In the four years I’ve owned my Mk3 2.0 I’ve only ever used 95 RON, usually Tesco. Then I saw this thread. Waited until the yellow light came on and filled up with Tesco 99 Momentum.
It’s always run faultlessly on the 95 Ron. Or so I thought. Thanks everyone. Don’t really care about whether the consumption compensates for the extra 5p a litre. Runs like an absolute dream. I’m sure it’s not my imagination. It’s just got that little bit extra smoothness and urgency. Gone from Zoom-zoom to Zoom-zoom-zoom.
Many say it’s the placebo effect. However, I’m always up to try new stuff, if I consider it worth paying a small amount extra.
Well over a decade ago I tried a full tankful of Shell “V-Power” in my very low mileage Honda CB750 motorcycle, just out of curiosity. That fuel was known as “Optimax” back then (but I think that trade name was already taken by an optician so they had to change the name)!
As soon as the old remaining fuel had gone through the carburettors the bike seemed to pick up and ran much better. It’s an older model which has carburettors and electronic ignition; but it certainly doesn’t have a “smart” ECU or engine sensors. I was very aware that I might be imagining the benefit due to “placebo effect” so next time I filled up I put in standard unleaded fuel. The downturn in performance was immediately noticeable. I knew then that “Super” was more than “snake oil” and well worth buying for that bike. I still have it and it still gets “Super” to this day (took it out yesterday, only the third time this year).
On the other hand, my NB doesn’t seem to go any better on the more expensive fuels and I drive it fairly steadily (for a bloke in his 60s, others might disagree), so I normally use standard fuel in it. However, if I were to put the car on the track, it would be driven a lot harder and get much hotter, so I would probably put “Super” in the tank.
One other benefit of using Super unleaded: I have a number of vehicles, some get left in the garage (e.g. the Honda as above) and SORN’d for prolonged periods. I’ve noticed that Super unleaded tends to resist going stale better when left in the tank, compared to standard fuel.
My advice is to try it and see, nothing to stop you going back to standard unleaded if you can’t notice any benefit. We’ve always used a similar rule at mealtimes with our kids and grand-kids - try a mouthful of a new food - you might find it’s very nice and worth trying again. If you don’t, you’ll never know what you missed!
I usually put in Super unleaded if it’s available in the garage I happen to be at because it definitely makes the engine more lively.
Earlier this week in Germany I put in a tank of V-Power Racing 100 octane fuel and the mx5 loved it - but maybe that had something to do with the unrestricted sections of the Autobahns
I was dubious but hopeful while reading through the thread as I usually used Tesco 95. I’ve now run 2 tanks of Tesco 99, and I am sure that the car (NC) is running smoother, has a sharper pick up and is generally has a little bit more poke to it.
I have to say I am surprised by this! No idea on MPG as wasnt checking but am on this tank.
Cant afford to fill up with super every time round my way but when I do she gets v power usually, Only other options I have here is Morrisons, Asda or Esso. Dont notice the difference with Super in the NC as I did in the NB but I’m averaging 40mpg on regular supermarket unleaded on my commute
I use Tesco momentum as it’s 99 octane, I avoid the shell and no with the additives after hearing that not only do they clear carbon deposits they also help reduce cylinder friction aka glaze the bores.
I was using the Tesco premium but it was taking an age to fill up at my local cause you get stuck in a queue with people buying all sorts of stuff from the shop when you’re just wanting to pay & go.
Moved over to Shell V-power as the local shell garage sells petrol & not much more, but also joined the shell drivers club to get points for money off of future fill-ups, bonus is I do a lot of driving in hire cars for work so using shell (normal) in them & getting shell points when filling up
The shell app also has pay & go, but my work iPhone is a version to old to use.
