[gazah]

now this is probably most relevant to aussies [because our regular fuels are crap!], but input from those abroad is MOST welcome also!

i know this has been covered in bits & pieces, but i thought it good to get a consolidated update of what people are using & any other recent experiences of note!

comments on performance, economy & anything else you can think of for fuels you've used or are using of late would be most appreciated...

hit the poll for your favourite!

cheers

.g

some links...

BP Ultimate
http://www.bp.com.au/products/fuels/...e/ultimate.asp

Shell Optimax
http://www.shell.com.au/optimax/

Caltex Vortex Gold
http://www.caltex.com.au/products_oil_detail.asp?id=15

Mobil Synergy 8000
http://www.mobil.com.au/mobil/mn_mob...cts.asp# 8000

[swamos]

I use ultimate. The reason is that I get it from a large high volume servo, and it is usually 2c per litre cheaper than optimax.

I don't believe there is much or any difference between the 98RON fuels. However it is very important to go to a high volume servo, as the ingredients are volitile, and evaporate quickly. Freshness is the key

If I'm stuck I'll use the caltex stuff, but it's only 95/96RON, so I prefer the others.

[gazah]

i read through your posts in earlier discussions regarding fuel volatility etc... interesting stuff! incidentally, when you say to watch how long you keep it in your tank, what's the max time [ideally that is!] between refills for you?

i'm probably gonna look @ getting an account/card with the servo i select, just to help keep a record of refills etc!

where's everybody else's votes?

l8r

.g

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by gazah
i read through your posts in earlier discussions regarding fuel volatility etc... interesting stuff! incidentally, when you say to watch how long you keep it in your tank, what's the max time [ideally that is!] between refills for you?

l8r

.g

Trust me, you won't have to worry about fuel getting old in the tank of your MINI. That is only a consideration for people that own classic sports cars that only get driven occasionally. IE, don't fill up on the way home from a club meet, fill up just before the next meeting.

However, it is possible for fuel to sit in a servo tank for a number of weeks if it is a low volume one...

[minimc]

Sunoco Ultra 94 is best we can do here - that is unless one has access to race fuel.

[jasemini]

Quote:

Originally posted by swamos
I use ultimate. The reason is that I get it from a large high volume servo, and it is usually 2c per litre cheaper than optimax.

But what's the go with Ethanol in BP & Caltex fuels? Does BP ultimate contain ethanol? I've seen stickers on the pump saying that some BP fuels contain it. I used to use BP Ultimate almost religously in my Mazda and until about the 3rd fill in my MINI I stopped due to the Ethanol debarcle. Now I only use Optimax as it has no ethanol, it's expensive but the diffence could only be $5.00 maximum per tank, it's a small price to pay for the extra zing.

By the way I only put Evian in my washer resivour too!

Jase

[gazah]

s'pose you'd have to confirm with BP directly for the latest update, but their site says ethanol mix is only on trial in a limited number of servos in brisbane...

http://www.bp.com.au/news_informatio..._assurance.asp

jase - forgetting the ethanol thing, how do you find the comparison between BP Ultimate & Shell Optimax?? would you go back to the Ultimate if there was definitely no ethanol in it??

.g

[jasemini]

Quote:

Originally posted by gazah
forgetting the ethanol thing, how do you find the comparison between BP Ultimate & Shell Optimax?? would you go back to the Ultimate if there was definitely no ethanol in it??

.g

I used to be quite impressed with BP Ultimate, it made a noticeable difference in performance in my 2litre 626. In the MINI though it's too hard to pick, the Cooper S is a performance car with loads of power on tap so I don't notice any difference between the two fuels. I guess if BP guaranteed that no ethanol was in BP Ultimate I might switch back based on cost but the difference is only 2c/L that's about $1.00 per tank, I'm not that tight. But I was brand loyal to BP for years because my Grandfather filled up at only BP religously then one day on holiday he used another brand of fuel and bang, his little Corolla played up like all buggery. It's probably a psychological thing but I try to use one brand consistantly, currently it's Shell Optimax in my little red rooster.

Cheers

Jase

[FLiPSiDE]

i voted for BP ultimate cause its whats in my car ATM, but i also use Optimax.. just depends which station im driving past at the time.. which is the better 98ron fuel has already been debated enuff.. and i wont bore u all with it again.. in the end i think its just a personal preference

[eltel]

I only use Mobil 8000, and usually from the same petrol station, which is a high volume one.

