I have a BMW M240i running 656 BHP and it was tuned exclusively on Momentum and I thought I’d tried ESSO Synergy Supreme+ (Heathrow located) I had timing pull across 4 data logs, where I never had timing pull with with Tesco Momentum. On one of the ESSO logs I had 3 knock detections within 1 pull which is unheard of on my car running Tesco. I’m included to try Shell next but based of the numbers your tests produce it seems there is likely minimal difference in performance gains. I had also tested Momemtum in a measuring tube like your self which yielded that it had zero Ethanol present which matched your Abingdon, Oxford findings.
I've been looking more into this and some tuners are saying Tesco Momentum is better overall, because they provide a consistent formula for their fuel and will run the same every time and every tank full. V-Power can "sometimes" achieve higher figures, but it's a crap-shoot on your next tank of it being as good as the last one. It's surprising as I'd have thought Shell to have stringent quality control, but then again, looks like Esso don't. The M240i sounds like an absolute monster! I've driven a manual (older, obviously) one which I know is slower than the dual-clutch, but it was fantastic! I can't even imagine over 650bhp in one 😳
@@boilerhousegaragePerhaps one of Esso's detergent additives is incompatible with your tester? Seems hard to believe that a company like Esso would sell 93 labeled as 99? Surely they'd be murdered under the "trades descriptions act"?
@@happytashman It's a possibility, but I heard from a bloke who does these remap jobbies, that for some reason Esso fuel doesn't work with the maps that utilise 99+ octane, unlike Shell and Tesco's offerings. He can't test the octane, just see the knocking (pre-detonation) on rolling road tunes. My theory is they've formulated the additives to accommodate the addition of bioethanol nationwide, so it's not boosting enough in the areas supplied without it. And yes, they'd be in a bit of trouble if that's the case.
Thanks, Reggie! Appreciate it. I guess it's just an error of planning post the ethanol mandate and that people/cars it affects just use a different brand.
Did you ask about Murco? I can't see the comment anymore, but TH-cam have a habit of doing that. There's no Murco that close to me and the ones that are nearest don't have their 97 "Optimum" I think they call it, as I have seen it when I've been further away, but sadly can't bring along fuel cans in customers' cars! 😄If the channel ever proves successful enough, then I'll certainly be doing road trips to all garages across the country.
Disappointing result for Esso. Ive always avoided it anyway as it is the most expensive E5 option my way (just east of Cambridge). I find Shell VPower the best fuel. BP is only 97 which is a shame. Thanks anyway for doing these tests, have subscribed!
Thanks very much for the sub and for commenting. Yes, I'm still using V-Power although our Esso "99" is cheaper here, but would use Momentum if there was a Tesco station close by.
G'day from Oz, interesting series of experiments your doing, I've seen these units before and wondered how/what device or mechanism the tester uses to establish the readings it concludes, it would appear from your testing that it seems to be consistent, with repeatable results. Cheers, Glenn DownUnder.
Hi there from the opposite side of the world! 👋 The tester has capacitors that measure the permittivity of the petrol and I assume the higher the octane (resistance to detonation) equates relative to its dielectric properties and the measurement is taken by how the electrical charge is affected between the capacitors. Thanks for the comment, Glenn 👍
Yes, I've been watching a few videos on it and one guy just says he doesn't know why Esso won't work with his maps that advance timing for 99. Looks like because it's lower octane than their cheaper stuff!
You talk about "the big 3" but in all my tests Texaco 99 is ethanol free and much cheaper than Esso. (I live on the outskirts of West London). Would you consider testing its octane rating for us viewers? You never know, it might become the big 4!
You're in luck, I've done an octane test on Tesco Momentum, so please check the previous videos in the "playlists" tab on my channel page. It was done in a test tube and not sure if that affected the reading, so may test again in the future using the standardised method I mentioned in this vid. I'm still confident it far exceeds 99 RON and some dyno-tuners say it's higher than Shell's.. By "big 3" I'm referring to their market cap and BP is one of them, but they only supply a 97 RON super. I personally rate Shell V-Power, followed by Tesco Momentum. Esso, given the results here, I no longer rate and never liked BP.
