Whoooaaaaahhhh....Rocket Fuel!!

[Alex Argent]

I know a lot has been discussed on this forum about different fuels and the benefits/disadvantages of some over others. I do appreciate that the subject is very subjective . Personally, I tend to stick to BP Ultimate, which I find gives marginal increase in performance over regular 95RON unleaded. I have tried Shell Optimax a couple of times and although its 98 RON compared to BP's 97, I felt it didn't give quite as much. Don't get me wrong here - I often fill up with the ordinary 95 when it's all that's available. Doesn't worry me in the slightest.

However, yesterday afternoon on my way back to Suffolk from the South Coast, I was getting desperately short (of fuel ) and the next service station to appear on the horizon was a Tesco Superstore. So in I pulled, only to discover Tesco's own 'super plus' derivative is 99 RON!! I'll have some of that please I thought to myself, and proceeded to part with £50+, albeit the difference between their 95 and this stuff is only 4p per litre IIRC. It will be interesting to see what kind of fuel consumption I start averaging - usually returns between 29 to 34 over a few tankfuls with BP Ultimate .

At first, there was no discernible difference, but by the time I hit the M25 about 20 miles later.....Wow. This stuff is really like rocket fuel. The car has never performed so responsively since I've had it (nearly 3 years now), and the acceleration is mind-blowing! I'm definitely tracking down my nearest Tesco that stocks this stuff, and will endeavour to use it more often. Goodbye BP.........Hello Tesco.

I've never even seen 99 rated fuel before, let alone used it. Has anyone else used this and if so, has it given a similar performance lift as that which I seem to be getting?

Now I'm off out for another spin round the block!

Alex

 

[Shude]

There have been threads about this before

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15502

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=19205

 

[Vips]

Sounds good. I need to fill up after I leave work as the yellow warning light has appeared. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Tesco site within 10 miles of where I'm going. So ironic.....desperately driving around to get fuel!!

 

[Shude]

The 99 stuff has gone past testing yet, they're letting the SE people blow up their engines with it first before releasing it nationwide

 

[Alex Argent]

The 99 stuff has gone past testing yet, they're letting the SE people blow up their engines with it first before releasing it nationwide

Tell me you're jesting...............please!

 

[Shude]

Tell me you're jesting...............please!

Maybe a little bit . It genuinely isn't available nationwide yet, Tesco want to check customer feedback and sales figures before they roll it out nationally.

 

[Flash]

I know a lot has been discussed on this forum about different fuels and the benefits/disadvantages of some over others. I do appreciate that the subject is very subjective . Personally, I tend to stick to BP Ultimate, which I find gives marginal increase in performance over regular 95RON unleaded. I have tried Shell Optimax a couple of times and although its 98 RON compared to BP's 97, I felt it didn't give quite as much. Don't get me wrong here - I often fill up with the ordinary 95 when it's all that's available. Doesn't worry me in the slightest.

However, yesterday afternoon on my way back to Suffolk from the South Coast, I was getting desperately short (of fuel ) and the next service station to appear on the horizon was a Tesco Superstore. So in I pulled, only to discover Tesco's own 'super plus' derivative is 99 RON!! I'll have some of that please I thought to myself, and proceeded to part with £50+, albeit the difference between their 95 and this stuff is only 4p per litre IIRC. It will be interesting to see what kind of fuel consumption I start averaging - usually returns between 29 to 34 over a few tankfuls with BP Ultimate .

At first, there was no discernible difference, but by the time I hit the M25 about 20 miles later.....Wow. This stuff is really like rocket fuel. The car has never performed so responsively since I've had it (nearly 3 years now), and the acceleration is mind-blowing! I'm definitely tracking down my nearest Tesco that stocks this stuff, and will endeavour to use it more often. Goodbye BP.........Hello Tesco.

I've never even seen 99 rated fuel before, let alone used it. Has anyone else used this and if so, has it given a similar performance lift as that which I seem to be getting?

Now I'm off out for another spin round the block!

Alex

You sure that you did not get high of the petrol fumes yourself my friend whilst filling up...

 

[PJH]

Wasn't the old 5 star 99RON, or was it 101RON ?

 

[machasm]

I had been using it for some time but didn't find any decernible (spelt wrong I think) difference so switched back to 95RON.
Mac.

