Thanks @kezo Yes, I realised that the USA fuels (and ratings) are different. When I get the cars on test I’ve made a note to look inside the fuel flaps to see what the label states, but the U.K. owners manual for the X5 implies; 50e Super Unleaded E5 (RON 98) is best, but Unleaded E10 (RON 95) is OK. M60i Super Plus – Shell V-Power (99 RON) best, but Super Unleaded E5 (RON 98) OK. Diesels – Minimum Grade B10 but Optimal Grade B7
Fuel is something I always found interesting, I have always used Esso fuel partly because my local Esso as always being on par with supermarket prices, if not cheaper these days.
It wasn’t that long ago Esso openly said in their blurb that in certain area’s of the UK, (which included you and I), that their E10 petrol was to E5 specs and contained 5% ethanol (95 RON) and basically down to two main ethanol plants we have (had) in the UK an the RTFO states upto 10% ethanol and 10% as a maximum, meaning E10 can contain less and often does.
Perhaps more important, due the the UK-US free trade deal and the removal of tariffs on US ethanol imports, has put the UK two major ethanol producers in Teeside and Hull under significant stress, which has seen the Hull plant close in August last year and the Ensus plant in Teeside facing imminent closure.
Due to the US-UK trade deal and with the importing American bioethanol, those in the south of the country have started to notice changes to Shell V Power and those who have the ability to test fuel have noticed it has gone from 100/101 RON to 95 RON and as more bioethanol products are imported and the eventual loss of UK ethanol manufacturing it will eventually work its way north!
There are various reports floating around, here’s one (ignore redex blurb in middle of video). Of course the same will happen to Synergy 99, though, goven your not chasing the fastest lap round Nuremburg, I wouldn’t get to hung u because your ulikely to suffer enginge knock under low load pottering from a to b.