@happytashman Yep I'd also be interested in the Texaco. I normally use Shell vpower but a recent try of Tesco momentum was good as well, plus it was the best price!
@@happytashman Oh, sorry! 😊 I must need new glasses. Well you're sort of in luck, as I have done an octane test on Texaco, however we don't have their "Performance 99" here, just their old Supreme 97 which had 2% ethanol in it. I extracted the ethanol (not a metaphor) and it read 94/95 RON but can't be compared to the others yet. Obviously if Texaco bring their 99 to my location, I'll be on it. Here's the Texaco octane vid th-cam.com/video/o08bguswcgs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oUIFjCYvlOYtrvTL
They're two separate franchise owners in different counties. Also if they're selling their regular/cheaper fuel as Supreme/super, then it would have ethanol in it. A few people found that to be the case in London with some dodgy garages doing just that. I've just got a sample from North Wales, so watch this space 👍
To be fair I always notice a difference when I fill up at Esso Chiseldon rather that Shell or Tesco so maybe this explains it. Can you test Esso standard fuel to see what Ron rating that would be? Think I’ll stick to Shell or Tesco from now on 😂
I agree. I tried Esso E5 once and was very disappointed. I normally use Shell Vpower. I've recently tried Tesco momentum and that was good as well. It's good news these fuels contain no ethanol as well.
Sadly not, as the standard fuels contains ethanol (which is an octane booster in itself) and it'll give an inaccurately high reading. I could try and remove the ethanol and see if that reads 93, then it might back up my theory of the Supreme additives being formulated to have ethanol in it as well.
@@ds1868 I love Esso premium E5 its great my car runs better on it than anything else on the market. Tesco Momentum is my most frequent choice and have no issues at all. I believe with the premium Esso E5 it comes from a different refinery depending on your location.
@@boilerhousegarage The Esso website says "From September 2023 our Synergy Supreme+ 99 will transition to contain up to a maximum of 5% ethanol at all Esso pumps irrespective of which part of the country they are located. The labelling at our pumps will remain as E5 for Synergy Supreme+ 99 unleaded." So your fuel sample may well have had ethanol in it.
@@dawnastral7571 I mention this in the video I did before this one. Esso's new PR here just means they're now the same policy as the other brands, so they will remain predominately ethanol-free (like the others) but aren't guaranteeing it anywhere. This fuel was tested to be ethanol free and my octane tester won't read ethanol blended fuels, but thanks for mentioning it though, my theory is that they've designed their additives to use ethanol as an octane booster, hence why these samples are far too low.
Hi Gaz. Not as yet, I was hoping to see if I can get an ethanol-free sample from the East Midlands, just to have that one more piece of evidence. My ST has gone all "ecoboom" on me again, so I'm not going to be able to make a trip there anytime soon but thought to give it a couple of weeks to see if anyone offered a send-in like the guy from Wales in my latest video on Esso.
Nice one! Keep us posted if you get a response. I'm just trying to find another ethanol-free sample from a good distance away from me, so it's a better way to show the issues are national.
this is fraud by esso franchises. the owners know what they are doing and should be reported to an inspector of weights and measures at the local council.
It is, and could well damage some people's cars if they're tuned to expect 98/99RON. I'm doing further investigation before I contact Esso, just to see the extent of the 93RON supplied areas. Some people emailed me to say they just had generic responses from Esso customer service.
I have a BMW M240i running 656 BHP and it was tuned exclusively on Momentum and I thought I’d tried ESSO Synergy Supreme+ (Heathrow located) I had timing pull across 4 data logs, where I never had timing pull with with Tesco Momentum. On one of the ESSO logs I had 3 knock detections within 1 pull which is unheard of on my car running Tesco.
I’m included to try Shell next but based of the numbers your tests produce it seems there is likely minimal difference in performance gains.
I had also tested Momemtum in a measuring tube like your self which yielded that it had zero Ethanol present which matched your Abingdon, Oxford findings.
