View Full Version : Optimax & Ignorance
Simply - is optimax gonna make any difference in my Cupra?
I used it in my previous Corrado and the diff seemed zip. But you guys seem to be keen on it here.
Whats the verdict?
Cheers
Mark
ibizacupra
04-04-2003, 15:20
Optisnax works well in my beezer...
loves it..
Bill
I've been using it for a ages and i can't honestly say it makes a noticable difference to the performance of my Leon, but now its revo'd they advise you to stick to at least super unleaded.
However, the reason i like it is that i fixed a rough idle problem i had on my old ibiza, took about three tankfuls to sort it out, never went back to tesco petrol after that..
:cheers:
Pete_slim
04-04-2003, 15:33
Have said it many times before... I have used optimax (and nothing else) for the past 25k miles.. it does improve the pick up mid gear.. and helps you rocket down the road.. Not only sold me due to its cleaning properties, but I get a better fuel economy so it more or less pays for the difference in cost.. (plus i dont really quibble at an extra £1 or so difference when filling up a full tank of juice).
My view is that you just get used to the performance it gives it may be a case of when/if you put std unleaded in after prolongeud use, then you will appreciate what optimax does for you.
it gets my vote anyway.:thumbsup:
What is the diff between Optimax and normal unleaded now anyway. I've noticed that although the price of unleaded seems to be going up, I don't think Optimax is going up, or at least not by AS much.
The difference in a full tank can't be that much to make a difference I'm sure.
Oh, BTW, I've only run mine on Optimax since new so can't really comment!!
ANDY BLUNT
04-04-2003, 17:01
Optimax is at least 98octane,super 97 and standard unleaded 95.Makes a difference especially with revo set for it.:D :D :cheers: Andy.
Master Ploppy
04-04-2003, 17:22
Evo magazine did a very good article on Optimax about a year ago, highly recommend reading it.
I can't say I really notice the difference in performance in my Leon Cupra, but with this car (as with my last) I run 1,000 miles on Optimax every 10,000 just to help keep the internals nice and clean. The rest of the time I run normal unleaded, but only from proper vendors, none of this cheap supermarket stuff that doesn't have as good additives in.
Have a friend who swears his Boxster S goes quicker on Optimax though!?!
98 octane must be worth something, but it's just so small most people can't notice it!
sorry, you still havent convinced me to try out Optimax :D :D
Well, your "optimax" is V-Power at some other EU countries. Normal V-Power is 95 octane. V-Power Racing (not sold in Greece anymore) is 98 octane and we have, while you don't, V-Power Racing Plus which is 99.5+ octane.
The difference of V-Power from other gasolines is that it has cleaning additives to keep your engine clean and, if you have an old dirty engine, it will (?) make it cleaner.
V-Power Racing Plus is made only in one refinery in France for all Europe and here it is 30 Eurocents more expensive than other SULs. It is 1.099 Euros a liter.
I use BP SUL usually though and never Supermarket crap.
:cheers:
Originally posted by mmfb
I used it in my previous Corrado and the diff seemed zip. But you guys seem to be keen on it here.
Not that i really know anything about a Corrada but that engine may well infact have been designed to run on a normal 95 RON unleaded fuel. Putting 97 or 98 RON Super Unleaded or Optimax in it won't make much of a diff and may even make performance worse.
Modern cars are designed to run on the higher 97 and 98 RON fuels and most manuals will say that if you run they engines on a lower RON you will experience a slight drop in power.
BeezerDiesel
05-04-2003, 04:43
VR6 Corrados were meant to be run on 98 unleaded from the factory unlike the 2.8 which can run okay on 95 with only a slight loss of torque.
The more you modify your engine the more it will want decent fuel :flag:
chriskaven
05-04-2003, 07:48
Following all optimax threads and my own experience I don’t think optimax makes any difference performance wise in a standard 20VT Ibiza cupra. It does not mention anywhere in the Ibiza owners manual about super unleaded being used, and even on the tab inside the fuel cap it says only 91 or 95RON.
I believe that in the Leon Cupra manual however, it does state that super unleaded can be used and most people with standard Leons do seem do mention a slight difference.
Chipped cars are a different animal because the knock window can be moved/enlarged to take into account a higher-octane fuel. This is why most of them notice big differences performance wise.
