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MG MGF Technical - Optimax

Decided to fill up with Optimax last night.

I know it wont offer any performance benefits due to no knock sensor in the F but I've definitely noticed it makes a difference to the engine/ exhaust note. A lot sportier and raspier and it's a lot smoother to drive at low speeds in traffic jams. Usually I just fill up at Safeway with normal 95 RON and the car was always very jerky at low speeds but totally different this morning!

Anyone else noticed these differences?
Bob Millar

Tried it myself, and wasn't sure if I was imagining it or not having read several comments on here!

It certainly seemed a wee bit smoother, and I thought the exhaust note sounded a little sportier.

I think I'll stick with it for a few tankfuls to see.
Alan Paton

I do not think Optimax is much (if any) better than any other good branded petrol BUT probably a vast improvement over 'cheapo' supermarket stuff.

Ted
Ted Newman

Picked up a leaflet when I filled her up. Made for quite interesting reading regarding it's cleaning properties. Read a thread on SELOC about someone who had seen two comparative engines. One ran on normal 95 RON for 6000 miles and one ran on 98 RON Optimax for 6000 miles. Apparently the difference was enormous. Optimax engine was a lot cleaner!
Bob Millar

> probably a vast improvement over 'cheapo' supermarket stuff

I was under the impression that all fuel comes from the same refinery up here in Scotland (Grangemouth) and that they all came off the same production line regardless of the final destination?
Bob Millar

funny you should say that Bob.

I was talking to someone that worked up at grangemouth, he said exactly the same thing.

also interested that 95ron is a minimum octane rating, not a maximum, hence you can get good tanks and bad tanks of fuel.

he also stated quality of fuel can be very dependant on how well the garage up keep their tanks, and whether you get the dregs at the bottom or a tank load just after its been filed up.

It was a party at glasgow school of art, full of pretentious artists, was one of the more interesting conversations I had that night :-)

paul weatherill

> It was a party at glasgow school of art, full of pretentious artists

The actual club part of the art school is feckin magic though. Had many a lost night in there!
Bob Millar

I've never noticed much difference myself in either my B or the F, but that might be because I'm always mixing fuels (rarely run the tank below 1/4 full before filling back up). However, a friend of mine has a rather tired Peugeot 309 which seems very fussy about fuel. Put a tank of "Save" (essentially unbranded) fuel in and it doesn't start properly, and kangaroos down the road. Use a big name (BP, Esso, Shell, it doesn't seem to matter) and it's much happier. Maybe just old-car-itus, but it does suggest there's a difference.

FWIW!
Tim.
Tim Jenner

Some people swear that Optimax provides better fuel economy. I've never tried it, as the increased cost would mean that the economy gain would have to be pretty good to justify the extra expense!
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed on 28/10/2003

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