Tesco 99 Ron - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Snake Pliskin · 08-17-2006, 08:40 AM

Thought you guys may be interested in this info regarding Tesco 99 ron fuel:

Tesco 99 Octane

Thorney Motorsport have carried out independent tests on Tesco 99 Octane,
BP Ultimate & Shell Optimax. The results are staggering. Their report
reads:

"The test data shows the car running on 95 octane fuel (we used a local
Total
petrol station for consistency) and the jump in power and torque when
changing
to either Shell Optimax or BP Ultimate is quite significant. However what
we
also found was there was another jump when changing to the Tesco 99 Octane
fuel . The peak power figures measured were also telling:

95 Octane Fuel* ******* 177.3bhp
Shell Optimax * ******* 180.1bhp
BP Ultimate *** ******* 182.5bhp
Tesco 99 Octane ******* 185.4bhp

So switching from 95 octane fuel to Tesco 99 Octane gave an extra 8.1bhp
(almost 5%). As well as these peak gains the charts show a clear
improvement
throughout the rev range

So, the bottom line? Using Tesco 99 Octane fuel will make your car
powerful. It
will feel faster, accelerate faster and perform better. If you’re going to
tune your
car at least give it the best fuel it can run on and in our opinion, based
on
extensive testing that fuel is Tesco 99 Octane."

I'm particularly pleased with 99 Octane. Differentiating a petrol offer is
never easy
*- we have done it and beaten a number of the world's biggest
multinationals to it.
Credit must go to the guys at Greenergy - they have put in great effort to
get this
launched and a success. Our sponsorship of the British Rally Championship
has
also been a great advert for the fuel.

NFS · 08-17-2006, 10:04 AM

Great - what car did they test on? I remember they tested this sort of thing on fifth gear some months ago and it made very little difference in a normal car, but a huge difference in a performance one (I think they tested in Subaru WRX STI)

I'm planning to use super unleaded most of the time in the 330i - but I may just try this......

vivekk · 08-17-2006, 02:16 PM

I've tried Tesco's 99 Octane once only.

Strangely, the car seemed to want to be revved more than normal!

It was certainly cheaper than the Shell Optimax which I normally use & gave pretty much the same mileage.

So, I might give it a another few tries before deciding which of the 2 to settle on.

Thanks for the review, Snake.

Viv

booforty · 08-18-2006, 09:30 AM

I'm going to try this Tesco 99 stuff. I'm off to the Lake District next weekend and then to UK2 in September so will see how it performs on those trips. Does the Tesco 99 come with a flake or is that extra?

Snake Pliskin · 08-18-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beauforty

Does the Tesco 99 come with a flake or is that extra?

Nice one

Snake Pliskin · 08-18-2006, 09:38 AM

The way i see it is ...

if you're gonna buy a car with a performance engine, which lets face it, the 330i is, you must surely wanna get the optimum performace out the pup.

Feed it the best fuel available & in order of preference I would say:

Tesco 99 ron (with free flake) .. and club card points
or
Shell Optimax 98 ron (soon to be 99 ron though later this year)

Then you're into the other stuff which is all the same ron rating @ 97 ie:

BP Ultimate
Total Excellium
Esso Super Unleaded
Sainsbury's super unleaded

Always avoid using regular 95 ron fuel as you will NOT get the best out of your car .. in which case why buy a performance engine in the 1st place ?

Tesco 99 and Shell Optimax all the way

Need that extra BHP and performance to burn off you 330 "D" drivers

isleaiw · 08-18-2006, 09:57 AM

Better start putting BP ultimate diesel in my 330d then....

Snake Pliskin · 08-18-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isleaiw

Better start putting BP ultimate diesel in my 330d then....

Yeah !

mjh93sa · 08-18-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isleaiw

Better start putting BP ultimate diesel in my 330d then....

It's the staple diet of my 320d

jhbodle · 09-03-2006, 03:06 PM

The 99RON Shell V-Power is awesome. From the first tankful I noticed it was much smoother and more powerful then Shell Optimax which I normally use. Never tried Tesco 99 so can't compare it to that though!

carl_d · 09-03-2006, 03:09 PM

Same here ... V-Power is better!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhbodle

The 99RON Shell V-Power is awesome. From the first tankful I noticed it was much smoother and more powerful then Shell Optimax which I normally use. Never tried Tesco 99 so can't compare it to that though!