IMHO if you’re going to spend the extra money on super unleaded you might as well use optimax due to the reported cleaning properties as proved in EVO magazine mentioned above.
i have an upsolute modded leon and i say without hesitation that it makes a big differance to my leon run smoother feels quicker
the stuff may cost a few pence a litre more but its definately worth
it
I haven't noticed any difference in performance in my leon, but in my GSXR it helps it lift the front wheel between 7000 and 9500 rpm in first and second and it pulls really well right up to 13500 with not a hicup in sight. On 95ron I tend to get a bit of fluttering around the 10000 mark .But to be fair the wife drives the leon more than me and she says its smoother on optimax ,but then again she is the one who wants it REVO'D.
Optimax has been covered before so I won't go into details but plain and simply it's a better quality fuel with less impurities. If you love your car like me, you don't put cheap oil in your car because it's not as good quality, so why put cheaper fuel in your car to save a few pennies.
Well un-clench your fist and spend an extra 2-3p a litre on optimax and look after your engine and maybe it'll drive a little smoother at the same time!
my Punto GT runs poo off boost with 95 so I used 97 which made a heck of an improvement. optimax is the same price as 97 so I use it cause it has a higher octane rating. I could not tell any difference between SUL and optimax. 20VT engines should really use the higher octane for best power as they have small intercoolers and high compression compared to most turbo cars.
slim_boy_fat
14-04-2003, 14:02
Originally posted by vibrio
my Punto GT runs poo off boost with 95 so I used 97 which made a heck of an improvement. optimax is the same price as 97 so I use it cause it has a higher octane rating. I could not tell any difference between SUL and optimax. 20VT engines should really use the higher octane for best power as they have small intercoolers and high compression compared to most turbo cars.
You would need 1500 octane if you wanted to get close to me in your Italian rollerskate....:D
utter_hatred
14-04-2003, 14:06
My 16v likes Optimax & since switching to it @ 6 months ago the engine has been much more reliable/smooth/tractable. From my experience it doesnt improve peformance so much as eliminate problems that were reducing performance such as poor fuelling, dirty injectors/valves etc. Previously, I had occasionally experienced niggly faults like hunting at idle & poor pick up but these completely disappeared since changing to Optimax.
The EVO article was very good & made realistic claims for Optimax.
Essentially, Optimax optimises the performance available from your particular engine set up. So someone who has been running on low octane/poor quality fuel and whose engine has been set up for optimum performance on high octance "clean" fuel would experience a real benefit. If nothing else Opti will ensure your engine is clean & free of poor fuel problems - performing at its best.
Originally posted by slim_boy_fat
You would need 1500 octane if you wanted to get close to me in your Italian rollerskate....:D
:eek: come to crail 27th of April if you think your hard enough :jog:
LEO LION R
14-04-2003, 16:48
now now calm down, this is about Optimax & Ignorance - but since your laying down the gauntlet to the peoples champion ;)
I don't think the oil burner could match your high reving times, but i recon it might just blow you away on the twisties point to point. (that's in standard trim - when chipped there's no doubt about it) Something like the Stewarton Road
:devil:
P.S. my email can still only receive, but not send :(
mmm. we will see I've had no problem with the 150 golf 70-125mph :D
LEO LION R
14-04-2003, 17:06
Neither did he, that was one of his first pickings aparently - and was surprised how easy it was too :eek:
On paper the Golf is only marginally heavier but lacks the torque of the oil burner, and as we have all seen the 130tdi unit puts out more as standard more often than not (maybe 135-140bhp)
You will have to have a good day to beat it.
:cheers:
slim_boy_fat
14-04-2003, 18:44
Originally posted by vibrio
:eek: come to crail 27th of April if you think your hard enough :jog:
Im so f*cking hard i cut diamonds with just one thought!!
As for the rollerskate, fell apart like a cheap suit, would get writen off if it hit a blue bottle @ 15mph. I would rather race a Honda Blackbird it might give me more of a race....
p.s. my insurance and seat maintanace plan prevents me from taking up the challenge but we all know i would win so whats the point....
:D
Originally posted by LEO LION R
Neither did he, that was one of his first pickings aparently - and was surprised how easy it was too :eek:
On paper the Golf is only marginally heavier but lacks the torque of the oil burner, and as we have all seen the 130tdi unit puts out more as standard more often than not (maybe 135-140bhp)
You will have to have a good day to beat it.
:cheers:
I should have wrote TDi 150
Originally posted by slim_boy_fat
Im so f*cking hard i cut diamonds with just one thought!!
As for the rollerskate, fell apart like a cheap suit, would get writen off if it hit a blue bottle @ 15mph. I would rather race a Honda Blackbird it might give me more of a race....
p.s. my insurance and seat maintanace plan prevents me from taking up the challenge but we all know i would win so whats the point....
:D
I suspect you realise that your car is almost 2s slower to 60 than mine and about 4s slower to 100mph. I also feel that you are chickening out :p
I thought this was Seatcupra.net not punto.net can you boys not fight on some Maxpower.net forum where talking up your cars and challenging each other to duals is the what boy racers do. I thought this was a civilised forum designed for Seat and Group (VAG, VW, Audi, Seat, Bugati, Lambo's, Bentley, Skoda etc) enthusiasts to talk about there cars in an effort to help each other and maybe make some friends.
I'm sure your Punto is fairly fast, but it will brake and fall apart sooner or later then you will realise that V.A.G. is the only way to go.
P.S when you can hit 14.67 sec quarter mile like my golf can and 0-60 in 5.56 let me know in the mean time less of the bitchin'
please note that we all live round the same area and are only having a laugh. there is no malice involved. also please not that your golf does not scare me. 14.67 is only 0.23s quicker than a punto ran at santa pod with original turbo and intercooler so for a 20 year old design and 1372cc we do alright
LEO LION R
15-04-2003, 10:23
ayle fae the banter ;)
seen and felt the difference in 20vt for SURE - GET IT NOW
as for norm aspirated cars
test bed - Ford Fiesta 1.2 16v
tesco fuel 95 :( - mmm splutters a lil - doesnt like 2/3rd gear slow speed
Esso 97 - oooh lot smoother but still a teeny bit flat low down (it is 1.2 for gods sake)
Shell 98 OPTIMAX - Damn thats the stuff - LOT LOT smoother than tesco and seems to have lot more pull
all tests carried out loaded with mrs and kids :( on regular DUMP HER @ WORK route
WELL and TRULY tried and tested in all conditions
probably time to get her driving herself - but kids love the country drive home - WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Tazkenny
18-04-2003, 03:48
Don't get me wrong , I love my 20VT engine in the bezza and hanker for 300 BHP version like lucky Bill. Before I digress, my 2p worth is that Optimax does make a noticable differance on a turbo motor, and a very noticible difference on my ZX6R bike ( revs to 14K - mega compression ratio )
But as I was saying, as much as I like my 20VT and I hate early Fiat turbo (sorry vibrio) motors you lot who slag off Vibrio should be carefull. My old Renault 5T would absolutely destroy my Bezza turbo and that was a 1.4 pushrod design ( similar to the 1940's A-series engine - aka mini ) and had an intercooler with plastic end caps. A well modded Punto GT will give you a fright , as much as I hate to admit it.
slim_boy_fat
18-04-2003, 08:25
Originally posted by Tazkenny
Don't get me wrong , I love my 20VT engine in the bezza and hanker for 300 BHP version like lucky Bill. Before I digress, my 2p worth is that Optimax does make a noticable differance on a turbo motor, and a very noticible difference on my ZX6R bike ( revs to 14K - mega compression ratio )
I think you will find thats mega un-compression ratio. 20:1 thats a compression ratio... Your bike is prob. more like 12:1...
this info is aimed at the Impreza, but I can't see why it wouldn't apply to other performace cars as well:
http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm#2.4
Originally posted by Tazkenny
Don't get me wrong , I love my 20VT engine in the bezza and hanker for 300 BHP version like lucky Bill. Before I digress, my 2p worth is that Optimax does make a noticable differance on a turbo motor, and a very noticible difference on my ZX6R bike ( revs to 14K - mega compression ratio )
But as I was saying, as much as I like my 20VT and I hate early Fiat turbo (sorry vibrio) motors you lot who slag off Vibrio should be carefull. My old Renault 5T would absolutely destroy my Bezza turbo and that was a 1.4 pushrod design ( similar to the 1940's A-series engine - aka mini ) and had an intercooler with plastic end caps. A well modded Punto GT will give you a fright , as much as I hate to admit it.
if anyone has a read of this months redline (only bought it for the punto) you'll see a punto which would be up with bill in terms of straight line speed.
