Shell 95 Sluggish in 2019 Mini Countryman S

chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 10:00
Last edited 10/09/2020 - 10:23 by 1 other user

Hey guys

I've recently moved house and have different servos near me now. I've always used Caltex before but there isn't one near me at the new place.

I started going to Shell for really the first time in quite a few years and have noticed that the cars feel sluggish. The car driven the most at the moment is a 2019 Mini Countryman S. It feels way down on power and almost feels like it hesitates to go up in gears. Definitely feels like i need to put my foot down a bit more for the same roads that i drive

I switched to BP and instantly the car feels more alive. Switched back again to Shell 95 and straight away the sluggishness returns.

I thought Shell is meant to be one of the top fuel brands. Has anyone else experienced something similar or am I just dreaming?

Automotive

Comments

  • holdenmg on 10/09/2020 - 10:11
    +1

    What is the Octane of the BP fuel?
    What is the Octane of the Caltex fuel?

    Maybe you are switching between ULP and PULP?

    • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 10:15

      No i make sure to always use 95 octane and always at major servos

      it's definitely BP ultimate 95 that i fill up with and definitely Shell 95 as well

      • brendanm on 10/09/2020 - 10:28
        +6

        There's your problem, bp ultimate is 98.

        • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 10:29
          +1

          maybe i got the name wrong. i get the 95 from BP. whatever they brand name they give it is

        • MS Paint on 10/09/2020 - 10:57
          +17

          There's your problem, bp ultimate is 98.

          There's your problem, bp ultimate is 98. Mini Countryman S

          FTFY

  • MS Paint on 10/09/2020 - 10:14
    +3

    mythomania?

  • oscargamer on 10/09/2020 - 10:17
    +2

    Where's the bargain?

    • Oz8argain on 10/09/2020 - 12:41

      more power baby

  • resmansg on 10/09/2020 - 10:22

    Yesh I have the same feeling for my car. I feel my car more sluggish when I use Shell (Coles Express), but not for Puma! So I’m buying from Puma these days.

    • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 10:24

      Have you noticed anything with fuel consumption too?

      I just got a full tank of shell 95 yesterday so i'll monitor and see how my fuel consumption is compared to the last tank which was BP

      • RockyRaccoon on 10/09/2020 - 10:30

        Did you empty the tank first?

        Maybe the old fuel is incompatible with the new? 🙃 (lets not get too serious folks)

        BTW if you are 50:50 how the hell can you tell.

        • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 10:32
          +1

          not completely empty but the last fill up the Mini connected app was showing 3L of fuel remaining

          • RockyRaccoon on 10/09/2020 - 10:35
            +1

            @chicken8: Have you tried Shell 95 from another servo. It could be they have added wrong fuel to the storage tanks at the servo, or even downright scam.

            If its from different servos then thats a different matter

            • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 11:06
              +1

              @RockyRaccoon: Yes the 2 tanks of shell that i've used so far have been from 2 different shell servos

  • lenobo on 10/09/2020 - 10:49
    +1

    Different fuels can sometimes have a slight variation in content despite having the same ron rating.
    You will notice a difference in performance if the fuel you are using is lower quality.
    Seeing that your car is turbocharged you might as well chuck 98 in it if the price difference isn't too bad, sometimes the ecu will add timing and you'll pick up a bit of power.

  • AustriaBargain on 10/09/2020 - 11:12
    +4

    Do what they do in Mad Max, crawl onto your hood while at speed on the highway and spit raw gasoline straight into the intake, or whatever.

  • picklewizard on 10/09/2020 - 11:18
    +1

    Shell fuel causes my car to hunt (not maintain a constant idle.)

    I've concluded that Shell fuel is just trash. I use Costco fuel mostly, and it's actually fine.

    • MS Paint on 10/09/2020 - 11:21

      Costco uses Mobil fuels

      • picklewizard on 10/09/2020 - 13:31

        Where did you come by this info? I've looked around a couple of times but not been able to find anything.

        • MS Paint on 10/09/2020 - 13:51
          +1

          Where does Costco source its fuel from?

          Currently Costco sources its quality fuel from Mobil which is specified to meet Australian Standards.

          here

          • Zachary on 23/09/2020 - 00:36

            @MS Paint: Yeah, all these non caltex, shell and bp buy other people's fuel to make a profit, they don't all stay on one brand or even make their own brand. They just buy off their refineries and then sell it off as their own fuel….

  • Mechz on 10/09/2020 - 11:34
    +2

    Just go to BP then, problem solved. I've never had those issues though with Shell and in my previous BMW would only use 98 (except for that one time in country QLD where the servo only had 95).

  • TightBungholio on 10/09/2020 - 11:39

    I was told that Shell is actually slightly lower octane than it says it is, you are better with Mobil 98 give that a go and se how it is cheers

  • ausdday on 10/09/2020 - 11:42
    +7

    I guess that explains Ferrari’s struggle in F1.

  • ihavok on 10/09/2020 - 11:47
    +1

    You may not be dreaming.

    My previous car behaved differently with fuel from different petrol stations too. Though the symptom was different - used to get chirps/cricket sounds when I filled up from a specific nearby petrol station. It was not an uncommon issue with that particular model of car.

    Did the same thing as you did, tried a different petrol station (same brand) and the problem came back. At least the solution was easy.

