Is French SP95-10 fuel ok to use in my BMW 3 Series?

Having just returned from two weeks driving in France I discovered that the normal 95 octane petrol is being replaced by SP95-10, which I understand contains 10 per cent bioethanol and is cheaper. I drive a 2008/58 BMW 3 Series saloon and would like either your confirmation that it is OK to use it, or confirmation from a BMW source. Having interrogated a French website it did imply that all BMW engines post-1998 could be run safely on this mixture, but as a cynical Brit I question the validity of a French web source. It seems that ordinary 95 octane is being phased out especially by the supermarket chain Intermarche and in future one will have no choice in the matter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Asked on 2 November 2013 by AT, High Wycombe

Answered by Honest John

We ran a 1.5-litre Toyota on E20 petrol in Thailand for seven years and about 70,000 miles with no trouble. UK 95Ron is already 5 per cent bioethanol. In 2008, the EU set a target for renewables to comprise 10 per cent of transport fuel by 2020, most of which would come from first generation biofuels made from sugar, cereals and oilseeds. But now there are worries about deforestation to grow oil palms, so the emphasis is on capturing energy from waste vegetation. FAQ by the AA about biofuels here: www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/news/biofuels.html

Tags: biofuels petrol engines

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