What octane rating do you use?

harma24 · 10-27-2016, 06:58 PM

I live in an area where 91 is not readily available; my options are 89, 93 or blend the two to get 91.

As the car requires 89 but recommends 91, I'm curious to know what octane others use in their cars. Does anyone run 89 on a regular basis?

15GT-TO-M235 · 10-27-2016, 07:08 PM

91, ca

Tpeterson · 10-27-2016, 07:16 PM

93 BP premium

wjones14 · 10-27-2016, 07:18 PM

91 octane is hard to come by in southeastern CT as well, but not impossible. Sunoco stations have 87, 89, 91, and 93. I always use Sunoco 91.

Dylan86 · 10-27-2016, 07:58 PM

94 only.

gatorfast · 10-27-2016, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjones14

91 octane is hard to come by in southeastern CT as well, but not impossible. Sunoco stations have 87, 89, 91, and 93. I always use Sunoco 91.

Why would you use 91 when 93 is available???

shil · 10-27-2016, 08:15 PM

91 in Ontario.

hisdigness · 10-27-2016, 08:23 PM

When I get it, I will be using 91. In SoCal. I wish we had 93!

Joaco135 · 10-27-2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why would you use 91 when 93 is available???

Was about to ask the same

Here in TX plenty of 93, I use Shell 93..

wjones14 · 10-27-2016, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why would you use 91 when 93 is available???

Because every study I have ever read said that using a higher octane than what the manufacturer recommends is a waste of money. You don't gain anything. If you find a different validated study, please share.

XutvJet · 10-27-2016, 08:56 PM

The DME can take advantage of the extra octane.

harma24 · 10-27-2016, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why would you use 91 when 93 is available???

Octane rating pertains to the ability of the fuel to resist premature ignition (knocking). Premature ignition is caused by high pressure and temperature. A higher octane beyond what is required to prevent premature ignition does nothing to increase performance. The energy density of gas (at least what we can buy at the corner gas station, and effects of summer/winter blends aside and ethanol content) does not change with a higher octane rating.

The manual indicates that 89 is required, but it may result in knocking when starting at higher engine temperatures, although the manual states that "this has no effect on the engine life". Has anyone experienced this? I'm wondering, given that statement, if it might knock a bit at high load (WOT or high temperatures).

jpnh · 10-27-2016, 09:14 PM

Planning on 93

But we also have a station up here with 100 octane

Anyone have any thought/observations on using it?

BEM-S4 · 10-27-2016, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjones14

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Why would you use 91 when 93 is available???

Because every study I have ever read said that using a higher octane than what the manufacturer recommends is a waste of money. You don't gain anything. If you find a different validated study, please share.

For what a few bucks a tank on a $60k car? Put the best stuff they have in there. If 91 not available I wouldn't bother trying to blend stuff. You're talking "wasting" what $20 a month maybe?

roadster675 · 10-27-2016, 10:20 PM

93, BTW, those who post that it's waste to user higher than required are correct.
However, many oil companies supply their highest octane product with a more robust detergent package, so there may be some advantage, since we all know the sensitivities of BMW injectors.

yaymitch · 10-27-2016, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joaco135

Was about to ask the same

Here in TX plenty of 93, I use Shell 93..

Same.

wjones14 · 10-27-2016, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

For what a few bucks a tank on a $60k car? Put the best stuff they have in there. If 91 not available I wouldn't bother trying to blend stuff. You're talking "wasting" what $20 a month maybe?

That's just the thing - 93 octane is not actually "better." It's just a higher octane, so it burns slower. Like I said, show me a study that concludes that using a higher octane than the manufacturer recommends is better.

wjones14 · 10-27-2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The DME can take advantage of the extra octane.

Not saying you're wrong, but can you provide a link?

pz619 · 10-27-2016, 10:27 PM

91, pretty much the highest you can easily find in CA.

Sportstick · 10-27-2016, 10:32 PM

Octane rating and detergent package are independent variables, although some brands might boost them together for marketing purposes. Octane has no direct relationship to gasoline quality, other than a case of mislabeling. The most rational course for any car is to use the required octane per the vehicle manufacturer from only top tier brands of gasoline from the most recently constructed gas station for highest integrity of their underground tanks against leakage/moisture penetration:

http://www.toptiergas.com/

Beyond that, the benefit is psychological.

doccyber · 10-27-2016, 11:02 PM

91 here in CA. No 93.

Luddy · 10-27-2016, 11:09 PM

Here in south eastern PA I use Shell 93. I hardly ever see 91 available anywhere.

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

10-27-2016, 06:58 PM	#1
harma24 Captain 403 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	What octane rating do you use? I live in an area where 91 is not readily available; my options are 89, 93 or blend the two to get 91. As the car requires 89 but recommends 91, I'm curious to know what octane others use in their cars. Does anyone run 89 on a regular basis? __________________ 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 Tweet Quote

10-27-2016, 07:08 PM	#2
15GT-TO-M235 Enlisted Member 9 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2016 m235 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: west coast iTrader: (0)	91, ca
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 07:16 PM	#3
Tpeterson Lieutenant 157 Rep 580 Posts Drives: 228i MSport/THP/MT/ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Eagan Mn iTrader: (0)	93 BP premium
	Appreciate 1 bryan_G011164.50 Quote

10-27-2016, 07:18 PM	#4
wjones14 Captain 649 Rep 885 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Niantic CT iTrader: (0)	91 octane is hard to come by in southeastern CT as well, but not impossible. Sunoco stations have 87, 89, 91, and 93. I always use Sunoco 91. __________________ 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 Quote

10-27-2016, 07:58 PM	#5
Dylan86 Colonel 1330 Rep 2,214 Posts Drives: F15d msport, F22 m235i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	94 only. __________________ My F22 Road/Track Build
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 08:15 PM	#7
shil Huh? Wazzat? 32 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 228i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Hamilton, ON iTrader: (0)	91 in Ontario.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 08:23 PM	#8
hisdigness Private 20 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M240i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	When I get it, I will be using 91. In SoCal. I wish we had 93!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 08:56 PM	#11
XutvJet Major General 5551 Rep 5,369 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	The DME can take advantage of the extra octane.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 09:14 PM	#13
jpnh Brigadier General 1424 Rep 3,395 Posts Drives: NA Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Planning on 93 But we also have a station up here with 100 octane Anyone have any thought/observations on using it?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 10:20 PM	#15
roadster675 Enlisted Member 12 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2016 M235, 2019 X5, 2004 330Ci Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	93, BTW, those who post that it's waste to user higher than required are correct. However, many oil companies supply their highest octane product with a more robust detergent package, so there may be some advantage, since we all know the sensitivities of BMW injectors.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 10:27 PM	#19
pz619 Brigadier General 3279 Rep 3,256 Posts Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	91, pretty much the highest you can easily find in CA.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 10:32 PM	#20
Sportstick Major General 4651 Rep 6,027 Posts Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Southwest USA iTrader: (0)	Octane rating and detergent package are independent variables, although some brands might boost them together for marketing purposes. Octane has no direct relationship to gasoline quality, other than a case of mislabeling. The most rational course for any car is to use the required octane per the vehicle manufacturer from only top tier brands of gasoline from the most recently constructed gas station for highest integrity of their underground tanks against leakage/moisture penetration: http://www.toptiergas.com/ Beyond that, the benefit is psychological. __________________ 2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV 2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner
	Appreciate 1 wjones14649.00 Quote

10-27-2016, 11:02 PM	#21
doccyber Captain 259 Rep 628 Posts Drives: %D0%97%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	91 here in CA. No 93.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2016, 11:09 PM	#22
Luddy Private 42 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i xdrive EBII Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: West Chester, PA iTrader: (0)	Here in south eastern PA I use Shell 93. I hardly ever see 91 available anywhere.
	Appreciate 0 Quote