  • bdl on 10/09/2020 - 12:28
    +1

    Check for debriss

    • miwahni on 11/09/2020 - 23:55

      Upvoting you for the laugh

  • bobbified on 10/09/2020 - 13:20
    +1

    I'm surprised that no-one has insisted it's all in your mind because "all the fuel comes from the same refinery". 😆

  • Bignudge on 10/09/2020 - 13:22

    I'm pretty sure it's just the placebo effect of changing fuel stations taking its toll on you.

    Either that or you're putting in a different fuel and your engine is using a different tuning map to compensate for the reduced octane or ethanol content.

    Also your car could also be having other problems.

  • Bid Sniper on 10/09/2020 - 13:25

    Years ago had similar issues in my old WRX would barely make boost on Shell V-power. Happened a few times till I had mechanic look at it. Recommended run it to empty and fill with BP 98, solved the problem, never used shell since.

    • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 13:29

      sounds like a few people have had issues with Shell

      i might have to steer clear as well then

      • brad1-8tsi on 11/09/2020 - 01:29

        When Shell 98 originally came out it was total rubbish in most aircooled motorbikes with carbies. They wouldn't idle and would cause spark plug issues. It was something to do with the additive pack.

        I haven't used Shell for years. Too expensive.

  • jimbobaus on 10/09/2020 - 13:31
    +4

    As someone who until recently worked in the mechanical trade can say 100% without any issue
    AVOID SHELL FUEL AT ALL COSTS!
    The amount of damage we have seen caused by their shitty quality fuel i have lost count.
    I have a few cars including a car that requires 98 at all times, BP or Mobil only.
    Would never subject my cars to Shell Fuel ever.

    • picklewizard on 10/09/2020 - 13:33
      +2

      It's so hard to believe that such a major company has consistent quality issues, if I hadn't experienced for myself I'd call bullshit, but 100% can vouch that every time I've put vPower in my car (WRX engine) it runs like shiiiiit

      • jimbobaus on 10/09/2020 - 13:36
        +1

        Yeah i have a Mustang (i mean i am a 40 year old white dude… so yeah)
        I let my mate borrow it and he put V Power in and i could feel how shit it was.
        And the amount of times we had cars come in with owners complaining about engine lights, sluggish engines, power loss etc and it was almost always due to "bad fuel"
        We always knew before we asked what fuel they used that they were going to say V Power when we asked.

      • Bid Sniper on 10/09/2020 - 14:21

        LOL same car, same fuel, same issue. Surprised they still have issues with that trash fuel 15 years on.

        My engine builder said stick to BP ultimate only, when he does rebuilds he can tell which ones used BP and didn't. BP use detergents to keep the internals clean and keep carbon deposits low.

        My STI is tuned to BP only. Engine builder said he doesn't see much variation in fuel quality over the years with BP98.

    • chicken8 on 10/09/2020 - 13:36

      how can that be? they're recognised as one of the leading brands? and most of the time have the highest prices

      • jimbobaus on 10/09/2020 - 13:41
        +2

        Their 91 fuel is fine, its their 95 and 98 that's awful due to the way its developed.
        the amount of people who wont touch shell fuel due to a "bad experience" is too many to mention.

        In the various motoring clubs i am in the general consensus is BP has the best fuels and i concur ;)

      • picklewizard on 10/09/2020 - 13:54
        +1

        This is the point I make above. It doesn't make sense but it's absolutely the case.

  • payless69 on 10/09/2020 - 13:58

    even the Ae85 engined Corollas only ever pinged on Shell, hard to believe they still get away with it!

  • blutek on 10/09/2020 - 14:14

    Around our way it depends on the servo. The WW Caltex is the oldest and the worst for 98 (engine knock).

  • Caped Baldy on 10/09/2020 - 14:51

    I've noticed something similar with my local servos and my old car. Tend to go further with BP than with Caltex.

  • iampoor on 10/09/2020 - 14:59
    +1

    I drive a KIA Cerato so just aim for the cheapest fuel, basically 91 all the way.

    With Shell there was a decrease in fuel economy and rough idling, the car has no power to begin with so nothing to notice there.

    Now I just pump at the cheapest servo other than Shell, no further issues.

  • MS Paint on 10/09/2020 - 15:16
    +1

    My local shell is always 10c more per litre. I think they rely on fleet and government fuel cards for business.

    • Cheeper on 10/09/2020 - 16:40

      and the 4c off grocery dockets.

  • yayrobots on 10/09/2020 - 19:47
    +2

    I have always suspected that some servos/fuel companies try to pass of 94.5Ron (50:50 91 & 98) as 95, the difference might be noticeable in some vehicles that are tuned for 95+ (They might go into a low octane / reduced performance mode).

  • singingwolf on 11/09/2020 - 07:40

    Have been told many times by service centers that Sheel has the lowest grade fuel and BP has the highest. But now I am broke, I use Woolworth/Caltex…

  • OzHunterNSW on 11/09/2020 - 12:09

    Firstly, are you absolutely sure your engine was designed to run on 94? Check with BMW.
    Secondly, many factors play in poor performance from unclean air filter to old worn out plugs.

    Your injectors may need cleaning…. simply buy a bottle of injector cleaner and add to the tank.

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