F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > Is okay to run no ethanol gas on my n55?
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-21-2017, 08:22 PM   #1
JSiri335I
Private
16
Rep
73
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 335I
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Is okay to run no ethanol gas on my n55?

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com


Was wondering if it’s okay I fill up gas with no ethanol?? I usually pump gas at shell v power but this time wanted to try something different. Will I feel bump in increase power on my n55 too?
Appreciate 0
      12-21-2017, 08:38 PM   #2
bimmer456
Major General
2940
Rep
5,983
Posts

Drives: 340i
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JSiri335I View Post


Was wondering if it’s okay I fill up gas with no ethanol?? I usually pump gas at shell v power but this time wanted to try something different. Will I feel bump in increase power on my n55 too?
You can use up to 10% ethanol so less than that is fine. If anything ethanol should boost power.
Appreciate 0
      12-21-2017, 08:49 PM   #3
JSiri335I
Private
16
Rep
73
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 335I
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer456 View Post
You can use up to 10% ethanol so less than that is fine. If anything ethanol should boost power.
Oh okay thanks, I’m little new since I had my ride for year and been reading a lot what routine to keep my car in it’s shape keeping maintenance and ect.
Appreciate 0
      12-21-2017, 09:03 PM   #4
floydarogers
Curmudgeon and Pedant
floydarogers's Avatar
United_States
690
Rep
3,489
Posts

Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bellevue, WA

iTrader: (0)

If they're both 91 octane (or 92 or 93), you should not notice a difference in power. You SHOULD notice a bit better mileage with pure gasoline.

You can search for threads with "can I run regular" to see more detail on this subject.
Appreciate 0
      12-21-2017, 09:47 PM   #5
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,969
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Octane and power aren't the same thing. Quite the contrary. Where energy content is concerned ethanol is about 66% that of gasoline.
Appreciate 0
      12-21-2017, 09:52 PM   #6
IK6SPEED
Banned
United_States
4482
Rep
10,473
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 / AH3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Cali

iTrader: (23)

Quote:
Originally Posted by floydarogers View Post
If they're both 91 octane (or 92 or 93), you should not notice a difference in power. You SHOULD notice a bit better mileage with pure gasoline.

You can search for threads with "can I run regular" to see more detail on this subject.
I ran a pure gas 94 Octane for first year.

Absolutely zero difference in mileage and performance between that and subsequent years, with the exception of my wallet being $1 fatter per gallon after the first 12 months.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2017, 09:09 AM   #7
RoundelM3
Major General
RoundelM3's Avatar
United_States
1824
Rep
6,980
Posts

Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Wendell, NC

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2022 BMW X3  [9.83]
2015 BMW M3  [6.50]
Why would you NOT want to use no-ethanol 93-octane (or higher) gasoline? Ethanol isn't "good" for fuel systems unless the car is designed for higher alcohol-content fuels. Ethanol can raise the octane rating, but that just prevents pre-ignition/detonation from higher combustion temperatures due to forced induction. More ethanol = less fuel mileage and thermal energy.
__________________

2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2017, 11:48 AM   #8
IK6SPEED
Banned
United_States
4482
Rep
10,473
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 / AH3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Cali

iTrader: (23)

Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
Why would you NOT want to use no-ethanol 93-octane (or higher) gasoline? Ethanol isn't "good" for fuel systems unless the car is designed for higher alcohol-content fuels. Ethanol can raise the octane rating, but that just prevents pre-ignition/detonation from higher combustion temperatures due to forced induction. More ethanol = less fuel mileage and thermal energy.
Why would I not want to use?

As stated previously, $1 more per gallon and no real world benefit based on over 3 years of detailed tracking with the first 12 months of no ethanol in car.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2017, 10:20 PM   #9
jparnes1
Colonel
jparnes1's Avatar
No_Country
241
Rep
2,389
Posts

Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

The only thing you'll be missing are the chemical cleansers in ethanol gas. If you use non-ETOH, run some Techron every 3000 miles.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.

2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2017, 10:41 PM   #10
B58 parts
Captain
B58 parts's Avatar
United_States
472
Rep
792
Posts

Drives: '17 340ix 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

E0 is good for the lawn equipment so you don't have to buy that stabilizer junk and mess with it at the end of the season. Just leave it go and it fires right up next year. If I had a boat or similar watercraft / ATV I would use it there too.

