E10 is due to become the norm- will an Sl350, R230 2004 run off this new fuel mix does anybody know please ?

[zentrex]

Hope someone can answer this either through direct personal experience or knowledge
many thanks

 

[markjay]

The only thing I've read about this, is that in the US where high Ethanol contents has been the norm for a while now, MB advised that 229.51 oil should not be used in gasoline engines (229.51 is permitted for use in petrol engines elsewhere, although the recommended oil remains 229.5).

So it seems there shouldn't be any issue running MB cars on E10?

BTW, Shell V-Power is still E5, but for how long it isn't clear?

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

I read that E5 will be the super unleaded variant, yep

 

[Yex]

I use the Esso Super Unleaded fuel - zero ethanol at the mo

 

[st13phil]

E10 has been common in much of continental Europe for a few years, so searching on "SP95E10 compatibility" will bring up lists from France and Belgium.

From the Belgian route there is the Compatibility List published by the ACEA which states:

E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:

• First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;
• Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, models retrofitted with three-way catalysts or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.

From the French route, there is this government document which states:

Mercedes-Benz: all models put into service from 1 January 1993, with the exception of the following models:

• fitted with a V12 engine;
• equipped with the 271 942 engine put into service between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2005;
• Class A Turbo;
• Class B Turbo;
• C 200 CGI Sportcoupé (type 203) fitted with engine 203 743;
• C 200 CGI Break (type 203) fitted with engine 203 243;
• CLK 200 CGI (type 209) fitted with engine 209 343;
• CLK 200 CGI Cabriolet (type 209) fitted with the 209 443 engine.
  

 

[Chrishazle]

This problem has been discussed at length on the PCGB forum for a long while (years!), the main problem is the effect of E10 on fuel lines, specifically the inside lining degrading and getting to the injectors. Advice from Porsche was that cars younger than 1995 (i.e. Boxter and later models) were OK but that pre-Boxster models (968, 944, 964 etc) should not use E10 unless their fuel lines had been changed to suitable ones. Within the discussions were contacts with the main fuel suppliers (Shell, BP, Esso) who all said that their premium blend would not use more than 5% ethanol at any time.

I think the same considerations would apply to MB cars.

FWIW my Porsches (944 lux, 944S then 968) were initially run on normal 95RON until about 2005 without problem, but when the 968 coupe we bought in 11/1998 became the weekend car instead of the daily, so annual mileage dropped dramatically, I switched to V-power or similar as additional cost was low and car seemed happier on the higher RON fuel. Just had to be careful in Europe as occasionally you'll find 98RON that is E10, check the sticker on the pump before re-fuelling!

 

[190]

Now we are out of the EU I don't see why we have to adopt E10. MPG will reduce as ethanol has a low calorific value. It can also cause problems with older carburetted vehicles.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I didn't have any noticeable problems running a 2003 SL350 or 2004 E500 W211 on E10 in France. They've had E10 for about a decade.

Doing typically 2000 mile round trips - mainly motorway.

.

 

[zentrex]

E10 has been common in much of continental Europe for a few years, so searching on "SP95E10 compatibility" will bring up lists from France and Belgium.

From the Belgian route there is the Compatibility List published by the ACEA which states:


From the French route, there is this government document which states:

Thank you so much for your reply Phil - it has put my mind at rest- I only read of the change yesterday and slightly panicked !

 

[zentrex]

This problem has been discussed at length on the PCGB forum for a long while (years!), the main problem is the effect of E10 on fuel lines, specifically the inside lining degrading and getting to the injectors. Advice from Porsche was that cars younger than 1995 (i.e. Boxter and later models) were OK but that pre-Boxster models (968, 944, 964 etc) should not use E10 unless their fuel lines had been changed to suitable ones. Within the discussions were contacts with the main fuel suppliers (Shell, BP, Esso) who all said that their premium blend would not use more than 5% ethanol at any time.

I think the same considerations would apply to MB cars.

FWIW my Porsches (944 lux, 944S then 968) were initially run on normal 95RON until about 2005 without problem, but when the 968 coupe we bought in 11/1998 became the weekend car instead of the daily, so annual mileage dropped dramatically, I switched to V-power or similar as additional cost was low and car seemed happier on the higher RON fuel. Just had to be careful in Europe as occasionally you'll find 98RON that is E10, check the sticker on the pump before re-fuelling!

Thanks Chris , very informative !

 

[Germgh0st]

Now we are out of the EU I don't see why we have to adopt E10. MPG will reduce as ethanol has a low calorific value. It can also cause problems with older carburetted vehicles.

I suspect because we're still part of the global group set up to reduce carbon emissions.

 

[markjay]

GOV.UK E10 Enquiry

E10 Enquiry

check-vehicle-compatibility-e10-petrol.service.gov.uk

 

[markjay]

Now we are out of the EU I don't see why we have to adopt E10. MPG will reduce as ethanol has a low calorific value. It can also cause problems with older carburetted vehicles.

It's part of the effort to reach zero net Carbon emissions in the UK by 2050 - so won't go away any time soon (regardless of the EU Directives).

 

[markjay]

I use the Esso Super Unleaded fuel - zero ethanol at the mo

Esso indeed confirm the their Synergy Supreme+ fuel is sold in parts of the UK with zero percent Ethanol (though in other parts is does contain Ethanol).

However, it is worth noting that 'E5' means 'no more than 5% Ethanol', and that also covers fuels with 0% Ethanol.... so when buying any E5-labelled fuel there's no telling if it contains any Ethanol at all... it might be Ethanol-free - the standard only specifies the upper limit, but does not stipulate that the fuel must contain Ethanol. Though, is seems that only Esso supply a fuel that is guaranteed to have no Ethanol at all.

 

[190]

When E10 is introduced there will be labelling on the pumps to display ethanol % content. That at least is an honest approach which was not the case for E5.

 

[BlackPearl09]

I have read that super unleaded will be no more than 5% for the next 5 years.

 

[BlackPearl09]

I have read that super unleaded will be no more than 5% for the next 5 years.

Hopefully by then porsche and co will have perfected their eFuel which is meant to be better for engines.

 

[grober]

Esso indeed confirm the their Synergy Supreme+ fuel is sold in parts of the UK with zero percent Ethanol (though in other parts is does contain Ethanol).

However, it is worth noting that 'E5' means 'no more than 5% Ethanol', and that also covers fuels with 0% Ethanol.... so when buying any E5-labelled fuel there's no telling if it contains any Ethanol at all... it might be Ethanol-free - the standard only specifies the upper limit, but does not stipulate that the fuel must contain Ethanol. Though, is seems that only Esso supply a fuel that is guaranteed to have no Ethanol at all.

IIRC ethanol content may be geographically connected as it depends on which FUEL distribution plant its sourced from-----different brand name but same distribution centre e.g. people in Cornwall [ ----------------] get a different "Shell" from those in Scotland [ GRANGEMOUTH]