I'm not too worried about the odd cent or two (or five) in price differences from brand to brand, but I know that my exhaust is a lot cleaner than Optimax users.

Regards, ElTel

[CooPz]

I was told that only Shell optimax was "additive" free. so I use that mostly and BP when I am on the highway as the Super American sized mega gas-o-marts, you know the ones, you mistake them for small airports at first. BP British born and bred.

[IML337]

I use BP Ultimate, for a few reasons.

*I tested all the fules in my Audi and went thru all these discussions with the Audi crowd and we all agreed that BP Ultimate was the one to buy.

*I only have a BP Fuel card

*I know where most of the large volume BP's are because I've had BP cards for the last three years

Most of the other fuels are good, but I do tend to steer away from Optimax.

I've heard so many stories about this and that and "the tanker drivers sometimes leave without putting in the premium additives" and blah blah blah, that I let the external factors above influence my decision and I'm happy

Cheers,
Tim

[gazah]

was waiting on your input, mainly 'cause we're in the same locale!

i'll probably go BP myself [when possible]... which servos do you frequent [ie. ones with decent turnover etc] around the baulkham hills / north rocks way?

also, i presume you have a work card... but if not, does it cost anything to have? the site doesn't mention a cost, but little is free in this world!

cheers

.g

[AussieMini]

I use BP Ultimate because the guy at the local BP always compliments my MINI. He's won me.

Little do I know he probably compliments all his customer's cars. Like "Nice Excel buddy" or "Hot looking Lada mate," or "I love what you've done to your P76."

Now I am paranoid.

But seriously, I try to steer clear of Maa and Pa fuel stations.

One because not many carry hi octane fuel, and two, I once fueled up at a staion at Bulimba in Brisbane owned by an old couple and my car (at the time) coughed and spluttered through the whole tank. Must of had water or something in it.

[gazah]

let's 'em know what's about to hit in the rear-view... then leaves them confused as you pull away!



.g

[Smurfn]

I've mainly used Shell Optimax, just because the station is close to home. But I have also used BP Ultimate on several occasions as there is a station near work. I hadn't really noticed a difference until the last tank (BP), now it seems to take a little longer to start and idling a bit rough until it is warmed up. Maybe I am just imagining it.

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by AussieMini
I use BP Ultimate because the guy at the local BP always compliments my MINI. He's won me.

Maybe he fancies you mate Maybe it's only the cute ones he complements

[JugMan]

I've heard that Optimax has "Upper Cylinder Lubricant" (UCL) already in the fuel.

A friend of the family has old Valiants in mint condition, and he used to use Premium Unleaded and add the UCL himself which was very expensive. He since switched to using Optimax.

Anybody got any details about what addins are in the other "premium" fuels?

Cheers,

Jug

[IML337]

Quote:

Originally posted by gazah
was waiting on your input, mainly 'cause we're in the same locale!

i'll probably go BP myself [when possible]... which servos do you frequent [ie. ones with decent turnover etc] around the baulkham hills / north rocks way?

also, i presume you have a work card... but if not, does it cost anything to have? the site doesn't mention a cost, but little is free in this world!

cheers

.g

The only place I buy fuel near home is the BP on Abbott Rd just past the end of the M2.

The BP on Windsor Rd in Kellyville is OK - been there once or twice.

Though I usually buy it on the way home from the office at the BP on Epping Rd Lane Cove opposite the motorbike shop.

Having said that, I just realised there's a new BP on Old Windsor Rd in the Norwest estate. That would be another good one I guess...

Quote:

because the guy at the local BP always compliments my MINI

The guy at Lane Cove BP loves my S... Mind you for three years he commented on about my beautiful shiny red audi - and most of the time it was filthy, so who knows whats going on?

[erichui]

i use BP mostly since its so close to my house.
and cost is about the same as optimax.
i do like BP better as it feels a bit smoother.
i fill in the Paramatta Road Ashfield branch.
i guess its pretty goood since there seems to be a lot of people and it is 1 of the newer ones.
used to use optimax on other car (a BMW 3 series)
and after using optimax a while for some reason the fuel gauge didn't indicate properly, after every refill i will be 1/8 from full tank. after switch to BP the problem just goes away, and my brother said to me that his friends has some problems with it too.
duno what it is about tho..