in the day!!

[Bonce]

I fill up on Optimax every 1 in three or four tanks and also find that it improves fuel economy. No noticable increase in performance, but perhaps that's the reverse-placebo effect (I know it SHOULDN'T improve performance, therefore I ignore any perceived improvements).

[DanH]

Whenever I've tried it, I get the smell of unburnt petrol hovering around the car sometimes. Puts me off a tad!

[dragstar]

hi Neil

I agree with what you say

S works, the curry house was Al Bilal (probably the best IMHO). Hawelli (sp?) is still there, but there are MAJOR roadworks on wilmslow road=stonechips=no elise down that way.

I live, literally, on wilmslow road.

Isnt better fuel economy in itself a better reason to use it? (unless it isnt economically viable)

[xxplod]

Right. You've persuaded me. I'll give it a go. Watch this space.

[Bonce]

Increasaed fuel economy doesn't make up for the 6p a litre extra to fill up!

[gfun]

DanH said:

Whenever I've tried it, I get the smell of unburnt petrol hovering around the car sometimes. Puts me off a tad!

Strange same here had me sniffing around for leaks but only with Optimax???????

And the Balti Basment off Dale St is the best!

[bogie]

I use it or BP Ultimate because work pay for it !

[NJS25]

Bonce said:

Increasaed fuel economy doesn't make up for the 6p a litre extra to fill up!

6p a litre, thats about 7.5% on a standard gallon at 77p per litre. That would require an improvement in fuel economy of about 2.5mpg on a car averaging 32mpg.

This doen't sound too far off the mark, in my experience.

Regards, Neil

[dragstar]

gfun said:

And the Balti Basment off Dale St is the best!

Thanks for the tip!

Burning smell? that is strange. I'll keep my nose out

[dragstar]

bogie said:

I use it or BP Ultimate because work pay for it !

You have a sweet deal Bogie.

[Gfun]

just smells of petrol - no burning

[DanH]

Yeah took me a while to put 2&2 together but its definitely optimax causing the unburnt fuel smell. Glad I'm not the only one

[dragstar]

Perhaps it's an S2 thing?

[alki]

I thought optimax was just another name for super unleaded!!! i just get what is next to the leaded and diesel!! eeeekkkkkkk i been putting in LPG!!!............. but is it really that much different? and to be honest if you get out of the citys then you get what your given! (oww err worzil,arternoon my deer! da piter o me cow mavis,s best is it?) ((sorry 4 that peeps from devon))
Man have i been on gassin station to long? im starting to write a milage spread sheet!
eeeeeeeeeeeeeek

[dragstar]

If you go to shell's website, then they have a map of all the optimax filling stations in the UK. You could find your "local"

Is it a noticable improvement? I'd say yes. Try it for a couple of weeks

[skinner]

Anyone got any views on BP Ultimate? I put that expensive Shell stuff in every 3 or 4 fills, but as there is a distinct lack of Nectar points on it I am far more inclined to use my local BP

[S Works]

skinner said:

Anyone got any views on BP Ultimate? I put that expensive Shell stuff in every 3 or 4 fills, but as there is a distinct lack of Nectar points on it I am far more inclined to use my local BP

Tried both in the S Works - BP Ultimate, ultimately left me feeling cheated because I didn't notice any difference whatsoever, one Optimax however the car felt like it was revving more freely and generally felt better for it.

I'm sold on the stuff.

P.S. Work out what those nectar points are ACTUALLY worth over a year.... not half as much as one might think.
I'm a self-confessed cynic but those things are just a very snide way of a big group of retailers keeping tabs on what you buy, when and where, and then bombing you with crap offers, spam and junk mail. Nectar my ARSE!

>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 26th February 09:17