A rough and ready test of Tesco Momentum Fuel in an A8 3.7 quattro

[sutherland]

This may be a hopelessly unreliably experiment, but recently I decided to do a test of performance on Momentum fuel. I had been using normal shell unleaded, so when I was down to around 50 miles range in the tank I decided to do some 0-60 test using VCDS. The time on a dry flat surface going in different directions was consistently 7.0 secsonds.

Three tankfuls of Tesco Momentum 99 and one thousand and something miles later I decided to repeat the test in identical conditions. I thought this should have been enough time for the ECU to work out what was going on and I didn't do any ECU resets during the time. Despite my best efforts, however. I could not get a 0-60 time below 7.2 seconds.

As for fuel economy, it seemed much the same as before. Subjectively, the car did feel faster when overtaking in the 50-80 mph range--no slower than my previous D2 S8. Apart from that everything seemed to be much the same. Overall, this leaves me a little sceptical about the fantastic claims Tesco have on their website: http://www.tesco.com/Momentum99/files/Tesco-Momentum-99-Fuel-Report.pdf

I'd like to see these claims put the test by a proper independent outfit on non-turbocharged cars and the mpg claims tested by the folk who do the government figures.

[Scotty]

Identical conditions?

Same air temp, same humidity, same air pressure, same tyre pressures? etc etc

Although the Tesco figures seem surprisingly good, I think (with all due respect) i'd have more faith in that testing than in a couple of 0-60 blasts.

[cruiser647]

It's Tesco's. Don't believe a word.

[garcon magnifique]

Tesco 99 Momentum is good stuff. My car only gets that or Shell V Power, and I can detect very little difference between the two in either performance or economy, so it is certainly better than the standard 95 RON stuff.

[sutherland]

Identical conditions?

Same air temp, same humidity, same air pressure, same tyre pressures? etc etc

Although the Tesco figures seem surprisingly good, I think (with all due respect) i'd have more faith in that testing than in a couple of 0-60 blasts.

I'm not sure about the air pressure, but the weather was very similar, weight in the car the same, road surface the same etc. Also, 7.2 secs was my best time. I was getting 7.6 secs on most attempts.

An average increase in fuel consumption of 18.58% is so astonishingly good that if this is really true, 95 RON should be banned by an emergency act of parliament. Forcing everyone to use Tesco 99 would immediately help the environment and help working families cut back in this time of economic adversity.

I admit that my test is far from scientific, but that's why I'd like to see a proper independent scientific test of both power and MPG.

Does anyone know if it is possible to get figures from Audi of the actual difference to bhp and torque that octane rating makes? They do mention it in the manual.

[DaveP]

My old petrol Leon would only get 330 miles to a tank with Optimax, the improved mpg paid for the difference in fuel cost.

[bazza_g]

The GTR feels pokier on Momentum99 than it does on V-Power so I'm happy to use either - the ECU datalogs show all is happy too

[Reffro]

Turbo cars have been proven to work better on Tesco 99 in the past, even above V Power.

NA cars the results are less distinct. Tesco 99 is better than 95, but I still prefer V Power in my S8. I seem to lose a bit of mid range using 99 that V Power keeps, according to the seat of my pants data logging equipment. Shell also have a better additive package, especially the cleaning agents.

[Scotty]

My remapped S4 (4.2V8) needed 97 or more. It ran very happilly on Tesco 99. Prior to that I was dedicated to Optimax but since I couldn't tell the difference I just saved the money.

[Milo]

Ditto, I've always used Optimax/V-Power in my 2.0TFSI (98RON or more) but switched to Tesco's 99RON stuff a while ago purely for cost. Can't say I've noticed a difference between the 2 but can notice a difference in mpg over 95RON when I've been forced to use it.

+/- 0.2 seconds over 0-60 times doesn't even raise an eyebrow with me but cost/mpg and using what the manufacturer recommends, does.

[sutherland]

Ditto, I've always used Optimax/V-Power in my 2.0TFSI (98RON or more) but switched to Tesco's 99RON stuff a while ago purely for cost. Can't say I've noticed a difference between the 2 but can notice a difference in mpg over 95RON when I've been forced to use it.

+/- 0.2 seconds over 0-60 times doesn't even raise an eyebrow with me but cost/mpg and using what the manufacturer recommends, does.

Agreed - 0.2 secs makes little difference, but an 18% improvement in fuel economy would save me nearly £1k a year, so I'd love to be convinced, but so far my fuel economy is unchanged.

So how many people on here have enjoyed an 18% improvement in mpg using Tesco 99?

[TIDYDUBS]

Sorry guys and gals but supermarket fuel is complete junk.......FACT!!!!!!

Its cheap for a reason.....or not so in some places i admit. I dont care what anybody says the quality is not as good as your Shell,Texaco or Total i dont support BP or Esso.....for my own reasons. Yes it has to conform to a British standard but at the lower end.

Ive seen many a VW, Audi or any other VAG group car suffer due to poor fuel quality weather it be petrol or diesel.

Issues ive had...... NOX sensor issues, lambda issues and generally poor running, valve issue compression problems coking up, with petrol cars low and high end.

