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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 19:35

Title: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 19:35
Yo everyone

Anyone else think this stuff is utter pants? It doesnt give me anywhere near the economy that Shell/BP does...

Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WhiteGTI on 18 August 2008, 19:38
I really don't think there is a definitive answer to this topic......its strange. Some people absolutely rave about Tesco 99, others absolutely hate it.

Personally, filling up at a supermarket pump feels slightly "improper" i guess. I prefer to use the long standing petrol companies such as Shell. Never used anything other than Shell V Power in the Golf!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: stealthwolf on 18 August 2008, 19:41
Dunno what the dealer used to fill up the tank but I didn't have much power in the low rev range (less than 2000rpm) - it felt slower than my fiesta! That was a 1.25l!!! Filled up this weekend with Shell optimax (at £60  :shocked:) and already it has an improved response.

There's a tesco near the dealer, so that's probably where they went.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 19:42
stealth, had you just had your car serviced??
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: SteveP on 18 August 2008, 19:50
Tesco 99 for me, run's really well and it's cheaper than Shell's.

Also in tests the Tesco brew was proven to be almost as good as Shell anyway, see here - http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/tuning/Fuel_Test_Results.shtml
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: stealthwolf on 18 August 2008, 20:00
No - I bought the car one week ago and got the dealer to give a full tank of petrol. Forgot to ensure it was 99-RON stuff, so am guessing it was tescos 99 or 95 ron, based on the proximity of a tesco to the dealer.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 20:02
hmm, i had mine serviced and it felt sooooo slow for a tank of fuel, almost to the point where i took it back in...

seems fine now tho?
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: TagnuT on 18 August 2008, 20:11
I use both V-Power and Tesco 99. Can't feel much of a change between the two. Never tried the car with 95 Ron. Has anyone else tried theirs with just 95 Ron and felt no change in power?
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phil mcavity on 18 August 2008, 20:20
funny enough, mines running on 95 at the moment!!, traction issues yes i know!!, but have also noticed the car doesnt have it's crisp responce feeling that i get with using 99 (when dam tesco's get it back in stock).mpg suffers by about 2 miles per gallon less on 95 then 99.

Im right in thinking both shell and tesco's fuel are refined together so the Vpower is in fact the same product. T.T had posted a while back confirming that both these fuels are from the same source and in some cases out performed Vpower in tests. Take the cheaper option, get your club card points and get £20 free shopping a month from using it like i do!!!. Sorry i dont trust using shell garages or Jet stations for card fraud that regually happens due to the cheap labour workers they employ to scam your debit card which happens alot.( i never carry cash)
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: SteveS on 18 August 2008, 20:23
i have to be honist, i have always runs tesco 99, and my mpg is about 26... i dont drive hard generally... so maybe it isnt that good for mpg.... but then you dont get much petrol for the cost.. either
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: dan_apps on 18 August 2008, 20:27
my GTI is my daily commuter so i run it on std through the week which does it fine then on the weekend when all the chavs are about in their type R's etc i bang in abit of 99 which i find really good! + as PM says clubcard points!  :tongue:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phil mcavity on 18 August 2008, 20:31
im of the thinking the less we use the likes of shell and Bp, we are helping drive the cost down of fuel, as they are the big players in the fuel industry. If we dont buy fuel from them and shop at the likes of the supermarkets for fuel instead, we are more likely to see prices fall due to lack of custom on their forecourts.  May be worth a thought that one.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: finlayjacobin on 18 August 2008, 20:44
Tesco 99 for me, used to use optimax before  Vpower but now my local store has the 99 stuff its clubcard points for me :smiley:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 20:48
maybe.... i've just driven like a pen1s then.....

I managed to get 480 miles total from a tank in the gti the other week...

P.S i anyone saw a loser going down the M4 in a gti behind a parcelforce truck at 56 that was me trying to make the most of the company 40p a mile!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phil mcavity on 18 August 2008, 20:50
TOP EFFORT!!! 480 miles thats just unheard of!!!. Fairplay WobGTI , did you mange to stay awake in those 480 miles!!!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WhiteGTI on 18 August 2008, 20:57
I get 300 if I'm lucky!!!!!!!!! Was 480miles from a lot of motorway driving?
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 20:58
you know what...

My eta when i got out of london was like 19:03, even after driving like a complete loser i still got there at 19:26.....

i got there completely relaxed aswell, no getting stressed of goons who don't understand lane discipline as i just sat behind the same thing the entire way....

