Which Is The Best 98/premium Fuel?

[pagey]

After the recent Optimax debate, I thought it would be interested to get opinions on what you the consumer believe to be the best fuel around.

Whether you use it or not is not the question(i.e some may currently drive a little 4 pot & be happy with 91 etc..).. rather what you believe to be the best performing, fuel economic, cleanest premium/98 fuel around at the moment (in Australia), without using any additives.

So..

[pagey]

seems like there may be a trend emerging?

[JezzaB]

ive been a BP Ultimate advocate for a while now until the local BP has been havin crap fuel, I have been using Mobile 98 since. Then again I have used Optimax and had great results. Personally it depends on the quality of the fuel at the time and the place of purchase.

[JT]

95% of the time I use BP Ultimate,Mobil 8000 the rest of the time

[dark]

95% of the time I use BP Ultimate,Mobil 8000 the rest of the time

I would be the same only perhaps 97% 2% Mobile and 1% Optimax.

[Mongy]

After the recent Optimax debate, I thought it would be interested to get opinions on what you the consumer believe to be the best fuel around.

Whether you use it or not is not the question(i.e some may currently drive a little 4 pot & be happy with 91 etc..).. rather what you believe to be the best performing, fuel economic, cleanest premium/98 fuel around at the moment (in Australia), without using any additives.

So..
:lol: Pagey, I think you have taken this to heart. You all know my feelings on this matter, I wouldn't put it in my ute ever again, the 12.1 @ 113mph I ran last night would have probably been a 12.8 :lol: . Just by the way, my wife uses Shell in her Astra, it's a discount voucher thing :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SV8VY]

BP is the go for me these days.
I use shell every now and again if desperate as most of the servos around my area are private small petrol stations.
I had to use some 95 ron Caltex a couple of weeks ago and noticed lack of power and took me 2 tanks of juice to get the car back up to performance.

[ED]

I only use Bp Ultimate. Have a BP card for the truck and hence use all their products. Cant remember where I have read or seen it, but 3 independent tests (in Australia) concluded that the best, and more importantly, most "reliable" fuel to run in a street driven animal was BP Ultimate with good old Nulon Pro Strength octane booster. All the big fuel companies and boosters readily available were tested.... BP Ultimate + Nulon Pro Strength won hands down.....Good enough for me, 'swhy I use it!! :)

[C4B]

I use BP Ultimate 90% of the time, but I must say I also use Caltex Vortex and I find it to be just as good as the BP.

I wouldn't use Optimax to clean paint brushes with....... let alone actually use it to run an engine...... ;)

[VooDoo]

Optimax = pinging.
BP = PB's

[markone2]

Clearly a one horse race ;) it's BP for me

[pagey]

soo.. what is the other Gareth.. I was always suspicious about your times... :lol: :lol:

[Hammer]

BP is one of the cleanest

[Waughy]

Only ever used Ultimate or Optimax when I have gone the 98 stuff. Ultimate is way ahead in the preference race for me.

[HacketR8]

I use BP Ultimate 90% of the time, but I must say I also use Caltex Vortex and I find it to be just as good as the BP.

I wouldn't use Optimax to clean paint brushes with....... let alone actually use it to run an engine...... ;)

Interesting, talking with my local Caltex retailer this morning he informed me that Caltex Vortex 98 is actually rebadged Optimax..... Only repeating what I have been told so don't shoot the messenger. :)

[pagey]

Interesting, talking with my local Caltex retailer this morning he informed me that Caltex Vortex 98 is actually rebadged Optimax..... Only repeating what I have been told so don't shoot the messenger. :)

hehe.. how old was the retailer.. the uni student or the owner?

[Senator05]

Interesting, talking with my local Caltex retailer this morning he informed me that Caltex Vortex 98 is actually rebadged Optimax..... Only repeating what I have been told so don't shoot the messenger. :)

Whilst I have no first hand knowledge, I can say that in S.A. we can't buy Optimax, nor Vortex 98, but all the other 98 RON fuels are here, so there may be something to that comment.

