BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-25-2012, 09:20 AM   #1
tango131
Private
10
Rep
70
Posts

Drives: Boxster S; 2013 X3 28i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Shell V- Power shown to make 5 more HP than regular gas

Apologies if this was covered before, but I was watching yesterday’s episode of 5th Gear on BBC America (the one where they test the Toyota/Scion FT-86, Kia Sportage, and Tiff races a Lambo in the Lambo Cup), and saw a very interesting report on whether premium gasoline (petrol) produces more power than regular gas, at least for UK gas.

They tested shell v- power 98 ROM = 93 premium in the US, BP ultimate 97 RON ~ 91/92 premium in the US and 2 “regular” non premium gasolines. They tested the gas on a 2.0 turbo GTI and a dyno (rolling road for you Brits) and had rigs to switch between gas types w/o contaminating or having left over gas in the tank. The results were that the Shell v- premium made about 5 HP more on the dyno to the wheels. I find that a significant result just by using good gas. See a screen shot pic of results. I have no idea if the gas sold in the US would have a similar formulation, but I would hope so. Esso (Exxon/Mobile in the US) premuim gas also had close to a 5 HP advantage over regular gas.


Back when I had a turbo Subaru I could swear that I felt the car ran stronger on shell V-power, but had no proof. I’ve been using v-power since. I theorize that premium gas has a greater effect on turbocharged cars as the cars computer can slightly adjust timing and boost to make more power. As our X3’s are all turbo now (and the X35 since 2011), I figured to pass this along. I know I’ll continue to use shell v-power 93 (US RM/2) on all my cars.

Attached Images
 
__________________
2013 X3 28i, AW, Chestnut, Sienna, ZAP, ZCV, ZCW, ZDH, ZPP, rear view, park distance, cargo net (Wife's) (Pics and story)

2010 Porsche Boxster S (Mine)

Last edited by tango131; 10-25-2012 at 09:59 AM..
Appreciate 1
      10-25-2012, 03:03 PM   #2
rmeir
Private First Class
23
Rep
160
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: chicago il

iTrader: (0)

all i know is mine runs better on shell and i get better mileage
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2012, 03:07 PM   #3
paul386
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
274
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i Jet Black
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

There are so many things at play here that it would be super difficult to actually determine what is causing the power change. In the United States of course, we all have to subsidize the farmers and burn low energy / high pollution / high price ethanol.

The one thing I do know for certain. Octane rating does not change the energy content in the fuel.
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2012, 05:24 PM   #4
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
The one thing I do know for certain. Octane rating does not change the energy content in the fuel.
Our engines have knock sensors, so the higher octane fuels will allow for more advanced timing and therefore (in most cases) more efficient power development.

Most BMW engines are rated on the higher octane fuels, for output and fuel economy. Certainly my N55 535i engine is, as is stated in the UK BMW brochure.

Older brochures used to say something like the following (for the UK market). "The 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder petrol engines are designed for RON 98 fuel. They may be run on fuel down to RON 91 with a slight decrease in engine power and an increase in fuel consumption".

HighlandPete
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2012, 09:41 PM   #5
carlili4190
Second Lieutenant
20
Rep
201
Posts

Drives: 07 Nissan 350Z, 11 BMW X3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Lincoln Park

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
There are so many things at play here that it would be super difficult to actually determine what is causing the power change.
+1
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2012, 11:19 PM   #6
car_fan
Major
car_fan's Avatar
381
Rep
1,170
Posts

Drives: 2020 F97 X3M
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SoFla/ATL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW X3M  [0.00]
  [0.00]
As a matter of habit I always run Shell V-power and have done so for years.
__________________
2011 MINI CooperS BRGII/Lounge Green/Sport/Prem/Connect/Black Xenon/Black Conical Spokes/ACS springs/ACS exhaust/Alta Shorty/Yokohama Advan Sport A/S
2012 M3 AW/FR NDH2/2MK/ZPP/ZCP/ZCW/752/6NR/OEM CF splitters/OEM CF Mirror caps (retired)
2012 X3 35i Titanium Silver/Black ZAP/ZPP/TECH/APPS/Breyton GTS (retired)
2018 X3 M40i BSM/Oyster/ZPP/ZPX/HK/S6CPA/718M(retired)
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2012, 03:10 AM   #7
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
There are so many things at play here that it would be super difficult to actually determine what is causing the power change. In the United States of course, we all have to subsidize the farmers and burn low energy / high pollution / high price ethanol.
The test, here in the UK, was switching fuel only. Can't see what else is coming into play except the fuel itself, and the ECU adapting to the knock rate. OK, the fuel additive package could be different, as it often is across brands, but the HP change is from switching fuel and octane rating. All fuels would have been to the same British Standard.

One of our tuning companies (Thorney MotorSport) also ran some extensive dyno tests on different fuels. A tuned BMW M3 CSL showed a 40HP gain running on RON 99, compared to the standard RON 95 fuel. Other less tuned engines (with knock control) also showed consistent improvements in HP, as the octane rating was increased.

HighlandPete
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2012, 01:13 PM   #8
tango131
Private
10
Rep
70
Posts

Drives: Boxster S; 2013 X3 28i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
The test, here in the UK, was switching fuel only. Can't see what else is coming into play except the fuel itself, and the ECU adapting to the knock rate. OK, the fuel additive package could be different, as it often is across brands, but the HP change is from switching fuel and octane rating. All fuels would have been to the same British Standard.

