Maserati - 95RON, 97RON or Optimax?

[tommomic]

Chaps -

Picked my 3200 AC up on Saturday, and already used the complimentary full tank the dealer put in for me. Lots of miles over the weekend 'just testing' the cars capabilites - so far, very impressed and ticks all my requirements. Lovely car.

Question is, which fuel to fill up with. Is it worth bothering with Optimax, or just use regular 97RON or even 95RON? I always put Optimax in my previous TVRs, and its a bit of a habit I suppose, but not sure of the worth with the Maserati?

Cheers,
Michael

[chris_crossley]

I just use the normal, goes like stick without the extra.

[Nigelo]

The engine management system will automatically compensate for the grade you use but bear in mind the minimum factory recommendation is 95RON. So using 95RON is just about ok provided the fuel is fresh i.e. supplier has large turnover and you use it quickly. FWIW, u/l fuel degrades quite quickly due to the octane improver(s) (butane I believe) venting off and the propensity to absorb water.

Personally I use Optimax when I can which is 98RON otherwise Super U/L which is normally 97RON.

Hope this helps

[zeddie]

I've used Optimax in past and present cars and I think the cars runs better on it.
Geoff.

[maserati3200gt]

Car goes like crazy on either but personally I use Optimax. I feel there is a slight difference in increased throttle response using Optimax.

[v12v8]

My car HATES Optimax - the 95 standard stuff suits it fine. Yhe VPower 100 Octane fuel in Germany goes down a treat however Rocket anyone??

[maserati3200gt]

100 ???? Bloody ell!!! Bet the car shifts !!!!

[kenyon]

Actually Opitmax is 99-100 Octane. I work in the petrolchemical business. Optimas is no marketing gimick either. Notice a difference with 348 on it. Never use anythinh else now..

[mr_tony]

v12v8 said:

Yhe VPower 100 Octane fuel in Germany goes down a treat however

looking forward to some of that on minihoon Nick!

I'd vote for optimax, runs fine on 95, but is sweeter on optimax

[tommomic]

Thanks for that chaps.

I'm going to continue using Optimax, as I said its a bit of a habit already. Also, good to know I've got the backup of standard fuel if no Shell station around.

Looks like my Shell Pluspoints are going to increase somewhat over the next year or two!

Cheers,
Michael

[kenyon]

EVO magazine did a test with optimax and several performance cars and tested the same cars with normal fuel and their was a big difference in engine wear, carbonising of valves, more performance with opitmax. A really good test. It was about two years ago. I have the issue at home.

[Nigelo]

kenyon said:

Actually Opitmax is 99-100 Octane. I work in the petrolchemical business. Optimas is no marketing gimick either...

No Kenyon, as I said in my post above, Optimax is 98RON. For further info see Shell's link Octane rating

Since Shell co-developed Optimax with Ferrari for racing, I must agree its no marketing gimmick. I forgot to mention in my previous post that when the engine management system adjusts for the different fuel rating, the power output will naturally be greater and cleaner burning with higher octanes.

[sco]

Talking about this with someone who advises the oil industry. According to him, Optimax is the fastest degrading of the unleaded fuels and although it is great when it leaves the refinery other premium fuels may be a better bet at the pumps. Hence the comment above about going to a station with high turnover, but I would have thought a low proportion of regular punters will be using Optimax so I guess there is always a fair chance that it will be hanging around in the pumps wherever you go.

I still use it though.