I've been looking more into this and some tuners are saying Tesco Momentum is better overall, because they provide a consistent formula for their fuel and will run the same every time and every tank full. V-Power can "sometimes" achieve higher figures, but it's a crap-shoot on your next tank of it being as good as the last one. It's surprising as I'd have thought Shell to have stringent quality control, but then again, looks like Esso don't.
The M240i sounds like an absolute monster! I've driven a manual (older, obviously) one which I know is slower than the dual-clutch, but it was fantastic! I can't even imagine over 650bhp in one 😳
Oops!
Hopefully an explanation will be forthcoming from Esso.
As you said, it really is disappointing.
Hopefully it's isolated to a few counties, but now I'm really interested in trying an Esso further afield.
@@boilerhousegaragePerhaps one of Esso's detergent additives is incompatible with your tester? Seems hard to believe that a company like Esso would sell 93 labeled as 99? Surely they'd be murdered under the "trades descriptions act"?
@@happytashman It's a possibility, but I heard from a bloke who does these remap jobbies, that for some reason Esso fuel doesn't work with the maps that utilise 99+ octane, unlike Shell and Tesco's offerings. He can't test the octane, just see the knocking (pre-detonation) on rolling road tunes. My theory is they've formulated the additives to accommodate the addition of bioethanol nationwide, so it's not boosting enough in the areas supplied without it. And yes, they'd be in a bit of trouble if that's the case.
That's really bad from Esso. How do they get away with that? Your testing for ethanol and octane is really interesting. Subscribed.
Thanks, Reggie! Appreciate it. I guess it's just an error of planning post the ethanol mandate and that people/cars it affects just use a different brand.
Did you ask about Murco? I can't see the comment anymore, but TH-cam have a habit of doing that. There's no Murco that close to me and the ones that are nearest don't have their 97 "Optimum" I think they call it, as I have seen it when I've been further away, but sadly can't bring along fuel cans in customers' cars! 😄If the channel ever proves successful enough, then I'll certainly be doing road trips to all garages across the country.
I’ve just come across this! Absolutely brilliant, subscribed ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻
Thank you! 👍👍👍
Disappointing result for Esso. Ive always avoided it anyway as it is the most expensive E5 option my way (just east of Cambridge). I find Shell VPower the best fuel. BP is only 97 which is a shame. Thanks anyway for doing these tests, have subscribed!
Thanks very much for the sub and for commenting. Yes, I'm still using V-Power although our Esso "99" is cheaper here, but would use Momentum if there was a Tesco station close by.
G'day from Oz, interesting series of experiments your doing, I've seen these units before and wondered how/what device or mechanism the tester uses to establish the readings it concludes, it would appear from your testing that it seems to be consistent, with repeatable results.
Cheers, Glenn DownUnder.
Hi there from the opposite side of the world! 👋 The tester has capacitors that measure the permittivity of the petrol and I assume the higher the octane (resistance to detonation) equates relative to its dielectric properties and the measurement is taken by how the electrical charge is affected between the capacitors. Thanks for the comment, Glenn 👍
Not good re Esso, but this seems to confirm what some tuners are saying and provides an explanation.
Yes, I've been watching a few videos on it and one guy just says he doesn't know why Esso won't work with his maps that advance timing for 99. Looks like because it's lower octane than their cheaper stuff!
Well well... looks like tesco for the win!
I wish I had one closer. If my Shell runs out, then my only option "was" Esso.
You talk about "the big 3" but in all my tests Texaco 99 is ethanol free and much cheaper than Esso.
(I live on the outskirts of West London).
Would you consider testing its octane rating for us viewers?
You never know, it might become the big 4!
You're in luck, I've done an octane test on Tesco Momentum, so please check the previous videos in the "playlists" tab on my channel page. It was done in a test tube and not sure if that affected the reading, so may test again in the future using the standardised method I mentioned in this vid. I'm still confident it far exceeds 99 RON and some dyno-tuners say it's higher than Shell's.. By "big 3" I'm referring to their market cap and BP is one of them, but they only supply a 97 RON super. I personally rate Shell V-Power, followed by Tesco Momentum. Esso, given the results here, I no longer rate and never liked BP.
