Unleaded vs Super Unleaded... - The M3cutters

Wolsty · 24th November 2008, 04:08 PM

Fellas, apologies if this has been answered but I can't find any corresponding threads....

Does using Super Leaded make much difference to the amount overall mileage and the general upkeep of the engine?

I tend to alternate between unleadaed and super unleaded....

Thoughts?

SimonM3 · 24th November 2008, 04:28 PM

Super is better as the m3 like the better octane, higher octane prevents engine knock.

useful site, gives info about fuel too

http://www.petrolprices.com/

mark taylor · 24th November 2008, 04:53 PM

hi mate,
when i bought my car i filled the tank with normal unleaded and drove 200 miles home,i noticed that it pinked a bit on a few occasions when i gave it some.so i had to drive it like a granny until all the petrol was used up.
now i only use shell optimax,no pinking and feels a bit faster.so defo use super unleaded .cheers mate.mark

JeffM3 · 24th November 2008, 07:16 PM

Tesco's 99 octane is the best! there is a write up about it on thorney motorsport link i've got one local so i also shop there and they have 5p off a litre when you spend £50 or more on shopping and they have that offer on most of the time!

Backitoff · 24th November 2008, 07:24 PM

Tesco 99 rules. What you pay extra per liter you get back in MPG and your giving your car the stuff it needs to optimise its performance!
No Brainer IMO

peanut1 · 24th November 2008, 09:12 PM

Another point for the Tesco i say! Defo super!!!
Nut

M3GT · 24th November 2008, 09:19 PM

I always use Tesco's 99 when possible

mark taylor · 25th November 2008, 08:03 PM

hi guys,
i might give it a go after reading that.
ive always stayed away from supermarket fuel,always used what i thought was the best [shell optimax]
cheers for the info.mark

matt200 · 25th November 2008, 08:20 PM

Yeah the tesco 99 ron fuel is very good. I always get it from tesco in Banbury, and that gives me an excuse to drive down the A361, which is an awesome road!

Billym3 · 25th November 2008, 11:58 PM

I give it a go is well for tesco fuel. But i always thought shell vpower was best.

JeffM3 · 26th November 2008, 01:31 AM

Don't quote me on this but the tesco has 10% ethanol compared to shells 5%
Also tesco's is 99ron and shell is 98ron its only 1 but "every little counts"

Wolsty · 26th November 2008, 10:06 AM

Thanks Chaps for the advice, I've always tended to steer clear of supermarkets and like Mark and Billy I use Shell V-Power.. but I'll give Tescos 99 a go too....

bass2rez · 26th November 2008, 11:15 AM

In the manual for my E36, it states to use minimum 98 octane fuel, and I'd be surprised if the E46 was any different.

I alternate between Tesco 99 and Shell VPower, depending on where I happen to be.

Cheers,
Steve

Chunky · 26th November 2008, 04:53 PM

Think the Tesco fuel has 5% Bio ethanol in it as well, http://www.petrolprices.com/tesco.html .

I just happen to be looking at this site the other day

Wolsty · 26th November 2008, 08:46 PM

So does the ethanol count make a difference? If so how and why? Just curious thats all.......

matt200 · 26th November 2008, 08:50 PM

Ethanol is very very flammable! dragster fuel has a very high volume of ethanol in it.

JeffM3 · 27th November 2008, 01:57 AM

did you read the link i posted above ^^^ link it doesn't explain the ethanol exactly but gives a good explanation on the different types of fuel they tested and some of the science behind it and as matt said its very flammable so you get more bang making more power!

Wolsty · 27th November 2008, 03:39 PM

Cheers Jeff, having problems with the link due to your avatar....

ie. I can't stop watching her....seriously Tesco 99 is the future then!

JeffM3 · 27th November 2008, 04:47 PM

I always fill up with tesco's super but i have once or twice had to fill up elsewhere and even with normall 95ron and i definitely noticed a difference, i know some M3's even experience pinking when using standard UL mine didn't do that but it wasn't running as smooth for sure, its more expensive but its a cleaner fuel so better for your engine and i would even go as far as it gives better fuel econemy, although its more expensive its only £3-£4 on a tank full so its got to be worth it.

reidtastic · 29th November 2008, 09:45 PM

Tesco is supposed to have a performance advantage over optimax which has been proven in tests, although shell optimax is ment to be better for your engine as it has more cleaning agents in the fuel and a lower sulphur content. Optimax or v power has now been upped to 99 octane too.

