Which fuel 95 or premium?

[domsz4]

Fifth Gear tested BP Ultimate and Shell Optimax (now branded V Power) against normal unleaded with three different cars:

Renault Clio - and found that the premium fuels made no difference to the power output of 81bhp
VW Golf GTI - Found that Ultimate increased power output from the standard 172bhp to 174bhp and Optimax increased output to 177bhp.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI - found that power increased from standard 235bhp to 248bhp with Ultimate and 249bhp with Optimax.
The conclusion being that the more highly tuned Subaru, and to a smaller extent the Golf GTI, did benefit from the change in fuel. To quote the programme: -

"That would result in a more willing engine, happier to accelerate hard from low down in the rev range. So premium fuels can make your car go faster and, on the basis of our tests, Shell's Optimax is a more performance orientated fuel than BP's Ultimate, but only if your car can appreciate the difference."

The only question left hanging is, would a BMW non-turbo motor (which has a degree of performance tuning - VVT achieves similar outputs to LP Turbo units) benefit from premium? I'm sticking with a a very, very marginal yes, but it's probably not value for money. I'm still using it though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ospimy_4j9k

ah right i remember something with cars/fuels. i do remember when i had the kit car tuned they asked me which i wanted it tuning for 95 or higher so i guess there must be something in it

 

[buzyg]

Evo & fifth gear have both covered this but years back. Used shell Optimax in my Little Fiat 20VT for 9years, after the Garage showed me the crap that cheap petrol could built up in your engine over time. Defenatley made a slight difference in perfomance in that car too.

I have only put 95 in the Z a few times, usualy when there's been nothing else available. Can't say I've noticed any difference in the performance the odd time there's been cheap petrol in the tank, but will continue to use VMax. Rightly or wrongly, for a few quid a week, I'm happy that it's less likely to have crap in it, that Supermarket value brand .

 

[GaryH]

We say supermarket crap but isnt it Esso that supply Tesco with their fuel?

 

[jim80]

We say supermarket crap but isnt it Esso that supply Tesco with their fuel?

They do! But there are less additives in supermarket fuel. Also at the moment the demand for petrol in America means most of the petrol not used in Esso petrol stations gets shipped there. This leaves a void in the market for supermarket fuel. So they buy from the spot market. Which means they buy the cheapest fuel available, usually Russian. After all supermarkets use petrol stations as a loss leader to get you in the stores to buy your shopping.


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[Lightning87]

i always run 95, run 98 1 time, did not make a difference at all.

if i had an M or an Turbo engine i would run on premium, but that's not the case so i stick to the 95 as petrol is verry expensive in holland ( due to all kinds of taxes ) i pay at a local gassstation ( so no big brand name) around € 1.70 p/ liter for 95 premium is mostly 0.10-0.15/liter more expensive.

 

[domsz4]

i always run 95, run 98 1 time, did not make a difference at all.

if i had an M or an Turbo engine i would run on premium, but that's not the case so i stick to the 95 as petrol is verry expensive in holland ( due to all kinds of taxes ) i pay at a local gassstation ( so no big brand name) around € 1.70 p/ liter for 95 premium is mostly 0.10-0.15/liter more expensive.

holy crap ... at that price i would do without a car

 

[original guvnor]

i always run 95, run 98 1 time, did not make a difference at all.

if i had an M or an Turbo engine i would run on premium, but that's not the case so i stick to the 95 as petrol is verry expensive in holland ( due to all kinds of taxes ) i pay at a local gassstation ( so no big brand name) around € 1.70 p/ liter for 95 premium is mostly 0.10-0.15/liter more expensive.

holy crap ... at that price i would do without a car

Suggest you start advertising the car for sale then because when you convert to sterling we pay a very similar rate !!

 

[domsz4]

oh yeah euros ill be ok for a yr or so then.... lol

tbh its one of the factors for moving. i was fed up of watching the the hard earned folding go for the pleasure of sitting in traffic having some nobba annoy me as being that one car infront makes all the difference.