I don't think the oil burner could match your high reving times, but i recon it might just blow you away on the twisties point to point. (that's in standard trim - when chipped there's no doubt about it) Something like the Stewarton Road
is that the stewarton - newton mearns road, if is i know it very well, i know all the roads into stewarton, due to work.
very twistie road, hard work in any car!
Vibrio - i have joined the fiat fun club now, just brought a fiat coupe 20v turbo, seems quite fast, faster than my leon cupra, which seems quite sluggish in comparsion(no offence), i think it can do a 14.5 sec 1/4 mile, i need to get up to crail soon, see what it can do.
dave
should get to 100 in 14.5s. off the mark to 60 in around 6.3. on the move it's seriously quick. watch out for the 75K service. cam belt an expensive one :D. don;t think I'll be able to beat you though :(
Are we talking about a standars beeza vs a standard punto ? or a chipped beeza vs a chipped punto ? forgive me if I have missed something...... ?
Jimbo
Ex: Cupra owner 202/270 onvi yellow :-)
Ex: Mx-5 turbo owner
back to n/a :(
Ive used Optimax since Ive had my car chipped and I do notice the difference in pull and smoothness between normal 95 ron and the Optimax 98.5 ron.
Just the other day I got stuck on the motorway and had to fill up at a BP garage, but there was no super unleaded. So grudgingly I had to use normal petrol. The car felt so sluggish in comparison for the rest of the journey.:mad: She got treated when i got home with a bottle of Millers Octane boost and a full tank of Optimax.:D
I was dubious as to the effect it would have on my 16v but it definitley makes for better running. It took several tankfuls to see the clear benefit. If I'm running Optimax and the low-level light comes on and i fill up with 95 RON, then the car feels so slugish and less keen to rev with less mid-range. It just seems to 'lose' power and you have to try harder to go faster. I can't confidently say i get better fuel consumption but it would be marginal, like 15 extra miles maybe over a whole tank.
Optimax (99 oktan) makes 30 km/h more Topspeed in comparison to super (95oktan) (on MY leon)
but soon there will be a new gas called "V-POWER" by Shell and DEA which was presented last week in Berlin on a internal confernece .. maybe they already published it on a news page ... but this V-Power guarantees 100 Oktan and will be soon the Power for my Leon *g*
ciao reneder
We have "V POWER" for more than a year. The best version is V POWER RACING PLUS which has at least 99.5 octane. I don't use it as it is very expensive though, almost 37% more that BP SUL (98 octane).
hellspawn
25-04-2003, 00:29
Very interesting discussion, ever since i have had my bezza I have used a combination of super unleaded 98 ron at the time, and 95, in standard form, I felt the super made it run a little better, but the differance was not that noteable.
With the fuel prices increasing, i've used 95 for a long time now, even when i had the car apr chiped i used 95, because thats what the prgram was intended to run on.
the car's now revo'd and has been for some time, but i have always used normal unleaded, i don't have sps3, as i have no need to switch programs, i have my car programed to go fast all the time :D , but i'm interested to see how running on optimax would make the car perform.
Oddly enough my local garage has shut down, and the next nearest one to me is shell, i have been sticking in the 95, and wondered about optimax the last time I was there.
Well after reading this, i'm going to give it a go, and i'll get back to u all with the results.
Good plan, be interested to hear your results.
Make sure you give it a good enough chance to work, when i first used it in my old ibiza, it took like 3 or 4 tankfuls before i noticed anything..
