just got a 17 plate S3 and wondering what people are filling up with. Understand Audi recommend Super Unleaded but wondered if people are filling with 95 Octane Unleaded which is the minimum recommended on the fuel filler cap? Obviously about 4-5 pence difference.
S3 Fuel Grade
- Thread starter Mark Baldwin
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I stick with V-power religiously. Probably not much help, but there you go 
... If I had no option but to use a lesser octane fuel, I'd only put £10-15 in, then at the earliest opportunity fill the tank to the brim with V-power/Momentum (98/99RON) to dilute the cheap stuff.
... If I had no option but to use a lesser octane fuel, I'd only put £10-15 in, then at the earliest opportunity fill the tank to the brim with V-power/Momentum (98/99RON) to dilute the cheap stuff.
I'm unique and put Asdas 95 in as its my nearest petrol station, I've done a couple of tanks on momentum and notice no difference really so not sure I see the point. I will try and get some "better" stuff if every now and then though..
If Tesco wasn't miles out of my way I'd probably use momentum all the time, not many Shells nearby and BP is more than I want to pay really for their premium stuff.
If Tesco wasn't miles out of my way I'd probably use momentum all the time, not many Shells nearby and BP is more than I want to pay really for their premium stuff.
To be honest, I don't think the difference in performance will be noticeable on the road. I think it's more of a case of fuel quality... The higher the calorific value/octane rating, the better it burns in the engine. Also, premium fuels come with fewer additives such as detergent to "bulk it up", again better for prolonging the life of the engine.
I have an ASDA petrol station about 600m from my front door but I do make a special effort to drive a 6-mile round trip for V-power. An added bonus is that I get money off vouchers in the post every so often at Shell!
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Momentum with the odd dash of v power . Tesco I think is 99 and v power 98 , but understand v power has good engine cleaning. Might be snake oil , but a small price doing only 6k a year
Same as everyone else pretty much! Tesco momentum with shell v power but try to go for Tesco when I can as it’s cheaper but further away so only when I’m near.
Occasionally if I’m desperate I’ll put £20 of BP in but try not to
Occasionally if I’m desperate I’ll put £20 of BP in but try not to
Run Tesco Momentum in my cars. If I do use 95 I don't give it the full beans. Found I do get slightly better fuel consumption with 99 which in my mind means MORE POWER.
Stu2309
Registered User
I have only ever used 95, usually Tesco in my S3. Not had a problem.
My understanding is that to extract the maximum power the engine management will automatically advance and monitor the timing until just before the engine 'pinks' or pre-ignites. The extra timing advance that running 99 Ron will give about 5% more extra power than 95 RON.
Back in the day, before this feature (introduced around 1988), many engines had a reversible plug to manually tell the ECU if you were running 95 or 98 RON. Also many high performance engines had, like my 245 BHP Calibra Turbo, to have the ECU modded to run only at 99 RON in order to achieve the power.
My understanding is that to extract the maximum power the engine management will automatically advance and monitor the timing until just before the engine 'pinks' or pre-ignites. The extra timing advance that running 99 Ron will give about 5% more extra power than 95 RON.
Back in the day, before this feature (introduced around 1988), many engines had a reversible plug to manually tell the ECU if you were running 95 or 98 RON. Also many high performance engines had, like my 245 BHP Calibra Turbo, to have the ECU modded to run only at 99 RON in order to achieve the power.
I remember from having a Calibra / Cavalier 16v the octane plug near the bulkhead that could be turned ‘around’ when on a higher octane fuel.
lucaslfc
Registered User
lucaslfc
Registered User
Only ever used VPower in mine. There was one occasion in Scotland a couple of years ago when I had to fill it with 95, and both my driving partner and I commented about the loss of 'sparkle'.
I usually use momentum in mine, but when necessary I'll fill up with whatever is available.
In all honesty, I've not noticed any difference between the cheapest supermarket 95 RON and momentum or v-power. I've been unable even to measure a statistically valid difference in fuel consumption on 400 mile motorway trips, done overnight on cruise control. This is even knowing that there should be a difference because 99 RON fuel is dense - 1 litre of 99 RON weighs 20 grams more than 1 litre of 95 RON, so you are effectively getting an extra 2% more fuel.
I've even done some OBD data logging and not even seen any relevant timing changes between running 99 and 95.
I've been giving this some more thought recently as I've been thinking of getting a remap, where this would make a difference. My local tuner suggests that with a moderately aggressive stage 1, running 95 would only reduce power by maybe 5-10 bhp over 99, increasing to about 10-15 bhp for a very aggressive stage 1. He suggests that the stock map which is much less aggressive would show much less variation with fuel quality, maybe 3-5 bhp tops.