SoYank · 09-03-2006, 03:29 PM

In a UK E90, what is the recommended minimum octane? The US spec minimum is 91 octane using the (R+M)/2 calculation.

vivekk · 09-03-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

In a UK E90, what is the recommended minimum octane? The US spec minimum is 91 octane using the (R+M)/2 calculation.

The UK minimum recommended octane for the e90 is 91 RON, Floyd.

If you are going to use that though, you may as well buy a Lexus!

Viv

jhbodle · 09-03-2006, 04:45 PM

To get the rated performance and BHP figures in the UK, you have to use 98 RON petrol. Use higher octane and get better performance!

NFS · 09-16-2006, 03:19 PM

Right - I've used the v-power stuff a couple of times and she seems to like it - but I have visited 3 tescos now and not seen the 99 ron stuff anywhere.

And their superunleaded is just 97 ron - which makes me feel like I am putting the 330i on a diet

vivekk · 09-16-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needforspeed

Right - I've used the v-power stuff a couple of times and she seems to like it - but I have visited 3 tescos now and not seen the 99 ron stuff anywhere.

And their superunleaded is just 97 ron - which makes me feel like I am putting the 330i on a diet

The Tesco '99' is available at all these places!

However, that list is certainly not up to date, as the Tesco Extra place I go to for the '99' isn't on that list.

Viv

ShereKhan · 09-30-2006, 06:57 PM

Can I use 99 RON fuel with the 320si? Seeing as the engine is partially hand built. The last thing I want is to cause engine damage.

The petrol cap says 91-98RON. I've switched to Super Plus after the run in period. Just wondering if I should switch to VPower or try this Tesco 99RON stuff.

Snake Pliskin · 10-02-2006, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

Can I use 99 RON fuel with the 320si? Seeing as the engine is partially hand built. The last thing I want is to cause engine damage.

The petrol cap says 91-98RON. I've switched to Super Plus after the run in period. Just wondering if I should switch to VPower or try this Tesco 99RON stuff.

I'm pretty sure my petrol cap says the same thing ... but also adds the word "or higher" ... meaning use the highest octan you can get your hands on

I'm pretty sure your car will run better with Shell V Power, Tesco 99 ron or any of the super unleaded's ... I will never run my 330i on regular unleaded, unless and emergency !

MarkA · 11-05-2006, 06:46 AM

It's interesting to note that usually the HP ratings for the BMWs are based upon running on 98RON, where as the 320Si's 173 was based upon 95RON. So I wonder if the Si will make more HP on 98 or higher. It's particularly true on newer cars with turbos or superchargers that their engine management systems are sensitive to octane ratings because they are hyper sensitive to premature detonation (forced air induction = more heat). So in a supercharged or turbocharged car running the highest octane you can will give higher and more reliable performance.

I'm not sure how that translates to normally aspirated cars though...

red355 · 11-05-2006, 02:49 PM

I tried Tescos 99 in our MINI Cooper S and I felt its had more bottom end, was smoother and just generally more lively.

That was quite few months ago ought to try it again now the air temp has dropped 15C+

ShereKhan · 11-07-2006, 03:58 AM

I spoke to BMW who told me that it wont make any difference in using 95 or 99. I decided that i'd give it a try. I have noticed that the car is a lot smoother and seems more eager. I've covered 6.5k so far so I am tempted to switch back to regular to see if there is any difference.

The car has some issues with its oil level sensor at the moment, so its going in to be checked next week. As I have no dipstick the OBC reports that the oil level is OK - as its half level. I'm not sure its ok and I don't know how much to top it up by!

NFS · 11-09-2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

I spoke to BMW who told me that it wont make any difference in using 95 or 99. I decided that i'd give it a try. I have noticed that the car is a lot smoother and seems more eager. I've covered 6.5k so far so I am tempted to switch back to regular to see if there is any difference.

The car has some issues with its oil level sensor at the moment, so its going in to be checked next week. As I have no dipstick the OBC reports that the oil level is OK - as its half level. I'm not sure its ok and I don't know how much to top it up by!

I still haven't found the tesco stuff - but the higher the RON the better really.

I'm mostly using the 99 rnon shell vpower stuff and I do think it helps.

