No, this is not a repost of an earlier thread talking about octane levels that people use, but I'm wonder what petrol stations people go to.

I am prompted to ask as I recently got my car off lease (where I was forced to put BP 98 unleaded in). I just put in V-Power Shell 98 octane and can definately feel a difference in how the car runs - the Shell feels much better.

Anyone else found something similar?

[danielt]

I've only put in Shell V-power (98 octane). Haven't tried anything else. The car seems to run pretty well. Has 1800km so far, will be testing the accelerating capabilities much more now it's almost done the run in period.

[moO moO nEL]

I found that with Shell V power my car can reach 530km+ full tank
The worst is BP...barely 500km+

[adriant]

I have been using Shell petrol on my cars since they brought out Optimax (now V-Power). I figure, at worst the higher Octane fuel would burn cleaner and therefore be better for the car anyway.

As for consumption, over the years I think I get about 5-10% better consumption than regular fuel. There is no science behind that, just my own experience. Similarly on the odd occasion that I have had to use BP Ulimate (because I needed fuel and there wasn't a Shell in sight!), I thought it was ok, but I will always use Shell where I can - just a personaly preference in the end.

[ed-320d]

I use Caltex DIESEL. Getting around 7l/100kms combined. Some Caltex stations keep the pump's handle pretty well cleaned.

[VGR00]

I use BP Ultimate on my E90 as the company gives me a BP fuel card. I haven't tried the Shell V-power in this car as yet.


Come to think of it, someone once told me that BP, Shell and others have a riciprical distribution agreement where if lets say BP has their refinery in Brisbane, then they supply Shell with fuel for that state (or specific location). If this is the case then you wouldn't know who's brew you were getting. Don't quote me as this might not be the case but it does make sense from a logistical sense.

[astra]

3/4 of the time i use 95 octane from Caltex, or if i am not near one, a BP, then a Shell.. the other 1/4 of the time i use 98... i like to mix it up a bit, cos i heard it wasn't good for the car to always be running on the 1 thing?

[FotiosF90M5]

Shell V-power 93 octane

[skyskie]

there is a shell v-power 100 octane, which is in carlton on princes highway near the st george football stadium. not sure about the other ones though, cos i've so far only seen it there. i use that one when i'm in that area, but other than that i use shell v-power. has anybody spotted other places that have v-power 100 octane???

[ChadE]

V-Power FTMFW

[1q2w3e4r]

Originally Posted by astra

3/4 of the time i use 95 octane from Caltex, or if i am not near one, a BP, then a Shell.. the other 1/4 of the time i use 98... i like to mix it up a bit, cos i heard it wasn't good for the car to always be running on the 1 thing?

You don't need to run 98 RON in yours at all as the engine is designed to run on 95 although it can't hurt, but it's not essential.

Originally Posted by skyskie

there is a shell v-power 100 octane, which is in carlton on princes highway near the st george football stadium. not sure about the other ones though, cos i've so far only seen it there. i use that one when i'm in that area, but other than that i use shell v-power. has anybody spotted other places that have v-power 100 octane???

You don't really need it in anything that isn't a really highly tuned engine or a car with FI. It won't make any real noticable difference on most cars barring high end performance cars, even turbo cars need a retune for 100 RON to make the most out of the higher octane.

Here are the outlets in NSW/ACT

Site Location
Coles Express Dickson Cnr Antill & Badham St, Dickson, ACT
Coles Express Carlton 277–281 Princes Hwy, Carlton, NSW
Coles Express Darlinghurst 47 Flinders St, Darlinghurst, NSW
Coles Express Dundas Cnr Kissing Point Rd & Kirby St, Dundas, NSW
Coles Express Fairfield Cnr Polding St & The Horsley Drv, Fair?eld, NSW
Coles Express Green Valley Cnr Cowpasture Rd & Green Valley, Cartwright, NSW
Coles Express Hurstville 39 Forest Rd, Hurstville, NSW
Coles Express Kingsford 48–56 Gardeners Rd, Kingsford, NSW
Coles Express Kirrawee Cnr Princes Hwy & The Boulevard, Kirrawee, NSW
Coles Express Lidcombe 18 Parramatta Rd, Lidcombe, NSW
Coles Express Marsfield Cnr Epping Rd & Culloden Rd, Mars?eld, NSW
Coles Express Neutral Bay Cnr Ben Boyd Rd & Ernest St, Neutral Bay, NSW
Coles Express North Ryde Wicks 96 Wicks Rd, North Ryde, NSW
Coles Express Pymble 21 Ryde Rd, Pymble, NSW
Coles Express Roberts Rd East (Greenacre) 9 - 11 Roberts Road, Greenacre, NSW
Coles Express Thornleigh 188-190 Pennant Hills Rd, Thornleigh, NSW
Coles Express Wanniassa 6 Sangster Place, Wanniassa, ACT

[NickG]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

You don't need to run 98 RON in yours at all as the engine is designed to run on 95 although it can't hurt, but it's not essential.




You don't really need it in anything that isn't a really highly tuned engine or a car with FI. It won't make any real noticable difference on most cars barring high end performance cars, even turbo cars need a retune for 100 RON to make the most out of the higher octane.

