Which fuel brand and why?
Discussion
20+ years ago, when I did a bit of karting, there were certain fuels we were advised to avoid. In my cars though, I usually just go with whatever supplier of super-unleaded is on hand when I need to buy more.
Since buying my M3 though, I have noticed a distinct change in performance / engine running, dependent on what brand of fuel I use. The worst case being a particular supermarket fuel where the running was so poor I though there was a fault with the car itself. My car is a 1990 BMW M3 and runs Maxx Automotive Alpha N.
So I just wondered if anyone else has a car that runs differently, according to which fuel you use? If so, which fuel do you use?
Which is the best fuel that's readily available?
Since buying my M3 though, I have noticed a distinct change in performance / engine running, dependent on what brand of fuel I use. The worst case being a particular supermarket fuel where the running was so poor I though there was a fault with the car itself. My car is a 1990 BMW M3 and runs Maxx Automotive Alpha N.
So I just wondered if anyone else has a car that runs differently, according to which fuel you use? If so, which fuel do you use?
Which is the best fuel that's readily available?
F10 530D, whatever's cheapest! If the car's sold in Eastern Europe and Africa and survives off those fuels it'll do fine off Tesco's! 
And for the record, Dad bought a brand new Audi A4 several years ago (58 plate) and had it shipped out to Africa for a 4 year tour (Military). When visiting him we did a lot of travelling (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa etc) and truly did stop off at petrol stations in the ass end of nowhere. Beeeeeelieve me, if its sold in the UK it is more then adequate for our cars,
And for the record, Dad bought a brand new Audi A4 several years ago (58 plate) and had it shipped out to Africa for a 4 year tour (Military). When visiting him we did a lot of travelling (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa etc) and truly did stop off at petrol stations in the ass end of nowhere. Beeeeeelieve me, if its sold in the UK it is more then adequate for our cars,
My scooby was mapped on tesco 99 but despite that it generally preferred v-power. The megane shows the same sort of preference (also mapped)
I wonder whether the quality of momentum is a bit less consistent than v-power ..
On an older car thats probably a bit on the highly strung side id be as selective as I could with fuel.
I wonder whether the quality of momentum is a bit less consistent than v-power ..
On an older car thats probably a bit on the highly strung side id be as selective as I could with fuel.
I just use the nearest and easiest to get to station which happens to be Morrisons as in my area it's the supermarkets, Harvester (if you fancy paying 5p a litre more), the rarely glimpsed sole indi (6p a litre more) or if you really feel like going out of the way there's the rarely seen Total station (the nearest Shell is nigh on twenty miles away).
The brand doesn't make a difference.
Every petrol station gets their fuel from the local refinery. They may or may not add some additive that colourates the fuels, but the fuel technically remains the same. Some petrol stations may have a higher octane offering, but only that is still a special order form the local refinery.
Every petrol station gets their fuel from the local refinery. They may or may not add some additive that colourates the fuels, but the fuel technically remains the same. Some petrol stations may have a higher octane offering, but only that is still a special order form the local refinery.
Bodo said:
The brand doesn't make a difference.
Every petrol station gets their fuel from the local refinery. They may or may not add some additive that colourates the fuels, but the fuel technically remains the same. Some petrol stations may have a higher octane offering, but only that is still a special order form the local refinery.
So why does my car run so poorly if I use fuel from my local supermarket?Every petrol station gets their fuel from the local refinery. They may or may not add some additive that colourates the fuels, but the fuel technically remains the same. Some petrol stations may have a higher octane offering, but only that is still a special order form the local refinery.
e21Mark said:
So why does my car run so poorly if I use fuel from my local supermarket?
Placebo effect. We all think Storck's chocolate tastes better than Aldi's; but when they recall Storck's, they'll recall Aldi's as well, since it comes from the same production line. Same with Coca Cola's Bonaqa and Sidcup's tap water. Where would you think your preferred local petrol station and your local supermarket get their fuel from?
Exclusively on V Power. Can runs better on it and I also get an extra 20-30 miles from a tank which is fine by me. It will run on the normal stuff but feels a bit hesitant and not quite as eager to rev on it. As I have two shell stations within a mile of my house I don't buy anything else.
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