Which gasoline is best?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
'03 C240 and '05 C230
Which gasoline is best?
I haven't seen a thread regarding the difference between the gasolines brands offered in the US. With that said, I was wondering what gas is best for our cars? Shell, Chevron, Mobil, Costco, 76, etc.
I know gas is gas, but do the additives these gasoline companies claim to help keep the engine cleaner actually work?
I know gas is gas, but do the additives these gasoline companies claim to help keep the engine cleaner actually work?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
I prefer T-Rex gas... its hot tempered and feisty.
Since you're in LA. Use Chevron if you can. However Mobile, 76, and Shell are pretty much all the same. I did have an 83 jaguar XJS that was temperamental with Shell and Chevron worked perfectly in it.. However its a V12 Jag so it was temperamental at birth.
Since you're in LA. Use Chevron if you can. However Mobile, 76, and Shell are pretty much all the same. I did have an 83 jaguar XJS that was temperamental with Shell and Chevron worked perfectly in it.. However its a V12 Jag so it was temperamental at birth.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 1
From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 712
Likes: 2
From: chicago
2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
shell v power 100% of the time. and i use it 100% of the time
i honestly can tell the difference.
BP would make my fuel gauge say empty (shell corrected that with a couple of gallons) which means BP gas is has more of this certain metal forgot which one
Mobile decreased my performance
i honestly can tell the difference.
BP would make my fuel gauge say empty (shell corrected that with a couple of gallons) which means BP gas is has more of this certain metal forgot which one
Mobile decreased my performance
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 587
Likes: 6
From: Boston
12 E350 4Matic Sport
shell v power 100% of the time. and i use it 100% of the time
i honestly can tell the difference.
BP would make my fuel gauge say empty (shell corrected that with a couple of gallons) which means BP gas is has more of this certain metal forgot which one
Mobile decreased my performance
i honestly can tell the difference.
BP would make my fuel gauge say empty (shell corrected that with a couple of gallons) which means BP gas is has more of this certain metal forgot which one
Mobile decreased my performance
I've tried Chevron, Mobil 1, and finally Shell V-Power. Shell beats all, especially the stuff they have out in Montreal. Man that stuff made my baby run like a rocket.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
I'll have to play around with the gas here in MA.
However in California (where I just moved from) they are limited to 91 octane fuel due to the additives California requires. I do see a difference between the gas I get now vs what I got a few months ago. The car feels better.. but I'm also running 93 octane.
So while you're all preaching the gas you like in other states / country's remember.. California is its own special case.. which is sad.
Also interesting note about the top tier gas. Pretty much all of the major brands I see are in that.
However in California (where I just moved from) they are limited to 91 octane fuel due to the additives California requires. I do see a difference between the gas I get now vs what I got a few months ago. The car feels better.. but I'm also running 93 octane.
So while you're all preaching the gas you like in other states / country's remember.. California is its own special case.. which is sad.
Also interesting note about the top tier gas. Pretty much all of the major brands I see are in that.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 1
From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
And no, I am not employed in the oil/gas industry, nor do I have an education in that field, so what do I know... I just read stuff on teh interwebnets.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Stop and Shop points and Shell
I'll have to play around with the gas here in MA.
However in California (where I just moved from) they are limited to 91 octane fuel due to the additives California requires. I do see a difference between the gas I get now vs what I got a few months ago. The car feels better.. but I'm also running 93 octane.
So while you're all preaching the gas you like in other states / country's remember.. California is its own special case.. which is sad.
Also interesting note about the top tier gas. Pretty much all of the major brands I see are in that.
However in California (where I just moved from) they are limited to 91 octane fuel due to the additives California requires. I do see a difference between the gas I get now vs what I got a few months ago. The car feels better.. but I'm also running 93 octane.
So while you're all preaching the gas you like in other states / country's remember.. California is its own special case.. which is sad.
Also interesting note about the top tier gas. Pretty much all of the major brands I see are in that.
If you market at Stop and Shop - everywhere in MA and NE - get a Rewards Card. For every $100 you spend you get $0.10 off per gallon at both Shell and the captive GS that are at many S&S markets. S&S isn't Whole Foods but it is a higher quality chain.
