Golf R - can you run on normal unleaded?

Golf R - can you run on normal unleaded?

Author
Discussion

tazco

Original Poster:

53 posts

114 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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Just recieved my Golf R and noticed that it asks for 'Super Unleaded' on the fuel cap... Can it run on normal unleaded? And it yes, are there any implications to warranty etc? Just curious...

Dr G

15,166 posts

242 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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Warranty? No
Performance and economy? Yes

Super unleaded generally contains better detergents too.

Andy OH

1,905 posts

250 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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You've bought or leased a Golf R and you're querying using SUL? It's only about 5p per litre more!

As Dr G has said there is a benefit to using SUL for both economy and performance.

About 16 years ago now I had a BMW E36 M3 EVO and was also told to run SUL. I didn't believe the sales guy but conducted my own test over two consecutive three month periods. I ran the car on normal UL for three months and then SUL for three months. The result was SUL was more economical and over the three months I did save some money on fuel but not a lot, however, there was a saving overall.

I now use SUL in both my wife's and my own car.

Hope that helps.


Edited by Andy OH on Wednesday 15th April 12:54

Mojocvh

16,837 posts

262 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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nitroplus all the way even if it cost a bit more...

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

220 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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95 UL is fine but you'll notice the engine won't have the same vigour at the top end, especially over the summer months.

SUL with it's better detergents won't help with the intake valve carbon build-ups though.

AJB88

12,384 posts

171 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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My Cupra 280 (Same CJX engine)says minimum ron on flap as being 95ron. I've only ever used 99ron+ though.

anonymous-user

54 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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5p a litre more, you must be joking. The price differential I see is 10p a litre min.

cslwannabe

1,400 posts

169 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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8p a litre is the premium I pay for VPower Nitro+

Wouldn't use anything except Shell or Tesco Superunleaded though - anything else just feels like std unleaded. Put some Tesco Superunleaded in the. Boxster on Monday as needed fuel and was miles away from a shell garage - felt much livelier when it was back on VPower the next day.

Must admit I've not tried any standard unleaded in my R yet although my friend has in his and reckons there is no perceptible difference although in his E46 M3 he admits the difference was considerable.

AdDaMan

23 posts

144 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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Why would you want to?! Buy a performance car and then moan at price of fuel.

PapaJohns

1,064 posts

153 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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My N/A 130i made 6hp more on SUL over asda 95ron fuel,


DUMBO100

1,878 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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Somehow this happened

GrahamC230K

384 posts

244 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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What does the manual say about fuel?

I wouldn't be surprised if a car designed for super unleaded warns that using anything less should be when unavoidable and full throttle avoided.

MitchyRS

288 posts

157 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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Use 95 octane and you will see around a 10% power reduction so your 300hp Golf R will be down to around 270hp.

Tesco Momentum 99 is capped at 5ppl more than Tesco normal unleaded. Fill up the 50l tank, it will cost you the equivalent of a sandwich. (£2.50) It's 5p per litre more up and down the country from Southampton to Inverness

Shell V-Power on the other hand is not capped and can vary betweem 7-10ppl more than its ordinary unleaded.

Audi tuning specialists (MRC Tuning) swear by Tesco Momentum as being the superior fuel over V-power.

An old test but illustrative of the gains over 95 octane. Look at the M3 graph, 380hp on Tesco 99 and around 340hp on standard unleaded. Indicates the 10% loss by using the cheaper fuel.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=302...



Edited by MitchyRS on Thursday 16th April 08:58

graeme4130

3,825 posts

181 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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With the volatility rating being higher in Super unleaded, you'll get a marginally better MPG too, so although you might lose 3% in outlay, you'll possibly get 1-2% better mileage based on the same journey
And, with more power, you can have more fun smile

Andy OH

1,905 posts

250 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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gottans said:
5p a litre more, you must be joking. The price differential I see is 10p a litre min.
I only use Tesco Momentum for both cars and the price difference is 5p/litre. So no I'm not joking. Other brands may well have a greater differential in price.


MrDan

290 posts

190 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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Iv done 9000 miles so far and experimented with different fuels.

I find the R runs best on the Tesco 99 RON. The pickup is just so much better.

I do put the odd tank of 96 Ron in when forced and you can definitely tell the difference.

The economy about the same but I do find myself booting it more with super in!


pitch3110

162 posts

182 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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Interesting info gents and ta.

Wifey's R was delivered on Wednesday and she is very pleased with it. Doodling about she is averaging mid 30's already in Eco and it does drive like a kitten if you need it to.

I had one blat out on Thursday and it is just a amazing little car.

Ta

Dr G

15,166 posts

242 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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SuperchargedVR6 said:
SUL with it's better detergents won't help with the intake valve carbon build-ups though.
R uses an 8 injector setup, 4 direct, 4 indirect.

tazco

Original Poster:

53 posts

114 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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Thanks all for the comments... I will stick with Tesco SUL..

rich83

14,221 posts

138 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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What does it say in the petrol cap? My mk5 GTI says 95/98 meaning you can use both but best to use 98 or better

Edited by rich83 on Sunday 19th April 14:57