Fuel - diesel / petrol - RON - Aus / Euro???

[seadog]

I am now trying to decide on whether to place an order for a 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TFSI or (even) R32. Now, doing my homework carefully obviously the TDI version has much better fuel efficiency than the TFSI - BUT - both TFSI and R32 motors are stated in Australian VW specs to run on 98 RON fuel. In the UK VW state that both motors should run on 95 RON fuel, which is much more readily available here. In fact in many servos in Brisbane it's cheaper than 91 RON!

VW UK state..."Thanks to the knock control, unleaded four star (at least 95 RON can be used instead of unleaded Super plus. In order to achieve maximum fuel consumption benefits on the FSI engine, Ultra Low Sulphur Petrol (ULSP) must be used."

So why do VW insist on 98 RON here?

I am trying to work out the TCO (total cost of ownership) difference between all three engines, given the varying fuel consumption and wide price variations of diesel, PULP and 98 RON PULP. Anyone running these motors on 95 RON?

[syncro]

If the knock sensor is working, (95 RON) your car is not running efficiently and you will use more fuel. The knock sensor is a safety device to protect your engine.

[gldgti]

i dont know about your specific question, but i'd say that your diesel golf will last a lot longer than your petrol one, and will be more consistently efficient, where the petrol would not be, making lifetime fuel consumption less.

if you keep your cars for a long time, get the diesel. if your going to sell it in 3 years, do whatever guess.... .but remember, its better for the environment to buy 2nd hand cars and/or keep your car for a long (>>10 years) time.

[seadog]

Yes I understand how a knock sensor works. The point is that VW Europe say these engines are designed to work on 95 ROn fuel, which is the published specified fuel, but in Australia 98 RON.

Why?

[blur32]

Yes I understand how a knock sensor works. The point is that VW Europe say these engines are designed to work on 95 ROn fuel, which is the published specified fuel, but in Australia 98 RON.

Why?

Why? Because Aust fuel standards are so crappy. Our fuel is dirtier than UK?Europe and until distributers clean up their act, only 98RON is clean enough.

And if want to save fuel, don't buy an R32...i am getting around 15 to 17ltrs per 100k's (admitedly driven hard)

[BlackVr6ix]

I was under the impression at least in the v6 passat that you can run 95, but you loose some of your torques.

**Edit** had dads V6 passat for the week and it's done 11.5l/100k. pretty good considering my driving style.

[rayray086]

So hang on - 98 unleaded here in Australia is basically 95 unleaded in Europe?

[aprr32]

Who cares about economy, I buy a VW to drive and enjoy to it's maximum potential- thats what good cars are all about. If there is some economy then that a bonus!

[Golf Loon]

So hang on - 98 unleaded here in Australia is basically 95 unleaded in Europe?

Yup. We get third world standard fuel here and lots of european cars are downtuned to cope with it.

I only run 98 on all my cars. Even the T4 gets it.

Thats why Aussie fuel is cheaper, cos its ****e.

[rayray086]

Blergh, that's pretty lame.

[brackie]

Diesel too??

Thats why Aussie fuel is cheaper, cos its ****e.

Maybe that's why the TDI that was tested on the Dyno Day did so poorly

We're having a go at the Oz petroleum industry here. Does anybody on the forum work in that area? Can we get some objective comparisons with European fuels? I believe that a lot of our fuel enters Oz in an already refined state. Where is it refined? Singapore? I know that our oil prices are pegged to the Tapis crude oil price out of Singapore and that independent fuel companies buy tankerfuls of refined product. Anybody add to this or dispute it?

Interesting stuff!

[DutchAussie]

Yup. We get third world standard fuel here and lots of european cars are downtuned to cope with it.

I only run 98 on all my cars. Even the T4 gets it.

Thats why Aussie fuel is cheaper, cos its ****e.

Australian Fuel is made to Australian Standards.

98 RON Petrol is blended to be as close as possible to 98 RON.

Oil companies have to make products to the standards.

98 RON has nothing to do with being cleaner than 95 RON. It is blended in different ratios of components. I use to be a Refinery Production Planner.

Regards,

Arie

[BlackVr6ix]

i also find different cars react better to different blends.

my alfa got an extra 100k's a tank on mobil synergy 8000, where as my golf gets 50 a tank more on bp 98.

[brackie]

More info?

I use to be a Refinery Production Planner.

Regards,

Arie

Thanks for the input. Are you saying that Oz fuels are as good as Euro fuels? Or are you saying that the Oz standard is the same as the Euro standard?

Good to have someone on the forum who is knowledgeable in this area.

[blur32]

Australian Fuel is made to Australian Standards.

98 RON Petrol is blended to be as close as possible to 98 RON.

Oil companies have to make products to the standards.

98 RON has nothing to do with being cleaner than 95 RON. It is blended in different ratios of components. I use to be a Refinery Production Planner.

Regards,

Arie

Glad to have someone on board who knows there stuff! We all (like me on this post) have all been to0ld different things and have our own understandings/beliefs. Your input on this will invaluable.

Have you done any testing yourself as to the merits of different brands/octane ratings in Oz? What would your recommendations be?

I have always used Optimax/V-Power as it was the first widely available and i understood it to be very good. Is there better out there?

Thanks in advance for your guidence/input on this