Optimax and 97/98 ron fuels

[Buzzark 0]

I feel this may open a can of worms...

I've been running thr car on Optimax since I bought it. No problems, seems to have been running fine. There's a Shell garage near work and one near home so this is conveinent too.

I was running low on fuel about a week ago and went to my local garage to fill up, out of Optimax. No problem, I went to the one near work the following evening. Except they were closed!

The outcome was that I needed fuel and had to pull into an Esso garage instead. They had some Esso super 97 ron, I didn't even know they stocked it so was a bit happier..

Now, here's the interesting part - within about 5 minutes the engine started running a lot smoother, quicker pickup, better idle and quieter too.

On the bypass since then, it's defintely got more power and generally feels more lively.

I suspect it's probably a case of Optimax in my area not being what it should be rather than the Esso being a super fuel, but I think I'll be changing brands permenantly.

The shock was I wouldn't expect this much difference between 95ron and 97ron, never mind between two 97+ fuels. !amazed

Anybody else had similar experiences?

[Zonda_ 0]

I've tried all the 'big' 3 in mine, Optimax, BP Ultimate and Esso Super. Never noticed a difference and the car has the same performance when it runs on gas.

[Petesvw 0]

I use BP ultimate (97) 98% of the time, never notice any major difference when i fill up else where? Could just be me tho.lol

[spanky 0]

I used 95 RON (shell) when I first got my VR then started to run it on Optimax, no noticable difference in performance but I actually got less miles to the gallon with the Optimax as I do with 95 RON.

[kempj1 0]

Mine runs smoother with higher octane fuels, and pulls a bit better from low revs. When caining it though, high rpm and open throttle, I think it makes very little difference. I've not noticed any difference between the high octane fuels.

[Earwig 89]

I now use nothing other than Tesco 99Ron fuel :-)

Difference when I first started was instantly noticable after only a few miles.

Now that I am use to the extra power and responsiveness the only thing I notice is on the work run now I get an extra 3-4 days of travelling to and from work over regualr 95 ron !

Well worth the extra few Pence !

Mark.

[Caddyslammed 16]

i agree with buzzark definately, the super unleaded from esso garages is better in my car than ultimate and optimax for sure.

[vr6madmike 0]

I can only get tesco 97 ron down here the 99 should be coming soon wont fill up with anything else as i work for them! Feels so much better than tesco 95 crap!

[apd 0]

from a s/c point of view,it depends what fuel you have when u get mapped.that 95 stuff is poor.97/98/99 all the way!

[Earwig 89]

I hear in Japan they can get 102Ron fuel......

Why are we so far behind? Environmental shit?

[RIX 0]

all my vr´s have done about 1km more pr. liter runnig 97/98

compare too 95.

[Buzzark 0]

I hear in Japan they can get 102Ron fuel......

Why are we so far behind? Environmental shit?

Nope, the higher the octane the cleaner it burns supposedly.

The Tesco 99ron fuel is actually a "green" fuel supplied by a green fuel specialist.

Germany has 101 to 105 ron fuels I have read.

[RIX 0]

no i germany they have shell v-power 100ron,all the others also have 100ron now,in denmark we have 98 and shell v-power 97.

[matth76 1]

I used to use Optimax (98 ron) which was expensive but still cheaper than BP Ultimate (97 ron) and to be honest I noticed no difference between the two. I've never once put 95 ron in as it makes the car run worse and invites pinking at very high revs. I then started using Tesco 99 ron fuel when I found a garage that did it nearby and it is far better than the old Optimax I used to use. I don't tend to feel it when the tank is under half full, but when it is full up the pick up is instant and it feels much smoother. Not sure if this is true or not but Tesco 99ron may in fact be BP fuel. But BP don't market their 99 ron stuff themselves for some reason...not sure if this is all true though however one thing is true: Tesco's supplier will be one of the major oil companies.

All I can say is try it out when tesco eventually get round to opening up more 99 ron pumps up in your local area. Plus it's far cheaper than Ultimate and Optimax... its only a pence or so more expensive than regular 95! I haven't tried the Esso 97 ron but will in emergencies instead of Optimax or BP.

[Buzzark 0]

Tesco's supplier Greenergy is actually an independant, the 99ron fuel to Tesco is a very big contract for them;

http://www.greenergy.com/products/99_octane.html

It's a specially refined and blended product taken from their own refinery and not just a package upgraded standard fuel. It has a different supplier than Tesco's standard 95ron fuels.

Unfortunately, it's also not available at any Tesco station in my area so I haven't tried it. :?

[matth76 1]

Anyone know if Tesco are planning on increasing the number of 99ron fuel outlets?

[Guest GTiR]

right ive seen 2 tests for these 3 fuels and oxtimax came first then bp ultimate then tesco 99, and i know u all think 99 ron would be the best but for some reason theres more to it then that if u fill up ur car with a better fuel it takes a while for the ecu to advance the timing there for u will not feel anything straight away and also as uve just filled the car up, uve added a fair bit of weight slowing it down to ive see two tests and oxtimax is the best simple as that, and my car is made for 100 octaine

and i always try to use either oxtimax or ultimate but when used tesco it pinks a little at low revs not sure about high revs as the car is so loud i cant hear so i would not use tescos if i can help it.

[ian 182 0]

I think it just depends on the car type.My clio 172 ran on optimax after i tested 95 and 98 ron.it fealt smoother and more responsive.I ran my 182 on it from birth.

ian

[vr6madmike 0]

Tesco 99 will be coming to the south west shortly!

[dellert 0]

Got a full tank of tesco at the moment, the jury is still out at the moment, wife been "driving miss daisy" in it!!!

Will let you know next weekend! Used to use sainsbury 97ron but that was not a lot different to standard, no different response but better economy.

[vr6madmike 0]

Better economy could be due to the warmer weather, did 35.4 mpg driving normally tonight over about 60 miles! Whats the price difference between tesco 95 and 99?? we dont get it down here yet theres a 4p difference between 95 and 97.

[Socrates75 0]

I've found that Optimax is superior to Ultimate, in the the general response to the fun pedal !lol

My Bro is running that Tesco gear in his WRX STI and he says it is superb and he was an Optimax user non stop.

So... Next fuel for me is Tesco! !lol

Re economy, I get around 24 sensible and 16 hammering in my C VR6...

Lets just say a tenner don't go far !lol

[Col_M 0]

I thought this was a familiar subject

http://www.vr6oc.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?95258.0#post_95345

A pretty definative post on the subject if i must say so myself lol