[Tonner]

: the 12.1 @ 113mph I ran last night would have probably been a 12.8 :lol: .:
Congrats, Another PB. :cool:

[C4B]

Interesting, talking with my local Caltex retailer this morning he informed me that Caltex Vortex 98 is actually rebadged Optimax..... Only repeating what I have been told so don't shoot the messenger. :)

That may very well be the case down South, but up here in Brisbane the opposite is the case. You see all Shell fuel up here comes from the Caltex refinery (Shell don't have a refinery in Brisbane). From what I was told (by a mate that owns a company that carts fuel) the Optimax fuel up here is just Caltex with Shells own 7 herbs and spices added to it (by caltex).

[VZKOOP]

The best dyno results I used to get out of my R6 racebike were on Synergy 8000. Ultimate wasn't around then so I can't comment on it's performance. Also the R6 was carby'd not EFI like the new ones.

[HSV ENHANCED VT]

BP Ultimate and Caltex vortex are the same fuel. Theres only two oil refinery companies in Australia, the others buy from them.

[RedVX2]

That may very well be the case down South, but up here in Brisbane the opposite is the case. You see all Shell fuel up here comes from the Caltex refinery (Shell don't have a refinery in Brisbane). From what I was told (by a mate that owns a company that carts fuel) the Optimax fuel up here is just Caltex with Shells own 7 herbs and spices added to it (by caltex).
Thats similar to what I heard Geoff from relos who work in the fuel industry. (They sell BP)
Anyway, I use BP most of the time, and occasionally throw in Vortex or Ampol Gold. Gone of using Optimax, the clubby doesn't seem to run as well on it.

[COOKIE!]

hmmmm Now which one do you think i should pick....... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[VYSHSV8]

Over here in WA there is only one 98 octane fuel and that is BP so theres your answer as BP is the only refinery oer they have only allowed themselves to sell 98 so it is really a one horse race but here goes what we have over here.
1. Bp 98
2 Caltex(Vortex) 96 ethenol free though.
3. Ampol(Caltex) same as above
4. Gull 96
5. Shell 94 -96 depending who you talk to.
6. Peak 96

So theres a start not to worried myself as I have not had car editted so I run 91-92ron most of the time($$$) every 4 tank vortex or Bp for cleaning properties.

[bassplayer]

its interesting that every1 on here stil uses 98 octane fuel.
recently some fuel tests were done on a current affair ( i know its not the most reliable source) but they compared identical cars. the cars drove the same roads with the same amount of fuel in each car. they compared 3 types of fuel ( i dont remember which brand) ordinary unleaded, premium 95 octane & 98 octane. the clear winner was the 95 octane premium that got much better milage & very very similar performance to the 98 octane fuel, & the ordinary ULP got 3rd place. the difference in power is not noticeable between the premium 95 & 98. the only noticeable difference is the price! ever since this test ive actually gone back to ordinary unleaded using a fuel discount voucher & occasionaly use nulon pro octane booster.
my recommendations is premium 95 fuel & when at the strip, add a bottle of nulon pro octane booster.
i know the 98 ron stuff is recommended for the super6's etc but if u dont 'need' to use it then why?......for the 'increased performance' :lol:

[markone2]

its interesting that every1 on here stil uses 98 octane fuel.
i know the 98 ron stuff is recommended for the super6's etc but if u dont 'need' to use it then why?......for the 'increased performance' :lol:

Ever heard of LS1 edit ;) tuned for performance....and economy :lol:

[Mongy]

its interesting that every1 on here stil uses 98 octane fuel.
recently some fuel tests were done on a current affair ( i know its not the most reliable source) but they compared identical cars. the cars drove the same roads with the same amount of fuel in each car. they compared 3 types of fuel ( i dont remember which brand) ordinary unleaded, premium 95 octane & 98 octane. the clear winner was the 95 octane premium that got much better milage & very very similar performance to the 98 octane fuel, & the ordinary ULP got 3rd place. the difference in power is not noticeable between the premium 95 & 98. the only noticeable difference is the price!

