What octane rating do you use? |
View Poll Results: What octane do you use? | |||
89 | 9 | 3.53% | |
93 | 154 | 60.39% | |
91 (I take it you live in NJ if you pick this) | 74 | 29.02% | |
Other | 18 | 7.06% | |
Voters: 255. You may not vote on this poll |
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
10-28-2016, 06:24 AM | #25 |
msej449
514
Rep 717
Posts
Drives: M235i Convertible +LSD 2016
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: South Coast UK & Swiss Alps
|
I use shell V-Power Nitro+ 97 or BP Ultimate 97 here in the UK, mainly because of the additives rather than performance/MPG. For my M235i, filling-up with a bit still in the tank (say 50 litres or about 13.2 US Gallons) costs US $73, compared to $63 for the cheapest, plain supermarket 95 (=US 91) with no additives. As others have opined, a $10 a fill-up premium for a car I'm likely to keep for a while, and which cost me around $48K is part of the overall cost of ownership.
Last edited by msej449; 10-28-2016 at 06:33 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 07:34 AM | #26 |
New Member
4
Rep 28
Posts |
Yup live in CT as well and it's hard to find 91 as noted above so I use 89 per the manual. I have also read a lot about gas grades and what they mean and agree 93 is a waste of money for my 228i. I was excited to learn before I purchased this car that it didn't require premium
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 09:16 AM | #27 |
Colonel
3847
Rep 2,872
Posts |
Indirect, but to me compelling, is the logical argument. These motors make huge torque, limited at lower rpm by the knock sensor - if they weren't holding back at low rpm then you would see a typical shape to the torque curve, not the 'table-top'. Letting them run up to the knock limit will get more out of them at realistic street rpms. Check out the dyno data for the stock N20 here (http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1282053) on 93 octane 263/286, vs advertised 240/260. Don't think it is accidental that all the tuners recc at least 93 octane (but would be neat to see dynos just comparing that in a stock motor).
Adding to this, and really the key for me, is damage control. The knock sensors limit, but can't stop those first few hits, more common with the lower octane. Best description I've heard of knock is that it is like hitting the piston off-center with a machete (flame front), and driving the skirt into the wall - often this force will shear thru the oil barrier into metal to metal contact (and on bearing surfaces). Much of the reason why those stop-go and cold starts are 90% of engine wear is this metal-metal contact. I figure that the extra cost would be eaten up by even one trip to the dealership, especially since this is the stuff that crops up late, out of warranty. I suspect this is why you don't see tuners trying to put out low-octane setups - it isn't worth the risk of an engine over a few bucks in gas. |
Appreciate
1
Tpeterson156.50 |
10-28-2016, 09:31 AM | #28 |
Colonel
1753
Rep 2,942
Posts |
I'm in North Texas, where the typical jump is from 89 to 93 -- 91 isn't very common. On top of that, our fuels -- even Top Tier ones -- frequently contain 10 percent ethanol because of federal smog guidelines.
For that reason I don't even look at 89. 93 all the way. Edit: I realize that ethanol natively has a higher octane than refined gasoline. I would just rather pay a little more and 'play it safe' -- and I swear that I can tell a difference between how my N20 runs on 89 vs. 93.
__________________
--Life is a journey made more exciting with a fast car.--
--Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>> |
Appreciate
1
qnet681.50 |
10-28-2016, 11:17 AM | #29 | |
Captain
403
Rep 744
Posts
Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA
|
Quote:
I'm looking for feedback on stock engines.
__________________
Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude | 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe
Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition | 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 11:53 AM | #31 |
Lieutenant
243
Rep 447
Posts |
I thought a tuner ran dyno comparison of M2 with 91 and 93 and it made a good amount more power on the 93. Of course that's essentially a tuned m235i, but I surely wouldn't run 89 octane and only 91 if there were no better options. I have tune and run 2 gallons E85 and rest is 93 octane. Runs great.
