[Desertraptor]

When I first purchase my car I was putting RON 95/98 into it. Then I discovered the book says 91. So I investigated the different fuels available here and what was what.
I found a report by motoring Australia that said there was no benefit to using 95/98 unless the engine was built to use it. So I used it. One maybe 2 tanks and I started having low speed stuttering. I put injector cleaner in. Not much better.
Next tank I went for the good stuff. Shell V Power. So far the stutter has gone and the car runs sweet again.

Last week I also did the ECU rest. Driving was not much better until I put in the V power on a near empty tank.

So I have a question. What fuels are sold in Germany for BMW to say RON91 is ok. Is their RON91 a better brew than what we have?

Thoughts, evidence?

[bradsm87]

I personally don't run 91 in anything.

What car is it?

[Trev88]

From my limited knowledge the numbers shows the octane level of the fuel. higher octane numbers means higher combustion ability. From experience always go with the premium quality fuel (e.g. V power, Mobil, Castrol) as it drives a lot nicer as it gives better response.

[DaveSA]

I use BP Ultimate. Find it runs better than Shell V, but that could be just imagination playing tricks. Both are 98.

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by Trev88

From my limited knowledge the numbers shows the octane level of the fuel. higher octane numbers means higher combustion ability. From experience always go with the premium quality fuel (e.g. V power, Mobil, Castrol) as it drives a lot nicer as it gives better response.

Not quite what the higher number mean my friend. The higher number is the resistance to detonation. In simple terms, the lower number the less stable the fuel is. Less stable more violent. The higher number fuels are able to be compressed more before detonation allowing the timing to be more advanced to make more power if the engine control can do it.

I have read of a few of you from "Down Under" having the same issues with 91 rated fuel and I do believe that your fuel may in fact be different than European and US fuels. In my 335i (when not running the 95 octane tune), my wife's 328i and my 118i I get better power and more miles to the gallon when running 91 (German 95 aki) fuel over the German 95 (98 aki) fuel. Since Germany mandated ethanol mixed into all of their fuel I have actually lost about 3-4mpg in all of my cars as well.
Bottom line, not all countrie's fuel is created equal. Run the lowest octane that your car can run before performance and efficiency starts to reduce, anything over that is a waste if your not running a tune to take advantage of it.

[Desertraptor]

Originally Posted by Trev88

From my limited knowledge the numbers shows the octane level of the fuel. higher octane numbers means higher combustion ability. From experience always go with the premium quality fuel (e.g. V power, Mobil, Castrol) as it drives a lot nicer as it gives better response.

The report I read says RON has nothing to do with performance unless an engine is a high compression engine. Higher the RON the better the fuels ability to not pre ignite before it's suppose too. At least that was what the report said. Otherwise it says the higher RON fuels don't have as much sulphides.

Tonight I looked up fuels in Germany. Nothing under RON95.

Or what David said.

[Desertraptor]

Originally Posted by DaveSA

I use BP Ultimate. Find it runs better than Shell V, but that could be just imagination playing tricks. Both are 98.

I don't do OTR and not many BP left that are not. Criminals IMO.

[Mayuri Krab]

The main difference besides the resistance to knocking (premature detonation) with higher ron fuel (in Australia at least) is the difderence in sulphur content.

Aussie fuel have higher sulphur compared to euro, maximum allowed is 150ppm sulphur for ron 91 and 50ppm for 95/98.

I read somewhere in Europe their sulphur content is much lower (at 10ppm or something) for their "premium fuels"

Many euro cars don't handle high sulphur content of our 91ron fuel (not due to the lower ron) well and i think this is what is causing your issues.

Source: info i got from other automotive forums from a guy who's a fuel tank driver.

[DaveSA]

Originally Posted by Desertraptor

I don't do OTR and not many BP left that are not. Criminals IMO.

Fortunately up my way (rural SA) there are two BP's. One is OTR, the other isn't. I support local and use the latter.

[DaveSA]

Originally Posted by Mayuri Krab

Aussie fuel have higher sulphur compared to euro, maximum allowed is 150ppm sulphur for ron 91 and 50ppm for 95/98.

Learn a new thing everyday.
So that's why I smell that rotten egg like gas from cars etc using 91 Octane. Thanks for adding that info

[Ken Oath]

The main differences between gasoline standards of Europe and Australia is sulphur, aromatics and the appearance (colour). Australia has a minimum 91 RON and the EU EN228 has 95 RON as a minimum although member states can continue to market 91 RON.

91 RON ULP is a minimum not a maximum so it can vary from batch to batch. Slops are sent back to the refinery for reprocessing and can alter the composition. Australia has a stringent fuel standards act.

Vehicles calibrated to meet European emission standards and operate on higher sulphur fuels, such as 150ppm, may have an increase in fuel consumption because of the catalyst being deactivated and require regeneration. However the reduction would be so insignificant it would not be discernible.

BMW recommended to the Australian government in the vehicle emissions submission (2016) that fuel quality be aligned with EURO 6 with a minimum 95 RON and sulphur content of 10ppm.

For reference you can read Hart report on fuel quality.

[Desertraptor]

the government is supposed to be phasing out RON91 (ULP) this year. Hopefully it will translate to lower pricing too!

[Ken Oath]

Originally Posted by Desertraptor

the government is supposed to be phasing out RON91 (ULP) this year. Hopefully it will translate to lower pricing too!

The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 have a sunset of 2019.
The alternative policy was to be analysed and costed in 2017.

Of the five suggested options the Australian government has not placed a time frame of any,if any, phase out of 91 RON.

Pricing will be affected as refinery technology will have to be implemented.
Like all businesses that cost will not be absorbed by the company.


Read the Better fuel for cleaner air discussion paper.

[Aus335iguy]

The price will not go down. Ever. Aus335iguy jan 2018


Quote me in a few years

[bradsm87]

The phone version doesn't show user info but now I'm on a computer and see you have a 325i.

Run 95 RON /thread

[Desertraptor]

I'm on 98 atm and it's running sweet.
The manual needs an update if Australian RON 91 is as crap as it sounds.
So much for Australia having hi standards

[e36mmm]

Last time I bought 91 ron was about 15 years ago. I've stayed away bp petrol stations to go along with it. I either top up from Mobil or Shell for 98 ron.

[Desertraptor]

Lesson learned. I had tried 95/98 in other cars and saw no benefit. In a BMW it certainly seems to make a difference. So far my stutter has not reappeared with V Power