As stated by Mark above some are not running standard factory tunes and the octane level and quality of the fuel becomes a major governing factor. I would shudder to think how much power some would lose if they tuned with 91ron fuel, not to mention drivability issues. 91ron is great if you are happy with a V8 that runs 14 second 1/4 mile times :lol:

[VX2VESS]

its interesting that every1 on here stil uses 98 octane fuel.
recently some fuel tests were done on a current affair ( i know its not the most reliable source) but they compared identical cars. the cars drove the same roads with the same amount of fuel in each car. they compared 3 types of fuel ( i dont remember which brand) ordinary unleaded, premium 95 octane & 98 octane. the clear winner was the 95 octane premium that got much better milage & very very similar performance to the 98 octane fuel, & the ordinary ULP got 3rd place. the difference in power is not noticeable between the premium 95 & 98. the only noticeable difference is the price! ever since this test ive actually gone back to ordinary unleaded using a fuel discount voucher & occasionaly use nulon pro octane booster.
my recommendations is premium 95 fuel & when at the strip, add a bottle of nulon pro octane booster.
i know the 98 ron stuff is recommended for the super6's etc but if u dont 'need' to use it then why?......for the 'increased performance' :lol:

they didn't compare between 98 fuels, probably used a poorer type.

A better story for them why is xxx fuel to what it advertises to be.

[Tez82]

Also, test have have shown that your injectors remain a lot cleaner when you use premium fuels... Besides the fact it give you more power, there is a lot more involved :) But yea you right on the money there Mark and Mongy.... How many boys here are still driving around with unedited car.... Even before my edit, I was filling up with 98 RON ultimate :) just made the car run and feel better...

Tez

[BLACK 346]

I cut the Fuel filter open on our Sportage when
I changed it last week, if you saw the shit that
came out of it from a diet of the normal unleaded
you would never touch the shit again. She gets
a Premium diet from now on.

[seldo]

its interesting that every1 on here stil uses 98 octane fuel.
recently some fuel tests were done on a current affair ( i know its not the most reliable source) but they compared identical cars. the cars drove the same roads with the same amount of fuel in each car. they compared 3 types of fuel ( i dont remember which brand) ordinary unleaded, premium 95 octane & 98 octane. the clear winner was the 95 octane premium that got much better milage & very very similar performance to the 98 octane fuel, & the ordinary ULP got 3rd place. the difference in power is not noticeable between the premium 95 & 98. the only noticeable difference is the price! ever since this test ive actually gone back to ordinary unleaded using a fuel discount voucher & occasionaly use nulon pro octane booster.
my recommendations is premium 95 fuel & when at the strip, add a bottle of nulon pro octane booster.
i know the 98 ron stuff is recommended for the super6's etc but if u dont 'need' to use it then why?......for the 'increased performance' :lol:
I didn't see the Current Affair show that you speak of and therefore i'm not aware of which cars they used for this "scientific" :rolleyes: test. But unless they were high performance (or more correctly high-compression) engines, the difference would not have been noticed. The benefit from high-octane fuels is only derived from engines with high static compression, and more particularly, when those engines are tuned with ignition timing designed to optimise the slow-burn characteristics of those fuels. So, if you test the fuel in an ordinary commuter-car you won't see any performance benefit, although there may be some fuel-system cleanliness advantages

[phillo62]

I always run BP ultimate, and i drive a ford!! It gets more milage to a tank, seeing as i am a uni student, thats a good thing. The car also runs alot cleaner. Everything just stays cleaner and runs smoother.
Cheers

Philthy

[markone2]

i know the 98 ron stuff is recommended for the super6's etc but if u dont 'need' to use it then why?......for the 'increased performance' :lol:


Your recommendation . *Quote* ( for the increased performance :lol: ) is duly noted ;) ......on what personal experince is the advice based ....I am unable to find any time-slip to support your theory. :confused:

[chilly]

Shells own 7 herbs and spices added to it (by caltex).

Hey Captain...are they "secret" herbs and spices...and should that be 11 herbs etc :lol:

[Cobalt]

I have no scientific backup for this nor have I tested in other cars...

2002 Monaro Edit Zorst....yada...yada...yada
BP Ultimate = Fast,Clean.
Shell Optimax = PINGING...... BIGTIME.... SCARY EVEN.....

This was with basic MAF Edit .... NEVER TOUCHED IT AGAIN....

ALL MY CARS GET BP ULTIMATE DIET... I have have seen firtshand what SHITE fuel does to cars ... The extra cost is excellent insurance if no other benefit is derived.

[turismo mica]

Use shell premium in the vz ss and ulitmate in the 03 wrx
tried shell omax,mobil ,caltex ,bp is tops.......................

may try 98ron in the ss lacks a bit of go..................... :mad:

[ecka]

No science needed for me really. It's the same answer to all of the questions:

"Why did you buy a V8?"

"Why did you do the mods?"