Isn't it the case that most modern cars have electronic knock sensors that will self adjust to any octane above the rated minimum for the vehicle? And surely FI cars like 335i that are these days running 10.7:1 compression ratios - despite the turbochargers- can take advantage of these high grade fuels?

Having said this, my right foot sure hasn't been able to tell the difference between 95 and 98 octane. On each of my last my last three cars 325i, RX8 and 335i I trialled Shell, BP and Mobil 98 quite extensively before reverting to 95, and found no discernable difference either in consumption or performance.

My guess is the cars do benefit from the better fuel, but you'll need a stopwatch to detect the performance difference, and something a lot more accurate and controlled than comparing trip computer readouts to discern the economy difference....

Originally Posted by NickG

Isn't it the case that most modern cars have electronic knock sensors that will self adjust to any octane above the rated minimum for the vehicle? And surely FI cars like 335i that are these days running 10.7:1 compression ratios - despite the turbochargers- can take advantage of these high grade fuels?

Having said this, my right foot sure hasn't been able to tell the difference between 95 and 98 octane. On each of my last my last three cars 325i, RX8 and 335i I trialled Shell, BP and Mobil 98 quite extensively before reverting to 95, and found no discernable difference either in consumption or performance.

My guess is the cars do benefit from the better fuel, but you'll need a stopwatch to detect the performance difference, and something a lot more accurate and controlled than comparing trip computer readouts to discern the economy difference....

I've put this in another post but my 320i suffers BADLY with 95 octane (98 is the recommended by BMW for the 2.0L four) so 98 makes a huge difference and 98 Shell does seem better than BP. I haven't tried 100 yet, but will do soon...I suspect the 320 engine will like it, based on my 28,000 Ks of experience with it...

On my 130i the difference isn't as marked, but there is definately a difference between 95 and 98. I doubt there is a big performance hit, but the engine seems to accelerate more smoothly on 98 - especially at low speeds where it stutters on 95 sometimes at lower revs.

[moO moO nEL]

I have tried a full tank of Shell 100. I feel no difference from V power 98.

[1q2w3e4r]

Originally Posted by NickG

Isn't it the case that most modern cars have electronic knock sensors that will self adjust to any octane above the rated minimum for the vehicle? And surely FI cars like 335i that are these days running 10.7:1 compression ratios - despite the turbochargers- can take advantage of these high grade fuels?

Having said this, my right foot sure hasn't been able to tell the difference between 95 and 98 octane. On each of my last my last three cars 325i, RX8 and 335i I trialled Shell, BP and Mobil 98 quite extensively before reverting to 95, and found no discernable difference either in consumption or performance.

My guess is the cars do benefit from the better fuel, but you'll need a stopwatch to detect the performance difference, and something a lot more accurate and controlled than comparing trip computer readouts to discern the economy difference....

Nah you need a retune for that specific rated fuel to get most benifit out of it, otherwsie I wouldn't have to retune my GTR and E30 for 100 RON fuel to get the power gains.

The manufactuer's tune the ECU's for certain grade fuel, throwing higher stuff in isn't going to result in huge gains, if any at all IMO though. Although it may run smoother and give you more k's per tank but who knows. I just use 98 in everything and 100 in the GTR when I see it as it's cheap insurance against a bad batch of fuel.

[NickG]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

Nah you need a retune for that specific rated fuel to get most benifit out of it, otherwsie I wouldn't have to retune my GTR and E30 for 100 RON fuel to get the power gains.

The manufactuer's tune the ECU's for certain grade fuel, throwing higher stuff in isn't going to result in huge gains, if any at all IMO though. Although it may run smoother and give you more k's per tank but who knows. I just use 98 in everything and 100 in the GTR when I see it as it's cheap insurance against a bad batch of fuel.

Nick learns something new today

[astra]

Originally Posted by skyskie

there is a shell v-power 100 octane, which is in carlton on princes highway near the st george football stadium. not sure about the other ones though, cos i've so far only seen it there. i use that one when i'm in that area, but other than that i use shell v-power. has anybody spotted other places that have v-power 100 octane???

i think there is one around the maquarie/ryde area?

and also there is the one round teh end of oxford st at a tiny servo

[1q2w3e4r]

Originally Posted by astra

i think there is one around the maquarie/ryde area?

and also there is the one round teh end of oxford st at a tiny servo

Ya, there is a list of every Shell servo that sells 100 Octane above

[astra]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

Ya, there is a list of every Shell servo that sells 100 Octane above

didn't see it i don't always read the whole thread

[bimmerron]

Use Shell V power as much as possible. Use V Power racing when available. Use BP when no shell close. Found Shell better economy and a bit more power. Most experience on e34 and e39 540's, now driving e92 335

There is little difference in feeling between brands and 95/98 octane on my 130i, but the 320i suffers badly on 95 Octane and there does appear to be a reasonable difference when using Shell over BP with it.

BMW recommends 95 for the 130 and 98 for the 320 so looks like the 4cyl engines are very fussy with the petrol you put in them.

[rodders]

V power for me - Shell just gets more k's for some reason.

Does anyone know in Melbourne where 100 octane is available?