Fuel brands and octanes [Poll included]

[PerryGunn]

It’s not bollocks at all. If it was then the petrol companies would be opening themselves up to being sued…

Whatever the truth, the petrol companies would have covered their arses by ensuring they have their own studies that back up their claims.

...bit like 'New Daz' washes whiter than 'Old Daz' which washed whiter than 'Even Older Daz' - all of which leaves us assuming that clothes washed in 'Very Old Daz' came out looking like they'd been dipped in shite....

[darich]

I use E5 but only because it has lower ethanol than E10 and my Z4 may sit for 3-4 weeks between drives. If it was a daily driver, as my other car is, then anything goes.

[Mr Tidy]

Despite all the 'reports' in the world, I have had 300,000 miles of experience with a myriad of cars. I have never, ever used 'the best fuel' and have never had a car go pop, or need an engine rebuild, or even broken down.

I seriously believe all this 'cleaning detergents' stuff is bollox.

OK, you lot may be nursing your old cars to keep them going by using the 'best' fuel, whether it's a placebo or not. Maybe it would be worth calculating how much that is costing against buying another car with less mileage which doesn't need so much looking after?

It's worth mentioning that the cars we are talking about are just old, not highly tuned performance engines. My wife's daily produces more bhp and torque than almost all the Z4 range of engines and she puts in the cheapest E10 she can find. The car is groovy.

The day I have an engine go pop and it can be categorically blamed on cheap E10 fuel, I will listen. Until then it's all 'car forum' bollox IMO.
Same as 'which tyres will make my car better' type threads.

But like I stated earlier I only buy E5 to get the right Octane rating to meet the criteria my engine was designed to perform on best.

And I think an S54 is a highly tuned performance engine.

[Jollygiant]

Super all the way, wether that's Tesco Momentum or BP super.

I did pay £1:55 a litre for V Power once and it didn't seem to make any difference, so won't do that again.

[deltasierra]

Used E5 in E85, never missed a beat, I use E10 in the G29 runs great. We have a lot of industrial machines and I’ve learned the hard way using cheaper alternatives costs a lot, so I make sure I stick to recommended, fuels, filters and oils for drivetrain, not so concerned with suspension/brakes.

[sars]

So there is both UK and EU legislation governing petrol and diesel quality, there are also British and European standard for automotive fuel that specifies a minimum/maximum requirements for petrol and test methods to prove suitability, this is BS EN 228:2023. There is not a limitation on what additives can be added, just that these additives most not make the fuel unacceptable and of course they still have to pass the standard quality tests set by the standard. All fuel has additives.

Petrol production is a continuous process, and therefore the same ingredients will be used throughout the process everyday. Each refinery has multiple lines running different grades E5 or E10 and with different octane levels, if it was all the same then each "super" petrol would have the same octane level, as you would not advertise 97 if you are actually receiving 99.

So in reality all petrol is not the same, however they all have to meet minimum requirements and I can bet you a years salary that the cost difference between grades is actually negligible. By all means fill up with the best one you can afford, it is of course your choice, just be aware that unless your car requires E5 @ >97 the benefit does not give any noticeable difference or benefit rather than you're own imagination, influenced by clever marketing professionals, and the only true beneficiaries are the operators who make more profit at your expense.

As Perry stated, if you are going to sorn your car for the winter it makes sense to reduce the ethanol content and limit the amount of air volume in the tank to reduce moisture content.

[roblightbody]

Tesco Momentum 99 across all our cars.

[Bluebottle]

Tesco is next to my workplace, but even when it wasn't, I have used Momentum 99 almost exclusively in my BMWs and SAAB 9000AERO. I have been told my Z4 N52 will not benefit, but feel it is more responsive and has detergents.

I admit to being daft, but when not available I will drive a few miles for Esso or another 97 RON. Occasionally use Shell V power, but it very expensive and does not seem better than Momentum to me.

I don't know who else watched this JAYEMM video recently, but I found it very interesting.

[Bluebottle]

I did pay £1:55 a litre for V Power once and it didn't seem to make any difference, so won't do that again.

I recall paying over £2 for Momentum a few years ago when prices were stupid, they seem fairly stable nowadays.

[Pondrew]

I recall paying over £2 for Momentum a few years ago when prices were stupid, they seem fairly stable nowadays.

Unless the Iranians and Israelis start their nonsense again. Then watch it fly!

[Jollygiant]

Unless the Iranians and Israelis start their nonsense again. Then watch it fly!

Or the Government get more greedy!

[Spriteracer]

I run my E86 N52 on E10, E5 and left over race fuel depending on where I am and how poor I'm feeling ! The race fuel is usually Shell V-power with a dose of Torco unleaded fuel accelerator (250ml/20l) which adds about 4 octane points. I buy new for each race meeting and the Z is the only other car we have that can use it. I can't say I have ever noticed much difference between any of them although I probably don't do enough mileage for all the adaptions to work through fully. I don't keep consumption records other than the dash readout so don't know if there is any difference there.