Is mainland Europe diesel better than ours?

[Rich1973]

My parents have recently returned from a month long trip to Austria.
They drive throughout europe fairly often and have noticed that they always get better economy on diesel bought in Belgium, Germany, Austria etc than from the UK. This has occured on several occasions so isnt just a one off.
Car is a 2008 2.0 Passat 140 estate.
My mum asked me, and as I had no answer for her, I thought I would hand the question over to the great pistonheads knowledge!

[SystemParanoia]

cash and carry drums of cooking oil for the win!

[HustleRussell]

Are you sure it isn't just the fact that they're doing lots of miles when they go international?

[sunbeam alpine]

Could it be down to traffic conditions? I know I spend a lot more time stop-start driving in the UK compared with Europe.

[Rich1973]

I asked the same question Russell.
They filled up here and got as far as belgium and had used most of a tank. On the way back, they filled up at the same place in belgium and had lots more left when they got home...
I explained to my mum that the car will show a higher range dependent on the driving style, but she is adament that the car is more economical on european diesel.

[SystemParanoia]

convince them to move to europe?

[cptsideways]

99% sure it'll be traffic flow or lack of it in Euroland, the UK its brake, accelerate , brake on the motorway for 99% of drivers

[John145]

I had this thought recently, comfortably getting 40mpg on the continent (petrol) and struggle to in the UK.

Can't comment on the quality of the fuel, but what is obvious is traffic flow and quality of roads are much worse here.

[Jaguar steve]

I fill up with diesel in France whenever I can. Not noticed any difference in economy, but my Renault van seems much smoother and quieter running on Euro diesel.

[MK Ultra]

Jaguar steve said:

I fill up with diesel in France whenever I can. Not noticed any difference in economy, but my Renault van seems much smoother and quieter running on Euro diesel.

Could it be the roads? Surely better/smoother roads require less energy to travel upon and therefore use less fuel?

Road noise would probably decrease too?

[BlueMR2]

Could be a different blend?

Diesel sold in the winter in the UK is changed to decrease the chance of freezing is it not? Leading to lower mpg people have said previously.

[smartphone hater]

I always used to get more mpg when buying Esso diesel compared to other brands.

[vit4]

Better (smoother) roads and proper lane discipline (so very gentle if any acceleratiob/deceleration).

Last trip I did 10% better mpg than normal despite being fully loaded with people and things doing 85mph and comparing to just myself at 75mph. Can literally drive for hours without braking in France, which doesn't seem to happen here

ETA petrol, not diesel.

[Caulkhead]

I think you'll find they simply drive in more relaxed style when abroad due to unfamiliarity and because they're not in a rush to get to work on time, pick the kids up on time, get to the shops etc, etc.

[CraigyMc]

Rich1973 said:

she is adament that the car is more economical on european diesel.

It's because of the type of driving, not because of the fuel.
C

[Rushmore]

Its a known fact that the oil companies source different oilfields to cater for the individual markets such as UK, Europe (non-German), Germany etc.

That is called "arbitrage".

[sparks_E39]

I think it must have something to do with traffic flow. On my trip to Italy and back I was getting 550-600 miles out of my 70 litre tank, 2.8 Petrol. The European motorways are so much better than ours.

[Rubin215]

Glad that someone has started this thread.

I travel through Holland, Germany and Czech republic quite frequently, car is a 90's french 1.9TD.

Dutch diesel gets me furthest to a tank, German diesel runs smoothest, Czech diesel is cheapest...

[Rushmore]

Hi Rubin

If you want I can source you some Swiss diesel - it improves overall efficiency of the engine (you know the Swiss's love for precision engineering).

If you mix if with German diesel (55/45) then this would actually improve mileage, smoothness of ride and cost.

Interested? Please dont tell anyone about this deal because Swiss diesel - just like Swiss real estate - is only sold to Swiss citizens.

Payment would have to be in advance by bank transfer.

[DJRC]

Rushmore said:

Hi Rubin

If you want I can source you some Swiss diesel - it improves overall efficiency of the engine (you know the Swiss's love for precision engineering).

If you mix if with German diesel (55/45) then this would actually improve mileage, smoothness of ride and cost.

Interested? Please dont tell anyone about this deal because Swiss diesel - just like Swiss real estate - is only sold to Swiss citizens.

Payment would have to be in advance by bank transfer.

You dont know Switzerland very well if you think its a land of precision engineering!