Well, finally got the max back from my brother for a while, and boy did he trash it. The inside is a mess, papers and a few empty cups laying around, and after a recent snowfall here in MI, he did not bother to wash the outside, which is also a mess. The acceleration isn't as strong and smooth compared to when I was driving it. Any $$ says that he used a cheap brand of gas of either 89 or 87 octane, compared to the Mobil 93 I used for the Max. I've made him aware (and even he knows it) that 4th gen. to present day Max's (and even his '01.5 Passat 1.8T) requires premium fuel, but he chooses the lower to mid-octane gas, why, I don't know, but I was disappointed to see how bad the Max is compared to when I had it.

Funny thing is, that while his Passat was in service and he had the Max, he called me to tell me how well I took care of the Max, both mechanically and apperance-wise.

Although the Max is orginally his and I had it for 6 months and took excellent care of it, what bothers me is that he neglects the Max, butt w/ his Passat, he "babies" that car.

BUt, to say the least, w/ almost 85K now on the odometer (82.5K when I gave it back to him), this '98 SE is gonna need more than just a car wash and Mobil 93 to get the smoothness and appearance back to where I had it before. The Max now just doesn't feel the same as before. But w/ my family moving within the Metro Detroit area in a few months, I'm gonna have to save up $$ as I can (beleive me, if I could I'd instantly get the Max back to how I had it before, but now I can't w/ the situation I'm in)

So now I say this to my older brother Joe - you can have the Max back and do whatever you want w/ it, becuz I don't want it anymore (not in its current condition), and I hope you find a buyer that will take care of your Max like I did, and I hope the Passat treats you well as the Max did.

 

does 87 octane really kill the engine? People told me its all the same. I dont want my car to blow up! ! I always use 87 because i cant afford more!

 

So was it ever yorus or were you just borrowing it?

SuDZ

 

It was actually mine for 6 months (3/02 - 9/02) but I had to give it back to him becuz of financial & job reasons

 

I think that you increase the chances of damaging your engine from excessive knocking/pinging. The KS should detect the detonation and retard your timing in order to prevent pinging but that will have an adverse effect on your cars performance.

The cost difference is minimal if you think about it..
e.g.
Oregon prices:
Regular 87 octane unleaded $1.35/gal
Premium 92 octane unleaded $1.49/gal

difference of $0.14/gal is $2.24 per 16 gallon "fill up"

Just eat one less Big Mac meal a week and you'll make up that difference and have change!