I was actually coming up with ideas of how i could create some weird magnet thing and hitch a free ride and just leave the car on tickover haha!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Vtec Abuser on 18 August 2008, 20:59
Used T99 in mine from new and in my LCR and only use V Power if get caught short (like today).. Have always thought both cars performed better on the Tesco's motion lotion and at about 3p cheaper a litre, seems better for the wallet too..
Plus (as has already been mentioned) T99 has performed better in the tests too.. :wink:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 21:00
i had to drive from canary wharf out to the M4, was on my way to barnstaple.

Definitely the most economical the car is is around 50-60 in 6th... Then slip in a bit of free wheeling and you'll kick ass!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Vtec Abuser on 18 August 2008, 21:02
maybe.... i've just driven like a pen1s then.....

I managed to get 480 miles total from a tank in the gti the other week...

P.S i anyone saw a loser going down the M4 in a gti behind a parcelforce truck at 56 that was me trying to make the most of the company 40p a mile!
That's silly MPG.. I have managed 37mpg out of mine to Newcastle the other month, sat at 70 all the way.
Just got about 380 out of my last tank too and that was Miss Daisy driving..
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 21:06
I can do about 33 if i sit at 80 which is ok..

I've noticed if you free wheel like 100yards you can usually bump it up like 0.2mpg and you do that 10x and your 2mpg better off then driving uber slow adds most of it on....

tyres contribute 80% of your fuel economy too so correct pressure is a must!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Top Cat on 18 August 2008, 21:07
Getting in someone's slip stream will save on petrol, but will cost you more when paying to get your stone chips fixed.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: WobGTI on 18 August 2008, 21:08
you could get 567miles out of a 60litre tank if you averaged 43mpg
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phill on 18 August 2008, 22:25
I've never used Tesco's super and I've used Shell a few times but I've not noticed anything different to compared to Sainsburys Super that I use.

From what I remember from my Subaru days that the Shell and so on, its only really shown big differences when using high boost ie 1.5bar and more for huge boost.  I remember one P1 owner having a boost of 2.2bar!  I think it was around 550bhp and it was definitely no slow car that was for sure!! :lol:

From what I'm returning mpg wise, I think the lowest I've had so far was about 35mpg and the best so far is just under 39mpg..  I'm not driving completely light footed, but I aint flooring it in every gear either :)  I'm quite impressed with it to be honest.  Figure if I could get rid of this lumpy running problem, I should be able to get near to 40mpg ;) :)  I have manage 390 miles from a tank full, with around a quarter of a tank to go :)  I do do a lot of miles running from North Devon to Wolverhampton every other weekend, so I'm pretty happy I aint using it up as badly as my Scooby did!! :lol:  But then I'd kinda hope not, cos its not nowhere near the power that that thing had!! :lol:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phill on 18 August 2008, 22:25
you could get 567miles out of a 60litre tank if you averaged 43mpg

The sad problem is I thought the Golf's tank was only 55 litres??
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: john_o on 19 August 2008, 12:15
Ive always raved about Tesco 99 RON , as I can really feel and see a difference in the boost levels reached.
even compared to Ultimate/Optimax 97/98
GTI on 95 RON is flatter than Holland.
economy? cant say Ive seen any diff between the high octane fuels.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: NewGolf on 19 August 2008, 12:18
I got 500 miles+ cruising France on Shell V Power. Averaged between 70 and 80 leptons.

(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm110/NewGolf/Milage.jpg)
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 August 2008, 20:41
Yo everyone

Anyone else think this stuff is utter pants? It doesnt give me anywhere near the economy that Shell/BP does...

Not quite with you!

Do you mean "Tesco 99" or "Shell Optimax" (which is obsolete), or "Shell V-Power" - because there is no such thing as "Tescos Optimax" !!!  :tongue:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 August 2008, 20:50
Personally, filling up at a supermarket pump feels slightly "improper" i guess.

Not all supermarkets are the same.  The likes of Tesco and Morrisons have far better fuels than say Asda or Sainsburys.

I prefer to use the long standing petrol companies such as Shell.

The same Royal Dutch Shell company who fcuked up thousands of engines in the late 1980s with their "Formula Shell" petrol - and even when found guilty by the Court of Appeal, still denied responsibility.

Yet when Tesco had a batch of their fuel sabotaged by sand a while back fully paid for all repairs to all affected cars.  If a relative minnow (in respect of the oil industry) such as Tesco can take a proactive and responsible attitude, to a problem which was outside their control can cough up, why can't a giant such as Shell do so - particularly as it was Shell who made their fuels like that!

