Premium fuel - Yay or Nay?

Poll Poll Do you use premium fuel?

  • Yes

    Votes: 94 77.0%

  • No

    Votes: 28 23.0%
  • Total voters
    122
I didn't vote as this is in the E89 section, and I have an E86! :lol:

But I always use Tesco Momentum, or V-Power as a last resort. And it's only a last resort because it's stupidly expensive!

It's what my Indy recommended after I got fault codes for post-cat issues on both banks and an Amber EML a few years ago - but I think they may have been triggered by my end of life battery. :?

Still a couple of doses of Cat-A-Clean and premium fuel has kept the EML off for nearly 3 years, so that'll do for me!
 
I don't understand why anyone would give their premium car regular fuel.

Would you feed your kids mcdonalds everyday? Your car is no different, it needs good fuel.
 
Fifth gear did a good video on this subject a few years ago and the results were quite surprising.
In a small hatch/city car (think 1l polo) it didn’t make any difference. While in the golf gti it gave 10 extra bhp and in a scooby was about 20 extra bhp. I’ve seen people spend several hundred pounds to achieve 20bhp so well worth it in my opinion.
Also, don’t forget you Ecu adjusts to the fuel your using. So mixing between the two probably won’t see as much of a difference compared to using premium full time.
 
For the small amount compared to the cost of the vehicle its not worth sweating about so premium for me
 
[/quote]
Lil_g_1234 said:
Fifth gear did a good video on this subject a few years ago and the results were quite surprising.
In a small hatch/city car (think 1l polo) it didn’t make any difference. While in the golf gti it gave 10 extra bhp and in a scooby was about 20 extra bhp. I’ve seen people spend several hundred pounds to achieve 20bhp so well worth it in my opinion.
Also, don’t forget you Ecu adjusts to the fuel your using. So mixing between the two probably won’t see as much of a difference compared to using premium full time.
Click to expand...
From page 1 of this thread: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8L-X89duEs
 
I’m more interested in my engines internals being cleaned over the small amount of extra power produced :driving:
Rob
 
Smartbear said:
I’m more interested in my engines internals being cleaned over the small amount of extra power produced :driving:
Rob
Click to expand...

Exactly, I don't think it makes a visible difference to performance but perhaps it's good for the engine's health. They need to do a test to see how the internals fair. Perhaps two or three cars the same make model etc driven over 50k or 100k with different fuels and then the engine taken apart and see what the internals are like on each. That is the only way to know for sure if in the long run premium fuels are worth it
 
Cheers guys and gals for all the replies and for voting on the poll! I'll stick with the pricey stuff, much to my wallet's despair! Looks like it'll be for the best in the long run! Guess I'd rather drink proper Coca Cola rather than the Sainsbury's basics muck so point taken :)
 
With a high output engine and the tolerances involved It's important to use the highest grade fuel you can. Its not about horsepower , It's about keeping your engine in tip top condition. Personally I use Shell V power 99 and occasionally a shot of Redex for good measure. :driving:
 
I can definitely tell the difference in my car, although it's been remapped (and is a turbo) so may make a difference.

My previous car was NA and I couldn't tell the difference but used premium fuel just to keep the internals clean - who knows if it actually did.

Anyhow, I use Shell V Power. It's not a huge amount more per tank especially considering the extra couple of mpg.
 
Busterboo said:
And BMW recommend 95 RON. Kuh.
Click to expand...

Put another way, if 98 RON is necessary, whey don't BMW recommend it?

Actually, put any way you like, 98 RON is unnecessary.

However, if you want to waste £5 a tank and it makes you feel better, rock on, Tommy.
 
Busterboo said:
Busterboo said:
And BMW recommend 95 RON. Kuh.
Click to expand...

Put another way, if 98 RON is necessary, whey don't BMW recommend it?

Actually, put any way you like, 98 RON is unnecessary.

However, if you want to waste £5 a tank and it makes you feel better, rock on, Tommy.
Click to expand...

Hi Buster, I don’t think anyone has said super unleaded is actually necessary but it does have valid benefits (certain models can produce extra power & all models reap the advantage of cleaner engine components)
It’s common for all manufacturers to state the minimum acceptable grade of fuel, never the highest grade.
That’s my take on it :thumbsup:
Rob
 
Attached are the state of my exhaust tips after last weekend’s Peak District tour, up & down Dales using the full S54’s rev range vigorously & often, covering approx +500 miles round trip.... where she’s only ever been run on V power (with me 100%)

Running this clean here IMO is all the evidence you need, never had this using other fuels & shows just how good the internals of my S54 are
 

Attachments

  • 375D34E7-C213-47C5-8478-9F05A7E2E660.jpeg
    375D34E7-C213-47C5-8478-9F05A7E2E660.jpeg
    432.8 KB · Views: 709
Busterboo said:
Busterboo said:
And BMW recommend 95 RON. Kuh.
Click to expand...

Put another way, if 98 RON is necessary, whey don't BMW recommend it?

Actually, put any way you like, 98 RON is unnecessary.

However, if you want to waste £5 a tank and it makes you feel better, rock on, Tommy.
Click to expand...

Beemer definitely recommend it for their m engined cars, my e92 m3 filler shown below. My RS4 also recommends 97+. They'll both run 95 no problem, but there's definite advantages to putting premium 97+ in. For a high performance turbo engine I wouldn't even hesitate to put in the highest ron available unless you're just pootling around.

_20191008_221211.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom