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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: The Barge Captain on 06 October 2006, 09:26:29

Title: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 06 October 2006, 09:26:29
Is super unleaded worth the money? Does it affect performance significantly? Has anybody tried that new ferrari v stuff that shell are advertising?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: omegaV6CD on 06 October 2006, 09:33:58
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Is super unleaded worth the money? Does it affect performance significantly? Has anybody tried that new ferrari v stuff that shell are advertising?

Yes it makes a huge differencein the way the engine behaves making it feel smoother and stronger allowing the ecu to use the best timing curve. I never used anything other than super unleaded.
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Markie on 06 October 2006, 09:43:26
Does make a smalll difference i believe, proividing you use it constantly and providing your using a car of a reasonable engine size.....ie 2.0 upwards
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: TheBoy on 06 October 2006, 09:54:08
i've used v-power, but haven't been able to test extra performance...
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Big Rod on 06 October 2006, 10:09:37
I hate splitting hairs. I use High octane stuff whenever I can, but I have found that maybe one in three or four tankfuls of poverty spec' seems to have a beneficial effect too!!
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Jimbob on 06 October 2006, 10:17:32
This will annoy a few im sure, but I'm loving Tesco's super unleaded at the mo,
Very good, up with Vpower, prefer it to esso or bp's offerring, and its cheap, esp with 5p a litre off with your shopping, Ive just filled up at 83.9 per litre!
I hate the ordinary stuff though, car runs horrible on that.
I do think vpower is better than optimax as well.

However this is in 4 pot's, the father-in-laws Cav v6 runs about the same on anything (even petrol-diesel mix! he has a van as well and sometimes gets em mixed up!)
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: bob.dent on 06 October 2006, 11:09:15
I usually use bog standard unleaded in mine (either Sainsbury's or BP), but every now and again I put in a tankful of BP Ultimate. Can't say that I notice a great deal of difference apart from slightly better performance from Ultimate.
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Admin on 06 October 2006, 11:29:45
I have found car runs noticably better on the higher octane stuff.

I avoid supermarket petrol wherever possible (not tried Tesco stuff yet).
The other half took the car out the other night and put Sainsburys normal unleaded in...  >:(
Now finally getting shot of the damn stuff, car is so much worse with it!

If you have a car with the setup to alter timing based on octane levels, it would be silly not to take advantage.  :)
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 06 October 2006, 12:59:25
OK, but who produces the petrol for Tescons, Sainsburys Morrison etc.?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: STMO123 on 06 October 2006, 12:59:49
I've just sterted using V power. The car is ten times better. Then again, just had the knock sensor fixed, so that may have a little bit to do with it ;D
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: M-Tek Performance on 06 October 2006, 16:34:52
V-Power is "apparently" rebranded Optimax..

Optimax was 98.6RON, V-Power 99RON

hmmmmmm

the do ron ron ron the do ron ron..
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: STMO123 on 06 October 2006, 16:42:26
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OK, but who produces the petrol for Tescons, Sainsburys Morrison etc.?

Thats a good question.... :-?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Auto Addict on 06 October 2006, 16:55:37
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OK, but who produces the petrol for Tescons, Sainsburys Morrison etc.?

I think MarJay knows the answer to that.....
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: bob.dent on 06 October 2006, 17:03:23
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OK, but who produces the petrol for Tescons, Sainsburys Morrison etc.?

A question for the Omega Gods methinks ;) ;D
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Salty on 06 October 2006, 17:04:21
Used to use optimax in the volvo, It always seemed to go great on it.
 I have tried some of the v power stuff in the meega but didn't really notice a vast difference, but I will be trying more. I always used to use shell in the astra GTE got nearly 40 miles more to a full tank over supermarket petrol, so I've tended to stick to shell ever since.
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 06 October 2006, 18:28:14
I saw a few months back a Tesco tanker on a Shell forecourt......dunno what that means....Shell buying from tesco's??   ;D

I usually buy Shell unleaded cheapest.......bout £20 every couple of months  :D as the Shell garage is next to where i get my lpg......and that only comes in one variety.....but strangely does vary.....from make to make  :-?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Admin on 06 October 2006, 19:01:49
Not sure about it here but I noticed the Shell Vpower stuff is 100 ron on the continent.

Oh and as far as I am aware, most supermarket petrol is supplied by Mobil.

Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: STMO123 on 06 October 2006, 19:17:36
Slightly off-thread but while we're on the subject (loosely) has anyone got any views on petrol/oil additives? Good or not good?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: omegaV6CD on 06 October 2006, 19:26:00
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Slightly off-thread but while we're on the subject (loosely) has anyone got any views on petrol/oil additives? Good or not good?

