E10 Fuel

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E10 Fuel

Post by davettf2 » Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:49 pm

Gentlefolk, E10 fuel is being introduced from September this year as I understand it to normal unleaded with super-unleaded at E5 for a further 5 years. Although I use super-unleaded in my E46 B3S, there no doubt will be instances were its not available or in 5 years no choice! Is the E46 B3 suitable for E10 or am I going to have to go additive route. Quite happy to go the additive route as I this was how I run my previous E28 M5. Thoughts and comments please

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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Charles » Sat Jun 26, 2021 4:35 pm

According to the .gov website, all BMW engines can use E10.

Not sure how far back that applies and/or it transfers to Alpina though.
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by davettf2 » Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:06 pm

Hi Charles, Many thanks for the info. I would hope it would feed down to Alpina's as the issues are generally related to seals, rubbers and plastics. It's an issue close to my heart as the plastic tank on my Cagiva Elefant and the fibreglass tank on my Ducati 450 TS are both affected by Ethanol. On both I have fitted drains to the fuel lines at the lowest point to allow easy emptying after going out for a run.

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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by JohnW » Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:14 pm

When Germany moved to E10 Alpina released this information (translation from German):

From production January 1998, all factory ALPINA petrol engines that are suitable for operation with super fuel (RON 95) are suitable for super fuel (RON 95, E10, E DIN 51626-1) without restriction.
Note: The maximum performance and optimal consumption values ​​are only achieved with Super-Plus 98 RON. Vehicles with production up to 1998 can be operated with Super Plus E5 (ROZ98, DIN EN 228, E DIN 51626-1).
Fuel types on the German market with a higher bio or ethanol content (E50 to E85) are generally not permitted for ALPINA vehicles.
If in doubt, please contact ALPINA on 08241-5005-0 or info@alpina.de.

This is from:
https://www.dat.de/e10/
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by davettf2 » Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:27 am

Thanks John, nice and clear. No need for me to worry.

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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Cygnet » Sun Jun 27, 2021 10:39 am

I only use Esso Synergy Supreme+ which, for most of the country, is currently ethanol free…….

https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels/petrol
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Charles » Sun Jun 27, 2021 12:40 pm

davettf2 wrote:
Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:27 am
Thanks John, nice and clear. No need for me to worry.
Good to hear it directly from Buchloe
Cygnet wrote:
Sun Jun 27, 2021 10:39 am
I only use Esso Synergy Supreme+ which, for most of the country, is currently ethanol free…….
Similarly, I aim for an exclusive diet of Shell V-Power but, on the very rare occasions when this is temporarily unavailable, then it is good to know that a few gallons of the ordinary stuff won't cause any problems.
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Charles » Sun Jun 27, 2021 12:45 pm

I am expecting quite a few posts about this in the near future so I've decided to elevate this post to an announcement, so that it stays at the top of the index
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Jules Sunleu » Sun Jun 27, 2021 1:58 pm

Thanks JohnW and good plan Charles. This really is a very useful forum.
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Norrie » Tue Jun 29, 2021 1:03 pm

I checked by fuel cap says Unleaded 95 Ron. I have put Shell V Power 98. However, I may be wrong but I am sure I read somewhere that I should not use too high a Ron number. I think I put in 105 or 106 in Munich. I have put a few tanks of Momentum 99. So advice is welcomed by me.
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Bob » Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:45 pm

Think you are confusing octane ratings (95, 98, 99 Ron, etc) and renewable fuel (ethanol) content of the fuel (E5, E10 etc) Norrie.

With increasing ethanol content in fuel there are a number of potenital issues that can arise:
  • Increased corrosion of fuel tank and system components, particularly parts made of aluminium
  • Possible separation of the water from the ethanol, particularly in vehicles left standing for extended periods, which will cause stalling of the engine.
  • Loosening of debris in the fuel system which can cause damage/blockages
  • Reduced fuel economy due to the fuel’s lower energy efficiency
Last edited by Bob on Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by JohnW » Tue Jun 29, 2021 2:47 pm

Mine has 95 Ron on the inside of petrol flap too, but E10 is regards the 10% ethanol content, the octane rating is something else.

I read ethanol burns cleaner but is less economical at doing so and being of a chemical consistency that may attack the plastics more over time. Germany have had E10 since 2011.

(Opinion only)
Alpina seem to prefer the 98 grade to provide the full potential output from their engines. I think they are being careful too, as fuels outside Europe can be down to 91 octane. Turbos seem to ‘prefer’ higher octane.

I mix both the current E5 95 Ron and when it’s available the E5 98 Ron or above, our ‘super’.
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Charles » Tue Jun 29, 2021 4:22 pm

Oil companies are adding ethanol to make their fuel greener, as the ethanol is derived from plants (fermentation) rather than chemical processing of crude oil raw materials (hydration of ethene which comes from cracking longer chain alkanes found in crude oil).

This change is about increasing the ethanol content from 5% to 10% in standard petrols - also known as Unleaded (95 RON) as opposed to Super unleaded(97+ RON).

This change does not affect the RON ratings for that grade of fuel.

The possible issues that might arise are caused by ethanol being a more aggressive solvent than the longer chain hydrocarbons that make up petrol, thereby meaning that certain seals and plastics may be attacked aggressively, causing them to fail prematurely.

One tank of E10 unleaded won't be a problem but a regular diet going forward might.

Apologies for the lecture but this is my subject after all!!!
Charles
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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Norrie » Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:35 pm

Well that was an education for me. I guess i will continue with the Shell V Power then? If I have understood.
E65 B7 4.4 V8 supercharged No 106 (1 of 11 B7 built for UK)
F22 M235i - everyday driver
E 39 523i sold May 2023
E92 325i - written off by X5 I was not driving!
E92 335D Twin Turbo - sold to Sytner Alpina
E 60 - 525D new - sold to Cooper BMW
E 60 - 530D new - sold at auction
E 39 - 520i new - sold at auction
E 30 - 316i new Touring - sold at auction
Audi A6 2.5 Tdi had 2
Audi Coupe GT 1986 new
Mitsubishi Gallant & Sigma
Honda accord 2.2 coupe
Ford Escort 1.6 worst car in the world

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Re: E10 Fuel

Post by Charles » Wed Jun 30, 2021 5:30 pm

Norrie wrote:
Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:35 pm
Well that was an education for me. I guess i will continue with the Shell V Power then? If I have understood.
Shell V Power will remain E5 (5% bio ethanol) and 98+ RON, so there is no change there.

It is the "normal" unleaded petrol (95 RON) which is increasing the ethanol content from 5% to 10%, but the ALPINA missive states that post 1998 production engines can use this safely.

Hope this helps?
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

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