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Shell Optimax : Your Views

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Old 04 September 2001, 12:12 AM
  #1  
mutant_matt
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Talking

Car is deff. smoother , pulls slightly harder and seems to be returning a couple of mpg better fuel economy (but I'm waiting for more tanks to pass through for a "proper" average before I state that as a "fact" ).

Matt
Old 04 September 2001, 11:38 AM
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Gazza_W
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Hello All

I have started using this new stuff for a week on my Impreza Catalunya 1997 and I am pretty impressed by it.
I have notice the car feels a lot smoother and feels quicker too at all revs.
Haven't done an ECU reset yet either, should I bother doing it ??

The price of the Optimax stuff is 79.9p/Litre here. Normally I use the BP Super Unleaded at 84.9p/Litre.

Cheers

Gary

[This message has been edited by Gazza_W (edited 04 September 2001).]
Old 04 September 2001, 11:57 AM
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Nimbus
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OK, I'll add my tupence worth...

I'm on my second tank for my MY95 UK and I think it has improved things. The engine sounds quieter and smoother and seems to pull better. I don't know how objective this is, I've no data to back it up, it's just my impression. Only problem at the mo is where to find it

Not done the ECU reset either so was supprised by the apparent improvments. I'll try this when I have some time (maybe after the next fill up).

Old 04 September 2001, 01:35 PM
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SeanG
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I usually run my MY00 on NUL. I filled up from near empty with Optimax and drove none-stop from Kent to Hull using the whole tank (275 miles). Seemed very smooth with a little more power. I then filled up with Shell SUL as they didn't yet have Optimax at the garage I used. Immediately seemed very sluggish and noisy (even noticed by my wife who was the passenger). Picked up after about 100 miles as the ECU 'learned'. Upon getting back to Kent I filled up again with Optimax from empty and again all is smooth and powerful.
This stuff IMO is great.

Sean
Old 04 September 2001, 01:44 PM
  #5  
brickboy
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Just about finished running my first tank through now, having done a few "adaptation" runs. Things I've noticed: seems to be livelier starting -- it now "bursts" into life hot or cold whereas before it would sometimes cough, clear its throat and have a think about it (I never touch the throttle when starting).

Seems to pull smoother at all rpm, and seems to hit a little bit harder when going on boost. Will be testing in-gear acceleration tonight on my usual test-strip to see if the stopwatch matches up to the gut feel. Anyway, a penny cheaper here than SUL so I ain't complaining anyway!

By the way, saw on an Audi forum a post from a bloke who supposedly knows someone in Shell research. It said Shell rate it as 98.4 to 98.6 RON.
Old 04 September 2001, 01:45 PM
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Pete_UK99
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I've got a UK300 and I was told that if I wanted to use a higher RON then 95 then I should call in and they'll adjust the engine. I'm assuming they're talking about the ECU. He also said that if I do, do this then I should stick to 98Rron fuel because the car doesn't like to keep swapping. I'm in two minds of what to do. Will the extra 15bhp I'll get make a noticable difference. If so how many garages have this new fuel installed. Excuse me for not making new thread.
Old 04 September 2001, 01:51 PM
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SDB
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I'm only on my second tank full, but have already noticed a difference.

again, smoothness and slight torquey power increase (particularly low down).

Also fuel economy seems substantially improved (haven't measured yet though).

And it's less expensive!

Cheers

Simon
(98 STi Type R)
Old 04 September 2001, 01:53 PM
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Tiggs
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pete,

i sopke with mike wood about shell and he said the car will be better with it, end of story. didn't say anything about resets, etc.

Tiggs

ps- i have ppp which i assume u have too and the comments from mike where ref. ppp.
Old 04 September 2001, 01:55 PM
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Steve Clements
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Still on my first tankful at the moment in my 96 WRX, but there's a definite improvement in performance. It seems more responsive at lower revs and pulls a lot harder through the gears. Haven't done an ecu reset. Anyone tried it with octane booster???
Old 04 September 2001, 01:55 PM
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brickboy
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PeteUK99 -- check
Old 04 September 2001, 02:30 PM
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BarryK
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Pete, did they mention a charge for this "tweak".

Filled up from near empty in Lincolnshire on Sunday and wife drove home.
I used the car today (MY01 UK std WRX wagon) and without wishing to appear a total anorak (arrghh too late) over the roads I am used to every day, I felt the engine had a more "keen" feel to it, especially at lower revs. I hope to God this stuff isn't doing any damage!
Old 04 September 2001, 02:34 PM
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BarryK
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Ha ha ha, check out the availability page on the Shell site and look under "Manchester".

Whoo hoo, some Southern shandy drinking numpty has filled it in I think.
Old 04 September 2001, 03:12 PM
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TelBoy
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I've been using Optimax and Millers Octane Booster for about two weeks now.
Everything everybody has so far mentioned is true - pulls harder, smoother, more exhaust "pops" and so on.
So far, no problems at all, unless someone wants to tell me running on approx 101 RON is going to be detrimental long term..?

Terry
Old 04 September 2001, 03:45 PM
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john banks
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None in Scotland until 2002!
Old 04 September 2001, 03:48 PM
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Pete_UK99
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ps- i have ppp which i assume u have too and the comments from mike where ref. ppp.[/B][/QUOTE]

Cheers for that Tiggs, and yes my car is PPP'd. I was just wondering what the difference would be from 95Ron. I assume most people have been using 97 so if you're seeing a difference from that will I see an even bigger difference. It's meant to go from 230BHP to 245BHP.
Old 04 September 2001, 03:49 PM
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ScoobySnack
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Shell in Bracknell oppisite John Nike Centre has it in its tanks now....but still has SUL label on the pumps....

hmmmmm goes like a rocket

J
Old 04 September 2001, 03:53 PM
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Pete_UK99
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by brickboy:
<B>PeteUK99 -- check
Old 04 September 2001, 03:55 PM
  #18  
Pete_UK99
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by BarryK:
[B]Pete, did they mention a charge for this "tweak".

They didn't mention any costs, but then again I didn't ask. Why do you know if they do?
Old 04 September 2001, 04:21 PM
  #19  
Silent Monkey
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Pete_UK99:
<B>
They didn't mention any costs, but then again I didn't ask. Why do you know if they do?[/quote]

I think you missed the in BarryK's question. The MY01 ECU is allegedly far more intelligent than earlier models and there should be no need for a dealer to do anything to it. I doubt if there is anything they could do.

I've run my MY01 on SUL since new (6500 miles) have done the last 3-400 on Optimax and there definitely seems to be an improvement, especially seems to pick up better from lower revs in 2nd.

Barry


Old 04 September 2001, 05:12 PM
  #20  
TopCat
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I agree with all the above, better idle, smoother run/cruise, low down punch, better spool up of turbo, knock link does not even hit caution at very high rev's as it did sometimes with 97 (mainly BP), better miles. No ecu reset. Goes like stink with NF booster!!!

I think I will get my link mapped for 98 ron know....is that OK BOB RAWLE??

Moe

PS sounds so good you good drink the ****!
Old 04 September 2001, 05:57 PM
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john&nicci
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Angry

Just called Shell.
Southampton 18th sept.
Bristol 17th sept.
john
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