"Why did you do the edit?"

"Why do you use BP Ultimate?"


BECAUSE I CAN! :D And it makes me happy! :yup:

;)

[ADSXR8]

I have no scientific backup for this nor have I tested in other cars...

2002 Monaro Edit Zorst....yada...yada...yada
BP Ultimate = Fast,Clean.
Shell Optimax = PINGING...... BIGTIME.... SCARY EVEN.....

This was with basic MAF Edit .... NEVER TOUCHED IT AGAIN....

ALL MY CARS GET BP ULTIMATE DIET... I have have seen firtshand what SHITE fuel does to cars ... The extra cost is excellent insurance if no other benefit is derived.

Being a Ford guy, I dont get on this site too much, but when I saw this thread, I was very interested.

It was only last week I complained at my local Shell garage (Corrimal NSW) about Optimax. Over the last month or two my GTP pings quite bad around 1500-2000rpm. I do have a unichip and it may be a really lean area in the tuning, but the car has never done this before. When I mentioned to the servo attendant, he said your alone, and only everybody else praises the fuel.

Well, from my knowledge of most new cars, not many of them require to run on 98ron fuel. So if they use Optimax, it makes a big difference.

When I run this tank down, I'm going to try Ultimate and I'll advise the results.

Go well, leave Shell.............................................

[jneil]

I haven't voted yet as I really don't know which is the best. I have used Optimax for about 60000km (with the odd tank of Synergy 8000) and have NEVER had a problem. Does that mean Optimax is the best, I wouldn't have thought so. It just means that I use it.

I would expect that ANY servo can have a bad batch of fuel delivered by ANY company (a dirty tanker perhaps?), ANY servo could have a dodgy/dirty storage tank, the tune may be so tight (those with tunes) that any variance in fuel may cause issues/pinging, different states have different fuel formulas and sources for the fuel, differing weather conditions cause different engine characteristis too. And I am sure there are many other issues too.

IMO, you guys are trying to compare apples to banana's....sure they are both fruit, but there is also a lot of differences in there too.

So what is the answer, buggered if I know! My car was tuned with Optimax in the tank, one day I might give it a few tanks of each of the others and see whats the difference (if any?), I just think there are too many variables.

[BLACK 346]

Yes, they are both fruit, but for a lot of cars tuned
on the good 98 fuels, Shell Optimax is a Bad Apple.
Those who are tuned on the Craptimax, like myself,
should be fine to use it if the dire need ever arises :)

[SV8VY]

Mine is tuned for Optimax also but goes better with BP :D

[pagey]

IMO, you guys are trying to compare apples to banana's....sure they are both fruit, but there is also a lot of differences in there too.



Now that one I really don't get... :confused:

How are the two not comparable.. both Aussie premium 98 (claimed) fuels... both claiming to be the ducks guts...

[SENATOR_VX]

I found a bid difference in all the fuels when I moved from Sydney back to Brisbane 5 Months ago.

In Sydney I was mucking around with Optimax. The main reason at the time was the I got FlyBuys as a bonus for filling up at Shell. Some of the local guys in the HSV owners club at the time said Optimax was the best and it did seem to run very well. I also used BP Ultimate in Sydney and it went fine. The minute I used anything other than that in Sydney the car just went like crap!

Moving to Brisbane now I find it just hates Optimax. The car becomes a pig and doesn't like me. Just like my 5 Year old Daughter when either I or my wife try to give her medicine.

Then another petrol head friend at work said BP Ultimate is the way to go. I have used it since.

The bloody legends at Power Torque where given a change at my car and provided a few extra KW and confirmed that the only way to go is BP Iltimate. The tune is based on it now of course and again the beast will only run sweet on Ultimate. But man is it running sweet now. Praise be the Ultimate! :)

[jneil]

Now that one I really don't get... :confused:

How are the two not comparable.. both Aussie premium 98 (claimed) fuels... both claiming to be the ducks guts...

Dude, did you read the rest of my post?? You are from Brizzy, have different fuel blends to me, go to a different servo to me, had a different delivery tanker than me, have a different tune to me and have different weather conditions to me...how are you going to compare what works with your car to what works in mine or anybody elses car?

All I am trying to say (and probably did a bad job of it) is that each person can only have his/her own opinion and it's not really related to anybody elses opinion as there are tooo many variables involved.

