Fifth Gear - snake oil

Weirdly though I noticed the shell on the A10 just south of Cambridge was selling 4 star.

That was meant to have been phased out completely now was it not? Even the LRP stuff?

Interesting, IIRC Top gear did tests on a range of cars on a dyno and found an increase on the performance cars (with adaptive knock control in the ECUs as most performance cars do these days) and the standardish ones it made bugger all difference. I'll see if I can find a link.

IIRC there are still a handful of places selling leaded 4 star. Not anywhere near here. though. ;-(

IIRC this is not too far from you: Park End Garage

and they sell the real stuff

Mrcheerful

one in Derbyshire near Sheffield, kid i know fills up his capri there

No. A small amount is still allowed to be made and sold.

You wouldn't expect any improvement from a higher octane on a fairly standard K series, I guess it's just 5th gear continuing to admit they know bugger all about cars rather like there viewers, but you knew that all along.

I guess it's just 5th gear continuing to admit they know bugger all

Oh heck! let's start a Chop Gear is better than 5th Gear war then shall we!!

:) At least chop gear tends to be factually correct :)

I've questioned a number of things from the other car programmes, including good old Tiff getting a BOV confused with a wastegate.

Hathersage garage? Hardly near.

There was a special dispensation given for classic cars, and Bayford Thrust is the company that ditributes it all. The list of suppliers can be found here:

Is that why a couple of years ago Top Gear moved from under the mantle of Documentaries to Drama within the BBC ?

Really? ;-)

But did they increase the octane value? Snake oil can be useful for oiling snakes.

Actually it didnt, but thats not to say that the content of the show cannot be true anyway. Anyone with half an ounce of knowledge can pull any of the car shows on TV apart, the difference is that top gear at least appeals to people other than just those looking for a new eurobox to go to the shops in. Its funny how the other shows are trying to emulate but failing miserably. Its also funny how people hate top gear but cant point out a good thing to say about the alternatives.

Because, as you say:

They try to emulate something I'm not that keen on, and make it even worse.