e85 post from M2 forum (pros/cons)

[L4ces]

I don't recall anyone chiming in to warn of any issues using e85 so it must not apply to the s65 and components. I know nothing about e85 but I felt compelled to post here anyway.

http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1384127

[SYT_Shadow]

What I know for sure is the E9X M manual states very clearly that you should not use anything over E10

I would never run E85 in one of my cars

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

What I know for sure is the E9X M manual states very clearly that you should not use anything over E10

I would never run E85 in one of my cars

exactly! but it's become apparent that some owners don't read their manuals or even search the web before they do something of what we perceive as stupid.

[ganz]

I think of E85 like caffeine. You shouldn't take it, but once you do you're hooked. I came from the N54 motor and was tuned using an E30 blend. Had I kept my 335is longer I certainly would have eventually gone to port injection and full E85.

All the negatives listed in the thread are true. Buying the flex fuel kit alone is really just the beginning of a long list of other supporting modifications to compensate for the side effects. But once you feel the power (especially in boosted applications) it's worth all the risk.

<- also, this is a cool smiley.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

exactly! but it's become apparent that some owners don't read their manuals or even search the web before they do something of what we perceive as stupid.

People can do whatever they want with their cars, but you can just imagine some poor soul buying it later...

[KawBoy]

All good points here.

Having used ethanol since the 1980's, I thought I'd share my experience.

The single most important issue when running ethanol is to make sure that all of the parts in contact with it are treated properly for corrosion. Ethanol will eat mostly anything including aluminum. That's why we used plastic fuel tanks, Nickel plated carburetors, plastic fuel lines, etcetera.
We also would have a very efficient fuel filter, stainless steel preferably, 10 micron. Motor/car needs to be driven often; leaving alcohol in the tank for long will create a sludge type of thing which will clog everything in it's path.

BMW, as SYT_Shadow comment, does not recommend fuel with more than 10% ethanol. I believe the reason is that the parts in contact with ethanol are not alcohol ready; there is a plastic fuel tank, plastic fuel lines but what about the pumps? The fuel maps may be another issue.
Today's injectors are alcohol compatible though.

I have given some thoughts about converting my M3 to Flex. My major concern is the fuel pumps; there are aftermarket pumps available, but I'd like to use the stock ones, so I am always looking for info about them.

[SYT_Shadow]

Kawboy, I agree that BMW is concerned because their system isn't ready for it.

Given the many issues Stage 3 cars have with fueling when using aftermarket pumps, I wish you luck! Seems like this car is very finicky

[KawBoy]

SYT, the way I see, fuel pumps are not an issue, but a factory-like install is. There are really good alky pumps available, but I am not much into having things installed "patch-like".
I've never seen the S65 pump, nor do I know it's specs, but it seems it can handle some alky. Question is, for how long? Time will tell. Meanwhile, 93 it is.