[SENATOR_VX]

Dude, did you read the rest of my post?? You are from Brizzy, have different fuel blends to me, go to a different servo to me, had a different delivery tanker than me, have a different tune to me and have different weather conditions to me...how are you going to compare what works with your car to what works in mine or anybody elses car?

All I am trying to say (and probably did a bad job of it) is that each person can only have his/her own opinion and it's not really related to anybody elses opinion as there are tooo many variables involved.

Hi jneil,

I know what you mean too. Seeing your post, I found this out first hand and was amazed though not surprised to find out that there are so many variables with the fuel.

Shell, BP, Caltex- All the major brands would spend a lot of money on national adverising to tell us that they are all sensational. I also agree that a lot comes down the people doing the tune (For those of us who have done this.) Each one has their own opinion and I know that mine is very tight and specific to the fuel I now use being BP as well.

Damned amazing that all the different states have their own refineries but one thing for sure they aren't using the same ingredients/recipee's etc. Coke it AINT!. :) At least you know it is the same in any shop around the place. heheeh

[pagey]

Dude, did you read the rest of my post?? You are from Brizzy, have different fuel blends to me, go to a different servo to me, had a different delivery tanker than me, have a different tune to me and have different weather conditions to me...how are you going to compare what works with your car to what works in mine or anybody elses car?

All I am trying to say (and probably did a bad job of it) is that each person can only have his/her own opinion and it's not really related to anybody elses opinion as there are tooo many variables involved.

yeah.. i see your point..

although in theory it should be the same fuel at every servo.. I'm sure that is what the oil companies would promote.

i was thinking more along the lines of comparing shell in Bris V BP in Bris.. It does seem that Fuels of the same type can vary greatly from state to state.

[seldo]

I haven't voted yet as I really don't know which is the best. I have used Optimax for about 60000km (with the odd tank of Synergy 8000) and have NEVER had a problem. Does that mean Optimax is the best, I wouldn't have thought so. It just means that I use it.

.....................
So what is the answer, buggered if I know! My car was tuned with Optimax in the tank, one day I might give it a few tanks of each of the others and see whats the difference (if any?), I just think there are too many variables.
But the point you are missing is that if your car is tuned down to run on 91, running it on anything better will not make a significant difference. BUT, if it is tuned to run on something like Ultimate or even Optimax, not only will it perform to a far better level, it will run like shite on anything lesser. So, if you want the best performance out of your car, have it tuned on Ultimate, but be prepared for it to mis-behave if you go down the ladder at all. But, if you have it tuned on Optimax, are happy with the way it runs on that, and don't care or want the extra performance available one step up the ladder from Optimax, fine. I guess the upside with that choice is that you then don't care what crap you put in - it will still run ok, albeit at a lesser peformance than that available on Ultimate...but you must be tuned for it to reap the full benefit of Ultimate...

[Drewie]

If you go to the BP web site and navigate to the Ultimate area there is an interesting little video clip, they tested 2 supposedly standard SS Commodores 1 was filled with Ultimate the other with 91 octane if you watch the video they are lapping Lang Lang I think it was Lang Lang and were quite a distance apart and on a given signal they gun both of them and you see the Ultimate fuelled SS slowly pulling in the car with the 91 octane on board
after about a lap it overtakes and passes it, worth a look but whether it was the fuel or one car was a little quicker to start with who knows.

[SteveK]

I used to be a Shell Optimax advocate. Since getting the lease and no longer being able to use the 4c Coles voucher at Shell with the Motorpass card, I tried out BP Ultimate and haven't looked back. After many a fill up with BP, I had to fill up with Optimax because of the location I was when empty and notice an immediate difference. Almost as if the fuel was 'sharp' on the engine. I can only explain it like that, almost like any engine protection that was needed wasn't there. I hope that makes sense. I thought I was imagining things until I submitted my choice to the poll and saw the unanimous results.

From there on, have used BP Ultimate to fill up the Munro and haven't looked back.

Cheers,
Steve

[HSVDKB]

BP Ultimate has just become available in the South Island of NZ and is the only 98 Octane available. I have started using it in the LS2 and have noticed an immediate improvement over the lower Octane fuel. I voted for it but it was top by default.