As to the oil sensor - I'm assuming you mean that the bars are showing half way between max and min and that the check control message is OK. That's how mine is - presumably it will keep saying OK until it reachs min.

Like you I don't really know how much oil to add though.

08-17-2006, 08:40 AM	#1
Snake Pliskin Second Lieutenant Drives: 330i M Sport Saloon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lincs Posts: 196 iTrader: (0)	Tesco 99 Ron Thought you guys may be interested in this info regarding Tesco 99 ron fuel: Tesco 99 Octane Thorney Motorsport have carried out independent tests on Tesco 99 Octane, BP Ultimate & Shell Optimax. The results are staggering. Their report reads: "The test data shows the car running on 95 octane fuel (we used a local Total petrol station for consistency) and the jump in power and torque when changing to either Shell Optimax or BP Ultimate is quite significant. However what we also found was there was another jump when changing to the Tesco 99 Octane fuel . The peak power figures measured were also telling: 95 Octane Fuel* ******* 177.3bhp Shell Optimax * ***** 180.1bhp BP Ultimate * ***** 182.5bhp Tesco 99 Octane ***** 185.4bhp So switching from 95 octane fuel to Tesco 99 Octane gave an extra 8.1bhp (almost 5%). As well as these peak gains the charts show a clear improvement throughout the rev range So, the bottom line? Using Tesco 99 Octane fuel will make your car powerful. It will feel faster, accelerate faster and perform better. If you’re going to tune your car at least give it the best fuel it can run on and in our opinion, based on extensive testing that fuel is Tesco 99 Octane." I'm particularly pleased with 99 Octane. Differentiating a petrol offer is never easy *- we have done it and beaten a number of the world's biggest multinationals to it. Credit must go to the guys at Greenergy - they have put in great effort to get this launched and a success. Our sponsorship of the British Rally Championship has also been a great advert for the fuel.

08-17-2006, 10:04 AM	#2
NFS Supreme Overlord Drives: 335i m-sport LCI Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 8,430 iTrader: (0)	Great - what car did they test on? I remember they tested this sort of thing on fifth gear some months ago and it made very little difference in a normal car, but a huge difference in a performance one (I think they tested in Subaru WRX STI) I'm planning to use super unleaded most of the time in the 330i - but I may just try this...... __________________

08-17-2006, 02:16 PM	#3
vivekk THE Viv Drives: 330i SE Join Date: May 2005 Location: the North, UK Posts: 4,640 iTrader: (0) View vivekk's Garage	I've tried Tesco's 99 Octane once only. Strangely, the car seemed to want to be revved more than normal! It was certainly cheaper than the Shell Optimax which I normally use & gave pretty much the same mileage. So, I might give it a another few tries before deciding which of the 2 to settle on. Thanks for the review, Snake. Viv __________________ [TiAg ▪ Dakota Black ▪ Active steering ▪ Sports suspension ▪ 162s ▪ Sports seats ▪ Al trim ▪ Bi-Xenons ▪ F&R PDC ▪ NavPro ▪ Voice control ▪ Bluetooth ▪ 6CD Logic7]

08-18-2006, 09:30 AM	#4
booforty Major General Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,814 iTrader: (0) View booforty's Garage	I'm going to try this Tesco 99 stuff. I'm off to the Lake District next weekend and then to UK2 in September so will see how it performs on those trips. Does the Tesco 99 come with a flake or is that extra? __________________

09-03-2006, 03:29 PM	#12
SoYank Major General Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Between here and gone Posts: 6,779 iTrader: (1) View SoYank's Garage	In a UK E90, what is the recommended minimum octane? The US spec minimum is 91 octane using the (R+M)/2 calculation. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • 18" Style 193M • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes

08-18-2006, 09:38 AM	#6
Snake Pliskin Second Lieutenant Drives: 330i M Sport Saloon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lincs Posts: 196 iTrader: (0)	The way i see it is ... if you're gonna buy a car with a performance engine, which lets face it, the 330i is, you must surely wanna get the optimum performace out the pup. Feed it the best fuel available & in order of preference I would say: Tesco 99 ron (with free flake) .. and club card points or Shell Optimax 98 ron (soon to be 99 ron though later this year) Then you're into the other stuff which is all the same ron rating @ 97 ie: BP Ultimate Total Excellium Esso Super Unleaded Sainsbury's super unleaded Always avoid using regular 95 ron fuel as you will NOT get the best out of your car .. in which case why buy a performance engine in the 1st place ? Tesco 99 and Shell Optimax all the way Need that extra BHP and performance to burn off you 330 "D" drivers

08-18-2006, 09:57 AM	#7
isleaiw Private First Class Drives: 330d SE, silver with black lea Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK - Derbyshire Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	Better start putting BP ultimate diesel in my 330d then....

