1st Diesel car - avoid supermarket fuel?

thriftwizard

We have a C3 Sensodrive & a C4 GP, get good MPG from both and do use supermarket fuel. However the C3 has cost us an arm & a leg in maintenance, including having had to have all 4 diesel injectors replaced, which may or may not have had anything to do with supermarket fuel.

But it's also had to have its front suspension replaced twice, and a number of other things done, where the C4, driven by the same people on the same roads & owned for the same length of time, has hardly cost us a penny; our garage say that although mostly they are economical & reliable little cars, my C3 is just a lemon & you get them from time to time in any make & model. So our experience re the fuel may not be at all relevant!

Gloomendoom

chaucer wrote: »

Having read this entire thread several times I'm starting to get more confused!! lol
I wonder if mileage and type of driving has any impact?

Not in my experience. My wife and I have different driving styles. My wife's car is used for commuting. My car is mainly used for long distance trips but rarely more than 6k a year (before the "under 50k a year, diesel isn't worth it' johnnies chime in, the petrol option does 15 to the gallon).

As I said earlier, both are fed almost exclusively on supermarket fuel.

Paradigm

It would seem that the only difference between Shell Nitro super dooper plus magic diesel & supermarket crap is..... some detergent

Shell V-Power Nitro+ Diesel is formulated with a powerful cleaning agent designed to prevent and remove performance robbing engine deposits that can be left behind by non-premium fuels. Our advanced formulation is designed to work under the extreme conditions of the fuel injection system, breaking down and cleaning-away harmful gunky deposits.

Of course it comes with a disclaimer....

Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle, age of vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.

You've got to admire the marketing.


http://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/shell-fuels/shell-v-power-nitro-plus/shell-v-power-nitro-plus-diesel.html

Zandoni

Paradigm wrote: »

It would seem that the only difference between Shell Nitro super dooper plus magic diesel & supermarket crap is..... some detergent Of course it comes with a disclaimer.... You've got to admire the marketing.


http://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/shell-fuels/shell-v-power-nitro-plus/shell-v-power-nitro-plus-diesel.html

You also have to wonder if you actually get the premium fuel you pay for.

Paradigm

Zandoni wrote: »

You also have to wonder if you actually get the premium fuel you pay for.

I've no doubt you are getting what Shell say you are, whether it works as it's supposed too is another matter... even Shell don't guarantee it does

robatwork

There doesn't appear to be any proper research done into this subject, so until there is you are at the mercy of random internet forum opinions, which are formed on the basis of owning a few cars.

What you do know is that half (probably over half) the fuel sold in the UK is from supermarkets. If it caused a serious problem, it would be known about.

arcon5

The simple fact is if your car doesn't run right on supermarket fuel then your car has a fault somewhere. Using a higher octane fuel may give a bit more longevity of that component, but not much.

anotherbaldrick

motorguy wrote: »

Because your engine has a problem?

Not really because I now only use BP or Shell, not supermarket !!!! fuel

anotherbaldrick

arcon5 wrote: »

The simple fact is if your car doesn't run right on supermarket fuel then your car has a fault somewhere. Using a higher octane fuel may give a bit more longevity of that component, but not much.

It may run right but on premium fuels it just runs better. Discerning owners can differentiate.

motorguy

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Not really because I now only use BP or Shell, not supermarket !!!! fuel

So most of the entire country fund on supermarket fuel but your VW diesel is the only one to NOT be able to run on supermarket fuel?

IF theres lubricants and / or boosters in BP or shell, then the fact your car cant operate without them would suggest you have a fault or an impending fault with your car.

I've had various VW diesels and ALL have run with no issues at all, the most recent being almost 40,000 miles put on a 2012 1.6TDI Golf in 18 months.

NO issues. In fact i got my highest brim to brim fill on supermarket fuel

If your car cant deal with non premium brand diesel then either (a) its psychological on your part or (b) theres something wrong with your car.

Which is it?