[mike@x-ph.com]

I use Chevron or Shell

[bavarianride]

Costco, and very rarely Shell or Chevron.

[RPM90]

93 octane from Speedway about 90% of the fill ups, and about 10% from Costco 93.

I used to use BP almost exclusively about 5-6 years ago, but I stopped paying more for it and trying to find BP stations, plus their business practices didn't resonate well with me.

[MikeTerp]

Costco, unless I am traveling and it is not immediately available. Then mostly Shell or Exxon.

[casualDIYer]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

costco

Costco 91 and Shell 91. Both Ethanol free.

[Jmpascual]

The best gas in my area is shell. I use the 93 octane V-power Nitro. $2.99 per gallon

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by Jmpascual

The best gas in my area is shell. I use the 93 octane V-power Nitro. $2.99 per gallon

Nice... I haven't seen prices that low for premium since 2003 here in extreme nor cal.

[Jay757]

Chevron or Shell. If there's none around I'll look for anything on the top tier list. I only use 91 too. Gas just went up 40 cents over here today...

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Whatever local station that's convenient and has good prices. IMO, Top Tier is marketing BS and even if it is worthwhile, the advantages in the additives are minor. By the way, I've had this attitude since I've leased BMW's starting in 2007 and never had an issue.

I had issues. My 2009 335 had more carbon build up than if dumped tar in valves after 60k miles. I know DI was the cause but I put cheap 93 in it for years but it was beside my house..

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

I had issues. My 2009 335 had more carbon build up than if dumped tar in valves after 60k miles. I know DI was the cause but I put cheap 93 in it for years but it was beside my house..

Wow! That is my fear since I plan to keep this car for at least 6 years; A, because I ordered her with PC Delivery; B, if she doesn't fall victim to Atlanta bumper cars.

So which is your gas of choice?

[SCMike]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Whatever local station that's convenient and has good prices. IMO, Top Tier is marketing BS and even if it is worthwhile, the advantages in the additives are minor. By the way, I've had this attitude since I've leased BMW's starting in 2007 and never had an issue.

I agree. I'm 70, and IMHO gasoline brand advertising has been a lot of hooey as far back as I can remember in the previous century. The German vehicle manufacturer's owner instructions in the US have lots of verbiage on octane and break-in (esp. for my Cayman) requirements - but on specific gasoline brands? - not so much. Ponder that - they tell you what specific oil brand to use, what antifreeze, what transmission fluid, but otherwise....

[vrrooom]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

costco

I got several tankfulls in Middletown WI, had a problem and the dealer tested the fuel it contained almost 20pct ethanol. NSG

[philbake]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

We have 93 here in Atlanta; had it in Birmingham too, but 94??

I'd give anything for gas with no Ethanol. Shit basically turns into cotton candy in a gas tank. I know modern cars are made to handle it, but my Sthl Backpack blower, weed trimmer, and lawn mower are sticky as hell with all that corn syrup in it. I use 93 in the small engines to combat this and it is somewhat effective. If I had a boat, I'd be pissed.

A bit shocked at all the Costco use since it's not Top Tier. Does Costco advertise a detergent, or do you just think it doesn't matter?

I'm trying to figure out if I'm just anal about these sort of things. I'm bullish about my Castrol Synthetic oil, car shampoo, and other detail products, and most crazy about tires.

Seem to have gone overboard for my gasoline too. Using QT (just a convenience store chain that is cheap but committed to so called "guaranteed gas"), was a big stretch for me, as I didn't have it in Alabama. I do know QT gas is always fresh. Each station I go to are overflowing with customers; which is one reason I like it other than being cheap in the city.

Again, I'm a lifelong Chevron guy and am now embracing Shell. Really don't touch anything else.

For those new to the brand who are reading this, the fuel is important. Do not try to save a buck by getting just Plus 89 octane, as these are high performance engines; even the cute little 4 banger!

Costco IS Top Tier now. Has been for over a year. I think as long as it's Top Tier, a high volume station, and the pumps are working properly (i.e. You're getting 91 when you select that button) there's not a discernible difference. In any given region, the base gasoline is coming from the same place.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

Wow! That is my fear since I plan to keep this car for at least 6 years; A, because I ordered her with PC Delivery; B, if she doesn't fall victim to Atlanta bumper cars.

So which is your gas of choice?

I try to stick to Shell now. Where I live it's all small local crappy gas stations. Top tier is hard to find. I'm moving in two weeks where it is all top tier. Also the N54 had more issues than the N55.

[NightWriter]

This is purely anecdotal (and related to my current dd, an Infiniti G37 with 60k miles), but I don't trust Costco gas anymore. I've had rough idling and occasionally hesitant acceleration. Twice I decided to splurge for Shell instead and the problems vanished, only to return when going back to Costco.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by SCMike

I agree. I'm 70, and IMHO gasoline brand advertising has been a lot of hooey as far back as I can remember in the previous century. The German vehicle manufacturer's owner instructions in the US have lots of verbiage on octane and break-in (esp. for my Cayman) requirements - but on specific gasoline brands? - not so much. Ponder that - they tell you what specific oil brand to use, what antifreeze, what transmission fluid, but otherwise....

+1, I'm only 65 but my experience is the same. I also use regular. I've become convinced that most manufacturers who specify premium do so because a high percentage of owners would think that a high performance engine needs it, and if they don't specify premium then it's not a high performance engine. Higher octane is a necessity with 11:1 or better compression and mechanical ignition, but not with 10:1 and computer controlled ignition. The additive question is also suspect. All fuel is detergent fuel, at least that from North American refineries. I'd pay the extra if I had any reason to believe it was worth it, but a million plus miles of driving without ever experiencing a fuel related issue tells me otherwise.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

This is purely anecdotal (and related to my current dd, an Infiniti G37 with 60k miles), but I don't trust Costco gas anymore. I've had rough idling and occasionally hesitant acceleration. Twice I decided to splurge for Shell instead and the problems vanished, only to return when going back to Costco.

That happened to me too in the past with Costco on high-mileage cars and that was solved with Techron fuel cleaner whenever hesitation occurred(roughly every 3-4k miles). Since Costco started adding 5x additives there has been no issue even without Techron cleaner.

[casualDIYer]

I guess you always get a bit of the low grade stuff ever since most stations have gone to single hose pumps

[Ganxxta]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

I'd give anything for gas with no Ethanol.

I'm using 102 RON from Aral (BP) here in Germany, they claim it does not contain any Ethanol, didn't have any problems yet.

Also got some recommendations for it because of high compression and turbo to avoid knocking, especially with a tune.

[noein]

+1 on costco!

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Ganxxta

I'm using 102 RON from Aral (BP) here in Germany, they claim it does not contain any Ethanol, didn't have any problems yet.

Also got some recommendations for it because of high compression and turbo to avoid knocking, especially with a tune.

Nice! Yep, not sure how much ethanol is used globally. Here in the U.S. The farm subsidies pushed hard for it. Now we use food for fuel; smart.

The typical spread of corn syrup to gas is 90/10, or 88/12. Cheap stuff can go as high as 85/15 or even up to 20% corn syrup... err ethanol. Should be a class action lawsuit.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Shell 93. Exxon or Sunoco if I'm in a pinch.