In all honesty, I've not noticed any difference between the cheapest supermarket 95 RON and momentum or v-power. I've been unable even to measure a statistically valid difference in fuel consumption on 400 mile motorway trips, done overnight on cruise control. This is even knowing that there should be a difference because 99 RON fuel is dense - 1 litre of 99 RON weighs 20 grams more than 1 litre of 95 RON, so you are effectively getting an extra 2% more fuel.
I've even done some OBD data logging and not even seen any relevant timing changes between running 99 and 95.
I've been giving this some more thought recently as I've been thinking of getting a remap, where this would make a difference. My local tuner suggests that with a moderately aggressive stage 1, running 95 would only reduce power by maybe 5-10 bhp over 99, increasing to about 10-15 bhp for a very aggressive stage 1. He suggests that the stock map which is much less aggressive would show much less variation with fuel quality, maybe 3-5 bhp tops.
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I fill with Momentum if I'm passing a big Tesco and have less than half a tank, V Power if passing the place 15 miles away that sells it at a reasonable price, or 95 from wherever if I'm near empty.
I can't say that I've noticed any difference in performance, economy or how the engine runs whatever is in the tank.
I can't say that I've noticed any difference in performance, economy or how the engine runs whatever is in the tank.
I thought it was 97 ron, but think it was relaunched last year?!?!...maybe they bumped it up to 99 then???
Shell was 98RON when it was Optimax, and I didn’t think it went up to 99 when it was relaunched as V-Power.
However I use Momentum as it’s less than half a mile away, or V-Power. Mines a kinda Stage 1+ and I definitely notice a difference on the odd occasion I’ve had to drop to BP Ultimate which whilst only 97 is a very high quality fuel.
However I use Momentum as it’s less than half a mile away, or V-Power. Mines a kinda Stage 1+ and I definitely notice a difference on the odd occasion I’ve had to drop to BP Ultimate which whilst only 97 is a very high quality fuel.
Tesco and shell are both 99 Ron fuels. But like you said shell has better cleaning agents and also a lubrication additive to let the piston slide up and down with less friction.
Don’t see the point in spending all that money on a S3 then putting cheap crap fuel in it.
I only every feed it V-Power. Why have a sporty car, and fill it up with sh!t fuel?
I read somewhere that the shell was 99 , but has been reduced to 98 octane . Tesco currently 20 p a litre cheaper with the 10p voucher.
Anyway think one in four shell to momentum could be the best compromise. Even better if shell is 99 octane
Anyway think one in four shell to momentum could be the best compromise. Even better if shell is 99 octane
Tesco sell greenergy fuel; greenergy sell two grades of petrol, 95 RON and 99 RON. Greenergy are quite open about the quality of their product, and they publish the analysis of their fuels on a regular basis. http://www.greenergy.com/uk/quality
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PhilsA3
Registered User
Shell V Power is 99 RON
If all else fails, lets look at their website.....
https://support.shell.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115002792532-What-is-Octane-
If all else fails, lets look at their website.....
https://support.shell.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115002792532-What-is-Octane-
Thks philsa3
That nails it . Though Tesco is doing extra 10 p a lite off voucher with every £60 spent , and is already cheaper. Though will still do the one shell to three Tesco fill ups
Cheers
That nails it . Though Tesco is doing extra 10 p a lite off voucher with every £60 spent , and is already cheaper. Though will still do the one shell to three Tesco fill ups
Cheers
There are loads of threads on this all over the internet and apparently studies been done, V Power Nitro+ is 99 ron consistently, Momentum apparently is not, it can range from 95-100 from batch to batch.
I would always use V Power, it's like £2-£3 a tank different, on these cars, that really isn't much.
I would always use V Power, it's like £2-£3 a tank different, on these cars, that really isn't much.
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I'm in the Shell V power club, never tried anything else in the S3.
Car runs great on it.
When I had an S1 I used momentum.
Car runs great on it.
When I had an S1 I used momentum.
Rayner_1704
DAN
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I am going to get slated here.. but I use 95 ron reason being it’s a lease car for 2 years, unmodified and most or my miles are stop start on the way to work so doesn’t really make a difference for me. It runs perfectly fine.
My previous S3 which was stage 3 was always run on 99ron.
This is only my opinion I know people will disagree
My previous S3 which was stage 3 was always run on 99ron.
This is only my opinion I know people will disagree
LeeDaviesS3
Ara Blue S3 Sportback
I use Tesco 99 Momentum but it costs the same as normal unleaded near me.
£1.18 per litre.
£1.18 per litre.
****** northerners.... cheaper houses, cheaper fuel.. you've got it all
Cheapest round here atm is 120.7 (asda/morrisons).
Cheapest round here atm is 120.7 (asda/morrisons).
