Conference terri::cars_uk

    Isn't the reason that Shell/Esso is more expensive the fact that it is
    better fuel than unbranded supermarket petrol ?
    
    The promotion freebees are just a bunus.
    
    Royston
    
    (who uses the cheapest fuel around regardless of promotions)

I reckon the freebies are for two main types of customer;

a) the fleet market, where people are just re-imbursed petrol costs, and
so don't have an incentive to use cheaper fuel,

b) the family motorist who is more comfortable with a "brand name" product.

Since I come under neither type, like a� lot of other people here, so I
buy the cheapest. In my case my local Co-op is currently 46.9p for
unleaded.

Since my local Shell garage is 4p/lite more expensive (= �2.00 per fill up),
I find I very rarely have tiger tokens to worry about.

Peter.

    I get 'named' cheap petrol with NO promotions at Asda.

    
    I used to buy cheap TESCO's petrol, but my Calibra ran like a dog and
    none of the dealers could put it right.
    
    I switched to Shell, for the car tokens, and all the running problems
    went away after just a couple of tankfuls.
    
    I don't buy 'cheap' petrol anymore.
    
    Of course, you may not experience problems with supermarket petrol, but
    I tend to take as I find.
    
    Mark

    ...Savacentre pumps now have a sticker " Contains fuel detergent
    additives" or something similar. Damned cheap petrol.
    
    TJ.

	Diesels will run on anything - not necessarily safely, I hasten to add!

	The only additive (as far as I can see, anyway) is something to lessen
the chance of the fuel waxing and blocking the system during the winter months.
This adversely affects fuel consumption a little, but is put in by everyone, so
there is no escaping it - we very rarely need it in this country anyway.

				Malcolm.

	In the days of leaded petrol I wouldn't have believed that there
	was any difference between brands but with unleaded I've noticed
	that Shell is better (or maybe main brands are better than 
	supermarket basic)

	-John

I get ELF (it's good nuff for Williams/renault!) for 47.9 at the service 
station on the A4 near the aldermaston turn off.

Richard

    With the large volumes of fuel the Supermarkets use where does it all
    come from?  Most likely it comes from a major refiner, and the fact
    that they have the additives now tends to confirm it. My guess is
    that these Supermarkets order the lowest cost product consistent with
    good quality from major refiners. If Shell and the like just cut all 
    the free gift rubbish, cut back on the adverts, and sold petrol at a
    reasonable price, I'm sure that they would gain in extra sales. 
    
    On another note why is it that diesel is more expensive than unleaded
    considering its cheaper to produce?
    

    >> good quality from major refiners. If Shell and the like just cut all 
    >> the free gift rubbish, cut back on the adverts, and sold petrol at a
    >> reasonable price, I'm sure that they would gain in extra sales. 
    
    You'd think so, wouldn't you, but all the major petrol companies seem
    to disagree. None of the big names sell at a lower price, but all seem
    to offer some sort of 'incentive' scheme.
    
    I'm sure I read that the companies (during one of those regular price
    wars we get from time to time) weren't gaining sales and that many
    customers complained about the lack of 'incentive' schemes.
    
    Mark (Nearly got enough for my McLaren F1 now! :^)).

    
    Years back I was dragged into a "market research" type thing in
    Bedford. It was raining and cold, and the coffee was free, so...
    
    It was by a major petrol retailer (they wouldn't say who) and they were
    asking questions like "What do you choose when you fill up, price, free
    goodies, location?" type stuff. I can't really remember what I replied.
    
    Anyway, this would suggest that for the majors the answer came up
    "Don't worry about price, give away goodies". And it must work, because
    they're still majors, right? 8^)
    
    Nigel
    

    Is it my imagination or is the price difference between 'major brands'
    and cheap petrol greater since the price is in litres.
    
    The thing is, a difference of 5p a litre may not look much but is
    nearly 20p a gallon which is very significant when you fill up a 13
    gallon tank.
    
    Royston

    
    
    I have seen 'name brand' tankers i.e. Shell, Esso etc delivering to
    Savacentre.  This probably confirms that the supermakets do buy from a
    quality supplier and pass the savings on because they don't waste money
    on gimmicks.  
    
    Leaded Petrol at Sainsbury's on is 51.9p per litre, where
    else in the Bracknell/Reading sells it that cheap?  Esso is 53.9 and
    Shell 55.9 if not more.  
    
    The tokens at Esso are apparently worth 10p against a product in their
    catalogue, you have to buy �6.00 worth of fuel for a 10p token!  I save 
    nearly 10p per gallon at Sainsbury's, thats about 25p saving per �6.00 
    worth and therefore save enough to buy a video tape or wine glass etc.
    
    just my opinion!
    
    Wayne.
     

I've also taken part in market research but on this occasion they wanted to
sense the importance of other services in attracting customers. The company was
BP and they did up all their shops shortly after the research.

Dave.

Re.9    

>>> On another note why is it that diesel is more expensive than unleaded
>>> considering its cheaper to produce?
    

	I quite agree!!!  I don't have any certain knowledge on this, but I've
been led (no pun intended) to believe that Diesel is a waste product and would
have to be disposed of if it couldn't be sold as such.  Perhaps you know better?

	If this is the case, then there is no reason in the world why they
should hike the price SO high!

	On the subject of Diesel prices, allow me to "rathole" a little, Why
does the Chancellor raise the tax on Diesel so much every year, when that must
be more inflationary than many other tax hikes, since nearly everything has
to be transported using Diesel as fuel at some stage or another?

				Malcolm

Every day I pass the BP refinery at Grangemouth and although most of the tankers
leaving there are BP there is a high percentage of unmarked ones and also
supermarkets own ones such as TESCO.

But my own experience leads me to avoid JET garages as over the years when I
have had problems with fuel it has always been just after a visit to JET.

I also avoid SHELL as the local boys in blue,s fleet of VAUXHALLS went through
an episode of engine problems which were traced back to SHELL petrol which at 
the time had just started to receive these wonderful extras .......

						Stuart

    Diesel is the same grade oil as home heating oil, and the Americans buy
    all they can get during the winter months to heat their homes, so
    pushing the world price for heating oil/diesel up.
    
    John

re.16:

I use Jet, Repsol, and Savacentre and have no problems and good petrol 
consumption. 

I agree with the Shell comments, I had the same problem, wouldn't touch 'em.

Dave.

Shell recognised this problem, (and it only happened with some cars) and
reformulated the petrol. Shell is now reckoned to be one of the best petrols
around. You pays yer money and takes yer choice.

    Re -.1, there's an echo in here - see .5
    

Sainsbury petrol is fine, has addditive and costs 46.9 per ltr. (unleaded)

    It would appear from this side of the pond that this note is a bit off
    its original topic......but....
    
    Here in western Canada, Shell makes the best gas.  I have an '86 Jag
    VDP that runs much better on Shell gas than on anything else.  Had the
    same experience with my '86 Mustang GT (5.0 Litre engine).  And this is
    from a guy that used to work for Esso........
    
    Brian in the wild wild west.....