Now, as far as I'm aware, theres nowt wrong with their V-Power, but by the same token, Tesco 99 has been proven to be as good as or better than V-Power in independent tests.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 August 2008, 20:59
I use both V-Power and Tesco 99.

Me too - though I tend to prefer Tesco.

Can't feel much of a change between the two.

My "butt dyno" isn't calibrated to such a fine level, so I can't either!  :grin:

Never tried the car with 95 Ron. Has anyone else tried theirs with just 95 Ron and felt no change in power?

I had to fill up my RS4 with Jet 95  :shocked: on the way back from Inters, and whilst I didn't notice any immediate loss of performance (maybe because it is normally aspirated and not a turbo), I did notice it dramatically altered the fuel consumption - where, under a "certain" type of driving,  :wink: I can expect to get around 100 miles from half a tank, with the 95 cr@p, I got down to half a tank in just 60 miles!  :shocked:  When I stopped to fill it up with some 99 (I think it was V-Power), I noticed that my tail pipes were covered in a thick layer of black carbon, and there was also a black sooty film on my rear bumper too.  It had obviously been considerably overfueling the V8 beast to maintain the performance!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 August 2008, 21:17
Im right in thinking both shell and tesco's fuel are refined together so the Vpower is in fact the same product.

Obsolutely and categorically they are NOT from the same source.  V-Power is from Shells own refinerey, from their own base stocks, with their own additives package.

Tesco 99 (along with their "standard" fuels) are supplied from one of Britains largest wholly independent oil companies - Greenergy.  This is their brew: http://www.greenergy.co.uk/products/99_octane.html.  And you might also notice that Tesco 99 is the official fuel of the British Rally Championship, and is also used by Seat Sport UK, in their BTCC and SCC cars.

The only similarities between Tesco 99 and Shell V-Power are that they are both minumum 99RON, and both contain 5% bioethanol.

Tesco 99 data sheet here: http://www.greenergy.co.uk/tesco_99_octane/Spec_Sheet_99_octane.pdf
Shell V-Power data sheet: fcuk knows!

T.T had posted a while back confirming that both these fuels are from the same source and in some cases out performed Vpower in tests.

Nope, not me.  I never stated they were from the same source, but I do remember many moons ago of posting the Thoreney Motorsport tests, where Tesco 99 kicked the ass of BP Ultimate, was a clear leader over the former 98RON Shell Optimax, and is on a par with the latest V-Power.

Take the cheaper option, get your club card points and get £20 free shopping a month from using it like i do!!!.

Yeah, but then Shell also gives money back vouchers if you have a V-Power Drivers Club card.  Women don't like the Shell coupons as much as the Tesco ones though!  :rolleyes:

Sorry i dont trust using shell garages or Jet stations for card fraud that regually happens due to the cheap labour workers they employ to scam your debit card which happens alot.( i never carry cash)

I'm with you all the way there.  I was nearly subjected to a credit card scam at a Shell garage - a swift fone call to the credit card company, who confirmed that fraud had taken place, followed by a call to the Plod soon sorted that one out!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 August 2008, 21:22
From what I remember from my Subaru days that the Shell and so on, its only really shown big differences when using high boost ie 1.5bar and more for huge boost.

Then how come my naturally aspirated RS4 notices the difference between 95 and 99?   :tongue:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 19 August 2008, 21:24
you could get 567miles out of a 60litre tank if you averaged 43mpg

The sad problem is I thought the Golf's tank was only 55 litres??

If you brim a Golf, you can add an extra 10 litres, making it a 65 litre tank.  Don't park up after briming it though, as you'll probably find it purges a fair bit through the vent all over the tarmac!
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: gazbutmk5gti on 19 August 2008, 21:27
I always use V-power, pay cash only now, I did get stung by the card fraud, got a phone call 1 saturday afternoon from the bank, hello are you in Bondi Beach, there's 2 transaction just gone through for 1000 Aus$ each.
Got the money back after a week which isn't to bad, the gang that were doin the fraud, country wide, got caught after a member was kidnapped and tortured because he got greedy (hope it was the one who scammed me) .

I do the shell drivers club thing and you do get quite alot back in fuel vouchers
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phill on 19 August 2008, 21:55
Then how come my naturally aspirated RS4 notices the difference between 95 and 99?   :tongue:

I think its dependant on what the car is mapped for in the first place ;)  As I've said, I've never used Tesco's fuel because its no different to me down here, its only 97 Ron where I live so not all that helpfull...

