High Octane fuels better value?

[Dynamic Turtle]

Just did a very unscientific test on the slow lane of the M25. These are trip computer cruising figures @ 55mph avg. The 101 was probably 30% tesco99 left in the tank. I filled up with v-power with about 10% 101 octane in the tank:

 

101 octane racing fuel @ 153p/l - 39mpg

97 octane V-power @ 144p/l - 33mpg

99 octane Tesco @ 131p/l - 36mpg

 

So in the case of 101 vs V-power I'm paying 6% more for 4% more fuel that translated in a faintly believable 18% increase in fuel economy. The value proposition falls against Momentum99 - only 2% more economical given how cheap it is (and not including clubcard vouchers, which might render it equal).

 

Anyway I found it surprising despite how unscientific this all is. Why is 95 octane so popular? Is the market structured like this to get punters in the petrol stations more often for overpriced red bull?

[Ekona]

Cheaper. 99% of the public don't think further than today, hence buying a £25k Golf diesel rather than a £10k Zed and £15k worth of fuel

[StevoD]

Cheaper.

 

says it all

[370Ad]

To put a fly in the ointment isn't V Power 99 Ron too

 

BP Ultimate is the 97 Ron one.

[Grundy]

Cheaper.

 

says it all

You will never let Dan forget about that convo.

[StevoD]

Cheaper.

 

says it all

You will never let Dan forget about that convo.

 

what convo? im agreeing with him stop stirring @*!#.

[delz0r]

101 octane wont make any sort of performance difference will it?

[StevoD]

101 octane wont make any sort of performance difference will it?

 

if the cars tuned to it yes

[delz0r]

101 octane wont make any sort of performance difference will it?

 

if the cars tuned to it yes

 

Ah yes of course, I meant on the standard map.

[StevoD]

on something NA, i would say no

[leebottrill]

I put in v power a few days ago and I'm sure my car felt faster. I normally use tesco 99.

[Ekona]

You wouldn't notice any difference, not in a single tankful. You'll notice the fewer pounds in your pocket though

[Rock_Steady]

Octane only really makes any considerable difference on turbo charged cars. That's it. Or as stevo has already said, unless the car (N/A) is mapped to it.

[leebottrill]

Haha was in my head im sure!

[nissanman312]

I was told tesco reaches its octane rating with more additives than vpower

[StevoD]

I was told tesco reaches its octane rating with more additives than vpower

 

if its all to the BS|EN numbers i wouldn't worry

[ersen.o]

V-Power down london is also 99ron

[Spatt]

I put 7 quids worth of standard fuel in my car the other day and it ran like a bag of -.. when I bought it I was advised never to buy 'standard' fuel.

 

I normally run on vpower which is 97 but must admit I dont think I get the same economy from tesco momentum 99.. maybe its in my head...? Regardless of 'brand' I guess 99 is alway going to be better but.. I'll be driving into shell beforee a tesco any day.. Your thoughts

[Ekona]

It makes zero difference, really. As long as the fuel is to the correct BS number, which anything above 97 will be, then you'll get more difference from fresh 97 than stale 99.

[GIXXERUK]

It makes zero difference, really. As long as the fuel is to the correct BS number, which anything above 97 will be, then you'll get more difference from fresh 97 than stale 99.

 

+1

[JetSet]

I was told tesco reaches its octane rating with more additives than vpower

 

I worked for an oil additive company that supplied Shell with the early version of V-Power namely Optimax. This was a complete package developed in conjunction with Shell at Thornton Research and was exclusive to Shell. This contained a lot more than just an octane booster including dispersants, detergents, anti-oxidants, inhibitors etc and was pretty expensive, a tanker load of this cost Shell £40k back in the early 2000's. The Octane booster itself is relatively cheap so I'm guessing that Tesco will just have the octane booster and a minimal amount of other additives to keep the forecourt price down.

 

Pete

[Wendy]

I have used both 95 and 99 octane in my VR6 Corrado.

 

The 99 provides significantly better fuel economy, but also the car is faster - without any doubt - it just runs so much better.

 

False economy using 95 in my opinion.

[Desey]

I was told tesco reaches its octane rating with more additives than vpower

 

Urban myth mate, tesco don't make their own fuel, it's likely bought from the big oil companies

 

 

[StevoD]

I think shell supply Tesco and bp supply Sainsbury

[Wendy]

I thought it was BP who supply Tesco ?