HighlandPete
exactly. they only changed the gasoline and listed the average dyno (rolling road) reading of 3 separate pulls per type of gasoline.

fifth gear won't let us in the US view the vidoes on their website. perhaps someone fromthe UK can post the episode video.
__________________
2013 X3 28i, AW, Chestnut, Sienna, ZAP, ZCV, ZCW, ZDH, ZPP, rear view, park distance, cargo net (Wife's) (Pics and story)

2010 Porsche Boxster S (Mine)
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2012, 03:00 PM   #9
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tango131 View Post
exactly. they only changed the gasoline and listed the average dyno (rolling road) reading of 3 separate pulls per type of gasoline.

fifth gear won't let us in the US view the vidoes on their website. perhaps someone fromthe UK can post the episode video.
Seems since Fifth Gear has be pulled from TV, even over here we have issues accessing their episodes/videos.

Does this link?



HighlandPete
Appreciate 1
      10-26-2012, 03:12 PM   #10
tango131
Private
10
Rep
70
Posts

Drives: Boxster S; 2013 X3 28i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Pete, that video works, but it is not the episode I saw a few days ago, which used a new white GTI 2.0 turbo
__________________
2013 X3 28i, AW, Chestnut, Sienna, ZAP, ZCV, ZCW, ZDH, ZPP, rear view, park distance, cargo net (Wife's) (Pics and story)

2010 Porsche Boxster S (Mine)
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2012, 04:20 PM   #11
HighlandPete
Lieutenant General
6659
Rep
15,858
Posts

Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotland, Highland Region

iTrader: (0)

Try this one.



HighlandPete
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2012, 04:52 PM   #12
tango131
Private
10
Rep
70
Posts

Drives: Boxster S; 2013 X3 28i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

^^^

that is it indeed. thank you
__________________
2013 X3 28i, AW, Chestnut, Sienna, ZAP, ZCV, ZCW, ZDH, ZPP, rear view, park distance, cargo net (Wife's) (Pics and story)

2010 Porsche Boxster S (Mine)
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2014, 12:07 PM   #13
Bimar
Colonel
Bimar's Avatar
795
Rep
2,599
Posts

Drives: Bmw X
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Www

iTrader: (0)

Been doing a back to back comparison between vpower and unleaded and the 91 Ron feel less power but better consumption. Can that be?
Appreciate 0
      12-16-2014, 01:12 PM   #14
The X Men
Colonel
99
Rep
2,323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Maybe you are accelerating faster with the V-power, if you accelerate at the same rate, the V-power should get better gas mileage.
Appreciate 1
      12-16-2014, 04:32 PM   #15
gIzzE
Major General
gIzzE's Avatar
362
Rep
5,984
Posts

Drives: F11 + 911 C4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norfolk, UK.

iTrader: (2)

Super Unleaded can make a huge difference, this is worth a read, it is about adjusting the timing to get the most from the fuel you are using.
It helps explain how much the timing needs to adjust between a 95 and 100 ron fuel.
The only difference on our cars, and most modern cars, is we have an ecu that monitors the fuel and adjusts the timing for you through knock sensors.

http://classicmechanic.blogspot.co.u...ern-fuels.html
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2014, 12:47 AM   #16
Bimar
Colonel
Bimar's Avatar
795
Rep
2,599
Posts

Drives: Bmw X
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Www

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
Maybe you are accelerating faster with the V-power, if you accelerate at the same rate, the V-power should get better gas mileage.
i tried a full tank of gas in Eco Mode, in comfort mode ful ltank of gas regular unleaded go more mileage, same route, same circumstances. let me try again could be due to break in period at 1400 miles.
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2014, 02:44 AM   #17
gIzzE
Major General
gIzzE's Avatar
362
Rep
5,984
Posts

Drives: F11 + 911 C4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norfolk, UK.

iTrader: (2)

Super will advance the timing, you will get better mpg figures with it than regular.

But not really going to tell much with only 1500 miles on the car.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2014, 06:20 PM   #18
MikeTerp
Second Lieutenant
United_States
29
Rep
285
Posts

Drives: 2016 F30/340
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Well, at least this thread is about the value of better fuels. Many of us just lose it when some nug gets on and asks if it is "OK" to run regular gas in his new BMW, even though the owners manual tells us to run premium fuel (US 91 octane or above). Whatever "savings" may accrue from running lower octane fuels is more than made up by lower mpg, and lower performance as the engine computer retards timing to compensate. I think some of those guys should buy Camrys.
Appreciate 0
      12-20-2014, 11:24 PM   #19
Bimar
Colonel
Bimar's Avatar
795
Rep
2,599
Posts

Drives: Bmw X
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Www

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gIzzE View Post
Super will advance the timing, you will get better mpg figures with it than regular.

But not really going to tell much with only 1500 miles on the car.
Decided to end my experiment after 1 tank of gas and stick with Vpower, earlier I meant premium unleaded not regular unleaded.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2014, 08:26 AM   #20
The X Men
Colonel
99
Rep
2,323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

One of my friend is an Audi mechanic and he use nothing but Shell V-power. It is suppose to burn cleaner and a add a tad more power in most cars that requires high octane fuel.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2014, 09:38 AM   #21
darcyb62
Enlisted Member
Canada
0
Rep
35
Posts

Drives: 2014 x3 28i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Regina, SK

iTrader: (0)

With my last oil change, the service coordinator mentioned that they were seeing some low quality fuel alerts and recommended I only use gas from Shell and Co-op. I do most of my fills at a Co-op near my place but go to a Petro-Can when I want a quick wash (so somewhat infrequently) and only use premium. It was interesting to get this feedback.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2014, 06:10 PM   #22
mge92
SPEED RACER
mge92's Avatar
United Kingdom
371
Rep
740
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 M50d BMW M2 CS
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: London

iTrader: (2)

Best thing about shell near me is that they have 0.20 USD off per a gallon on the V-power which makes it cost almost the same as midgrade every tuesday!!
Appreciate 1
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:41 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST