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 |
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11-22-2016, 11:10 AM | #67 |
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'Cheap bastards' is so judgmental; perhaps they are saving their money for the new pistons they'll need. The real surprise is that nobody has posted to ask if running 89 octane means you should use a different type/weight of oil.
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11-22-2016, 09:17 PM | #68 | |
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Obviously 89 will not damage the engine, otherwise BMW would not allow it's use. I am looking to know why they recommend 91. From what I have read, there is no performance advantage by using higher octane fuel (beyond the point at which premature ignition is eliminated). Is iy simply to eliminate the risk of slight knocking when starting at high ambient temperatures?
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11-22-2016, 09:33 PM | #69 |
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Car is tuned to run on 93+meth around town (Map 3). For shits and giggles, I run Map 6, which requires me to run 98-100 octane (mix VP's MS109 and Shell 93 or Sunoco 260GT Plus and Shell 93).
Love Map 6, peels wheels at 80mph. :-) |
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11-22-2016, 09:35 PM | #70 | |
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Using the recommended 91 octane should allow the engine to make the rated horsepower under all conditions. Some cars can take advantage of higher octane ratings - for sure turbo Saabs with APC back in the day would build more boost with higher octane gas, but I have no idea whether BMW does this or not. I generally use 93 in my cars, but that is because the couple of stations that have it near me are usually $.25/gal cheaper than everyone else's 91 octane gas. If I have to put 91 in, I don't sweat it.
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11-23-2016, 08:21 AM | #71 | |
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And 120hp/liter requires knock prevention from higher octane. No way your ecu will give you full rated power without it, pulling spark and boost pressure, adding fuel to correct. Otherwise they would certainly advertise that they made full power on regular gas, just like other makers used to (before power got to this level; some still do stick with regular gas, but they aren't in this arena). Between the obvious performance decrement, and the potential for damage, I don't see the point (why spend for the car, then turn it into a Camry for $.40 a gallon). I am, however, less worried about that first gallon coming out of the pump at 87 octane. |
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11-23-2016, 12:05 PM | #73 | |
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12-08-2016, 07:03 PM | #74 |
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Not cheap just going by what the manual says. It's hard to find 91 in CT so I'm left with 89. LOL The way I see it anyone putting greater than 91 in their car if they have the choice of 91 or 93 is foolish. But what do I know I'm just following the owners manual. In the end to each their own and it's not my money they are burning in their engines so I couldn't care less.
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12-08-2016, 07:10 PM | #75 | |
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12-08-2016, 07:23 PM | #76 |
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I either have to buy 89 or 93. 93 is at every gas station I have ever been to in CT. 91 is really only at Shell or Sunoco, maybe both but those stations are not really in the places I drive. Manual states 89 as minimum so I'm ok with that grade.
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12-08-2016, 07:36 PM | #77 |
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i'd buy 91 if it was offered, but I can only get 93. bought the m235 for the performance, not about to sacrifice some to save 6 bucks at the pump to get the 89.
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12-08-2016, 07:40 PM | #78 | |
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We got 6 cheap bastards out of 152 now.....must tell you something. |
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12-11-2016, 02:24 PM | #83 |
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I found a Phillips 66 close to me that sells 91 no ethanol. Would you guys suggest i run that? Majority of the stations here sell 91 with "contains up to 10% ethanol" To buy no ethanol is a bit higher per gallon but just curious on your guys thoughts.
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01-28-2017, 09:33 AM | #84 |
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I've run 94 exclusively in my turbo'ed Subies for years, not about to cheap out on a BMW.
91 is the worst I'll use. "Minimum" recommendation is just that. Cloth seats and hard plastic steering wheels are minimums as wheel. I think the Camry comments nailed it. |
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01-28-2017, 10:37 AM | #85 |
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The only thing I use non-oxy gas in is my small engine equipment and my BMW when I store it for the Winter. The reason being that ethanol enhanced gas degrades and turns to varnish faster even,I assume, with preservative in it. If you drive your car a normal amount of miles this isn't a factor. Oxygenated gas has been around for a long time. The car manufacturers have learned how to deal with it. The advantage of non-oxy gas in a car is slightly better gas mileage.
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01-29-2017, 04:08 PM | #88 |
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Shell
Sunoco Sunoco is not top tier...less than desirable detergent additive package. http://www.toptiergas.com/licensedbrands/
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