It's kinda dumb for the car as it doesn't sit and consumes a ton ... plus it's super expensive and they only have it at a couple places around here and in 89 octane only.
Appreciate 0
      12-22-2017, 10:50 PM   #11
instalher
25cent millionaire
instalher's Avatar
Canada
251
Rep
1,217
Posts

Drives: 2020 m4 comp vert
Join Date: May 2011
Location: saskatoon

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2020 bmw  [0.00]
  [9.00]
  [0.00]
  [9.50]
2018 bmw 230i xdrive  [8.50]
stay the hell away from any Ethanol fuel.. its terrible for cars. The only reason it exsists is Monsanto supplies the gmo corn used to make the fuel so they make a killing off oil companies making this gas,, And lets be honest shell, bp, exxon, petro Canada and Irwin oil could care less what the gas does to your engine and exhaust components... This is from an Shell gas engineer at the Bowden refinery.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2017, 04:31 AM   #12
switchman8
Private
Canada
12
Rep
52
Posts

Drives: 435i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sask, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JSiri335I View Post


Was wondering if it’s okay I fill up gas with no ethanol?? I usually pump gas at shell v power but this time wanted to try something different. Will I feel bump in increase power on my n55 too?
Isnt Shell V Power non ethanol?
__________________
2016 435i xdrive
2014 235i - traded
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2017, 06:24 AM   #13
JSiri335I
Private
16
Rep
73
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 335I
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by switchman8 View Post
Isnt Shell V Power non ethanol?
It says “ may contained up 10% ethanol “ when I always go pump.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2017, 08:21 AM   #14
RoundelM3
Major General
RoundelM3's Avatar
United_States
1824
Rep
6,980
Posts

Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Wendell, NC

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2022 BMW X3  [9.83]
2015 BMW M3  [6.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by IK6SPEED View Post
Why would I not want to use?

As stated previously, $1 more per gallon and no real world benefit based on over 3 years of detailed tracking with the first 12 months of no ethanol in car.
At a buck extra per gallon, I wouldn't use it either...for that reason only. There's a station that sells ethanol-free 93 octane about 10 miles down the road from me and it's about the same cost as the up-to-10-percent 93 octane at other stations. My point was more focused on the advantage of ethanol-free gas over the e10 product. The other unmentioned point is that ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning that it can mix with water - something you don't want in your fuel system.
__________________

2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2017, 08:20 PM   #15
Canadian eh!
Second Lieutenant
96
Rep
219
Posts

Drives: 440xi Gran Coupe!!!!
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Kind of obvious!

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by switchman8 View Post
Isnt Shell V Power non ethanol?
In Canada it is, at 91 octane, but not in all markets. It is my preferred fuel for that reason, as ethanol is hard on seals and engine internals, mixes with water etc.

The bloody government is proposing mandating ethanol inclusion in pursuit of green cred at international summits so how long it lasts, who knows....
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2017, 08:27 PM   #16
Canadian eh!
Second Lieutenant
96
Rep
219
Posts

Drives: 440xi Gran Coupe!!!!
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Kind of obvious!

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JSiri335I View Post
It says “ may contained up 10% ethanol “ when I always go pump.
In Portland all grades of shell gas contain 10% ethanol.
Appreciate 0
      12-23-2017, 09:22 PM   #17
JSiri335I
Private
16
Rep
73
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 335I
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian eh! View Post
In Portland all grades of shell gas contain 10% ethanol.
Yes indeed you are correct.
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2017, 05:18 AM   #18
switchman8
Private
Canada
12
Rep
52
Posts

Drives: 435i
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sask, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian eh! View Post
In Canada it is, at 91 octane, but not in all markets. It is my preferred fuel for that reason, as ethanol is hard on seals and engine internals, mixes with water etc.

The bloody government is proposing mandating ethanol inclusion in pursuit of green cred at international summits so how long it lasts, who knows....
oh ok, here its either v-power, safeway or fasgas for non ethanol, im sure vpower has better additives than the others though.
__________________
2016 435i xdrive
2014 235i - traded
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2017, 08:22 AM   #19
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,969
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by switchman8 View Post
im sure vpower has better additives than the others though.
Based on what, advertising?

http://www.asrcreviews.org/nad-recom...ser-to-appeal/
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2017, 08:41 AM   #20
Bob in IL
Captain
754
Rep
983
Posts

Drives: 2024 G01 X3, 2019 G30 5 Series
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Shell certainly is the most aggressive in marketing their brand and additive in print and on TV. Not a bad strategy but probably not much different than Envigorate or whatever other brands call their additives.
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2017, 11:21 AM   #21
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,969
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian eh! View Post
ethanol... mixes with water
That's not a bad thing. Long before E-Gas we added what's referred to as dry gas to our gas in winter to rid the tank of water build up caused by condensation. It's alcohol based, usually isopropyl or methanol. Ethanol works in a similar fashion, though it's not as effective in very cold temperatures at preventing gas line freeze up.
Appreciate 0
      12-24-2017, 11:32 AM   #22
Bob in IL
Captain
754
Rep
983
Posts

Drives: 2024 G01 X3, 2019 G30 5 Series
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago area

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
That's not a bad thing. Long before E-Gas we added what's referred to as dry gas to our gas in winter to rid the tank of water build up caused by condensation. It's alcohol based, usually isopropyl or methanol. Ethanol works in a similar fashion, though it's not as effective in very cold temperatures at preventing gas line freeze up.
I remember always keep a can of HEET handy.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:25 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST