New that we have has chance to try it for a while what do people think of it.

I tried it when it first came out round my way. I thought the engine was smoother, but that could have been psycological becuase I heard all the things that it is supposed to do. I used it for a few months but then went back to Unleaded, and didnt think that there was any difference.

But today, I filled up with Optimax(£43), and after about 3 or 4 miles I was thinking that my car was running very smooth and well. But I forgot that I had just put Optimax in and it was only a few mins later when I though it could be that.

 

What are your views? What do you think about it? Notice any differences?

 

Stuart

Down here on the Isle of Wight there is no Optimax but I do notice a difference, albeit subtle, between the Unleaded and Super Unleaded.

However I'm like you Stu, when Im on the mainland (England if u like ) I use Optimax and find the car smoother, more responsive, no not more responsive just less likely to 'ahem' chug.. hard to define the difference just that there is one. What that difference is I cant put my finger on, but I for one would always feed my Zed the 'max if it was available down ere!!

 

 

 

------------------

Glen

:)

I haven't noticed any difference whatsoever, except that it does an extra mile or so to the gallon. Haven't worked out whether it's worth the additional cost though. I normally use straight unleaded (not super) with no probs at all.

Well since i dotn run anything other than super unleaded (as i tink you all should)

It definatly makes a difference in my car, it is very noticible.

This is very interesting and timely.

 

I have wondered for a while if the benefits of Optimax were that great.

 

Last weekend I had to travel to Halifax, Yorkshire from Ashford, Kent, a round trip of almost exactly 600miles.

 

I hadn't planned to but I filled the Zed up with UL from my local Tesco as I set off, and then filled the tank with Optimax in Halifax for the journey home.

 

Both legs of the journey used just about a whole tank (between 4th quarter and empty on the guage), so thought this a good comparison.

 

I keep a very accurate record of all Zed expenses inc. fuel so I have some comparable figures.

 

The trip to Halifax took 5hrs 20mins and returned 23.80mpg for 297miles on superstore UL. The return trip took 4hrs 15mins, returned 23.99mpg over 291miles.

 

The return was obviously faster at an average of 68.47mph as opposed to 55.68mph. With almost exactly the same mpg.

 

You can draw your own conclusions, is the zed more fuel efficient at 68mph or does the Optimax return better mpg?

 

Comments?

 

Tim

But surely you would use Optimax for its 98 octane rating and not purely for better fuel mileage, which is incidental?

he he we agree on something for once japcar.

I only use Optimax for its octane rating the fact that i do find it better in economy (which it is for me at least) is a bonus and it is cheaper at my local shell than the BP by about 6 p per litre.

 

But then maby some people have different priorities. I know i dont use my car much so its not a major issue for me. But then others might need to use it on long journeys.

The point I was making is that there have been various claims and summations that Optimax offers better fuel economy and improved performance, I thought that my experiences might offer food for thought, on the fuel consumption issue.

 

The bottom line is is it worth 4p per litre more? An additional cost, on an average fill up (55ltrs), of £2.20, or £224.40 per annum.

 

My conclusion is that I agree with Warren and japcar and will only be using Optimax for the higher octane rating when required, and not as a regular fuel.

 

Tim

I use Optimax whenever i can, as it benefits me all round.

 

I consistently get 30+ more miles per tank on optimax than anything else.

 

Even just doing the maths on that means the extra few pence per litre work out cheaper overall, and that's just on one tank!

 

Performance and engine longevity benefits are added bonuses.

 

Oh yes, and hello all. I have been following the board for a few months, just getting to know the people and styles before plunging in.

 

Been a bit messy lately, which is a shame, but i don't think i've been here long enough to put my views in, so i won't.

 

AM

Firstly welcome to the forum, don't be afraid to jump in, we're, mostly, friendly

 

I was just doing the maths on your figures.

 

If we assume that Optimax is 72.9 and UL 68.9 per litre. Then on 55 ltrs Optimax is £2.20 more expensive than Superstore UL.

 

For an additional 30 miles on UL will cost you £3.92 assuming 5.28mpl (23.99mpg).

 

So: Optimax is cheaper, and may well offer better performance and cleaning properties.

 

Tim

 

[This message has been edited by TT Tim (edited 08-01-2002).]

Originally posted by TT Tim:

Firstly welcome to the forum, don't be afraid to jump in, we're, mostly, friendly

 

I was just doing the maths on your figures.

 

If we assume that Optimax is 72.9 and UL 68.9 per litre. Then on 55 ltrs Optimax is £2.20 more expensive than Superstore UL.

 

For an additional 30 miles on UL will cost you £2.06 assuming 5.28mpl (23.99mpg).

 

So: Optimax is still more expensive, but, it may well offer better performance and cleaning properties.

 

Tim

 

Thanks for the welcome.

 

Can i just ask about your calculations here ?

you say

"If we assume that Optimax is 72.9 and UL 68.9 per litre. Then on 55 ltrs Optimax is £2.20 more expensive than Superstore UL.

 

For an additional 30 miles on UL will cost you £2.06 assuming 5.28mpl (23.99mpg)."

 

1 gallon is about 4.5 litres. 4.5 * 68.9 = £3.10

And you would need 1.25 gallons for 30 miles per your calculations at 24mpg.

 

£3.87 for 30 miles.

 

You're quite right, maths was never my strong subject

 

I make it that on a tank, assuming that you get 30 miles more you will save £1.70, over 55ltrs.

 

Tim

 

I found it does do few more miles to the gallon.

But more importantly, I think the car likes it too much, cos when I put normal unleaded in the other week it was detonating something cronic. Optimax sorts this out a treat.

DEFO improvement using optimax i even travel 9 miles to fill up at nearest dealer.

Interesting to see where this is heading because when I was speaking to Johnny the other day, one of his mates had been setting up a car (Skyline/Evo - can't remember) and it was detonating really badly and generally not running right, until they replaced the Optimax with super unleaded. They recomended never using Optimax.

Yeah that is interesting because my detting goes away when i use optimax lol.

 

I tried Super for a few months, and didnt notice any difference. It wasnt smoother, if anything it was worse, no more power and I didnt get any more to the gallon. Wasnt worth the extra 8-9p a litre extra

same here warren pinking dissapears when using optimax.

Yep, same here. Optimax cures my Superchip induced pinking!

Optimax cured my pinking for the first 3 tankfuls, now it's back just like before. So it's back to UL for the next load and check any difference!!

Wots the difference between optimax and super unleaded?.