@@boilerhousegarage I was talking about Texaco, not Tesco.
(I know Momentum is a great fuel)
@happytashman Yep I'd also be interested in the Texaco. I normally use Shell vpower but a recent try of Tesco momentum was good as well, plus it was the best price!
@@happytashman Oh, sorry! 😊 I must need new glasses. Well you're sort of in luck, as I have done an octane test on Texaco, however we don't have their "Performance 99" here, just their old Supreme 97 which had 2% ethanol in it. I extracted the ethanol (not a metaphor) and it read 94/95 RON but can't be compared to the others yet. Obviously if Texaco bring their 99 to my location, I'll be on it. Here's the Texaco octane vid th-cam.com/video/o08bguswcgs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oUIFjCYvlOYtrvTL
The problem here is most likely the Franchise.
Fuel pumps marked as premium delivering non premium fuel.
They're two separate franchise owners in different counties. Also if they're selling their regular/cheaper fuel as Supreme/super, then it would have ethanol in it. A few people found that to be the case in London with some dodgy garages doing just that. I've just got a sample from North Wales, so watch this space 👍
To be fair I always notice a difference when I fill up at Esso Chiseldon rather that Shell or Tesco so maybe this explains it. Can you test Esso standard fuel to see what Ron rating that would be? Think I’ll stick to Shell or Tesco from now on 😂
I agree. I tried Esso E5 once and was very disappointed. I normally use Shell Vpower. I've recently tried Tesco momentum and that was good as well. It's good news these fuels contain no ethanol as well.
Sadly not, as the standard fuels contains ethanol (which is an octane booster in itself) and it'll give an inaccurately high reading. I could try and remove the ethanol and see if that reads 93, then it might back up my theory of the Supreme additives being formulated to have ethanol in it as well.
@@ds1868 I love Esso premium E5 its great my car runs better on it than anything else on the market. Tesco Momentum is my most frequent choice and have no issues at all. I believe with the premium Esso E5 it comes from a different refinery depending on your location.
@@boilerhousegarage The Esso website says "From September 2023 our Synergy Supreme+ 99 will transition to contain up to a maximum of 5% ethanol at all Esso pumps irrespective of which part of the country they are located. The labelling at our pumps will remain as E5 for Synergy Supreme+ 99 unleaded." So your fuel sample may well have had ethanol in it.
@@dawnastral7571 I mention this in the video I did before this one. Esso's new PR here just means they're now the same policy as the other brands, so they will remain predominately ethanol-free (like the others) but aren't guaranteeing it anywhere. This fuel was tested to be ethanol free and my octane tester won't read ethanol blended fuels, but thanks for mentioning it though, my theory is that they've designed their additives to use ethanol as an octane booster, hence why these samples are far too low.
I’m glad to see you fully recovered from that party boat crash
Thanks, Tom! 😆 Yeah, Missouri Lake was a bit choppier than I expected.
@@boilerhousegarage 😂 brilliant, good to see someone who can take a bit of banter 👍🏻
Cheers 👍 Yeah nothing worse than people who dish it out but can't take it.
Have you contacted esso customer services for comment?
Hi Gaz. Not as yet, I was hoping to see if I can get an ethanol-free sample from the East Midlands, just to have that one more piece of evidence. My ST has gone all "ecoboom" on me again, so I'm not going to be able to make a trip there anytime soon but thought to give it a couple of weeks to see if anyone offered a send-in like the guy from Wales in my latest video on Esso.
I have filed a complaint on fuel quality
Nice one! Keep us posted if you get a response. I'm just trying to find another ethanol-free sample from a good distance away from me, so it's a better way to show the issues are national.
this is fraud by esso franchises. the owners know what they are doing and should be reported to an inspector of weights and measures at the local council.
It is, and could well damage some people's cars if they're tuned to expect 98/99RON. I'm doing further investigation before I contact Esso, just to see the extent of the 93RON supplied areas. Some people emailed me to say they just had generic responses from Esso customer service.