From the different fuels from what I saw and what I read during owning the Scoob, it was all about Detting and so on.. The better the fuel the higher the boost and power could be gotten from it, compared to standard 95 ron fuel..  Not used Shell all that much so I dont think I'll notice the differences to be honest, but having used Sainsburys Super 97 Ron since my Scoob days, I've had no problems yet with the fuel or the performance I've had from using it :)

I must admit, I've noticed no difference with using any different types of fuel I've had in the car, be it Esso, Safeways, Sainsburys, Shell, Tesco's or Asda, they've all given me the same performance from what I've used...  Must depend on the type of car and how its tuned me thinks...... 
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: ub7rm on 20 August 2008, 07:35


I think its dependant on what the car is mapped for in the first place ;)  As I've said, I've never used Tesco's fuel because its no different to me down here, its only 97 Ron where I live so not all that helpfull...


I'd agree here, I tried a few tankfulls of v power in my old 1.8T and tbh the only difference I noticed was that the throttle response wasn't quite as sharp.... :shocked: however that was mapped for 95 fuel and maybe I wasn't giving the ecu enough time to adapt.  With the mk5 it states you get better performance and economy with 98 so thats whats going in her.

In my student days I used to work at a Morrisons petrol station and all their fuel (for Scotland anyway) came from the Grangemouth refinery which is the same place BP fuel comes from.  Its the same crude that goes in to the refinery and they will definatly not have different production trains for different retailers.  Only difference might be is that the 'cheaper' retailers might not have the detergents etc.  Sadly Morrisons don't do a super unleaded (at least up here?)  Cant speak for the other supermarkets....
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phil mcavity on 20 August 2008, 08:30
sorry T.T must of been someone else about where the 2 fuels come from.


T.T had posted a while back confirming that both these fuels are from the same source and in some cases out performed Vpower in tests.

sorry Mate, thought i was

Quote from Teutonic _tamer..

Yeah, but then Shell also gives money back vouchers if you have a V-Power Drivers Club card.  Women don't like the Shell coupons as much as the Tesco ones though!  :rolleyes:



Dont tell me you also own an american express card aswell T.T   :rolleyes:

What on earth does Vpower drivers card give you????    Cheap trips to Bombay or Dehli????  :laugh:


Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phill on 20 August 2008, 20:28
Well with all this talk in mind, I thought I'd try and find out something about the fuels and so on, so here's a link to something that I think might be kinda interesting :)

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/tuning/Fuel_Test_Results_Update.shtml

But it does show that the Tesco's 99 Ron (where its actually sold too) is better and more constant than the Shell V-Power which is kinda of a big shock to me considering the sheer cost of V-Power..  Also if I'm ever around a Tesco's that does the 99 Ron stuff, I might throw some in :)  Only problem is, until I move, it wont make all that much of a difference as it wont be a constant through the cars fuel system unless its got a few tank fulls to go through it :(

Might have to try and move sooner :lol:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Greenouse on 21 August 2008, 10:52
Im right in thinking both shell and tesco's fuel are refined together so the Vpower is in fact the same product.

Obsolutely and categorically they are NOT from the same source.  V-Power is from Shells own refinerey, from their own base stocks, with their own additives package.

Tesco 99 (along with their "standard" fuels) are supplied from one of Britains largest wholly independent oil companies - Greenergy.  This is their brew: http://www.greenergy.co.uk/products/99_octane.html.  And you might also notice that Tesco 99 is the official fuel of the British Rally Championship, and is also used by Seat Sport UK, in their BTCC and SCC cars.

The only similarities between Tesco 99 and Shell V-Power are that they are both minumum 99RON, and both contain 5% bioethanol.

Tesco 99 data sheet here: http://www.greenergy.co.uk/tesco_99_octane/Spec_Sheet_99_octane.pdf
Shell V-Power data sheet: fcuk knows!

T.T had posted a while back confirming that both these fuels are from the same source and in some cases out performed Vpower in tests.

Nope, not me.  I never stated they were from the same source, but I do remember many moons ago of posting the Thoreney Motorsport tests, where Tesco 99 kicked the ass of BP Ultimate, was a clear leader over the former 98RON Shell Optimax, and is on a par with the latest V-Power.

Take the cheaper option, get your club card points and get £20 free shopping a month from using it like i do!!!.