__________________
'15 M235xi | BSM/Oyster/Aluminum | Black Kidneys | RW Carbon Mirror Caps | 40% tint
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 12:51 PM | #34 |
Major
583
Rep 1,117
Posts
Drives: 2015 BMW M235i
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ontario
|
87 from the local 7-11 baby! Now that I think of it, I have been getting weird engine behaviour. Oh well, that's what leasing is for.
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 01:32 PM | #35 |
Brigadier General
3279
Rep 3,256
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 02:16 PM | #36 |
Colonel
8934
Rep 2,010
Posts |
I use 91 octane exclusively here in California.
__________________
///M235i | Mineral Grey Metallic | Premium Package | Technology Package | Driver Assistance Package | Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather | Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system | 8-speed automatic
When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser |
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 07:48 PM | #38 |
Private
6
Rep 75
Posts
Drives: 2015 228i MSport,THP, PP
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vancouver Island
|
Hi-test
Most fill ups I pump Chevron - 94 octane with no ethanol
__________________
VIDoug Vancouver Island
2015 228i MSport, THP, PP, MG |
Appreciate
0
|
10-28-2016, 10:50 PM | #39 |
Lieutenant
116
Rep 509
Posts
Drives: 2016 M235i RWD 6MT
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Toronto, Canada
|
I fuel 93 from Esso. I contemplated going 91 a while but since I go to Esso here in Toronto as my main source, I wasn't sure if their 91 is up to it so I chose 93.
__________________
2016 M235i RWD 6MT - Current! as of July 28/16
2015 ES350 6AT - Traded In 2004 RX330 5AT - Sold 2004 Civic Coupe Si(EX) 5MT - Retired 1993 Civic Coupe Si(EX) 5MT - Retired |
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2016, 08:22 AM | #40 |
Major General
1834
Rep 6,989
Posts
Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Clayton, NC
|
Never have used anything less than 93 in any of my BMWs or (previously) Porsches. There are a few stations in the area that have ethanol-free 93, which is the better fuel, but they're not very close by.
__________________
2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey |
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2016, 10:19 AM | #41 |
Colonel
1330
Rep 2,214
Posts |
Chevron all the way!
That $1.40/L though
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2016, 11:28 AM | #43 | |
Captain
649
Rep 885
Posts |
Quote:
I use 91, because I will go with the manufacturer's recommendation. I ran CITGO 87 octane in my 4.6 liter 2005 Mustang GT for 10 years and that car ran stronger when I sold it than it ever did. The manual recommended 87. My daughter bought a 5 year old 2003 Mini in 2008, but before buying the car my wife was concerned that the manual said the recommended octane was 91. My daughter was going to college at the time, and the wife just didn't want any unnecessary expenses. So we emailed Mini corporate and got back a very nice reply saying that 91 is recommended for maximum efficiency and performance, but 87 would not hurt the engine. So most of the time my daughter put 87 in it. I bought the car from her 3 years ago and have put 91 octane in it since, and the car has 101,000 miles now and there are no engine problems whatsoever.
__________________
Vehicles: 2021 Alpine White M2C 6MT; 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 (1/4 mile 10.3 seconds @ 129 mph - stock)
Previous: 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE 6MT; 2015 BMW M235i 6MT; 2015 Mini Cooper F56 6MT; 2005 Mustang GT 5MT; 2003 Mini Cooper R50 5MT |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-29-2016, 12:43 PM | #44 |
Major General
5549
Rep 5,369
Posts |
In Kansas City, the only store that sells 93 is BP and that's all I've run the car since buying it back in Feb of this year. Last night I bought Shell 91 as an experiment because so many BMW owners swear it's the best fuel. My experiment is to gauge MPGs and overall driveability. I'll report back once I use up that tank.
Octane is a fuel's resistant to burn and pre-detonate. In a high compression turbo more, a lot of heat is generated and the possibility for pre-detonation is much high thus the need for higher octane fuel. The DME in late model BMW cars is very smart and quick to react. if the DME senses detonation, it will reduce timing, add fuel, etc. (reduce power) to stop this dangerous situation. Running greater than 91 octane should not technically make more power, but it can allow the motor to run at it's peak power and delivery more consistant power. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
octane |
|
|