09-03-2006, 03:06 PM	#10
jhbodle Lieutenant Drives: E92 335i M Sport Individual Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 544 iTrader: (0) View jhbodle's Garage	The 99RON Shell V-Power is awesome. From the first tankful I noticed it was much smoother and more powerful then Shell Optimax which I normally use. Never tried Tesco 99 so can't compare it to that though!

09-03-2006, 04:45 PM	#14
jhbodle Lieutenant Drives: E92 335i M Sport Individual Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 544 iTrader: (0) View jhbodle's Garage	To get the rated performance and BHP figures in the UK, you have to use 98 RON petrol. Use higher octane and get better performance!

09-16-2006, 03:19 PM	#15
NFS Supreme Overlord Drives: 335i m-sport LCI Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 8,430 iTrader: (0)	Right - I've used the v-power stuff a couple of times and she seems to like it - but I have visited 3 tescos now and not seen the 99 ron stuff anywhere. And their superunleaded is just 97 ron - which makes me feel like I am putting the 330i on a diet __________________

09-30-2006, 06:57 PM	#17
ShereKhan Captain Drives: 2006 E90 BMW 320si Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 888 iTrader: (0) View ShereKhan's Garage	Can I use 99 RON fuel with the 320si? Seeing as the engine is partially hand built. The last thing I want is to cause engine damage. The petrol cap says 91-98RON. I've switched to Super Plus after the run in period. Just wondering if I should switch to VPower or try this Tesco 99RON stuff.

11-05-2006, 06:46 AM	#19
MarkA Resident Nürburgring Junkie Drives: 320Si Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 193 iTrader: (0)	It's interesting to note that usually the HP ratings for the BMWs are based upon running on 98RON, where as the 320Si's 173 was based upon 95RON. So I wonder if the Si will make more HP on 98 or higher. It's particularly true on newer cars with turbos or superchargers that their engine management systems are sensitive to octane ratings because they are hyper sensitive to premature detonation (forced air induction = more heat). So in a supercharged or turbocharged car running the highest octane you can will give higher and more reliable performance. I'm not sure how that translates to normally aspirated cars though... __________________ 2006 320Si 6MT, Titansilber, M-Sport Pack, 18'' Si Wheels, Anthracite headlining, Blue shadow Alcantara, Shadowline Exterior Trim, Si Alum Interior Trim, PDC, Voice Control, Pro Nav, iDrive, Blacklines, Light/Rain Sensor, Auto Aircon, iPod Integration, Bluetooth integration, BMW Alarm.

11-05-2006, 02:49 PM	#20
red355 Captain Drives: 335D Coupe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: GB Posts: 627 iTrader: (0) View red355's Garage	I tried Tescos 99 in our MINI Cooper S and I felt its had more bottom end, was smoother and just generally more lively. That was quite few months ago ought to try it again now the air temp has dropped 15C+ __________________ 335D coupe ¦ ¦ Montego blue ¦ Black Dakota ¦DAB with Logic 7 HiFi ¦19" Hartge + PS2 Golf GTI ¦Red ¦ leather ¦18" BBS ED30's ¦ Past¦Boxster S ¦ E46 328!SE ¦ E36 325! coupe ¦ E30 325! sport MINI Cooper S

11-07-2006, 03:58 AM	#21
ShereKhan Captain Drives: 2006 E90 BMW 320si Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 888 iTrader: (0) View ShereKhan's Garage	I spoke to BMW who told me that it wont make any difference in using 95 or 99. I decided that i'd give it a try. I have noticed that the car is a lot smoother and seems more eager. I've covered 6.5k so far so I am tempted to switch back to regular to see if there is any difference. The car has some issues with its oil level sensor at the moment, so its going in to be checked next week. As I have no dipstick the OBC reports that the oil level is OK - as its half level. I'm not sure its ok and I don't know how much to top it up by!