Shell Optimax 99 octane

[mattp64]

Filled up last night at a Shell garage and used their new Optimax 99 octane. From a purely subjective perspective it seems to have made a real difference - I wasn't expecting it to be any good, as the old 98 optimax never seemed to make much difference in my car (compared to supermarket 97 or tesco 99), but this one appears to be a big improvement

Has anyone else got a view on this one?

 

[gannet]

hadnt noticed they have changed... will definately give it a go

 

[mmm-five]

How many miles have you done since the fill up?

Don't forget that while the car can respond quickly if it detects knock from using lower rated fuel, it takes a lot longer to adapt to higher quality fuel. The first tankful will probably not be enough to complete this adaption.

I used to use Tesco 99 RON, but I've been using Shell 95 RON since I had my new engine as I've not been pushing the car hard anyway (mainly the 220 mile each way motorway commute). Although I make sure I use 98 when I've got a track day/blast planned.

 

[tjlazer]

I've been using standard unleaded with my M for a couple of weeks as an experiment. Hit it up with a full tank of Tesco 99 and BOOM! Definitely feel the difference, I don't think it takes a whole tank. I was a sceptic but no doubt the tuned engines in the M get a benefit from the higher grade fuel, you notice in the response and run over in particular. Shell has to be the best so I will be checking this out soon...

 

[mattp64]

To be fair I've only done about 40 miles on the shell 99, although the last few tanks have been sainsburys 97, so the adapting shouldn't be too far out.

Will keep an eye on it, just wondered if other people had noticed any difference.

 

[mattp64]

...i've read up the various articles and forum posts on this topic, and am sure there are differences between the range of fuels especially as most modern engines adapt to them. it was just that I was always underwhelmed the previous shell optimax, so was genuinely surprised by the new one.

 

[daveg]

I've only ever used the standard juice at the pumps since that was what was recommended for daily driving when I bought it.

Am I in trouble?!

 

[aRtemis]

I have been loyal to Shell since I bought the motor. I'll have to check out the new juice.

 

[ksher]

Shell rebranded super unleaded petrol as "Optimax" from "V-Power"? I filled up my car on Monday, but did not notice the change.

 

[Oakandacorns]

I've just been using normal unleaded in my baby since I got it. Is it important for engine life and ride to use the 'super' stuff?? oke:

 

[PawnSacrifice]

I've just been using normal unleaded in my baby since I got it. Is it important for engine life and ride to use the 'super' stuff?? oke:

I think so, found it pays for itself too. EdButler has done some good work in this field:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15277&hilit=chance+octane

 

[+49]

I only use Shell optimax is all my cars bikes..Ever... i will drive another 20 miles to get some if need be.

Only the best for my babys

Just put 20ltrs in last nigth (1.15p ltr) And the milage reader was on --- (o...) for a bit Got 128 miles after?

But was driving back urban but 2 am on a wednesday nigth so got 32mpg over a 4 mile journey (best i've ever got)...

My average since purchasing the car 99.9% around town is 23.9 MPG...which ain't bad?
All on shell optimax of course.

EDIT: That's in a 2003 3.0 SE

 

[Sticks]

I'm afraid I don't go for cheap fuel. If I'd spent a lot of money on a piece of furniture, say, I wouldn't use Tesco polish on it, likewise fuel. Are dearer fuels better though? http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/what-car-q-and-a/is-supermarket-petrol-different/215240

 

[mcbeee]

I'm interestd in knowing if there is a different octane rating method in NA than the Uk as our highest over here is 94 and the regular is 87. ????

 

[mmm-five]

I'm interestd in knowing if there is a different octane rating method in NA than the Uk as our highest over here is 94 and the regular is 87. ????

Yes there is.

UK use the the RON rating, the US use an average of the RON/MON rating - usually called AKI.

99 RON is about 95 AKI - or 4-5 points lower from European RON to US AKI.

 

[mcbeee]

Thanks, I went looking on google and found this :
Measurement methods
[edit] Research Octane Number (RON)
The most common type of octane rating worldwide is the Research Octane Number (RON). RON is determined by running the fuel in a test engine with a variable compression ratio under controlled conditions, and comparing the results with those for mixtures of iso-octane and n-heptane.

[edit] Motor Octane Number (MON)
There is another type of octane rating, called Motor Octane Number (MON), or the aviation lean octane rating, which is a better measure of how the fuel behaves when under load as it is done at 900 rpm instead of the 600 rpm of the RON[2][3]. MON testing uses a similar test engine to that used in RON testing, but with a preheated fuel mixture, a higher engine speed, and variable ignition timing to further stress the fuel's knock resistance. Depending on the composition of the fuel, the MON of a modern gasoline will be about 8 to 10 points lower than the RON. Normally, fuel specifications require both a minimum RON and a minimum MON.[citation needed]

[edit] Anti-Knock Index (AKI)
In most countries, including all of those of Australia and Europe the "headline" octane rating shown on the pump is the RON, but in Canada, the United States and some other countries,[which?] the headline number is the average of the RON and the MON, called the Anti-Knock Index (AKI). It may also sometimes be called the Road Octane Number (RdON), Pump Octane Number (PON), or (R+M)/2.

[edit] Difference between RON and AKI
Because of the 8 to 10 point difference noted above, the octane rating shown in the United States is 4 to 5 points lower than the rating shown elsewhere in the world for the same fuel



The interesting part is that I have been with Royal Dutch Shell for over 20 years but I don't use their fuel.

 

[mattp64]

yes, I meant V-Power when I wrote optimax. Was rebranded a while back, seems most people know what I meant...

 

[Oakandacorns]

Pawnsacrifice- Interesting, I will try and put in V-Power at the weekend to full, then next fill up a full tank on V-Power. I recall something on Top Gear (or maybe another car show) a few years back and they tested normal unleaded and 'super' unleaded on very expensive sports cars - I think that the conclusion was that performance was better only in the extremely expensive sports cars. A friend does fill their P****he up with V-Power ever 3 or 4 tanks, for the reason that it's better for the engine though. The savings figures quoted by members is quite interesting..

 

[easty027]

ive always used optimax, however i tried a tank of BP Ultimate recently and that seemed to make more of a difference than shell optimax did. never rated tesco fuel, tried it many times but doesnt seem to make any difference.

 

[ksher]

I have been using (and only) Shell Optimax/V-Power for more than 10 years.