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General => The garage => Topic started by: starry on 07 June 2003, 13:08

Title: optimax
Post by: starry on 07 June 2003, 13:08
is optimax realy any good ,ive just filled up with the stuff and will have to see what happens. does any one else use it if so do you think its any good.
;Dcheers Starry ;D
Title: Re: optimax
Post by: lee on 07 June 2003, 14:58
Hello

When I first got my 16v mk2 I was running it on 97 super unleaded then I started using 98/99 optimax The car does seem to run better.

Lee
Title: Re: optimax
Post by: jelly on 08 June 2003, 01:32
I got quite a noticable boost in perfomance when I put Optimax in my GTI. That was changing from BP 97 Fuel. Some of my friends haven't noticed such changes but I have, so i stick with it.

Hope you get some better performance

Jelly
Title: Re: optimax
Post by: richandhazel on 08 June 2003, 11:31
I've just filled the Audi up with optimax ready for Santa Pod. When I put the Audi on the rolling road, it was the difference between being under 200BHP or over 200BHP............Its great stuff ;D
Title: Re: optimax
Post by: kevin on 12 June 2003, 07:15
if your engine is set up on the stuff you will notice the difference,95ron to i think 98+ is quite a lot but you will need a RR tune up or get your timming advanced to get full benifit
regards kevin
Title: Re: optimax
Post by: lee on 13 June 2003, 01:31
Hello

Dont know if this will help but on the inside of my 16v mk2s fuel cap, it recommends 98 ron minimum

Lee
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: modulater on 21 June 2003, 00:06
I use optimax in my 16V and the thing goes like a rocket, In the owners handbook it says 98 RON should be used for prolonged high speed driving, well I guess thats a little run to the shops for most of us.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: VWaxilMK1cab on 24 June 2003, 18:49
It says in most cars handbooks that they should be run on 98 ron, and have to be adjusted to run on any less, but most right hand drive cars have this setup when leaving the factory so run on 95ron ok.

Like Kevin says, if you intend to run a higher octane, its advisable to get the timing advanced to suit.

I'm not sure if using a higher octane would actually ive any benefits looking at the facts, but I hope someone can tell me otherwise!
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: madmuppets on 25 June 2003, 10:02
I must admit since we have used Optimax we get more miles to the Gallon. Around 350 miles to a full tank of fuel as apposed to around 310 before.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: firefighter on 26 June 2003, 08:48
I often run my mk2 8v on optimax to travel from Durham to East Sussex & it pulls like a train on it & at 90 it returns 36.8 to the gallon on 340 mile run. 1st time I put optimax in it seemed no different about town but on a run the engine is much torqier & runs a lot better.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: kevin on 27 June 2003, 01:26
as said in the last few replies "its more expensive but you will make that up with better mpg and better smiles for your miles" top fuel for vw /audi engines and it cleans too ! if only it could do a nice stake and chips!
regards kevin
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: 87_PROJECT on 29 June 2003, 10:06
mmm steak and chips...
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: stew8vmk2golf on 29 June 2003, 14:01
It says in most cars handbooks that they should be run on 98 ron, and have to be adjusted to run on any less, but most right hand drive cars have this setup when leaving the factory so run on 95ron ok.

Like Kevin says, if you intend to run a higher octane, its advisable to get the timing advanced to suit.

I'm not sure if using a higher octane would actually ive any benefits looking at the facts, but I hope someone can tell me otherwise!


 ??? Not sure but if youve got the 8v with digifant injection do you really need to have the timing advanced. Doesnt the car do this itself by the aid of the knock sensor. I'm sure i remember reading in haynes that the ignition is automatically advanced or retarded.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: richandhazel on 29 June 2003, 14:14
It says in most cars handbooks that they should be run on 98 ron, and have to be adjusted to run on any less, but most right hand drive cars have this setup when leaving the factory so run on 95ron ok.

Like Kevin says, if you intend to run a higher octane, its advisable to get the timing advanced to suit.

I'm not sure if using a higher octane would actually ive any benefits looking at the facts, but I hope someone can tell me otherwise!


 ??? Not sure but if youve got the 8v with digifant injection do you really need to have the timing advanced. Doesnt the car do this itself by the aid of the knock sensor. I'm sure i remember reading in haynes that the ignition is automatically advanced or retarded.

With Digifant, you are correct, the knock sensors will adjust ignition timing to suit the RON of the fuel you use........so you can put Optimax or Unleaded in and not have to adjust anything.