Diesels, fuel filter becoming blocked, injector balance issues shuddering while driving fuel tanks covered in what looks like fungus inside possibly used bio fuel AND YES YOU DO GET TURBO VARIABLE VANE PROBLEMS WITH USING CRAP FUEL...EXCESSIVE SOOT BUILD UP RESULTING IN PRESSURE REGULATION FAULTS/FAILURES(OIL PLAYS A FACTOR IN THIS TOO OF COURSE and these are cars that are maintained correctly........but use Supermarket fuel. It pays to shop around for fuel as i do my self......(tight arse i know) hate paying the extortionate price :ffs::ffs::ffs::ffs:

Ive used quality fuel since ive been driving and in the beloved motor trade and never had issues......only once m not ashamed to admit when i fell on hard times, and it happens to the best of us i tell you i was running my trusty 1994 VW diesel on new vegetable oil/millers and a dash of diesel mix and get a dam good MPG as well if not vastly improved..................with a few minor tweaks.+++

[Scotty]

So I take it that you don't believe that it's all much of a muchness and the supermarkets sell at cost or as a lost leader just to lure people in to their stores?

You say you're aware of people having issues with supermarket fuel but i've seen many forum posts where people won't touch Shell or Texaco due to similar stories.

[TIDYDUBS]

Could you supply a few links to these forum posts please, i like to try and keep as balanced opinion as possible. Being as im at the sharp end dealing with the fuel quality issues faced with todays modern technology..........bio fuel is shite dress it up how you like it aint gonna fit.

[CarMad]

Sorry guys and gals but supermarket fuel is complete junk.......FACT!!!!!!

Its cheap for a reason.....or not so in some places i admit. I dont care what anybody says the quality is not as good as your Shell,Texaco or Total i dont support BP or Esso.....for my own reasons. Yes it has to conform to a British standard but at the lower end.

Ive seen many a VW, Audi or any other VAG group car suffer due to poor fuel quality weather it be petrol or diesel.

Issues ive had...... NOX sensor issues, lambda issues and generally poor running, valve issue compression problems coking up, with petrol cars low and high end.

Diesels, fuel filter becoming blocked, injector balance issues shuddering while driving fuel tanks covered in what looks like fungus inside possibly used bio fuel AND YES YOU DO GET TURBO VARIABLE VANE PROBLEMS WITH USING CRAP FUEL...EXCESSIVE SOOT BUILD UP RESULTING IN PRESSURE REGULATION FAULTS/FAILURES(OIL PLAYS A FACTOR IN THIS TOO OF COURSE and these are cars that are maintained correctly........but use Supermarket fuel. It pays to shop around for fuel as i do my self......(tight arse i know) hate paying the extortionate price :ffs::ffs::ffs::ffs:

Ive used quality fuel since ive been driving and in the beloved motor trade and never had issues......only once m not ashamed to admit when i fell on hard times, and it happens to the best of us i tell you i was running my trusty 1994 VW diesel on new vegetable oil/millers and a dash of diesel mix and get a dam good MPG as well if not vastly improved..................with a few minor tweaks.+++

Oh my aren't we all wound up, bless ya.

Oh and saying something is FACT, doesn't make it FACT.

[Scotty]

Could you supply a few links to these forum posts please, i like to try and keep as balanced opinion as possible. Being as im at the sharp end dealing with the fuel quality issues faced with todays modern technology..........bio fuel is shite dress it up how you like it aint gonna fit.

I had a quick search when I posted previously ... but couldn't find much. I've since realised that most of the posts slagging Shell was when it was called V-Power and I'd been searching for Optimax. Just bash "v-power fuel problems" into Google.

Texaco had similar posts e.g Texaco Fuel - MBClub UK Forums

With any product you'll always find people slagging it off and of course in some situations they could be blaming the fuel when it could be related to the car. However my memory tells me there was many many posts about V-Power. I remember thinking long and hard before using it.

p.s. I have no loyalty or axe to grind with any of them. I've just got a voucher to use at Shell so I will.... and then I'll save my pennies again at Tesco

[Milo]

I ran my old A4 TDi on the cheapest supermarket fuel I could find for 3 years from new. Most of the miles were engine choking, urban plods as well. It never missed a beat and drove better the day I p/exed it than it ever had.

[Tipex]

Intersting comment about bio fuel, my understanding was that it had a far greater lubricity than 'normal' fuel, and therefore was actually better for your engine.

I'm not going into the whole fuel debate again, I've made my comments on that clear enough before, but to sum it all up in one short statement, wether you buy your 95 Ron unleaded from Tesco or Esso, it all comes out the same tank in the refinery.

[Mook]

..bio fuel is shite dress it up how you like it aint gonna fit.

You need to get used to it then. It's included by law as a low percentage of all UK fuels.

[TIDYDUBS]

Cool i haven't either Scotty nor am i wound up Car Mad.:D

I am merely stating......from my experience, being in the trade for 25 years: a diagnostic tech/master tech for 20 of them.

