RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Stopped to top up with Optimax on my way to the TSN meet at Castle Combe. Go to pay and present my red Optimax card and I get the response: "You must buy an awful lot of Optimax to get given one of these", said rather disdainfully. I reply (proudly) "I don't use any fuel other than Optimax" expecting a 'Good for you, mate' response but.... He looks over to my shiny clean throbbin' red GTI [the fastest car in the world ] and its quad pipes and says: "I've got a 875bhp Chevvy and I wouldn't use Optimax". I'm then thinking Er??? "So, you don't rate Optimax then?" I say. "Nope, and neither do all the racing boys that I know. They use 95RON and have Pinking Meters" he says. I say "I don't race but I'm very surprised to hear you say that. Do you know that 98RON is recommended by VW for the FSI engine? And would Shell be happy to hear you trashing Optimax's reputation". "I don't work for Shell!!" he retorts. Okay, but he's the only guy I've ever seen working at that particular Shell station. This wasn't an argument but I left thinking what a plonker and what a bad representative for Shell. Worst Shell Representative Of The Year methinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 WTF is a pinking meter? He might have a point though, although i can't see it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerbera Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Are you sure he didn't say 87.5BHP 'Chavvy'? Maybe his 'racing' buddies are all max powered corsa and nova drivers? I notice a real difference in how well the engine responds with Optimax and Ultimate compared to 95 ron so I'll stick to it for now thanks Snob? Moi? You bet your ass........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Yep, that red Optimax card is worth far more than a gold credit card . I'm an Optimax snob too . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I would imagine big block chevy's wouldn't see as an appreciable difference in performance as our more high tech engines, therefore he probably could get away with 95RON. Isn't that the standard in the US of A anyway or 91 RON? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Had a red Shell Optimax shell points card for years. Its all I use. Infact im probably due a new one, its looking rather worn. Edit: Infact, just done it, new card on order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I would imagine big block chevy's wouldn't see as an appreciable difference in performance as our more high tech engines, therefore he probably could get away with 95RON. Isn't that the standard in the US of A anyway or 91 RON? [/ QUOTE ] Absolutly.. RON is only important in fuel injected, ECU controlled motors. And the finer the fuel spray, the more important the quality of the fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 ....Which all goes to show that the guy (not a youngster) knows very little about cars. No excuse for him actually being derogatory about Optimax to customers, especially as he has a contract of some description with Shell. Does anyone know what the general contract structure is with Shell stations ? Franchise ? Clearly station people aren't trained to any high standards. Having said that, I know one Shell station (25 miles away) which is extremely busy but where they actually answer the phone promptly and always know their Optimax stock situation and all the staff are good-humoured and courteous 24/7. No prizes for guessing which station I will travel the extra 10 miles for. Plus it's usually about 3p per litre cheaper than the one I'm complaining about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hey Dave! How come you're not at the Newquay surfin' comps soaking up all those fit surfin' gals? Or are you on the beach with a laptop ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Work today mate.. some-one has to do it But off tomorrow, so i'll be lapping it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 You can catch all the latest here http://www.surffestival.com/home.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Shell own some stations themselves, though not that many until recently. They have a nightmareish time managing their own sites. The vast majority of the rest its Shell / BP etc. who pay or at least used to to get people to supply their petrol. However recently they have turned away from this and are now charging huge amounts for people to continue supply with Shell. They are a terible terrible company to work with from a petrol supply point of view, if they have supply issues and your an independant its a case of tough, they are last in the queue to be sorted out. I know of some garages who have had to get fuel from elsewhere just to keep up supply for the local community due to Shell being so poor at times of crisis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 for the link, Dave. I'm not a surfing enthusiast (much prefer flames to water) but I've got major respect for you guys and can understand the buzz (or whatever you call it)....The Natural High? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hi CarMad > That explains the big difference in attitude I have experienced and why another station I find convenient to use is so often out of Optimax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] for the link, Dave. I'm not a surfing enthusiast (much prefer flames to water) but I've got major respect for you guys and can understand the buzz (or whatever you call it)....The Natural High? [/ QUOTE ] Absolutly!!!.. it's man against the elements type thing. The sea is a living thing, it can be as calm as you like, but when it blows up it can be one of the most dangerous places on earth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 What's a red Optimax card? How do you get one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] What's a red Optimax card? How do you get one? [/ QUOTE ] ....Buy a lot of Optimax!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What's a red Optimax card? How do you get one? [/ QUOTE ] ....Buy a lot of Optimax!! [/ QUOTE ] From the same store? and are you offered one. Or do you have a shell account? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What's a red Optimax card? How do you get one? [/ QUOTE ] ....Buy a lot of Optimax!! [/ QUOTE ] It's not that easy. You have to buy a LOT of Optimax! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Absolutly!!!.. it's man against the elements type thing. The sea is a living thing, it can be as calm as you like, but when it blows up it can be one of the most dangerous places on earth! [/ QUOTE ] ....Had a house literally on the cliff at West Bay, Chesil Beach before divorce took it away. Views of 15 miles to Portland on the clear days. Also I used to fish off the beach all day and some nights, Winter and Summer, and it's mostly why I ain't interested in chancing it in those waves! I won't even swim on a calm day on Chesil. Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What's a red Optimax card? How do you get one? [/ QUOTE ] ....Buy a lot of Optimax!! [/ QUOTE ] It's not that easy. You have to buy a LOT of Optimax! [/ QUOTE ] ....I think I would rather not know how much Optimax I have bought! But I've only used it for the year I have had my GTI. 16K miles at 30mpg overall if anyone is interested! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I average £40 a week of Optimax which is about 40 litres nowadays plus the occasional trip to Birmingham or London. So 40 litres x 51 weeks + two 1.5 tanks (90 litres) for Birmingham trip every month...... OK that scares me now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 2425 litres (533 gallons) of optimax according to my dodgy calculations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 P_G > I told you it's best not to think about how much Optimax she drinks! Just enjoy what you get in return! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hi Neil > I take it that those dodgy calcs apply to me? Two and a half £grand on fuel . Ah well, "Because I'm worth it" she says.... ....Any excuse to post a bit of EyeCandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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