Title: Re:optimax
Post by: a9wyn on 29 June 2003, 20:20
i have been using Optimax in my present and past Audi tt's and it does make a difference,in Germany they have V Power (its supposed to me the same as Optimax according to Shell UK) but it's 100 octane as opposed to Optimax 98 octane, i dony know if there are any plans to market it here but i will expect there will be a significant price difference?
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: Donny-Dubber on 30 June 2003, 09:12
Sorry guy's can't share your enthusiasm!! Tried it my my Golf never really noticed any difference. The word placebo comes to mind  ??? But if your all happy paying that extra few pence a litre, then who am I to knock it
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: MK1_BOY on 30 June 2003, 17:57
I never use anything else since my mate told me about it.. Its like rocket fuel man... :)
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: VWaxilMK1cab on 01 July 2003, 01:31
I used to have a problem getting hold of the stuff! But they've just added 1 pump at my local-ish shell garage, so will be making the change soon ;)
As soon as my shockers are up to the extra power it should provide, at the moment you can waggle the front shockers, and hear them knocking at the top.

Do Mk1 Golfs have top shock bushes and/or a bearing up there? Also I wasn't expecting to have to change the dampers and springs so soon, and really wanted coilovers, can anyone reccomend a cheap but good quality supplier of such items? or an alternative spring & damper combination which wont make it ride to hard (as the roads round here are fuct! full of potholes and rough bumpy roads :()

I used to run my PuntoGT on super unleaded, as thats all I could get locally at a BP and ESSO
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: AdamB on 14 July 2003, 13:16
I thought I better write a response and get this topic upped on the topics list - this fuel is great, I put my first tank in on friday and within 20 minutes i could feel a huge difference, I think it will obviously have different effects depending on your set up, but its worth giving it a go for sure - I'll definatly be filling up with it when I get the oppurtunity to.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: Justins145bhpMK1 on 15 July 2003, 16:53

My MK1 campaign seems to like it, the 1.9 TSR engine runs a lot better on it, doesnt seem to be anymore economical though.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: mk1 on 15 July 2003, 21:59
I have just turbod my 83 gti and on unleaded it needs more retarding on the ign timing when boosting than on optimax. No rolling road test to prove hp gains but I would think more timing advance = more HP (up to a limit). Hard to say if the engine makes more power on optimax over unleaded, pulls like a train on both ;D. Just my 2p worth, Steve.
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: Flip on 15 July 2003, 23:13
I have just discovered that Optimax tastes EXACTLY the same as regular unleaded!! If youre gonna sifon a tank use a clear hose!!
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: richandhazel on 16 July 2003, 01:39
LOL  ;D ;D ;D

I have just discovered that Optimax tastes EXACTLY the same as regular unleaded!! If youre gonna sifon a tank use a clear hose!!
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: edjay on 24 July 2003, 17:56
I've used Optimax for about 3 months & it makes a
big difference to my 8v, For some reason when I run it on standard unleaded it uses oil, with the optmax it does'nt. I also get more miles for my money thus making it cheaper............The bigger the RON the bigger the BANG !!!
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: sijunior on 28 July 2003, 22:13
I have to agree,

I went down to Cornwall in my 1.8T with a tank full of super unleaded and got just over 300 miles to the tank,
On the way back I filled up with Optimax and got just under 350 miles to the tank.

SWEET ;D
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: i-espedair on 02 August 2003, 14:49
I have used optimax in every performance engine i have owned after reading the independant test report when it was launched.

If you speak to anyone in VAG who knows about fuel they will recommend it! Porche even print it in their UK handbooks!!!

I bought a Mk3 2.0 8v which was running on regular and after about 5 tanks the difference was very noticeable. I would point out it wasn't instant. But after a good month of using it there is an increase in performance and the whole engine runs smoother!

One of the biggest affects, which only one of you has noticed, is your engine burns a lot less oil, mine burns almost none atall. This is because the additives in the fuel reduce engine wear and keep things nice and clean.

It is slightly more money but if you do the math on the improved mpg it definately breaks even, if not works out cheaper than regular unleaded. Also less engine wear = less oil and reduced servicing bills, greater engine life.

I do not work for Shell. But have had a great deal of experience when it comes to fuels! This is by far the best available and the only draw back is you need to live near a Shell garage. It would be nice if other fuel suppliers produced a performance fuel and we could follow the Germans upto 100 ron!

Definately no placebo here! If you don't notice the difference then your engine is in a worse state than you realise!
Title: Re:optimax
Post by: AdamB on 03 August 2003, 17:37
My engine seems to run hotter according to the temp gauge, since I started using it - coincidence? It doesn't overheat though, so I will carry on with it