[OLS108]

The Morning before My edit i Filled my tank with Optimax :bash: and droped off the Car to Power Torque, Car Pulled 217rwkw before Edit , When i picked up the Car Mark told me that the car was Pinging so he had to remove some Timing , Since that day my car has only ever had Ultamite , Does anyone think that i should take the car for a touch up tune with Ultimate ?

PS. i didnt think up here in Brisbane that Vortex was 98 :confused:

[NickS]

The Morning before My edit i Filled my tank with Optimax :bash: and droped off the Car to Power Torque, Car Pulled 217rwkw before Edit , When i picked up the Car Mark told me that the car was Pinging so he had to remove some Timing , Since that day my car has only ever had Ultamite , Does anyone think that i should take the car for a touch up tune with Ultimate ?

PS. i didnt think up here in Brisbane that Vortex was 98 :confused:
You should get the tune done with the fuel you are using every day, I would say a tune with Ultimate will give a better result. Vortex was originally 95 then they released Vortex 98. I think they still sell both, using the Vortex name on both ... bit confusing really!!

[SchrgdVSV6]

These fuel threads seem to come up every month or so. Its pretty easy to see from the polls whats best. I have used Optimax in the past and all I got was poor performance and some pinging. BP Ultimate is still the king until the ET stuff becomes available from the pump (fingers crossed).
http://www.etracingfuels.com/images/truck1.jpg

[VooDoo]

From the NSW WRX club

Snip:
Some of the things we learnt last night:


BP Ultimate is currently employing manufacture standards that will be mandatory for all fuel manufacturers from 2007 or 2008 (from memory) and have done so since the year 2000.
Tests of Ultimate on a wide range of cars from older to current across many makes and models both performance and non-performance marques showed an everage performance increase of 8.3%.
Ultimate has three times less sulphur in it than regular petrol, resulting in significantly lower emissions.
Ultimate actively cleans your engine (he showed us some intake valves that used regular BP 91 and BP 98). He even described how they got a V8 Commodore and modified the fuel system with a split tank so that four cylinders ran on a tank of 91 and the other four ran on a tank of 98 to show how much cleaner Ultimate was on the same car after 15,000 kays.
BP has proven in tests that Ultimate is not only cleaner, but increases accelerative ability and vastly increases fuel efficiency. You can see video evidence of this on the BP website: Clicky (http://www.bp.com.au/ultimate/pages/video.asp)
Ultimate can actively clean an existing dirty engine.
Ultimate is not just for performance cars and is of benefit to older cars too. The extra fuel efficiency may save you money in the long term despite the higher pump price because your tank lasts longer and therefore you fill up again less often in the same year as with regular fuel. For example, in one of the demo videos, two identical Camry's, driven at their most fuel-efficient point, saw the one filled with Ultimate to be able to travel 55 kilometres further than the car with BP 91RON in it.
Ultimate in the United States has a clear water appearance to it (can't remember the reason why).
BP were the first to phase out the use of lead in petrol.
Japan's 100RON fuel is in actual fact 98RON. Theoretically there should be no need to de-tune a Japanese-spec car as long as you ran it on 98RON here.
BP ships Ultimate ranging from 100 to 101RON from the refinery, but because the fuel has to be shipped to Sydney and other cities from Perth and Melbourne, by the time it gets to your car, it drops to 98.
BP guarantee that the fuel will be no less than 98RON by the time it gets to your tank. In some cases, it will be 99RON.
Ultimate has a 1 year shelf life if stored in a proper sealed fuel container. After that, the fuel is still usable, but it is no longer guaranteed to be 98RON.
Ultimate loses a few octanes if sitting in your car's fuel tank for more than 3 weeks.
Adding octane booster to Ultimate is probably not a good idea and is likely to dirty your engine more than what 91 by itself would (chunkier deposits making the fuel heavier).
Seems the government in its infinite wisdom defined 91RON as the lowest octane fuel that should be available and this was done as a means of conserving resources. Unfortunately this actually means we impact the environment more with emissions. We should have adopted the European standards of no less than 95RON.
We have approximately 20 years of oil reserves.
The reason BP does not produce a 100RON product for the pump is that you "take away" octane numbers from other fuel products. A refinery has a limited number of resources that must be distributed across their entire range of fuels. Even to guarantee 99RON at the pump would mean that 91 and 95 octane fuels would probably lose an octane or two in manufacture.

[nathnrach]

definitely bp for me... found it to give the best economy, while also decent performance... no pinging...
shell used to ping in my 4l falcon... wtf?

