I've only used 98 in mine so YMMV, I have no benchmark to compare to for economy or smoothnesss/power. But I typically get 9.3L/100km around town, best I've done on the open road is 7.0L/100km. This is with a 6MT. I've heard a number of forum users say they notice no economy difference between 95 and 98.
Ethanol has lower energy per volume than petrol, so E10 has less energy than pure petrol and will give worse economy. However, ethanol is an octane booster, so can give better torque/power. V8 supercars run E85. 95 and 98 are both petrol and should have pretty much identical energy per volume, so shouldn't give very different economy figures. Car is tuned for 95, but 98 should have better resistance to knocking. The car has a knock sensor, so theoretically could be better under hard acceleration. Under normal driving conditions, there should be no difference.
I only use BP Ultimate 98 - it apparently contains additives for cleaning and preventing engine deposit build up, a friction reducer, and corrosion inhibitor. It certainly seems to burn clean, I have absolutely no dust at all on the exhaust of my car. So this does give me confidence that it will work long term and keep the engine relatively clean. You see some Euros around with exhaust tips black with exhaust dust, you have to wonder what fuel they are running, probably 91 E10... And if there is a performance and economy benefit, it may come from the friction reduction additives in 98 RON.
- J
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