Shell V-Power - does it make a difference to your BMW?

alexs

alexs

alexs

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With the number of BMW owners on here, it seems as good a place as any to ask about your experiences of using V-Power (or other "super-unleaded" fuels) in your cars, particularly those with recent 3 litre engines...

The handbook for my car (which has the N52 3 litre engine) recommends 98 RON fuel but what effect does using 'normal' 95 RON fuel have? Is there a noticeable reduction in power or does fuel economy significantly suffer? Is Tesco's 99 RON petrol (with added bio-ethanol) a viable alternative to V-Power?

I've glanced through the various magazine tests that have tried to quantify the difference between the fuels, but given the number of you that have (sensibly!) opted for the 3 litre variants, I'd be grateful for your first-hand experiences. Thanks :)
 
I would also like to know this, however I have the 3.0 prior to the N52 (231 hp one).

Only used Vpower since I bought it and have yet to try tesco 99.
 
It would prob just give a slight drop in MPG using 95. I used Vpower and a 2RON shot of octane booster for a laugh and I'm on course for my highest ever MPG :)
 
I have never been able to tell the slightest bit of difference in either of my 330's which have been recommended to run on super unleaded. So i just used 95, it was exactly the same.
 
I was told by a BMW salesman that the N52 3.0 in the Z4 (265PS variant) should always be run on 97RON or better.

However, I reckon if you put 95RON it it wouldn't do any damage. It might be down on power a bit and you might lose some economy as apparently the ECU is capable of adapting to the 97RON for better running but I doubt it would be noticeable.

I'll be sticking V Power in mine when I get it, I don't fancy starying outside the manufacturers recommendations.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far :).

Scuzi said:
I was told by a BMW salesman that the N52 3.0 in the Z4 (265PS variant) should always be run on 97RON or better.
Click to expand...

I'm getting just under 28 mpg with the last few tanks of 95 RON fuel but I'll fill up with V-Power the next few times to see if I there's a (albeit subjective!) difference.
 
I've never really noticed any difference, to be honest. I had 95RON in mine when it was Rolling Roaded and it made stock power. MPG doesnt seem to change either.
 
I always run mine on super unleaded. Contrary to Fox's findings it does improve the MPG (albeit slightly) :p

Oh, and Tesco 99 is rubbish - economy goes down quite a bit (I guess because the ethanol has a lower energy content than proper petrol).
 
James_N said:
Might get better MPG but surely this is offset by the fact it costs 5p a litre more ?
Click to expand...

We've gone through this one with him, he's saving no money at all but the fact he gets to put super racing fuel in his 1.6 Mini One makes him feel special so he continues to do it.
 
Wouldn't you prefer for your car to be running with better quality fuel, in the same way you'd want to put proper oil in the engine, and not just some Halfords special oil?
 
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