:cheers:
Is anyone running a boost guage? and does it show any difference between running the different fuels?
hellspawn
25-04-2003, 18:32
I'm running a boost gauge, and will see what affect it makes, going to try 3-4 tanks first then give my conclusion, so in about a months time i'll report back.
mutant_matt
11-05-2003, 19:47
A question nobody seems to have asked yet is, how does the ECU react to changing from 95RON to 97RON/Optimax? I'm new to the VAG group stuff as I've had Imprezas (and still do) but have just this weekend bought a new Leon Cupra 20VT for my wife and was wondering about what fuel to run on it? The old shape Impreza's used to "learn" the fuel over a couple of tanks full. In practice in the Scoob, it's basically learning where the onset of det is and backs the timing off (and extreme cases, Boost) until there is no det. If you put better (higher octane) fuel in, it takes time to spot this and advance the timing. In the new shape Scoobs (MY01 and on), the ECU runs right on the edge of det the whole time and so will react to different fuel almost immediately. If you have the old shape car, it's not worth switching between the fuels regularly as the ECU will always be trying to find the "optimum" setting where with the newer cars, you can switch to say 95 for one tank if for example, you're just cruising on the motorway, as it will adjust basically "on the fly".
Any thoughts? Bear in mind, performance isn't *that* important in this equation (as that's what the Scoob is for ;) ), more how good which type of fuel is for this engine, what the economy will be like and how well it runs/idles etc.
Cheers for any help,
Matt :)
Grey Fox
12-05-2003, 12:36
Since my Revo upgrade I used 1 tank of Unleaded 95RON and my last tank of Fuel was Optimax with my SPS switched to performance 98RON. I have to say that the difference wasn't imediately noticeable but as time went on I thought ' this is fantastic!'
I decided to fill up this morning with 95RON (significantly cheaper at the moment) of I go down the Motorway and I thought my Revo was running in stock mode! lag was more pronouncd, still went faster it just doesn't pick up the same. It could be the car adjusting to the new setting but even so.
Conclusion: Use Optimax :thumbsup:
mutant_matt
12-05-2003, 12:39
Thanks for that but...Any thoughts? Bear in mind, performance isn't *that* important in this equation (as that's what the Scoob is for ), more how good which type of fuel is for this engine, what the economy will be like and how well it runs/idles etc.;) ;) ;)
Ta,
Matt :)
Leon the Diesel
13-05-2003, 09:51
Well it really didn't help my SE TDI at all.
Nah kidding!
mutant_matt
13-05-2003, 09:55
LOL :D :D :D
Optimax - i'd be ASHAMED to use anything else :)
:cheers:
Makes no difference to me anymore but it's worth trying.
I ran a tank or two in my Scooby, didn't really notice any difference. Had a service with Optimax still in the tank and the dealer did the fabbled ECU reset. Driving home from work that night I booted it coming off a roundabout and nearly crapped my pants. Pulled so much harder I though I had the wrong car. :D
mutant_matt
14-05-2003, 12:56
coming off a roundabout and nearly crapped my pants. Pulled so much harder I though I had the wrong car.Is this how you got your nickname "Pansey" Chris? ;) ;) :p :p :D :D
Matt :)
LEO LION R
14-05-2003, 13:03
Surely it takes a few fill ups either way you go, for the sensors to adjust and for the true fuel not to be filtered by the remainder in your tank when filling 5-10 litres.
So you might not notice anything straight away, maybe 2-3 empty tanks filled with Optimax is whats needed to feel the difference.
:cheers:
mutant_matt
14-05-2003, 13:08
Depends on how your ECU works. In Chris' case, he had the "old" shape Scoob which adjusts over a couple of tanks but if you reset the ECU, it runs maximum advance etc. and then learns where/if it needs to start retarding. Therefore, it's a quick way of maximising the effect of gaining power from a better fuel. The new Scoob does it on the fly so will take advantage of better fuel almost immediately.
I have been told by a friend that the VAG ECUs react instantly also....????
Matt :)
LEO LION R
14-05-2003, 13:13
sounds almost to good to be true ;)
so how do we reset the ecu anyway ?
:cheers:
mutant_matt
14-05-2003, 13:24
On the old shape Scoob, you connect to connectors under the dash (simple version), you get a Subaru dealer to do it with their Diag computer called a Select Monitor or you use a piece of software called DeltaDash. On the new shape, it's the same but I don't think the connectors exist anymore.
Matt :)
P.S. I friend of mine has a piece of software for the VAG cars which sounds pretty much the same as what DeltaDash will do....;) :D
LEO LION R
14-05-2003, 13:31
That'll be the VAG-COM unit at about £140, usefull and dangerous if you flip the wrong setting :eek:
:cheers:
You can win it in our competition or purchase it through the Group Buy:)
LEO LION R
14-05-2003, 14:38
Other than changing auto locking what are the main uses/benefits of having it ?
:cheers:
Originally posted by LEO LION R
Surely it takes a few fill ups either way you go, for the sensors to adjust and for the true fuel not to be filtered by the remainder in your tank when filling 5-10 litres.
So you might not notice anything straight away, maybe 2-3 empty tanks filled with Optimax is whats needed to feel the difference.
:cheers:
Kind of agree with this - i had to stick a fivers worth of 'normal' fuel in the other day, and then filled the rest up with optimax. It hasn't run quite right since, and i expect it to feel much better once it's run through.
Out of interest, does anyone know if 95Ron sits on top of 98/99ron or vice versa in the tank? Or do they just mix freely. No idea :D
hellspawn
14-06-2003, 10:59
well its been a while now, since all i have used is optimax, and i have been converted.
Car runs smoother, feels slightly stronger, makes no difference to boost (did not expect it to) but question was asked, and i'm getting better fuel economy, esp if i keep it below 100.
thx to all who pointed me towards the light :D
On my Ibiza 20vt on the inside of the petrol cap it says 95/98ron. Other people say there's dont. I use optimax, cant say 100 percent it makes a diff. But every little helps.
I have a few comments re Optimax:
My friend has a 51 plate Cupra, he switched to Optimax and didnt feel any difference. Then he had it serviced, and he said it seemed to go SO much better.
Said Friends partner has a 2000MY Impreza Turbo (entirely standard) and had similar issues til he had his car serviced. Afterwards his engine seemed to lose the "boxer thrum" that Impreza's usually have, it had smoothed it out that much.
So maybe the SEAT's also need to have the timing "adjusted" to take best advantage of the higher octane rating.
On the other hand, my partner has a new smart, he ran the very first tankful of free petrol from the dealer out and has run it on Optimax since, it makes a H U G E difference on smarts, no resetting ecu or owt - just fill and GO!
Andy
PS I have read that Optimax can "go off" in the tank, so if you dont use the car a lot you may be advised to buy it in small doses!
PPS My car is a Leon TDi 90bhp, 62.7mpg this week...........
cordobabrendy
14-06-2003, 23:11
here in N.I. optimax isnt available instead for now, we have superplus which is 97 rated, the car doesnt feel any more eager but i do seem to get an extra mile or two out of each tenner. i do around a tank and a half each week so im able to get a fairly accurate idea of what a tenner does. its also only 79.9 now compared to the 81.9 it cost last month per litre, imagine....petrol costs coming down !! not a carblock in sight either!
hellspawn
15-06-2003, 21:40
Originally posted by J500AND
PPS My car is a Leon TDi 90bhp, 62.7mpg this week...........
:eek:
better than the 18-26 i average, shame those oil burners are so slow :P
Its not so slow (in the conventional sense), but its not fast either. To acheive those MPG figures it isnt driven so slowly that it holds everyone up! When you drive a diesel you have to drive using the torque to get the best from it, which is what ive been doing and im very pleased with the results. Mind you, in Bristol the roads are littered with "Safety Cameras" and you darent drive too fast.
Andy
utter_hatred
23-06-2003, 13:02
I`m now using Opti only.
To make up for the difference in price I`ve got a Shell points card. Its not a credit card, just a reward card like Tesco Clubcard.
You can use this to get vouchers & stuff, including petrol!
A few quick calculations suggest that by always buying Shell fuel over a year I should get enough "free" petrol to make up the price difference on Opti.
Before this I just used to get my fuel from any old station as required so was not getting any loyalty advantages.
Originally posted by J500AND
Its not so slow (in the conventional sense), but its not fast either. To acheive those MPG figures it isnt driven so slowly that it holds everyone up! When you drive a diesel you have to drive using the torque to get the best from it, which is what ive been doing and im very pleased with the results. Mind you, in Bristol the roads are littered with "Safety Cameras" and you darent drive too fast.
Andy
I had a TDI90 Leon as a courtesy for about 3 days and it's a pleasure to drive :) Nice car, and a heck of a lot more poke than the poor ol' 1.6 Leon S!
:cheers:
chillibean
27-06-2003, 10:42
Talking of tdi's.......wot's best diesel for tdi 130? Any equivalent to Optimax for us heavy oil boys?