[TW666]

Getting new 435d next month for long term ownership. In my area branded standard diesel is about 2 to 3p more per litre and I do about 10k miles per year. Opinions vary but it seems the additives garages add are the variable that may make a difference to economy and long term health of the engine, DPF etc. I have used supermarket fuel in my current 435d GC for last 2 years but wondered if it’s worth paying a little extra for Shell, BP etc which are nearby for the new car ?

[SteveChester]

[willjames]

I use BP in my 330d. I used to use BP ultimate diesel, however they've hiked the price big time, so they can swivel. I use standard BP where possible at the local garage. Not sure if the ultimate is any better, lots of discussions on here already about that one!

[JustChris]

Worth the little extra I think...

[1966-TR4]

Done 60k in last 2 years exclusively on Asda diesel. Car has a light map (330d MPPK). 100 miles a day, regularly thrashed. No issues. So, in my opinion, no.

Petrol is a different matter, and I was religious about what I put in my classics in particular as I set up the ignition timing and advance curves myself.

[pdk42]

There are endless threads on this. I seem to remember a video done by one of the motoring mags that tested a car on both supermarket diesel and fancy expensive Shell diesel. There was virtually zero difference in performance (within the margin of error on the dyno). Maybe there are other factors that might make premium diesel worth it ("cleaning" properties etc), but in my time owning three BMW diesels (I've learned my lesson now!) I ran mostly supermarket diesel - I had no engine issues and on the occasions that I used fancy diesel I noticed no difference.

IMHO, the differences are mostly marketing and/or so subtle that most won't notice.

[5557223]

In the UK, I always get more mileage with big brand fuels esp BP. I also get great mileage from Costco diesel (if and when).

YMMV. Literally.

PS: Over on the continent I get similar mileage with Auchan fuel everytime. Maybe its all in the head

[Kendo67]

I ran Shell V P+ in my previous car (CLS) and it did make a noticeable difference to the sound of the clattery V6. I ran the car daily for nearly five years for my three mile commute and never had any issues with the DPF so maybe the claimed cleaning properties of the fuel are genuine.

Kenny

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by TW666

Getting new 435d next month for long term ownership. In my area branded standard diesel is about 2 to 3p more per litre and I do about 10k miles per year. Opinions vary but it seems the additives garages add are the variable that may make a difference to economy and long term health of the engine, DPF etc. I have used supermarket fuel in my current 435d GC for last 2 years but wondered if it’s worth paying a little extra for Shell, BP etc which are nearby for the new car ?

if it's for long term ownership I would stick a tank of premium fuel such as shell v-power in every third fill up at least for the cleaning additives.

Some say it makes no difference, but my mate has an old remapped vectra that puts out a load of smoke if you floor it on supermarket fuel, yet if he fills up with a premium fuel like v-power it smokes considerably less under the same conditions. The car is clearly running cleaner on the premium fuel, so it must be better for the car and likely reduce things like carbon build up etc.

For long term ownership it's worth it in my opinion, but if you buy a brand new car and change it every 3 years or so I wouldn't bother, .. carbon build up will be a future owners problem not yours.

[Consett Mag]

I've used Morrisons finest diesel since the car was brand new. Wouldn't use anything less.

Car runs great.

[Manivxr]

Supermarket diesal plus Miller's in every tank full. No issues.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Manivxr

Supermarket diesal plus Miller's in every tank full. No issues.

That is cheaper than v power, but more of a faff. Every tankful is probably overkill though.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

Done 60k in last 2 years exclusively on Asda diesel. Car has a light map (330d MPPK). 100 miles a day, regularly thrashed. No issues. So, in my opinion, no.

Petrol is a different matter, and I was religious about what I put in my classics in particular as I set up the ignition timing and advance curves myself.

I tend to agree with this; in a performance petrol car the higher octane fuel can make a difference but not convinced the extra cost's worth it in a diesel. I've tried both V-Power and BP Ultimate diesel in my 335d and save your money would be my view - no noticeable difference in how the car runs and I can say categorically no improvement in mpg as I monitor every tankful!

[BIFCAIDS]

Most of it comes from the same refinery... just saying.

I used to go to Shell, refused to go to BP to pay 8p more a liter than everywhere else. Then I started going to Tesco, I use Momentum in my track car and occasionally put it in the 340. It's all placebo, in the real world you'd never notice.

[....,,,,..,,..]

We had a MK4 mondeo that would throw up an engine management light when using standard supermarket diesel.

As soon as we put a fresh tank of BP Ultimate in,the light would clear and not come back on, however after a few tanks of supermarket (Sainsbury) fuel the light would be back on.

With our 330d, I found the engine was far smoother with the higher priced BP, did not really notice much on power or mileage, just noise and smoothness.

I do believe there is a very marked difference with some cars on type of diesel used, possibly just down to additives, cleaning agents.

Now that back to Petrol, I pretty much only use Tesco Momentum, the car runs far better and it's £1.26 a litre (was £1.14).

I did try standard Petrol and the car ran like a dog with crap throttle response.

[SkyJawa]

Normal diesel and millers. Takes 5 secs to add it before filling up.

[Jeff123]

I use only premium fuels such as Shell and sometimes BP. Maybe a tankful of V Power every few months.

There is no real difference in MPG with V Power, but the car runs slightly smoother.

If I go back to Tesco-type standard diesel there is a real difference in performance and smoothness IMO. Its virtually the same price where I live so I just really use Shell standard diesel.

[Iyrix]

Originally Posted by BIFCAIDS

Most of it comes from the same refinery... just saying.

100% correct however, at the loading bays where the tankers are filled they have different options for additives. That's the only difference. The main brands normally have more/different additives. (old man has been a tanker driver for Esso for the last 30 years)

I still use Tesco for my 99 and Sainsbury's for my Diesel (plus millars) and sometimes Shell in both... Never Morrisions!

[Rich9600]

There is a BP garage about 200m from me. So I use that.

My 320d got a mix of regular and premium, about 3:1 for smoothness. Any more than 3 tanks of regular and it got very Diesel like... 15-20k pa

My 330d ran entirely on BP Ultimate but for one tank, it felt lethargic on this. But, it was French supermarket fair. This car was doing 15k dropping to 10k pa when it went. No DPF issues at this mileage with a 12 mile commute with operating temperature just being hit at my commute end... I did not even notice any refreshes whilst driving. However, I did occasionally exit the car to the DPF smell...

At 10k pa I ditched diesel for petrol. My 340i has had only BP ultimate so far and is a joy...

OP, why a 335d at 10k pa? The cost of petrol over diesel isn't that bad at this mileage. Especially compared to the depreciation on a £40k-£50k car! So, the cost of premium fuel is even less significant in this respect.

[Watsey]

ETTO but I've always used BP Ultimate plus Millers Oils, every tank, since I bought the car at ~25K miles. Yes it costs more but the engine runs much more smoothly and the engine has responded very well to a DMS remap.

The car has now done 80K miles and I'll probably put at least another 50K on it. Looking after the fuel system, and possibly other components such as the inlet manifold / inlet valves / EGR, should help the car to keep performing well and remain reliable.

Those running a company car or PCP with the intention of handing it back at end of term may just choose to fill with the cheapest fuel available. Personal choices.

[Manivxr]

Originally Posted by teaston

That is cheaper than v power, but more of a faff. Every tankful is probably overkill though.

The things we have to do to look after the car. They are all faff but it's worth it

[A15X]

I find both our cars run smoother (not as tractor like) on shell standard diesel but don’t go out of my way to fill up at shell stations.