[TMP]

Originally Posted by milesr3

Shell don't make any claims about it doing anything other than keeping your engine clean, but BP do make claims about their Ultimate diesel producing more power (up to 8% IIRC).

Hmm, i quote from the Shell website tag line: "Designed for more power for longer"

Super UL has been proved over and over (I only ever used it in my Scooby), and its great to see it works so well in the 35i, but Diesel seems to be suspiciously absent of this proof

Will have a looky at BP though....

[milesr3]

Originally Posted by TMP

Hmm, i quote from the Shell website tag line: "Designed for more power for longer"

My interpretation is that Shell's claims are less bold, being focussed more on engine cleanliness as a means of maintaining optimum performance (which is hard to dispute), whereas BP go further with their claims of extra power, economy and reduced emissions and particulates based on independent testing by MIRA. In practice both fuels exhibit the same benefits, but BP should be applauded for publishing their results.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by milesr3

My interpretation is that Shell's claims are less bold, being focussed more on engine cleanliness as a means of maintaining optimum performance (which is hard to dispute), whereas BP go further with their claims of extra power, economy and reduced emissions and particulates based on independent testing by MIRA. In practice both fuels exhibit the same benefits, but BP should be applauded for publishing their results.

There is quite a bit of technical data out there, but I do believe they have to be a bit careful, as they are not putting each car through the official regime and getting the kind of results which cannot be challenged. We know the difficulty with mpg claims anyway. How can you be too specific when user conditions and driving is unique?

Personally I find that steady speed driving is one of the best ways to get mpg gains, as the engine is typically running at better efficiences. Smoke levels (non DPF cars) is another way to see that the combustion is cleaner and more efficient.

HighlandPete

[milesr3]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

...but I do believe they have to be a bit careful, as they are not putting each car through the official regime and getting the kind of results which cannot be challenged.

I can understand their caution as it's undoubtedly a minefield and the least said (or claimed) the better. IMO Shell have watered the benefits of V-Power down to the point where no-one could argue it wasn't doing what they claim, but it makes it difficult to justify the price differential as it isn't claiming anything different from their regular Diesel. Shame.

[beemerbird]

Imrans graph is certainly interesting but as he points out it is not a scientific test.

I've come to the conclusion that for me there was no noticeable power difference with my 330i because either I didn't use the V power for enough fill ups, listened to an engineer who said quite rightly imo, that the engine isn't really that high on power output/state of tune and the dealer who said don't waste your money basically.

I can certainly see the 'cleaning' benefits perhaps.

Maybe I should run the S5 on 95 RON for a few tanks and see what happens............or maybe not. I don't want it to be any slower tbh, so I'll assume the V power defo. helps in my current lump. Or is it all 'auto suggestion' as has been said before on previous threads of this nature...........who knows. I want it to be true because of the cost of the friggin stuff. Bloody Government.

Maybe we need some more dynos.....would be interesting.

Edit: I've just remembered that when I test drove the M3 last year I specifically asked the sales guy whether the M3 should be run on 98 RON all the time as having the Porka T that should have 98 RON. Sales guy said to just fill up every fourth tank with super unleaded and run it on 95 RON otherwise. Personally, I didn't hold with that view for the M3.

[Ham09]

I'm using Vpower and apart from the first fill of Tesco 99, it's had nothing but. A few reasons:

a) The Shell garage round is just round the corner from me and they are pretty cheap for my area
b) There is not much in it price wise between that and the 95 ron they sell
c) I've picked a Drivers point card and you get double points on Vpower (lol yes I'm sucker for stupid loyalty points schemes - so get money off vouchers back)
d) Maybe the most importantly - I had assumed it would perform better in my car and keep it running cleaner/more efficient, so would get the best out my engine.

Even it the test results aren't that scientific they look promising and it the right direction

[NFS]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I'm staggered you get + 28 BHP

28hp increase on a car with around 300hp is cira 8%. That sounds reasonable an in line with the results of the fifth gear test a few years back.

[pjs]

Ace, I'm well happy. v power every time now Cheers Imran

[YvesD]

Originally Posted by pjs

Ace, I'm well happy. v power every time now Cheers Imran

Me too, never use anything else.

The higher the performance/tech spec of the engine the greater the benefit. Turbo engines and tuned ones in particular love V Power.

95 is only fit for lawnmowers really.

Hang on, I run my Briggs & Stratton on 99 too !

Second thoughts, no it isnt.

[HighlandPete]

I assume you guys know of the fuel testing at Thorney MotorSport.

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/t..._Results.shtml

Dyno results and graphs to go with them.

HighlandPete

[YvesD]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I assume you guys know of the fuel testing at Thorney MotorSport.

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/t..._Results.shtml

Dyno results and graphs to go with them.

HighlandPete

Naturally.

Thanks for the reminder though.

My old E46 M3 was so sensitive to fuel I could tell the difference between Sainsburys 97 Super and 98 Optimax as it was back then.

Cheers

Yves

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by YvesD

The higher the performance/tech spec of the engine the greater the benefit. Turbo engines and tuned ones in particular love V Power.

Nail on head.

That is why in some ways I wonder whether my engine seriously needs the 98 RON when you look at the state of tune of a stock M3 which has rather impressive bhp/litre. My engine in comparison is not in a high state of tune, but 98 RON is what it gets.

[YvesD]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

My engine in comparison is not in a high state of tune, but 98 RON is what it gets.

Mechanical sympathy at its best.

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by TMP

Dont you need to go and fill up again

Petrol rev V Diesel clatter

/that argument.

[MB London]

I always treat my car to the ‘good stuff’ for the first two weeks after payday and the difference is hugely noticeable.

I think Tesco’s 99 is the best juice out there.

[E902717]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

Petrol rev V Diesel clatter

/that argument.

6cyl BMW diesels dont clatter If you do here one clatter its not the engine its the sound of the tarmac being removed by the huge amounts of torque

[acerboo]

sounds to me that normal diesel is crap and we are charged through the nose for the stuff we should have in the first place, rip off britain strikes again!

[Matt2008]

Quick question... Only used BP Ultimate diesel in my car but if i wanted to try out tescos 99 octane, is it best to get my tank almost empty before trying? I usually never let my tank drop below half.
Likewise with my non BMW petrol engine which i use BP Ultimate.

[a1reader]

Originally Posted by Matt2008

Quick question... Only used BP Ultimate diesel in my car but if i wanted to try out tescos 99 octane, is it best to get my tank almost empty before trying? I usually never let my tank drop below half.
Likewise with my non BMW petrol engine which i use BP Ultimate.

Tescos 99 octane is PETROL not diesel, how would you use it to replace BP ultimate diesel???

[Matt2008]

Originally Posted by a1reader

Tescos 99 octane is PETROL not diesel, how would you use it to replace BP ultimate diesel???

oops!
I'm used to BP ultimate in petrol or diesel.
I still have to be carefull about which pump i pick up depending on the car
So Tesco don't do any higher octane diesel?