Around the holidays I saved $0.60 cents on a gallon of Shell 93. And there was a Techron sale going on. Blind hog finds an acorn.
Eat well and drive!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 E63 Estate | 09 & 10 Rx8 R3
I use Shell 93 exclusively in the AMG and the GLK350 4M.
If you market at Stop and Shop - everywhere in MA and NE - get a Rewards Card. For every $100 you spend you get $0.10 off per gallon at both Shell and the captive GS that are at many S&S markets. S&S isn't Whole Foods but it is a higher quality chain.
Around the holidays I saved $0.60 cents on a gallon of Shell 93. And there was a Techron sale going on. Blind hog finds an acorn.
Eat well and drive!
If you market at Stop and Shop - everywhere in MA and NE - get a Rewards Card. For every $100 you spend you get $0.10 off per gallon at both Shell and the captive GS that are at many S&S markets. S&S isn't Whole Foods but it is a higher quality chain.
Around the holidays I saved $0.60 cents on a gallon of Shell 93. And there was a Techron sale going on. Blind hog finds an acorn.
Eat well and drive!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 4
From: NYC | NJ | FL
X4M, G80 M3
Been using only Shell and very few times Exxon/Mobil in my 2 previous cars when I wasn't around a shell. But after using Shell for a few months on my MB, I was curious to see how Costco that was now admitted to TopTierGas category would perform. So the last 3 tank refills I've used Costco it is cheaper but its a bit out of my way. Performance loss is noticeable a bit, better MPG? can't really say.
Current test are Shell (my preference), Costco (just finished testing) and now BP.
I never had any issues with my high mileage, salvage, cars using Shell V-Power!
Current test are Shell (my preference), Costco (just finished testing) and now BP.
I never had any issues with my high mileage, salvage, cars using Shell V-Power!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Shell without a doubt, then 76 and Chevron. Shell is the only thing they run in Ferrari's.
All the gas is 91 in Cali but my car leaps off the line with
top tier gas vs. generic which tend to hesitate when you push the pedal.
Also with Shell if I put the pedal about 1/2 way down it downshifts and goes!
It definitely generates more power.
I do notice that the generic stuff runs pretty good after running the top tier stuff,
but then it drops off. So I guess the additives in the top tier stuff
help your injectors and valves stay clean only to get gummed up by the cheap stuff over time.
I friend of mine used to commute to Monterey every day about 70 miles each way and noticed he had to fill the tank more frequently with cheap gas in his Hemi Chrysler 300.
All the gas is 91 in Cali but my car leaps off the line with
top tier gas vs. generic which tend to hesitate when you push the pedal.
Also with Shell if I put the pedal about 1/2 way down it downshifts and goes!
It definitely generates more power.
I do notice that the generic stuff runs pretty good after running the top tier stuff,
but then it drops off. So I guess the additives in the top tier stuff
help your injectors and valves stay clean only to get gummed up by the cheap stuff over time.
I friend of mine used to commute to Monterey every day about 70 miles each way and noticed he had to fill the tank more frequently with cheap gas in his Hemi Chrysler 300.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
'03 C240 and '05 C230
I agree, I think Shell and Chevron are better in my opinion; however, recently I've been using Costco gas after they were awarded "Top Tier" back in March of this year. I definitely noticed a difference in throttle response, but not so much gas mileage. Gas mileage is pretty much constant given that I drive pretty much the same before and after switching over to Costco. With a difference of $.20 for premium I guess I'll sacrifice the performance for fuel savings. I just hope that Costco keeps the engine components clean like the Shell V-power gas. After a few fill ups of Costco I fill up with Shell.
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 4
From: NYC | NJ | FL
X4M, G80 M3
I agree, I think Shell and Chevron are better in my opinion; however, recently I've been using Costco gas after they were awarded "Top Tier" back in March of this year. I definitely noticed a difference in throttle response, but not so much gas mileage. Gas mileage is pretty much constant given that I drive pretty much the same before and after switching over to Costco. With a difference of $.20 for premium I guess I'll sacrifice the performance for fuel savings. I just hope that Costco keeps the engine components clean like the Shell V-power gas. After a few fill ups of Costco I fill up with Shell.