Personally i would only run an M3 on super unleaded. Due to the problems tesco had last year with the tanks not been cleaned out correctly i usually use optimax but if the wife comes back with a 5p off voucher for tescos ill put that in.

Both are top scorers in the fuel tests anyhoo !

24th November 2008, 04:08 PM	#1
Wolsty Achieved official socks Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: East Markham Posts: 1,195 Car: Was an 06 Carbon Black M3, now an Audi S3... Colour Combo: Black/Black	Unleaded vs Super Unleaded... Fellas, apologies if this has been answered but I can't find any corresponding threads.... Does using Super Leaded make much difference to the amount overall mileage and the general upkeep of the engine? I tend to alternate between unleadaed and super unleaded.... Thoughts?

24th November 2008, 04:28 PM	#2
SimonM3 Achieved official socks Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Craggy Island Posts: 2,221 Car: 2002 BMW M3 SMG	Super is better as the m3 like the better octane, higher octane prevents engine knock. useful site, gives info about fuel too http://www.petrolprices.com/ Last edited by SimonM3; 24th November 2008 at 04:42 PM.

24th November 2008, 07:24 PM	#5
Backitoff Achieved official socks Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Essex Posts: 1,576 Car: Recycled papasmurf blue into Topaz Blue Manual Coupe	Tesco 99 rules. What you pay extra per liter you get back in MPG and your giving your car the stuff it needs to optimise its performance! No Brainer IMO __________________ http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee78/Backitoff/Roof%20and%20Cage%20project%2009%202010/

24th November 2008, 09:12 PM	#6
peanut1 Achieved official socks Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ashford Posts: 2,671 Car: 51 plate T5	Another point for the Tesco i say! Defo super!!! Nut __________________ www.evolutionlettings.com

24th November 2008, 09:19 PM	#7
M3GT Achieved official socks Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fraggle Rock Posts: 4,420 Car: 2003 E46 SMG M3 Colour Combo: Titanium Silver/Black Nappa	I always use Tesco's 99 when possible __________________ Wonders if chav hunting is legal yet It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird

24th November 2008, 04:53 PM	#3
mark taylor Wearing official underwear Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: west rainton Posts: 262 Car: 2004 M3 VERT SMG II FULLY LOADED	hi mate, when i bought my car i filled the tank with normal unleaded and drove 200 miles home,i noticed that it pinked a bit on a few occasions when i gave it some.so i had to drive it like a granny until all the petrol was used up. now i only use shell optimax,no pinking and feels a bit faster.so defo use super unleaded .cheers mate.mark

24th November 2008, 07:16 PM	#4
JeffM3 Achieved official socks Join Date: May 2008 Location: cardiff Posts: 4,026 Car: 03 e46 M3 S/G. R-imola MANual	Tesco's 99 octane is the best! there is a write up about it on thorney motorsport link i've got one local so i also shop there and they have 5p off a litre when you spend £50 or more on shopping and they have that offer on most of the time!

25th November 2008, 08:03 PM	#8
mark taylor Wearing official underwear Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: west rainton Posts: 262 Car: 2004 M3 VERT SMG II FULLY LOADED	hi guys, i might give it a go after reading that. ive always stayed away from supermarket fuel,always used what i thought was the best [shell optimax] cheers for the info.mark

25th November 2008, 08:20 PM	#9
matt200 Wearing official underwear Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chipping norton Posts: 192 Car: 52 reg m3	Yeah the tesco 99 ron fuel is very good. I always get it from tesco in Banbury, and that gives me an excuse to drive down the A361, which is an awesome road!

25th November 2008, 11:58 PM	#10
Billym3 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 9,318 Car: E60 m5 SS II Colour Combo: Vert - pearl white with imola & EVO - blue	I give it a go is well for tesco fuel. But i always thought shell vpower was best.

