After reading this Thread, I rose to the challenge..
In Germany the Esso brand diesel I've been using has 7% biodiesel content, which I believe applies to most regular diesel types in Germany, so I had to see for myself
Driving from Strasbourg to Amsterdam on Tuesday I had enough "regular" diesel to do about 300KM (185 Miles)
When the tank was almost empty, I filled with Aral brand V-Power type diesel. Looking at the logos/livery on the V-Power pumps, I assume this is rebranded Shell so perhaps I am wrong, but the colours/logos remind me of the Shell V-Power diesel. It's not uncommon for vendors to rebrand better known brands as their own.
I filled the tank with this stuff, and off I set, but one issue, this part of the autobahn is limited to 130KM/H speed limit...
Now with regular diesel, the car claims the range on a full tank is about 780KM, so with the new stuff, same reading
It got interesting once I was back on the autobahn and flipped through the menu to see the range on the tank.
After 17KM of driving, the range meter claimed I had 740KM range.. weird.. then at 30KM traveled it claimed 750KM range
After 60KM traveled at 130KM/h (80MPH) the range was then extended to 800KM, something I'd never seen before, as the maximum ever displayed was 780KM range.
I think the engine management had to adjust to the new fuel type, but even so, I am 80KM up on a tank.. allegedly
When I got to the limitless part of the autobahn, I decided to see if this fuel makes a difference!
It does, the car feels crisper, more responsive and quicker on top gear acceleration (140-210KM/h) <- this being my "limited top speed" due to winter wheels & tyres being fitted [by law] and only rated to 210KM/h
I then stopped for coffee and when heading out of the roadside services, decided to test the acceleration.
There is definitely an improvement, without any doubt. I made a few stops on the way and there is a noticeable difference in power delivery, perhaps not "measurable" but I can feel it for sure
I entered the Netherlands where I undertook 200KM of driving at [legal] speeds from 130-100KM/h
The range was still good, I'd covered just under 400KM and according to the range reading, had well over 400KM left on the tank
So, in my opinion it does make a difference over the regular diesel, which does contain 7% biodiesel
Cost wise, it was €1.33/L at Aral, I pay €1.28 for Esso regular diesel in Kehl, Germany, so 5c/litre difference
I will continue to use this stuff for sure, even though I know that the autohof (services on the autobahn) will rip me off a little more for this fuel, but it's good stuff, the car likes it, so do I..