 

[DieselE]

decernible (spelt wrong I think)

discernible.

Sad input I know but then as a diesel user what else can I contribute to a petrol thread.

 

[MangoMan]

I've been using it in both my cars for a few months now. For two reasons; got a Tesco 2 mins down the road from me, and it's cheaper than BP/Shell/Esso/Texaco/Sainsburys, etc.

It's much better than the normal unleaded, but I wouldn't say it is any improvement on the other 'Super Unleaded' brands.

Cheers, Bill.

 

[Satch]

discernible.

Sad input I know but then as a diesel user what else can I contribute to a petrol thread.

Soot.

The Tesco stuff is the Greenergy 5% Bioethanol

Interesting article:

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,1710219,00.html

"The warranties of today's standard cars state that no more than 5% bioethanol should be used. Bioethanol is more acidic than petrol, so can cause damage to aluminium components and rubber seals. Despite the warranty restriction, most experts agree modern cars could withstand a 10% mix of bioethanol without causing damage to engines"

 

[machasm]

Soot.

The Tesco stuff is the Greenergy 5% Bioethanol

Interesting article:

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,1710219,00.html

"The warranties of today's standard cars state that no more than 5% bioethanol should be used. Bioethanol is more acidic than petrol, so can cause damage to aluminium components and rubber seals. Despite the warranty restriction, most experts agree modern cars could withstand a 10% mix of bioethanol without causing damage to engines"

Good find Satch.
I find it interesting that the actual savings in greenhouse gases are down to the production of bio-ethanol and NOT from the use of.
the combustion of the fuel still releases about the same Co2 as burning fossill fuels does.
It would seem that if we really want to save the planet this would only be an interim solution.
Mac.

 

[kbhogalW126]

Tesco Clubcard

hi!

when i had a company car i used to buy all my fuel from tesco filling stations and used my Clubcard - they also send you a keyfob so you only need to hand your keys over to the attendant.

it's really easy.

make sure you use it when you buy fuel as you will build up points really quickly.

it can even be used with a fuel card (i used to have an "Allstar" card).

i used to travel about 200 miles a day.

basically i filled the tank about 3 times a week (£150).

they send you vouchers every 3 months or so which can be used in the store.

now i use my British Airways Amex and my clubcard to get BA miles AND Clubcard points.

hope you all find this info useful.

regards,

KJ.

BTW, im defecting next month! Buying a VW Passat SE TDi 140.

sorry

 

[Howard]

Bill, i'm not sure on this one, but i remember reading on here somewhere that you shouldn't run the older era cars ( ie ours ) on too high an octane ( Super unleaded et al)...

Can't remember why though ....

 

[PJH]

Where to buy 99 RON from TESCO, plus forthcoming sites.

 

[blicky_1]

Well guys my LPG is OVER 100 RON!! lol

 

[Rose Chap]

After reading this thread I deviated from my usual route home from Reading via the huuuuuge Tesco past the BMW dealer and sure enough, they are selling this 99RON stuff. Half a tank later (the other half is Optimax) the car did have more bananas zooming up the sliproad but that could have been cool damp air helping too.

I'll try a full tank and see how that works.

Its also cheaper than Optimax!

 

[MangoMan]

Howard

Bill, i'm not sure on this one, but i remember reading on here somewhere that you shouldn't run the older era cars ( ie ours ) on too high an octane ( Super unleaded et al)...

Can't remember why though ....

I'm not too sure about that, all I do know is that 'unleaded' in any old car isn't good for them. Something about the 'lead' content being a lubricant for the softer metal/alloys used in older cars. All I remember being told is that it's better to use the higher octane in older cars because they have lubricants added, or something to that effect.

As a matter of interest, all aircraft jet engines only use 'leaded' fuel, outerwise they would disintergrate very quickly. (typical Govt hypocracy)!!

 

[Spinal]

So saturday I wen't to Luton to drop some family off a the airport.. on my way back, I stopped at a different supermarket from where I usually shop. They had 99Ron fuel, so I decided to top up my car... No great difference there (I did have roughly 30litres of 97ron in already though), but I did grab a can of 99ron for my bike... WHOA, thats really where I can feel the difference. On a tiny 125cc two stroke engine!