[bigriffi]

Guys, I have perused the various discussions about the merits and demerits of BioDiesel with much interest.

This topic is raised as I am finding it harder and harder to find stations that carry regular old diesel, (the less than 5% Bio type) that my 335d requires!

Most stations have the dreaded "this diesel could have between 5 and 20% biodiesel" sticker, which helps very little.

My experiences with biodiesel and other "bad" diesel has been suspect, I have had the doom and gloom message come on from the computer and had several trips to the dealer to have the computer reset and the urea bag refilled.

The last time I was stuck needing fuel, I put 1/2 of a tank of biodiesel in and filled up with regular non-biodiesel when I could, no problems.

Problem is, I had to get to the fourth station today (in Chicago area) before I just put in a half tank of biodiesel (I was running out!).

Is this the trend going forward? My lease is up in 5 months, and I am thinking my next BMW won't be a diesel, unfortunately.

Alas, anyone want a really nice 2009 335d with 37k+ miles on it? My residual buyout is less than the Edmunds value?

[Messiah62]

ive never even seen biodiesel and i live in omaha nebraska...

[bigriffi]

you will.

[cssnms]

No biodiesel (that I can find) here in the DC metro area either.

[Messiah62]

i have had the car for 1.5 years and havent seen it. Just the 15ppm standard stuff. Is it cheaper?

[bigriffi]

on the order of 4-15 cents/gallon cheaper in Chicago.

First I saw the slow growth and proliferation of the "15 PPM low sulfur" stickers (a good thing), then subsequently the stickers that state "biodiesel included anywhere bewteen 5 and 20%)

It's troubling for me since the number of gas stations I can actually use are dwindling down.

[cssnms]

There needs to be a push to change the legislation. There is no reason why diesel pumps should not be required to not only list the cetane rating, but the biodiesel %, not much unlike the requirements for gasoline. Could you imagine the outcry if gasoline pumps said any of the following,,,, "Ethanol included anywhere between 0% and 15%.", "Min octane rating of 87%."

[bigriffi]

So what are you going to do when you can't find any fuel?

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by bigriffi

So what are you going to do when you can't find any fuel?

I am not concerned about it, my diesel will be long gone before it will become a problem in my neck of the woods.

[F32Fleet]

Higher levels probably aren't a problem but until enough people complain to BMWNA they will not be forced to make an announcement any time soon.

[bigriffi]

it is a problem, because it messes with the urea exhaust clean up system.

It puts the computer in a sort of limp home mode. Every time you start your car, you get a warning and countdown from 1000 miles that your car will not start unless you fix the issue, which is of course to change fuel, reset the computer and refill the Urea bag, ie trip to dealer.

if that happens every week, it's certainly a problem to me. since it's covered under maintenance, it'll be there problem too.