XSeries-forum

Just had a wee thought to myself while filling up the car with diesel today (low fuel light was on & i was topping right up so i had ages to wait after all!).
I know BMW say we shouldn't use biodiesel at all but Tesco (i know there's a whole other topic for discussion on supermarket fuels!) have a sign on there diesel pumps saying 'may contain up to 7% biodiesel'. Now i know that this is probably an ass covering sign but it did get me thinking/ worrying.
Any thoughts?

Officially BMW support the use of B5 (5%) biodiesel even if they don't recommend the use of biodiesel at all - or 'Biopetrol' which uses Ethanol in the mix - but given that for diesel in the UK you have no choice, and we've had biodiesel for a few years without any effects so far there should not be anything to be worried about. B7 is unusual but as you say it's probably them covering their arses in case the 'blend' wasn't quite right.

There was an interesting article a couple of years back which warned garages to keep their tanks cleaner as the introduction of biofuel allowed the growth of certain wee beasties in the bio part of the fuel which might clog fuel filters. I've never had trouble in all the years that biodiesel has been the only option at the pumps.

[quote=""MartyVFR""]Tesco (i know there's a whole other topic for discussion on supermarket fuels!) [/quote]

Most fuels come from the same place so locally here to me Shell have the local refinery and everyone fills up there Tesco included (well except for Murco-not sure where they get iffy fuel from). Its probably just that Tesco are being more open about the Biodiesel content!

Anyone know where I can get biodiesel in Hampshire?

smeeagain - try this www.nnfcc.co.uk

thanks - Ive seen that one before - seems there are little or no outlets in the whoel of Hampshire for some bizarre reason - will just have to go further afield

Wondering if anyone has used B70-B100 yet? Would love to run on pure biodiesel but I'm not brave enough to be the first to try it. Surely some old 5-series owners have tried it by now?

Not me. Even the X6 can only run on B8 Biofuel. I would have thought that manufacturers really would have moved a bit further with this, especially given VW's can run on just about anything.

and Land Rovers run on 100% Tesco chip fat..................... :O

[quote=""B1G JV""]and Land Rovers run on 100% Tesco chip fat..................... :O[/quote]

Ed Zackery............

........but then I guess Landrover's can't do 150mph which may be the issue. Biofuel doesn't provide the power that certain manufacturers are looking for. E85 petrol equivalent is a much lower 'power' fuel.

My mate has run his 2003 3.0d on biodiesel for the past 2 years with no issues to report, fills up with normal diesel every 4th fill up.


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The manual recommending no more than B8 and the ability of the engine to run on it are two different things. Ever notice that the car manufacturers have quite close partnerships with oil companies?

A lot of the VWs will run on B100 although the book says a maximum of 5% or something along those lines. I looked in to it when I had a polo TDI. Apparently the potential issues are:

Fuel filter initially gets clogged up as the biodiesel cleans out the tank - easy fix.
Some fuel lines are no fit for biodiesel - need to be replaced but still quite simple.
Some internal parts (fuel pump seals etc) may not be resistant to biodiesel - expensive.

I'll have a sniff around the 5-series forums and see what people have tried.

[quote=""Buster""]My mate has run his 2003 3.0d on biodiesel for the past 2 years with no issues to report, fills up with normal diesel every 4th fill up.


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Very interesting - 100% biodiesel?

Yes 100% biodiesel, he also runs it in his wifes Audi A4 and his Peugeot van. The only issue he had was with his van when the temp was -18degC last winter, the bio turned like a thick oil. TBH I wouldn't want to be using it in mine!


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There's an additive you can put in it for cold weather.

At around 60p/l it's starting to look more and more attractive.