[nathnrach]

lets not forget they were designed to runon the stuff...

[Y2kGoofball]

hmm seems BP is popular.

I always use Optimax because its easier to get too, BP requires a U turn up a dead end street and wait at a set of lights, Shell is just drive in drive out.

I did try Ultimate but thought it pinged a little bit so I went back to Optimax.

Might have to run Ultimate for a few tanks and see if it makes a difference, it seems that everyone else has it the opposite way round.

Then again this is just in a standard Ecotec V6 ... shutup I love my car ok :1peek::peek:

[LA^BLOOD]

i use BP Ultimate 99.8% of the time, but I must say I also use Caltex Vortex and I find it to be just as good as the BP.

[BlAcKbEtTy]

see below - sorry double post

[BlAcKbEtTy]

Sounds like I'm using the wrong stuff!! I use UNITED BOOST 98 most of the time and UNITED PLUS 95... Have found that both are much better than standard unleaded, duh? and significantly increases fuel economy. Has been discussed in similar posts, but hasn't been mentioned in this thread?? Contains no more that 10% ethanol, but that's a whole other debate. At around $1.35 a litre I think it represents quite good value for money...

I'd assume that BOOST 98 fits into the "other" category on this poll and am surpised it's not more popular...

your thoughts....

[GTO_]

Tried them all ... I've found BP to give the worst performance of the lot. This has been proven by tests done by MRT here in Sydney. Don't know why people keep flogging a dead horse with BP crap. Yeh it's clean but doesn't give you any go. Best non-ethanol fuel I've tried is Vortex98 ... But what I've found best so far of the lot is Boost98 from United ... and its also heaps cheaper than the other 98 RON fuels.

[Speedy Gonzales]

E10 Boost 98

[maloo25]

Run Boost98 in the Senator
Run Ultimate in the Maloo due to the pcm being tuned on it, wouldn't mind filling it up on Boost and seeing if there is any gains wth a retune to suit(most probably would be f.all)

[GTO Coupe]

I agree, Vortex 98 seems to make my GTO run best and it runs rough as guts on Shell Optimax for some reason? Caltex has refinerys in Sydney and Brisbane, if anything Shell is buying their fuel from them?

[Wonky]

Jeez, got almost to the end of the thread wondering if anyone else was using Boost98 but finally a few of the last few posters agree.

I used to use Ultimate in my previous VZ SS (long story) but just before I had the current one edited I read a few posts about Boost98 (from memory one from Street Tuna saying how much power an LS2 he was tuning picked up on it over other fuels) so got mine tuned for Boost98.

Definitely went better than the previous car with identical mods (now has more) and Boost98 is so much less expensive compared to other 98 fuels - filled up yesterday for $1.33 per litre - bugger all more than other places here were charging for 91.

[SV805]

Up until 12 posts ago all previous comments were from over 12 months ago...............Has the fuel changed in the last 12 mths ????

Has Boost 98 only been introduced in the last 12 mths ????

Is the BP Ultimate standout favorite still the BEST FUEL ???

[Crusty]

Picked up my VY Clubby on Tuesday, dealer must have had some 91 or some other crap fuel in it because it pinged its ass off over 5000 rpm, I ran the tank down low and filled with BP Ultimate, now feels better and not a ping in sight, so Definitely Ultimate is my fuel of choice.

[JNP304]

I have been running only Mobil 8000 and found it to be good. But would like to try the Boost98. I have heard the extra ethanol could damage/block the cat converters though after a period of time? Can anyone say if this is true or myth? I know when i ran my WR250F on Optimax it was a bitch to start over the Mobil,

[SV99]

I have been using Boost98 from united with good results. esp when its at 1.30ish compared to normal shell ulp91 being 1.40 something.
Less fuel consumption and it feels nicer too when you try out the rev range. logged notes and kms (2ltrs per 100) improvement. not much but still

[nudenut]

I would vote BP Ultimate because that's what I use ... except in Perth there doesn't really seem to be any competition. If anyone who swears by Optimax etc etc knows any outlets over here that sell them, I wouldn't mind trying a change ...

[VZ HSV #1]

Where do you buy boost 98??

I have been using optimax, but i think it is a time for a change

[Wonky]

Up until 12 posts ago all previous comments were from over 12 months ago...............Has the fuel changed in the last 12 mths ????

