Super Unleaded - i cant see the point - who runs it?

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Jez

Jez

Jez

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Time for this timely old argument to surface once again.

Super Unleaded/Diesel/V-Power etc etc.

I understand the technicalities of super unleaded, and i understand that select cars do indeed require the resistance to det afforded by premium fuels.

However, i am talking about "normal" UKDM vehicles, i see so many people (prompted by mrk in another thread with a BMW 318CI) say or imply that they spend the extra money on it.

Why? I have had a fair few vehicles in my time, only one of which i have ever bought super for regularly (and even then 95 seemed ok in it)

Current:
Mercedes S430, no difference
Mercedes 230TE, no difference
Porsche 911 996, no difference

In the past:
Honda S2000 (UK Model), no difference
BMW 330I, BMW 330CI, BMW 530I, BMW 330D - all no difference
Mercedes CLS320CDI - no difference

Only car ever to have it was my MR2 Turbo Import (modified), because everyone told me that i will blow it up using 95. When i had to use 95 out of not being able to get super, again, no difference (although i accept that perhaps i was risking damage).

What does it take for it to be worthwhile and why do people buy this stuff :p
 
Emperors new clothes.
However i run it but i do have a JDM prelude, it has a horrible flat spot when running normal unleaded. which reminds me i should look into that!!
 
What difference are you expecting?

Don't some imports/high performance cars use a different air/fuel setting if the octane is too low?

S2000 states to use between 95-98 octane, our super is 97. I use super, but I don't pay for my fuel so don't think twice.
 
I buy Super (and where possible V-Power) for the track car as protection against det as it's a forced induction Jap spec engine which was originally intended to run on 97RON and is running above standard levels of boost and generally being ragged senseless. On top of that the car doesn't do many miles so the increased cost isn't really an issue, in fact even despite recent price rises putting V-Power in it this season is still cheaper than putting 95 in was last year.

Wouldn't even think about spending the extra on it for any 'normal' car though.
 
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I go through 4 tanks a month. The first tank I'll use super as i'm told that it cleans out the pipelines or something. Also it's recommended by Ford that I use BP Ultimate anyway.

But as you say, I can't tell the difference when using either.
 
on super mine gets 20-30miles more per tank and is quicker. the quicker bit could be palcebo, but the miles per tank has been repeated over and over
 
Sin_Chase said:
What difference are you expecting?
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Degraded performance, rough running, changes in economy...

I don't know, just something to differentiate the two given that one is often significantly more expensive :) I'm hardly using Corsa's as a test bed here yet i have never ever seen any difference whatsoever across any cars i have ever had.
 
I use Shell V-Power in my Octy vRS, runs better on it and like a bag of crap on normal unleaded.

Cost isn't a problem because I don't do many miles.
 
I use it, cars mapped for it so I get better power and economy and I feel important having a red VPower card in my wallet
 
I generally run what the car manufacturer recommends and see no point in putting supper into a normal car. I would have thought the Porsche would have been mapped to take advantage of super unleaded though.

I do run V-power derv in my car now though as its sulpher free(or very low) i believe and I dont mind paying an extra couple of quid every fill up in the hope it does keep the engine cleaner. I dont believe the hype it gives more power.
 
There is a notable difference if I run my car on standard unleaded vs. various super unleadeds. Not necessarily performance, as I can't really tell, but slight economic differences. The car is a little smoother running and quieter on super unleaded, too.
 
It makes more of a difference in performance cars where the ECU is advanced enough to adjust ignition timing etc...

In my car (Leon Cupra R) it makes a big difference. Infact I swear by Tesco 99 - It's the best!!
 
Dandle said:
I generally run what the car manufacturer recommends and see no point in putting supper into a normal car. I would have thought the Porsche would have been mapped to take advantage of super unleaded though.
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Porsche of Reading have told us not to bother, and the car runs identically using both types of fuel. :)

Diesel - when you say your Skoda runs like a bag of crap on regular, in what way exactly?
 
I used to buy V-Power once in a blue moon if was feeling a bit Devil may care, as I hear it contains cleaning additives which may be good for the engine and fuel system. But I've stopped doing that lately. My dad used to absolutely swear that he got better mileage using V-Power, but I am doubtful.
 
Turbo nutter imports DO need high octane. The 300 dets its little **** off if you put cheap 95 in, triggers safety mode the first time you get boost. A few years back a mate actually did blow a hole through no.3 piston in his STi Impreza after putting sainsburys fuel in.
 
PMKeates said:
There is a notable difference if I run my car on standard unleaded vs. various super unleadeds. Not necessarily performance, as I can't really tell, but slight economic differences. The car is a little smoother running and quieter on super unleaded, too.
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Weird given that i have owned three cars with the same engine as yours, and have never seen any difference between any of them :confused:
 
How does one know if you should be using it or not? My mate runs it in a VXR Astra and says he has to and its better for it but i'd have thought it was for a lot higher spec machines. He also has some funny notion about sitting in the car for 5 minutes at a standstill before he switches it off and turns off the key. Some 'essential cooldown period' apparently.
 
My prleude states in the fuel door thingy that I must use 95 ron, or higher.

So, I use standard unleaded. I have used a few odd tanks of special stuff, when i have a voucher or something, just to try it. No difference felt by Butt Dyno, or fuel economy :)

I am sticking to 95ron :D
 
Jez said:
Porsche of Reading have told us not to bother, and the car runs identically using both types of fuel. :)
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I'd be surprised if there was no accomodation in the Porsche's ECU map to advance ignition on 97/98 ron fuel.
 
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