During an IMechE lecture from castrol lubricants i remember that the guy was saying about a case where the fuel additive would react with the engine oil neutralizing the detergent oil additives and result in sludge in the oil. Make your own assumptions. I use redex once a year.
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Timbuk on 06 October 2006, 20:18:53
I've been using V power since last week and to me it does seem better, I even went hunting for a Shell garage tonight in Coventry before i came home :-?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: MikeDundee on 06 October 2006, 22:05:41
I used BP ultimate in the past, currently running on standrad BP unleaded, there is a difference, and it smainly in the price 96.7 compared to 99.8 for BP ULTIMATE. ;D So when you are nearly empty wahts the difference £1.80 @ 60 litres ;D joking aside I can drive from peckham london to Dundee scotalnd on a full tank driving between 80 to 110 mph plus when motorway traffic permits, thats around 470 miles. :)
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Timbuk on 06 October 2006, 22:11:31
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there is a difference, and it smainly in the price 96.7 compared to 99.8 for BP ULTIMATE. ;D  

Thats just reminded me why i live where i do, 83.9 for normal unleaded, 88.9 for full fat :o
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Markjay on 06 October 2006, 23:43:55
In theory performance should benefit from high-octane fuel, because the ECU will advance the ignition until the knock sensor starts complaining – so high-octane fuel will allow ford more advanced ignition hence more power.

I used any-ole’-unleaded petrol for the car’s first 30k, but always added Redex to each thankful.

Last 15k I was using Bt Ultimate exclusively, and reduced the Redex to once every four tanks.

In between I was also using Shell Optimax for a few tankfulls.

In spite of the theory, I saw no noticeable improvement in performance or mpg.

From my point of view what is important about so called Super-Fuels, is that they contain detergents. I have seen heads come off engines that were used with additives, and you won’t believe how shiny the valves are compared to the black sooty affairs on other engines. I can only imagine what the injectors look like.

So for me BT Ultimate and Shell Optimax (or the new what’s-its-name) do the job, as do Redex/STP/D-Tox/Forte etc. Keep in clean!

Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Timbuk on 06 October 2006, 23:47:03
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So for me BT Ultimate and Shell Optimax (or the new what’s-its-name) do the job, as do Redex/STP/D-Tox/Forte etc. Keep in clean!


V- power ;)
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Markjay on 06 October 2006, 23:48:11
Incidentally, my local Tesco is being re-fuelled by Esso tankers. So I guess Tesco have regional agreements with different oil companies….

You could of course argue that the petrol provided to Tesco/Sainsburys/Morissons is formulated to order, and may not be same as what Esso/Shell etc sell to the general public.

Tesco 99 octane must be that, because it is not generally available outside Tesco, so if the supermarkets can order ‘better’ fuels from the oil companies, they could also order lesser fuels…

Who knows…  :o

Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Markjay on 06 October 2006, 23:52:36
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So for me BT Ultimate and Shell Optimax (or the new what’s-its-name) do the job, as do Redex/STP/D-Tox/Forte etc. Keep in clean!


V- power ;)

Thanks... The route from home to work has three BP stations, but no Shells... so I am on the BP stuff, but if I was living near a Shell garage I would also go for the V-power thingy.
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Markjay on 06 October 2006, 23:54:58
(I can't believe it.. a fuel thread... yeepee am I having fun)
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: TheBoy on 07 October 2006, 08:56:31
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there is a difference, and it smainly in the price 96.7 compared to 99.8 for BP ULTIMATE. ;D  

Thats just reminded me why i live where i do, 83.9 for normal unleaded, 88.9 for full fat :o
I'm glad I'm a country boy as well.... 84.9 for low fat unleaded in MK...
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 07 October 2006, 20:11:19
I think TD and me like paying in the low 40s
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: markrl on 07 October 2006, 20:17:16
Pretty much all of the big brand petrol retailers use each others petrol it simply comes from the nearest refinery for obvious economic reasons. Additives are then added afterwards by the individual brands or even the Filling Station site themselves.
The extent of this “sleight of hand” came to light following the “New Formula” Shell fiasco of some years ago when the fuel started causing serious damage to some engine valves (I think Vauxhall were one of the manufacturers particularly effected) resulting in lots of manufacturers having warranty claims that were eventually traced to bad fuel. Shells new wonder fuel wasn’t working and in the resultant uproar they eventually had to disclose that the “new formula” part was simply an additive added to the petrol by the individual site retailers who had been not terribly conscientious in the quantities they added. The result was engine valve damage for an awful lot of cars. In the Parliamentary select committee enquiry following the fuel protest of 2000 into fuel price rigging by the big petrol companies the practice of sharing each others petrol from the nearest refinery once again was disclosed as a practice for reasons of distribution economy. It can therefore be of no great surprise to see the big branded fuel tankers delivering to their apparent rivals filling stations on occasion.
  
