MINI2

Shamster · Dec 22nd, 2002, 05:42 PM

I keep hearing about people using Shell Optimax. What's so good about it and does it really enhance performance?

Dom · Dec 22nd, 2002, 06:21 PM

Higher octane (i.e more oxygen bits in it which burns better, or more, can't remember which). It's also got good detergent type stuff in it. Most users will see an increase in power I believe, and most see an increase in MPG too..

Just an opinion from an optimax user

Dom

Chris Williams · Dec 22nd, 2002, 06:24 PM

Have done just over 3,000 miles in 2 months and have found that using Shell in comparison to say Total has improved MPG and the car seems to have a little more go...mind you that could just be as the car continues to loosen.

Regards
Christopher

Martin L · Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:26 AM

Go for Shell Optimax opposed to other "branded" super unleaded as a it's the highest octaine available (just under 99ron) and it's much cheaper

From my experience performance and fuel economy are improved and besides it's a performance car and should be fed on high octaine fuel

Shamster · Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:03 AM

I was wondering whether it was just a higher octane or whether there are any special additives they use.

99 is pretty good - I think most SUL is 98. If this is the highest octane available AND its cheaper than 'other' SUL then I guess it's a no-brainer.

I wonder whether the difference would be negligible if you were to use say Esso or BP SUL as opposed to Optimax.

Yeoman · Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:14 AM

Just done a run to Birmingham and back.
I filled up with Optimax on the way back, the car seems to have used about an 1/8 of a tank less than on the way up.

The strange thing being that I paid the same for Optimax in the midlands as I pay for UL down south.

Martin L · Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yeoman
The strange thing being that I paid the same for Optimax in the midlands as I pay for UL down south.

You have to watch out for the pricing of Optimax.
The garage near me (Ickenham) puts a 4p per litre premium on UL but the Shell garage in Pinner puts a 5p premium

shamster you do need to be aware of that...

Shamster · Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:41 AM

Quote:

The garage near me (Ickenham) puts a 4p per litre premium on UL but the Shell garage in Pinner puts a 5p premium

Which ones? - I assume the Pinner one is on Pinner Green.

It sounds like Optimax is the same price as other companies' SUL but with a difference - it appears to burn marginally less fuel. That would indicate that it's probably the one to go with.If anyone has any technical info available that directly compares Optimax with others on a performance and cost basis I would be interested to know.

But what about all the clubcard points I lose from using the Tesco pumps?

Martin L · Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shamster
Which ones? - I assume the Pinner one is on Pinner Green.

But what about all the clubcard points I lose from using the Tesco pumps?

The one next to the Tescos

Don't ever use "unbranded" fuel in your MCS. Mine did not like Asda petrol at all

BP SUL is about 8p per litre more the UL when I had no option but to use them

So shopping around is a good idea

disdis · Dec 23rd, 2002, 07:03 AM

doesnt optimax makes the exhaust gets darker quicker??

i m not sure myself, but i use Mobil syn 8000

Shamster · Dec 23rd, 2002, 07:16 AM

Quote:

doesnt optimax makes the exhaust gets darker quicker??

dark exhaust? Isn't a grey exhaust the 'healthiest'? I thought black or very dark signified over-rich combustion?

Martin L · Dec 23rd, 2002, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by disdis
doesnt optimax makes the exhaust gets darker quicker??

Definately not.
On my Cooper I was running regular UL for quite some time before swaping to Optimax and the carbon build up is significantly less.
So much so I rarely need to clean deposits off my exhaust. All I need to do is to buff up the chrome.

Dom · Dec 23rd, 2002, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yeoman
Just done a run to Birmingham and back.
I filled up with Optimax on the way back, the car seems to have used about an 1/8 of a tank less than on the way up.

The strange thing being that I paid the same for Optimax in the midlands as I pay for UL down south.

That's not fair, took me half a tank to go to the midlands meet, and that's closer

Dom

Yeoman · Dec 23rd, 2002, 09:02 AM

1/2 a tank from swindon to the midlands

That seems heavy. What sort of MPG are you getting?

CurtP · Dec 23rd, 2002, 09:09 AM

Here's a quick and dirty: Octane

Dom · Dec 23rd, 2002, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yeoman
1/2 a tank from swindon to the midlands

That seems heavy. What sort of MPG are you getting?

Well, I was getting around 20mpg, but since I've got a new exhaust, it's shot up to 36!