26th November 2008, 01:31 AM	#11
JeffM3 Achieved official socks Join Date: May 2008 Location: cardiff Posts: 4,026 Car: 03 e46 M3 S/G. R-imola MANual	Don't quote me on this but the tesco has 10% ethanol compared to shells 5% Also tesco's is 99ron and shell is 98ron its only 1 but "every little counts"

26th November 2008, 10:06 AM	#12
Wolsty Achieved official socks Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: East Markham Posts: 1,195 Car: Was an 06 Carbon Black M3, now an Audi S3... Colour Combo: Black/Black	Thanks Chaps for the advice, I've always tended to steer clear of supermarkets and like Mark and Billy I use Shell V-Power.. but I'll give Tescos 99 a go too....

26th November 2008, 11:15 AM	#13
bass2rez Achieved official socks Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elvetham Heath, Hampshire Posts: 869 Car: BMW E46 M3 2005 Carbon Black	In the manual for my E36, it states to use minimum 98 octane fuel, and I'd be surprised if the E46 was any different. I alternate between Tesco 99 and Shell VPower, depending on where I happen to be. Cheers, Steve __________________ www.last.fm/music/bass2

26th November 2008, 04:53 PM	#14
Chunky Rocking a new hat Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newport Posts: 568 Car: 04 E46 M3	Think the Tesco fuel has 5% Bio ethanol in it as well, http://www.petrolprices.com/tesco.html . I just happen to be looking at this site the other day

26th November 2008, 08:46 PM	#15
Wolsty Achieved official socks Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: East Markham Posts: 1,195 Car: Was an 06 Carbon Black M3, now an Audi S3... Colour Combo: Black/Black	So does the ethanol count make a difference? If so how and why? Just curious thats all.......

Sponsored links

26th November 2008, 08:50 PM	#16
matt200 Wearing official underwear Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chipping norton Posts: 192 Car: 52 reg m3	Ethanol is very very flammable! dragster fuel has a very high volume of ethanol in it.

27th November 2008, 01:57 AM	#17
JeffM3 Achieved official socks Join Date: May 2008 Location: cardiff Posts: 4,026 Car: 03 e46 M3 S/G. R-imola MANual	did you read the link i posted above ^^^ link it doesn't explain the ethanol exactly but gives a good explanation on the different types of fuel they tested and some of the science behind it and as matt said its very flammable so you get more bang making more *power*!

27th November 2008, 03:39 PM	#18
Wolsty Achieved official socks Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: East Markham Posts: 1,195 Car: Was an 06 Carbon Black M3, now an Audi S3... Colour Combo: Black/Black	Cheers Jeff, having problems with the link due to your avatar.... ie. I can't stop watching her....seriously Tesco 99 is the future then!

27th November 2008, 04:47 PM	#19
JeffM3 Achieved official socks Join Date: May 2008 Location: cardiff Posts: 4,026 Car: 03 e46 M3 S/G. R-imola MANual	I always fill up with tesco's super but i have once or twice had to fill up elsewhere and even with normall 95ron and i definitely noticed a difference, i know some M3's even experience pinking when using standard UL mine didn't do that but it wasn't running as smooth for sure, its more expensive but its a cleaner fuel so better for your engine and i would even go as far as it gives better fuel econemy, although its more expensive its only £3-£4 on a tank full so its got to be worth it.

29th November 2008, 09:45 PM	#20
reidtastic Achieved official socks Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Falkirk Posts: 824 Car: Silver E46 M3 Coupe manual	Tesco is supposed to have a performance advantage over optimax which has been proven in tests, although shell optimax is ment to be better for your engine as it has more cleaning agents in the fuel and a lower sulphur content. Optimax or v power has now been upped to 99 octane too. Personally i would only run an M3 on super unleaded. Due to the problems tesco had last year with the tanks not been cleaned out correctly i usually use optimax but if the wife comes back with a 5p off voucher for tescos ill put that in. Both are top scorers in the fuel tests anyhoo ! Last edited by reidtastic; 29th November 2008 at 09:58 PM.

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