BP or Shell diesel - I didn't think there was a difference.

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I've been using Shell diesel since I bought the car. The car has such good range on a tankful that I can now use the same filling station for 95% of my needs.

I did about 400 miles at the weekend and didn't bother to use my local Shell filling station to tank up on departure. Consequently I filled up with 55 litres of BP 100 miles into my journey.

Imagine my surprise when suddenly the car's trip computer started indicating 45/46mpg on roads where I have only been seeing 42.

I am very surprised at this 5% increase in mpg, I had felt that both companies would have been matching each other on fuel performance etc, but, obviously not the case.

Looks like I'll be using BP for a while.

 

[Blobcat]

Interesting, I almost exclusively use Shell regular Diesel and normally see 45+mpg on the trip computer. I have never used BP so cannot comment on increased MPG. Pls report back.

 

[jberks]

I've not noticed any real mpg differences no matter whether BP, shell, ultimax or whatever, though I almost never use supermarket fuel.
As an aside, I was on the M1 near Trowel yesterday and the light was on. The trip reckoned I'd get back, but only with 10 miles to spare. Too close for me so I pulled in. Put the nozzle in and started to fill up. After a while, the pump just stopped. It had put a shade over 70l in so I thought - stuff it, I'll just have to refill earlier next week. Asked the attendant and apparently they are programmed to a 70l limit. He couldn't tell me how I was supposed to fill my 80l tank!
Glad I don't have a Bentley or Range rover as I assume they are even bigger!

 

[maldon]

My mate has a petrol Range Rover - he often gets a hundred quid in the tank.

 

[Blobcat]

My mate has a petrol Range Rover - he often gets a hundred quid in the tank.

I would have thought he would have been better putting unleaded petrol in
I would also advise him to switch the ignition off whilst filling it otherwise the petrol pump will only just be able to hold its own against the engine

 

[jberks]

My mate has a petrol Range Rover - he often gets a hundred quid in the tank.

Not a trowell he wouldn't!

 

[Blobcat]

I think they probably have put the 70 ltr limit in to mitigate any possible drive off losses

 

[jberks]

I think they probably have put the 70 ltr limit in to mitigate any possible drive off losses

I thought that myself initially, but I would imagine that most drive-offs are done in older tatty (nickable) stuff which probably only have a small tank anyway - so you can easily nick 50l to fill up your stolen 1989 Golf, but can't buy 80 for your new Merc!

 

[Brett]

My wife has been filling up her diesel Touran with BP Ultimate Diesel for a wee while now. She tells me that she is seeing 3 - 4 mpg improvement on average. My stepfather has been doing the same in his Toyota Avensis and is claiming to get 20 - 30 miles more per tank. Not conclusive evidence, but both of them seem happy.

 

[jberks]

MPG is such a subjective thing, you really can't tell. This week I've been leaving late and thrashing it a bit on the way home and then stepping on again this morning yet I still saw 39.8 on the way in (against 41 when taking it easy). The fuel was whatever Trowell sell. I've done the same journey on BP ultimate and seen 38 - then again I've also seen 43. Weather, temp, traffic, run of the lights, 30mph muppet in front etc - it all affects it.

 

[SJMaxson]

Or is it this?

I thought that myself initially, but I would imagine that most drive-offs are done in older tatty (nickable) stuff which probably only have a small tank anyway - so you can easily nick 50l to fill up your stolen 1989 Golf, but can't buy 80 for your new Merc!

I'm sure that I saw something on one of these Police programmes where neer-do-wells have some kind of false tank affair inside their stolen 1989 Golfs, and they fill this up with petrol and then scarper.

I sometimes fill up at Tesco, and love their Pay at pump system - except that it puts a £60 limit on you. As I rarely fill my C270 at Tesco, its not an issue. But it could be if I was filling the tank on my wife's Grimsby Tractor.

 

[khanie]

My wife has been filling up her diesel Touran with BP Ultimate Diesel for a wee while now. She tells me that she is seeing 3 - 4 mpg improvement on average. My stepfather has been doing the same in his Toyota Avensis and is claiming to get 20 - 30 miles more per tank. Not conclusive evidence, but both of them seem happy.

I filled up with BP Ultimate Diesel and yes, the tank has lasted a bit longer. But at 102.9p per litre, whereas the Jet garage round the corner on the same day was 95.9p, that 7p per litre difference must outweigh any gains in mpg.

I do normally use Shell ordinary diesel but because its the cheapest garage on my way to work.

 

[jberks]

I filled up with BP Ultimate Diesel and yes, the tank has lasted a bit longer. But at 102.9p per litre, whereas the Jet garage round the corner on the same day was 95.9p, that 7p per litre difference must outweigh any gains in mpg.

I do normally use Shell ordinary diesel but because its the cheapest garage on my way to work.

I agree - I doubt there is much in it financially and if anything, its probably weighed in favour of the cheaper stuff. However, we are ignoring the other benefits of the 'super' fuels. Namely the additives. Super fuels have extra detergents etc that are good for the fuel system and engine. Hence, I tend to fill up every 2nd or 3rd tank with the more expensive stuff, just to keep everything clean and in good shape.

 

[Rory]

I sometimes fill up at Tesco, and love their Pay at pump system - except that it puts a £60 limit on you. As I rarely fill my C270 at Tesco, its not an issue.

What size tank in in the saloon? I have an estate and it only holds an annoyingly small 63L, so you'd have to be pushing it to put £60 in.

 

[Blobcat]

65l or 80l depending upon the model. You could also order the larger tank as an option. I honestly prefer the smaller tank as my fuel economy is good and I never like the £50+ hit everytime I go to the garage.

 

[Rory]

65l or 80l depending upon the model. You could also order the larger tank as an option. I honestly prefer the smaller tank as my fuel economy is good and I never like the £50+ hit everytime I go to the garage.

That's the E Class isn't it? I'm not aware there's a larger tank option on C Class.