Costco diesel

[Erfan]

On Sunday I put in 56 ltrs of Costco premium diesel (Watford) at 1.419/ltr.
After 100 miles I've felt the car more noisy, with less acceleration and about 10% less fuel economy. I normally only use esso, shell or bp, but based on previous positive posts thought I'd try. I don't think I'll use again. For years I also used hydra additives but stopped at Christmas as I can't be bothered with the faff of it. I will go back to standard Shell which is about 1.55/ltr. Just wanted to post as feedback for others. (W211 E220cdi - facelift.)

 

[Gazwould]

Faff ?

It's no more faff than taking a piss .

 

[Dryce]

After 100 miles I've felt the car more noisy, with less acceleration and about 10% less fuel economy.

Not had an issue with Costco diesel and SWMBO hasn't had an issue with their petrol.

 

[Erfan]

I appreciate many have not had an issue and hoped that would include me..
Sometimes taking a p__s can be a faff After dosing separately for years, I want things more simple now. Personal choice, nothing against those who do.

 

[DSM10000]

One example is not evidence of poor quality fuel.

As has been said over and over, all fuel sold from UK forecourts is made to the same BS standards.

Costco base Diesel is the same as any other base fuel. It may be that where you refuelled have storage issues.

 

[markjay]

I don't see how the symptoms described by the OP can be down to the brand of fuel used.

Assuming that the symptoms are real and not subjective, and assuming that the underlying issue is indeed fuel-related, then the only possible explanation is contaminated fuel (with water, or petrol, etc).

 

[Erfan]

Fair point. I'm usually not near one of their stations so don't know when I'll next be in a position to consider buying again. I hear they will eventually have a forecourt in Reading..which I do go to.

 

[Erfan]

Im not saying that if I filled up 10 more times I would get the same experience again..but there will I suppose always be a variance between brands...even if they all pass the relevant BS standards. My experience in the steel industry is different producers manufacture to BS standards, but material strength can vary by 10%

 

[HB]

Used Costco premium diesel for years. Never any issues.
Costco can sell premium diesel at almost 25p a litre cheaper. They must have pretty good margins in their wholesale cash and carries to subsidise the fuel - the norm for that business is 1% net.

 

[suty455]

All fuel comes out the same pipe at the refinery the only marginal change is in some of the additives which are added to the refined fuel before its dispensed and those are very very minor despite all the marketing they spend many thousands on, the main driver for all the so called premium etc adverts is to get you in the shop because thats where they make massive margins.
All the fuel has to be to a minimum standard which is always above the standard set by the car makers, what happens in the tanks at the forecourt however is another matter it has been known for a few hundred litres of the wrong fuel to get into the wrong tank!

 

[DrNick]

Have you filled up anywhere else since? Has the problem then gone away?

 

[bob6600]

Costco's diesel is premium, they only offer petrol in standard and premium. I would mention it to the warehouse as there could be a storage issue as mentioned. Not known anyone to have had any issues with their fuel but they should be a reason why your car has behaved this way.

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

Never had a problem with diesel from our local Costco. Have used their 98/99 too without a problem, though not regularly.

 

[samannan]

I used Costco diesel a couple times filling the tank full, didn’t notice any reduction in economy, but I didn’t like the louder noise the engine was making, so sticking with bp. The wife noticed the louder noise too

 

[Erfan]

I've not filled up anywhere else since. The car is more noisy than before and still getting lower mpg. Will probably be a fortnight before I fill up again

 

[HB]

I've not filled up anywhere else since. The car is more noisy than before and still getting lower mpg. Will probably be a fortnight before I fill up again

You may have a non fuel related problem

 

[Erfan]

It would seem too much of a coincidence that this happened immediately after I filled up. I have contacted Costco and they will investigate and come back to me.

 

[suty455]

It would seem too much of a coincidence that this happened immediately after I filled up. I have contacted Costco and they will investigate and come back to me.

I have seen this before on my Wifes Subaru was running fine until it was shutdown and the following Day it just would not run turned out to be one of the crank sensors was faulty and the ECU was setup to fall back to one in use but requires 2 to start, imagine if she had filled up the same Day, if it was a fuel issue there would be lots of complaints, the rules around fuel, its quality, storage, supply and make up are very strict for obvious reasons, I think you will find its an unrelated but coincidental issue

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Is Costco premium diesel actually premium, as their premium petrol certainly isn’t premium

 

[suty455]

Is Costco premium diesel actually premium, as their premium petrol certainly isn’t premium

So what exactly is "premium" and what proof other than the garages claims do you have that it is in fact any better, all fuels have to have a minimum grade all engines are designed to work with that fuel dependant on age of course so a 80s car may have the need for extra additives a 70s one unless modified or it came with harder valve seats will need lead additives.
Premium is a word used to extract extra from you the customer, have you notice premium fuel pumps are rarely pay and go they want you in the shop cause your a cash cow