Yeah, but then Shell also gives money back vouchers if you have a V-Power Drivers Club card.  Women don't like the Shell coupons as much as the Tesco ones though!  :rolleyes:

Sorry i dont trust using shell garages or Jet stations for card fraud that regually happens due to the cheap labour workers they employ to scam your debit card which happens alot.( i never carry cash)

I'm with you all the way there.  I was nearly subjected to a credit card scam at a Shell garage - a swift fone call to the credit card company, who confirmed that fraud had taken place, followed by a call to the Plod soon sorted that one out!

I love the fact the Seat BTCC boys advertise Tesco 99 and run Diesels!!!  :grin: :grin:

And I don't love the fact I can't get it anywhere!!  :angry: Did I read somewhere that Tesco premium is now 99?
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: mrlapou on 21 August 2008, 11:11
Audi Mag did an article a few months back comparing BP, Shell and Tesco99. It seems the T99 was more stable ie kept its performance properties when stored for a a few or more days.
Since then I've used T99 and found it's perhaps a tad smoother then Shell PMax.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: joesgti on 21 August 2008, 11:18
how do you get a shell card??? i just tried and it says its for buisness only  :sad: :sad:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: joesgti on 21 August 2008, 11:44
anyone  :undecided:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: No Golf Clubs at all on 21 August 2008, 15:11
Snot one of those "Shell Driivers Club" cards you are thinking about is it?

www.shell.co.uk/driversclub (http://www.shell.co.uk/driversclub)
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: deanpoli on 21 August 2008, 17:06
How does Sainsbury 97 Ron fair in all this, is there any performance graphs stating the difference between Tesco's 99 Ron Vs Shell V Power Vs BP Ultimate?
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Phill on 21 August 2008, 22:13
I cant find any reviews on it, but I had a Subaru running it with a re-map and a few other goodies..  The guy that owns the car now I think is running around the 650bhp mark with the same stuff, so I assume its ok :laugh:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: indublin on 23 August 2008, 18:43
Currently using Maxol petrol 99Ron and it works well! 1.30 euro a litre too which aint too bad!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: scotgc on 27 August 2008, 12:47
I used to work at the Grangemouth refinery, which supplies petrol and diesel for all of scotland and most of northern england ! Asda, Tesco, Shell, Sainsburys, morrissons,BP, Esso and many other petrol retailers get their supplys from this refinery. Its the same allover the country! the only difference is that when the tankers leave the gates of the refinery they put an additive into the tank which mixes in transit. This is why shell had lots of problems years ago as the additive didnt have time to mix properly at the stations close to the refinery's.

The petrol we used to make was 95 ron standard unleaded and super unleaded 97 ron. Also standard diesel / red diesel and ultimate diesel.
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: R32UK on 28 August 2008, 09:44
Got to say I have tried all the fuels mentioned and noticed little or no difference at all..
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: john_o on 28 August 2008, 13:54
Got to say I have tried all the fuels mentioned and noticed little or no difference at all..
thats cos youve got an R32  :tongue:  :grin:
(seriously tho N/A I wouldnt expect to see such a big diff)
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: synnea on 28 August 2008, 14:18
Yeah when I had my R32 I didnt notice any difference. I get my GTI on saturday though so I hope to notice a difference running on super. Having said that I dont intend to ever fill it with 95 RON unless I have to so I will have to assume its running the best it can on BP Ultimate, the best we can get here in N Ireland is 97 RON.  We dont get VPOWER here or tesco 99  :angry:
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: No Golf Clubs at all on 28 August 2008, 15:00
I just stuck 57 Litres of Tescos finest in mine...wonder how much you can get in if you top it out.... :rolleyes: still it cost me £65.50 though :(
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: R32UK on 28 August 2008, 18:34
Got to say I have tried all the fuels mentioned and noticed little or no difference at all..
thats cos youve got an R32  :tongue:  :grin:
(seriously tho N/A I wouldnt expect to see such a big diff)
Ahhh Haaaa thats probably why then. I did notice the 95ron sticker on the fuel cap but used to think the 99ron made a difference at first. After a while you really could not tell. So stick to the cheap stuff now...
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: Top Cat on 28 August 2008, 21:38
I just stuck 57 Litres of Tescos finest in mine...wonder how much you can get in if you top it out.... :rolleyes: still it cost me £65.50 though :(


TT mentioned last week you can squeeze in 65 litres but dont stop after filling for a while or the expansion will have it spilling out of the overflow
Title: Re: Tescos Optimax
Post by: hotrod on 28 August 2008, 23:34
Bit late to the thread... have always run my cars on Tesco 99. Made a big difference on the 4-MO and ED30. Tried BP (average) and Shell much better, still prefer Tesco though.

Hotrod :smiley: