Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) What petrol?

I have a 1997 +8 and have been filling up with Shell V-Power 92 octane premium fuel but I'm thinking that the V8 is so unstressed that it probably runs just as well on regular fuel and will save me money. What do other +8 owners use to fill up please?

Shell V-Power Nitro is 99 octane (E5). I use nothing else. It contains the best detergents and lubrucants.

My local filling station is BP and their Ultimate unleaded at 97 Octane runs well in my 1999 Plus 8.

The standard Unleaded at 95 Octane runs equally as well but I think the Ultimate possibly keeps the internals cleaner reading their publicity on it.

TBH I have never noticed any difference in performance, I was advised by my MOT garage (non Morgan) to fill up with Ultimate to keep the emissions check happy so I make sure I do together with an Italian tune up.

I’m not wedded to any particular brand but always use premium fuel in my 96 Plus 8. I have used regular and didn’t notice any performance difference but it has been suggested that premium helps with emissions in the long run. I don’t do tens of thousands of miles a year so figure the extra cost is worth it.

I use either 95 Octane (normally branded Eurosuper across the continent , or if I am feeling generous the 97/8 Octane Premium.

I used to use 97 octane all the time , but picked up a very bad load of such fuel from a French supermarket. Not only did it give rise to some very rough running , but it also destroyed a catalyst in about 500 miles! One of my French friends informed me that the premium fuel at some supermarkets was a crude blend with ethanol and should be avoided if at all possible.
Since that episode I stick with 95 octane in Europe when I am forced off the beaten track into low volume filling stations.

I cannot detect much difference in performance between the two fuels, but I do make sure I am running on Premium for the month before the MoT testing each year.

Racing in a discipline that mandates 'pump fuel' only this is something that interests me ..... there have been back to back dyno tests using the range of 'premium' fuels available ..... V-Power was the only one that showed a noticeable power increase and is pretty much universally chosen by racers confined to 'council' fuel .... still very modest (there's no 'supercharger in a pump' sat on any garage forecourt) .... but racers will take any free improvement however small ..... there are other reasons to use premium fuels and I've not seen a credible comparison of their other properties.


K

I have a 2002 car with Gems injection system. Using the V-Power cured an occasional fault code code “random intermittent misfire”.
Switching to the 97 octane cured it. V-Power is my go-to whenever possible but 95 octane is ok. Last week I topped up with V-Power on top of 95 octane that was my last fill. For the mileage done the extra cost is not an issue. Hoping to get back up to annual mileage of pre Covid and was clearing 5k easily, over 7k annual more likely.
I remember 5th Gear did a test and reported nothing spectacular VBH said she noticed a slightly better throttle response when driving the car. I can’t remember which car though. I wouldn’t expect much improvement and doubt most would spot any as it would be marginal. A dyno would be the best test.

One of the benefits of running a Ford crossflow is that you can run it on any fuel!!

Arwyn

The only thing that annoys me with v-power is that you never know the price until you pick up the holster! Some mark-ups have been so extreme, I have put it back on the pump and gone elsewhere.

I alternate from 95 to super between Esso & Shell generally as they are closest.
In the 80s when I lived in Germany ADAC did some tests and recommended that if every fourth tank was super then that was enough & that switching suppliers helped as each one has slightly different detergents etc.

I find cars run better on shell especially V power super but have no empirical proof