Matt_Turbo_2000

Is it worth using optimax or BP ultimate in my standard impreza turbo (apart from stainless backbox and panel filter) or is normal unleaded good enough? If it is worth using super does it make much difference? My car is V-reg turbo 2000 model.

AudiMan

Makes a whole lot of difference to mine, runs smoother, pulls better, really notice the differnece when I put normal in.
MY00 Turbo, WR sport BB, otherwise std.

Ian.

NACRO

you should always use SUL in your car.

Sonic74f

Your car deserves better fuel than ordinary unleaded and if you go down the decat route you may notice some det if using 95ron. For me its more a peace of mind but it does seem to run that bit better on SUL or equivalent.

Stonkin

I've also always wondered this, i have a turbo 2000 (uk) w reg, see lots of mails about fueling for imports but wondered if it was worth me paying the extra for a better fuel, mine also just has uprated panel filter, centre and backbox modified. For what it would cost extra would i see much less miles per fillup for my money, or maybe more? Also if i suddenly did want to try this, ovbviously it needs to be done on an empty tank but would an ecu reset have to be done? (standard ecu)

jerseyscoob

Always use super unleaed in my classic my00 turbo.
Smooth as with no running issues.

Mark

WR1

Always used SUL in my MY98. The one time I used "supermarket" fuel when I couldn't get any SUL I had problems with acceleration. Would start to rev then just drop totally, real stop start effect. Refilled with SUL, got the ECU reset and the problem went away. Was better immediately but took a few drives to completely cure. I thought I had fcuked the car up at first but never a problem since and I have never put "supermarket" fuel in again.

MarksWRX

When I first got my MY01 WRX I used SUL. Then Optimax came on the market so I switched to that and found not only was the car more responsive but I got better mpg. So its a no brainer, use Optimax.

Mark

wrxmania

Optimax gives better economy and is much smoother every time. The difference in price may be 4 or 5 p per litre which for £30 worth of fuel is about £2 extra, but you probably get that back in economy.

Using cheapo fuel with a reduced Octane level like standard UL is a total no brainer really. Fair enough on a 1.2 8v corsa but not on an Impreza.

Stick with Optimax (or BP Ultimate if you must),

Brian.

WR1

I assume most people are talking Optimax/Ultimate when they refer to SUL. All the garages round by me don't market SUL anymore, it's either Optimax or Ultimate anyway. Is that not the same for others???

scoobyverysoon

iTrader: (1)

on the inside of the fuel flap dosent it say super unleaded only!!!

its a performance car so feed it the good stuff (Optimax) plus you get a free pack of top trump cards with every fill up

Jud

navigator

i use optimax: but when safeway's offer 20p /litre off std fuel i do succumb to the dark side. I do notice a difference but not 60 litres x 20p off difference.
I'll get me coat!

mutant_matt

It can run on 95RON but it has low and high octane maps so you will get better performance using a higher octane fuel (Optimax is best) and often, better economy to go with it.

Matt

misty

Optimax m8! nothing less will do for me!
dave

MJW

I only ever use Optimax, as recommended by Prodrive (my car is PPP'd). It's for engine safety more than anything else as it inhibits detonation and the dreaded piston slap.
I think if your car is pre-97 you have to re-set the ECU if you switch to higher octane fuel. Later cars' ECUs adapt automatically AFAIK.

ScoobyDoo555

Just been to look at my MY99 fuel cap.......

It says "Use Sper Unleaded Gasoline only".



Pretty self-explanitory me thinks

Dan

SiDHEaD

As my warranty is coming to an end i am going to start using Optimax (especially as optimax arrived at the garage behind my house, recently). I want to avoid det now i will be responsible for the engine. I guess it also means i will have to drive sensibly

I've tried it before but got a lot worse economy, tho i'm sure it sounds louder. Here's to even higher commuting costs

Andy

MarksWRX

Why?


When I switched from SUL to Optimax I got about 25/30 more miles per tankful.

Mark

2000TLondon

I was told Optimax was 98ron over SUL 97ron, apparenlty this is quoted on Shell website.

Reading through this thread, don't understand the thinking with using 95ron to save a couple of quid, when people are driving around in high-performance, expensive cars that can cost a fortune to maintain, run and insure, where does saving £2 a tank come into it, even if difference in performance is marginal?

Is there not a case for just buying a diesel, or a mountain bike?

IanA

Used normal unleaded at first. Used to cost me £13.50 for one of my regular journeys, then I saw the bit on the petrol cap about SUL and started using that. The same journey then cost £11.50 Optimax station at either end. Doing a steady 70 for both trips.

Not scientific, but it convinced me, though I use the performance more than the economy :-)

Is it true that you can reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery overnight?

sti-04!!

I got my MY04 sti on the 1st march (well 29th feb with trade plates) as soon as it hit 12am on the 1st i was out filling it up with optimax its the only fuel for me, i also says on my fuel cap 98ron fuel only !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No crap for me sorry

sti-04!!

SiDHEaD

Cos i wont have warranty.. i've gotta be gentle on it now - and feed it optimax!

Andy

MarksWRX

Why not take out the extra 2 years warranty if your that worried. Mine has just come out of its 3 year warranty and rather than pay for more I have fitted a SS full decat and had an Ecutek remap. (cant get that smile off my face all over again)

SiDHEaD

It's the extended one that's just run out

Andy

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

UK MY97 says "use 95RON"

any standard UK (NOT IMPORT or PPP etc.) car will run on 95 (as part of the type approval regulations) . But benefits from higher octane.

Just don't keep switching from one grade to another...choose one and stick to it - especially if you keep doing ECU resets as potentially you can induce engine knock everytime you reset or change to a lower grade.

pslewis

Sainsburys SUL does it for me - and at 72p/Litre it certainly IS a no-brainer!

Superb petrol in my opinion - supermarket NUL is death to an Impreza!

NUL = 20mpg
SUL = 25mpg

Not only is it smoother and better for the engine its a no-cost option!

Don't EVER think NUL is ok for these cars - it simply isn't!!

Pete

ScoobyDoo555

forgot to add - my MY99 is a UK car......

Put what you like in your car - but don't come crying onto Scoobynet when something untoward happens to your pride and joy.

My motor states SUL - that's what it gets.

Dan

wrx_sti_my04

Picked up my new STi a week or so again and explicitly asked the dealer - told to use 95 RON unless I go for the PPP later on. Lets face it, the performance is out of this world, on 95 RON and running in mode. I might go for 98 or Optimax one day but not until I have found the 260 or so BHP limiting.

Mark Miwurdz

[Flame suit on]

I ran a MY00 for 3 years and put 75,000 miles on the clock. In that time, I only ever put normal unleaded in the tank apart from a period of one month when I decided to give SUL a go. There was absolutely no difference in performance, smoothness or fuel consumption but there was an increase in funds after I went back to normal unleaded.

I've never understood this obsession with SUL and I personally think it's a load of bollocks. And as for the people who plan their journeys to take in a Shell station selling Optimax........ Get a life, FFS.

[Flame suit off]

Cheers
Kav

NACRO

quote: "And as for the people who plan their journeys to take in a Shell station selling Optimax........ Get a life, FFS."

well you have a point there but it seems to be the case that you are the only one who has found no difference using 95 RON fuel.

Switching to 98 RON fuel gave better 0-100 times (measured on GPS) and better MPG on the MY96 Turbo Impreza I use. Can't argue with the figures I'm afraid.