Has Boost 98 only been introduced in the last 12 mths ????

Is the BP Ultimate standout favorite still the BEST FUEL ???
Oops! Didn't realise that it was an old thread someone dragged up. Yep, Boost98 was introduced less than 12 months ago.

To answer some other questions on it - haven't heard about any problems with cats after running ethanol enhanced fuels (but doesn't mean it can't happen). However, Holden have OK'd running E10 fuels (up to 10% ethanol, which is what Boost98 is).

For locations see http://www.unitedpetroleum.com.au/distributor-boost98-locations.asp

[GTO Coupe]

Time to start a new thread with a new poll?

[Crusty]

Time to start a new thread with a new poll?

I think that's not a bad idea, see if people's opinions have changed on fuel quality.

[Drewie]

I think that's not a bad idea, see if people's opinions have changed on fuel quality.

Would be interesting to see what people with stock standard cars are using as well, how many run 91, 95 or 98 octane.

[PhatAs]

well i was wondering, im planning to get a mafless tune on ultimate 98 soon, but at the end of the year im going to drive over east in the car. What i want to know is will i be able to run the car on 91 or 95 if i absolutely "Have to" on the drive over there????? or will it ping its arse off in normal highway driving???

[Wonky]

Time to start a new thread with a new poll?

If so Boost98 needs to be included now too!

[White Rider]

So judging by this, Sydney is the only place where Optimax is good.

Opimax used to get called "Sloptimax" amongst bike riders arund here, but even as Shell commented that it can foul plugs on non EFI engines because it is a denser fuel and needs to be tuned.

[Aussie V8]

Yup, this forum with this thread and the other similar thread has convinced me to bin my shopper dockets and head for the "green" brand.

Thanks everyone.

[Nessy]

I USED to run 98 in mine every fill, lately i been using vortex from the safeway just up the road. Havent noticed any lack of performence (note: my ls1 is stock) but the 4c a litre dockets save me a good 2 bucks 50

[JNP304]

Car felt a little flat this week. Asked the missus and she said she put in mobil 6000 95. I said "noooo"! because its been tuned. Still got 14l/100 on it round town. Re filled with Boost 98 from United as suggested by a few of you guys. Feels very sharp again. Be interesting to see if the economy changes much

[BAM*BAM]

I can't go past Mobil 8000. I have tried vortex, bp ultimate and Optimax, and I have found the Mobil 8000 has the best economy while also the smoothest ride.

Got to agree with most, the Optimax was by far the worst petrol I have used, about 100 km less per tank on 3 occassions over Mobil, and the car ran really shit!!

[scwhls1]

ive found the best fuel on the gold coast is optimax extreme , but its only available a 1 servo just south of surfers

[VZ HSV #1]

I jave been using Optimax in all my cars, 3 x hsv's.
I have now switeched to BP Ultimate, it is only early days but already i am getting 10.5 L/100 K's
Okay alot of that is highway driving, around town i will see.

Cheers
Scotty

[JRY 88]

I just fill up where ever i can as i only get around 200km out of a tank atm...

Usually go through around $150 of premium a week, this is mainly BP Ultimate though.
I'm running it in a 307 chevy that is around 40 years old and it holds up good.

[Crusty]

I just fill up where ever i can as i only get around 200km out of a tank atm...

Usually go through around $150 of premium a week, this is mainly BP Ultimate though.
I'm running it in a 307 chevy that is around 40 years old and it holds up good.

Yikes, that'd make payments on a fairly nice new car.

[Frozen Yoghurt]

Use either Shell Optimax or Mobil 8000 - I know it sounds stupid by Mobil servos and BP ones for that matter often seem to be a dirtier shiter looking petrol station compared with the Shells which always seem a little cleaner. I know it depends on the age of the servos (the new caltex servos look space aged) - so like a moth to the flame I would always prefer Optimax. However if it was ever proven that BP Ultimate is the best - I would seek it out every take. And from riding street bikes also Ive hear Optimax fouls plugs but Ive never seen it on road gsxr or my race bike.

[jerrel]

I use bp ultimate at mulgrave bp, from filler number 8 religiously, no where else. dont ask me why. lol

[Evil LS1]

BP in the UK have just released 102 RON Ultimate. Hopefully it's coming this way too.