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 08 October 2006, 08:19:46
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I think TD and me like paying in the low 40s

37.6ppl at tho mo  :D
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: MikeDundee on 08 October 2006, 09:54:30
86.9per litre I paid yesterday at BP on old Kent Road, where do you get it at that price, sure its no tractor fuel ;D
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 October 2006, 10:22:42
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86.9per litre I paid yesterday at BP on old Kent Road, where do you get it at that price, sure its no tractor fuel ;D
Martin and TD use LPG, but lose half their boot to crappy lpg tanks (well TD doesn't, coz he's got estate, and tank just lifts floor).

IFAIK, Asda have a national price for fuel, currently 84.9p. Which means all stations near Asda match it, hence why its all 84.9p around MK...
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 October 2006, 11:39:17
When I filled up yesterday found they had only had 7 sales all day - got home - looked in local paper a new refilling place (local Calor distributor) is doing it for 37p/l guess where I am next filling up!!!!

How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 October 2006, 11:43:21
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86.9per litre I paid yesterday at BP on old Kent Road, where do you get it at that price, sure its no tractor fuel ;D
Martin and TD use LPG, but lose half their boot to crappy lpg tanks (well TD doesn't, coz he's got estate, and tank just lifts floor).

IFAIK, Asda have a national price for fuel, currently 84.9p. Which means all stations near Asda match it, hence why its all 84.9p around MK...

A weeks motoring for £19.87
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 October 2006, 16:28:36
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 October 2006, 16:59:07
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...

So do I - still plenty of room
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Andy B on 08 October 2006, 16:59:56
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...
;D  ;D
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Andy B on 08 October 2006, 17:05:23
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Quote
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...

So do I - still plenty of room
:-?   :-? For what? A tooth brush?!
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 October 2006, 17:57:28
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...

So do I - still plenty of room
The tanks for saloon take up far too boot space for my requirements - else I would have done it. Shame can't use spare wheel area, but thats life.

Also, only lpg near me is high forties per litre, and taking into account the 10% (approx guess) drop in mpg, its not quite such a good deal for me...
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 08 October 2006, 18:33:31
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...

So do I - still plenty of room
The tanks for saloon take up far too boot space for my requirements - else I would have done it. Shame can't use spare wheel area, but thats life.

Also, only lpg near me is high forties per litre, and taking into account the 10% (approx guess) drop in mpg, its not quite such a good deal for me...

Well you could use the spare wheel area for a tank.....wouldnt be very big tank tho' , then what do you do with the spare wheel??

And I agree, I always think thieving b**tards when I have to use a garage charging nearly 50ppl  >:(
In that case I only put enuf in to get me to a countrywide site  ;)
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Del Boy on 08 October 2006, 19:29:26
Mine does run better with super unleaded but it runs fine on normal unleaded aswell but i put super in i would pay the extra
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 October 2006, 20:15:32
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Well you could use the spare wheel area for a tank.....wouldnt be very big tank tho' , then what do you do with the spare wheel??
Can't really do that on saloon, as it blocks access to light cluster, so can't replace blown bulbs...
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Auto Addict on 08 October 2006, 22:08:04
Tried all grades but doesn't seem to make any difference.

Still cruises at a steady 40 - 45 mph in the middle lane of motorways......
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 08 October 2006, 23:05:06
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Well you could use the spare wheel area for a tank.....wouldnt be very big tank tho' , then what do you do with the spare wheel??
Can't really do that on saloon, as it blocks access to light cluster, so can't replace blown bulbs...

Ive seen it done.....led bulbs might be the answer??  :-/
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 October 2006, 23:44:48
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Quote
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How can people happily pay as much as 85p/l?
We like our boots...

So do I - still plenty of room
:-?   :-? For what? A tooth brush?!

Toolbox, two chairs, coolbox, 2 beach mats, towels, food, frisbees, buckets, spades, as well as a 70l gas tank
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: The Barge Captain on 09 October 2006, 13:55:04
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(I can't believe it.. a fuel thread... yeepee am I having fun)
What have i started ;D
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Markjay on 09 October 2006, 14:53:48
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Tried all grades but doesn't seem to make any difference.

Still cruises at a steady 40 - 45 mph in the middle lane of motorways......

Its suppose to make a difference to your motor, not driving habbits... or have you been drinking the stuff????  :o

 ;D


Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 October 2006, 18:07:07
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Tried all grades but doesn't seem to make any difference.

Still cruises at a steady 40 - 45 mph in the middle lane of motorways......

Its suppose to make a difference to your motor, not driving habbits... or have you been drinking the stuff????  :o

 ;D



Burp! :-[
Title: Re: Is super unleaded worth the money?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 October 2006, 20:06:23
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Quote
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Tried all grades but doesn't seem to make any difference.

Still cruises at a steady 40 - 45 mph in the middle lane of motorways......

Its suppose to make a difference to your motor, not driving habbits... or have you been drinking the stuff????  :o

 ;D



Burp! :-[


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D