Would you agree or be fair to say, that the wealth of knowledge i have gained being at the sharp end and working for a couple of manufacturers seeing technology evolve from very basic EFi & diesels to today's complex headache stuff i deal with that id be suitably qualified to quote about cars suffering due to poor fuel quality???

Apologies in the bio fuel statement. They need to improve it is what i meant to say in respect to the diesel fuel.

Not meaning to sound curt in what i have just typed if it comes across that way nor do i profess to be the oracle of all knowledge about cars and the technology cause even now im still learning new stuff................even after all these years.

Id like people to just see a side of the story that reflects the benefits of quality fuel, even oils. I have seen some horrors....

Kindest regards Tidy...............

PS Car Mad where did you get the smiley it the steaming cup?

Edited November 27, 2010 by TIDYDUBS

[Scotty]

I appreciate your background but saying you've seen horrors from supermarket fuels doesn't in anyway mean there are any from Shell etc. Have you ever been to court as an expert witness to get the supermarket that's to blame for these horrors to pay up?

If you're 100% (and of course it's provable) then it should be out in public and they should be forced to change or the public be warned.

[TIDYDUBS]

Point taken............no i have not.

Even today manufacturers are complaining about fuel quality......on manufacturer courses too.

Given im no BIO CHEMIST but have been fortunate and met such people. There used to be such place we used to do their staff cars and had rather an interesting chat with said individual with a problematic vehicle back in the day.

They used to analyze fuel and oils amongst other the multitude other things. Have had people in with running issues in the past and present "that ever since scenario" and the filling stations/supermarkets have footed the bill...........it has never got that far, just a written report has satisfied them. I try not to get involved in that sort of thing really, the sort of question i ask when i have a vehicle in that has here are a few scenarios:

dropped compression and results in a soft misfire

sticking valves very rare these days but happens,

valve seats

valve guides

bores glazed

and its been looked after properly...........(manufacturers specifications.) What fuel, driving styles etc etc as i have to eliminate all possible causes and defects to aid correct diagnosis because i always get asked by the customer "WHY" did it happen when they are parting with a substantial amount of money to fix their car.

What i was trying to say in the first place not everybody wants to pay for branded fuel do they? Just friendly advice if you like tying to help. Its the "the cheapest we can get away with?" Fine in the short term but in the long term its gonna cost you. You get what you pay for. If was to buy some cheap tool as opposed to the Snap-on, MAC, Hazet tools i usually buy i know that cheap little number will break or wreck the fastener. The rest have a proven track record of lasting but are not completely infallible.

buy cheap? buy twice!

[Scotty]

I totally get where you're coming from.

At the same time, the money the big brands spend on advertising, sponsorship etc has to be picked up somewhere and hence the actual product can't just be considered better coz it's more expensive in the same way cheapdoesn't always mean worse.

I'm a low mileage driver and having come from a 4.2 V8 to a 2.0TFSI the costs over a year aren't really gonna be a shed load as I'm just glad my mpg is up anyway. Tesco's is cheaper and I have to pass it to go out so it's convienient. If I could see a reason to go with a brand then I would.

In fact I've just worked out that the cost difference to me over a year for the car would be about £40 !! So do I really need to change and have to incur a 5 mile round trip? If it was black and white it would be simple.

[Chav]

Point taken............no i have not.

Even today manufacturers are complaining about fuel quality......on manufacturer courses too.

Given im no BIO CHEMIST but have been fortunate and met such people. There used to be such place we used to do their staff cars and had rather an interesting chat with said individual with a problematic vehicle back in the day.

They used to analyze fuel and oils amongst other the multitude other things. Have had people in with running issues in the past and present "that ever since scenario" and the filling stations/supermarkets have footed the bill...........it has never got that far, just a written report has satisfied them. I try not to get involved in that sort of thing really, the sort of question i ask when i have a vehicle in that has here are a few scenarios:

dropped compression and results in a soft misfire

sticking valves very rare these days but happens,

valve seats

valve guides

bores glazed

and its been looked after properly...........(manufacturers specifications.) What fuel, driving styles etc etc as i have to eliminate all possible causes and defects to aid correct diagnosis because i always get asked by the customer "WHY" did it happen when they are parting with a substantial amount of money to fix their car.

What i was trying to say in the first place not everybody wants to pay for branded fuel do they? Just friendly advice if you like tying to help. Its the "the cheapest we can get away with?" Fine in the short term but in the long term its gonna cost you. You get what you pay for. If was to buy some cheap tool as opposed to the Snap-on, MAC, Hazet tools i usually buy i know that cheap little number will break or wreck the fastener. The rest have a proven track record of lasting but are not completely infallible.

buy cheap? buy twice!

Dont care how many years experience you have, you're failing to mention a few points

1) all the stuff comes from same refineries and same oil fields

2) millions of cars in the uk run on nothing but the cheapest of the cheap stuff and last years without problems due to it

3) even the cheapest of the cheap stuff in the uk is 95 ron and is considered good stuff relative to many other markets

[TIDYDUBS]

Back it up with some concrete proof........................

Yea see where you are coming from Scotty