Biodiesel in an E60?
Discussion
Just an update to let you know I am running a 60/40 mix of biodiesel/pump diesel with no issues at all. Getting about 5-10% less mpg but all in all, I'm very happy.
Anyone interested in trying this out there is a lot of useful information on this site: http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/index.ph...
Anyone interested in trying this out there is a lot of useful information on this site: http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/forum/index.ph...
Edited by Junior Mint on Wednesday 12th December 14:01
The problem is not with the basic principle of Bio Diesel, the problem is with the quality of the Bio Diesel, and where you obtain it from. I've read a few horror stories from people using cheap and nasty Bio Diesel, although it seems to be ok if you used a quality brand.
Running a 60/40 mix of Bio Diesel/Derv negates part of the cost saving anyway, especially if your mpg does indeed drop by around 10%. The fuel may be cheaper, but you're using more of it, and nearly half is still regular Derv anyway.
The cost savings can't be that great, and there is the very real risk of doing considerable damage to the fuel system in the long-term, the costs of which will easily run into the thousands for an expensive, precision instrument such as the 535d.
If the Bio Diesel mix is wrong, it can attack the fuel system seals & hoses in the long term. It won't manifest itself immediately, but could degrade the fuel system over a period of months or years.
It has become quite popular to run much older Diesels (before Common Rail) on vegetable oil, and many will run quite happily on it after a few basic modifications. It's probably worth trying it in those cases because the old Diesels are worthless anyway, so you won't have lost much money if the engine & fuel system lunches itself and scraps the car.
But on a shiny, new & very expensive BMW 535d? I'd think very carefully before running it for the long-term on alternative fuels to what BMW specify. It may be ok, but it's one hell of a gamble on such an expensive car, especially if the fuel cost savings are not great.
Running a 60/40 mix of Bio Diesel/Derv negates part of the cost saving anyway, especially if your mpg does indeed drop by around 10%. The fuel may be cheaper, but you're using more of it, and nearly half is still regular Derv anyway.
The cost savings can't be that great, and there is the very real risk of doing considerable damage to the fuel system in the long-term, the costs of which will easily run into the thousands for an expensive, precision instrument such as the 535d.
If the Bio Diesel mix is wrong, it can attack the fuel system seals & hoses in the long term. It won't manifest itself immediately, but could degrade the fuel system over a period of months or years.
It has become quite popular to run much older Diesels (before Common Rail) on vegetable oil, and many will run quite happily on it after a few basic modifications. It's probably worth trying it in those cases because the old Diesels are worthless anyway, so you won't have lost much money if the engine & fuel system lunches itself and scraps the car.
But on a shiny, new & very expensive BMW 535d? I'd think very carefully before running it for the long-term on alternative fuels to what BMW specify. It may be ok, but it's one hell of a gamble on such an expensive car, especially if the fuel cost savings are not great.
Hi,
Thanks for your comments.
I have faith in the quality of my biodiesel.
Somebody has to be one of the first, but I hope more people will consider it (I see Top Gear ran their Britcar entrant on biodiesel). I know of quite a few 530d's running on biodiesel and clocking up 5 figure mileages with no issues.
In Germany a biodiesel mix (I know it is less than 60/40 but I am not sure the exact ratio) is available at the pump.
Thanks for your comments.
I have faith in the quality of my biodiesel.
Somebody has to be one of the first, but I hope more people will consider it (I see Top Gear ran their Britcar entrant on biodiesel). I know of quite a few 530d's running on biodiesel and clocking up 5 figure mileages with no issues.
In Germany a biodiesel mix (I know it is less than 60/40 but I am not sure the exact ratio) is available at the pump.
Personally, speaking as a 535d owner
(a) if i cared that much about the environment that i 'needed' to run it on biodiesel, i'd be driving something more environmentally friendly than a 535d
(b) if i was that concerned about fuel prices that i 'needed' to run my 535d on biodiesel, i'd trade it in for a 520d.
You dont run a 272BHP / 286BHP car on a shoestring, no matter what your motives.
(a) if i cared that much about the environment that i 'needed' to run it on biodiesel, i'd be driving something more environmentally friendly than a 535d
(b) if i was that concerned about fuel prices that i 'needed' to run my 535d on biodiesel, i'd trade it in for a 520d.
You dont run a 272BHP / 286BHP car on a shoestring, no matter what your motives.
There is an option that must be ticked when ordering the car that uses different pipes and seals that will not perish which the standard ones do when running on bio.
Problem is this option is not available on UK cars as far as I know, well it is not listed anyway.
As far as I know the rest of the car is fine though, so it should be possible and if/when the seals go replace them with the bio ones??
Problem is this option is not available on UK cars as far as I know, well it is not listed anyway.
As far as I know the rest of the car is fine though, so it should be possible and if/when the seals go replace them with the bio ones??
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