The issue with bio diesel is that every mix is different, there are very few standards. If a fuel meets all commercial standards, however it is produced, it is fine. Not many biodiesel fuels meet those standards, or are even tested against them. BMW has said that they don't support the use of biodiesel simply because there is insufficient control in the biodiesel industry to guarantee any kind of quality.
This came from another forum. It summarizes the current issue fairly well.
Quote:
From: BMW Australia
Sent: 21 December, 2005 09.14
To: Forum Member
Subject: BMW & Bio Diesel
Dear Forum Member,
The BMW Group Worldwide currently do not support the use of Bio Diesel fuels in any of our vehicles at all at this stage.
It very well may be approved in the future, but currently there is insufficient test data and regulatory measures in place to assess it impact both on the vehicle and on the environment.
Thank you for your enquiry.
BMW Australia
Engineering and Technical Manager
BMW Group Australia
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Bottom line is, feel free to experiment with your new BMW vehicle, but don't call BMW if you have any problems or damage the engine. And ask yourself what standards (cleanliness, lubricity, heat content, viscosity, etc) the fuel is tested against. Diesel fuel does more things than provide energy, it lubricates the injectors, for example. A dry fuel (as we have to use here in Canada at very low ambient temperatures) causes injector problems. God only knows what used chip oil is like.
Jeff
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White
Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue
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