MPG has always been better with optimax.

rich · Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:09 AM

From what I've read, there are tangible long-term benefits with Optimax as well as mild performance gains

It contains additives that "clean" the engine

Evo mag did a long term test in 3 different cars that substantiated this

Dec 22nd, 2002, 05:42 PM	#1
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Shell Optimax - why all the fuss? I keep hearing about people using Shell Optimax. What's so good about it and does it really enhance performance? 260909

Dec 23rd, 2002, 04:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Go for Shell Optimax opposed to other "branded" super unleaded as a it's the highest octaine available (just under 99ron) and it's much cheaper From my experience performance and fuel economy are improved and besides it's a performance car and should be fed on high octaine fuel MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 10,745 Offline	I was wondering whether it was just a higher octane or whether there are any special additives they use. 99 is pretty good - I think most SUL is 98. If this is the highest octane available AND its cheaper than 'other' SUL then I guess it's a no-brainer. I wonder whether the difference would be negligible if you were to use say Esso or BP SUL as opposed to Optimax. 260909

Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Yeoman The strange thing being that I paid the same for Optimax in the midlands as I pay for UL down south. You have to watch out for the pricing of Optimax. The garage near me (Ickenham) puts a 4p per litre premium on UL but the Shell garage in Pinner puts a 5p premium shamster you do need to be aware of that... MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Quote: The garage near me (Ickenham) puts a 4p per litre premium on UL but the Shell garage in Pinner puts a 5p premium Which ones? - I assume the Pinner one is on Pinner Green. It sounds like Optimax is the same price as other companies' SUL but with a difference - it appears to burn marginally less fuel. That would indicate that it's probably the one to go with.If anyone has any technical info available that directly compares Optimax with others on a performance and cost basis I would be interested to know. But what about all the clubcard points I lose from using the Tesco pumps? 260909

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Dec 22nd, 2002, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dom Test thread infiltrator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Swindon Local Time: 10:14 PM Posts: 8,420 Offline	Higher octane (i.e more oxygen bits in it which burns better, or more, can't remember which). It's also got good detergent type stuff in it. Most users will see an increase in power I believe, and most see an increase in MPG too.. Just an opinion from an optimax user Dom

Dec 22nd, 2002, 06:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chris Williams MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cheshire Local Time: 10:14 PM Posts: 785 Offline	Have done just over 3,000 miles in 2 months and have found that using Shell in comparison to say Total has improved MPG and the car seems to have a little more go...mind you that could just be as the car continues to loosen. Regards Christopher

Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
Yeoman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wiltshire Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 13 Offline	Just done a run to Birmingham and back. I filled up with Optimax on the way back, the car seems to have used about an 1/8 of a tank less than on the way up. The strange thing being that I paid the same for Optimax in the midlands as I pay for UL down south.

Dec 23rd, 2002, 06:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by shamster Which ones? - I assume the Pinner one is on Pinner Green. But what about all the clubcard points I lose from using the Tesco pumps? The one next to the Tescos Don't ever use "unbranded" fuel in your MCS. Mine did not like Asda petrol at all BP SUL is about 8p per litre more the UL when I had no option but to use them So shopping around is a good idea MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Dec 23rd, 2002, 07:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
disdis MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 07:14 AM Posts: 294 Offline	doesnt optimax makes the exhaust gets darker quicker?? i m not sure myself, but i use Mobil syn 8000

Dec 23rd, 2002, 07:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 10,745 Offline	Quote: doesnt optimax makes the exhaust gets darker quicker?? dark exhaust? Isn't a grey exhaust the 'healthiest'? I thought black or very dark signified over-rich combustion? 260909

Dec 23rd, 2002, 07:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 13,666 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by disdis doesnt optimax makes the exhaust gets darker quicker?? Definately not. On my Cooper I was running regular UL for quite some time before swaping to Optimax and the carbon build up is significantly less. So much so I rarely need to clean deposits off my exhaust. All I need to do is to buff up the chrome. MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Dec 23rd, 2002, 08:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
Dom Test thread infiltrator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Swindon Local Time: 10:14 PM Posts: 8,420 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Yeoman Just done a run to Birmingham and back. I filled up with Optimax on the way back, the car seems to have used about an 1/8 of a tank less than on the way up. The strange thing being that I paid the same for Optimax in the midlands as I pay for UL down south. That's not fair, took me half a tank to go to the midlands meet, and that's closer Dom

Dec 23rd, 2002, 09:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
Yeoman MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wiltshire Local Time: 09:14 PM Posts: 13 Offline	1/2 a tank from swindon to the midlands That seems heavy. What sort of MPG are you getting?

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Dec 23rd, 2002, 09:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
CurtP MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 05:14 PM Posts: 951 Offline	Here's a quick and dirty: Octane

Dec 23rd, 2002, 09:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
Dom Test thread infiltrator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Swindon Local Time: 10:14 PM Posts: 8,420 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Yeoman 1/2 a tank from swindon to the midlands That seems heavy. What sort of MPG are you getting? Well, I was getting around 20mpg, but since I've got a new exhaust, it's shot up to 36! MPG has always been better with optimax.

Dec 23rd, 2002, 10:09 AM	#17 (permalink)
rich MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Local Time: 07:14 AM Posts: 1,586 Offline	From what I've read, there are tangible long-term benefits with Optimax as well as mild performance gains It contains additives that "clean" the engine Evo mag did a long term test in 3 different cars that substantiated this Cooper S, Jet Black w/ white roof, silver 16" X-Lite wheels, DSC, MFSW, dark tinted windows ...It's here & I love it!

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