Is it worth using premium fuel in an old car?

Having just sold my 2004 BMW 330 convertible to a family member after seven fault free years, I intend to replace it with a 328 Touring on my budget of £20k when I can find the right car.

In the meantime I am getting a cheap run-around. A second generation 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel, for which I am paying £2000. My question is, having followed your recommendation to always run the 330 on Shell V Power, is it worth filling the first tank with Shell Super Diesel ( or the diesel equivalent of VPower) or after five years and 133k miles would I be wasting my money?

Asked on 1 June 2016 by RN Yorkshire

Answered by Honest John
£2k for a facelift second shape 2011 Focus 1.6TDCI seems buttons, even with 133k miles. But it could be on the cusp of needing a lot of money spent. Typically: timing belt, tensioner and waterpump; turbo; turbo bearing oil feed and oil return pipes; EGR; DPF and DMF. And that's probably why it's so temptingly cheap. But if you buy it, Shell V-Power will at least help to clean up the fuel system.
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