[ocso1606]

Any advice on this? I have a local gas station that sells both. Which would be better? Does it matter anymore? The octane is 91 non-ethanol and 93 ethanol. Thanks

[The X Men]

You will get better gas mileage with the non-ethanol gas.

[EnerJi]

Originally Posted by ocso1606

Any advice on this? I have a local gas station that sells both. Which would be better? Does it matter anymore? The octane is 91 non-ethanol and 93 ethanol. Thanks

As the X Men said, better gas mileage with the non-ethanol. Ethanol is also being produced (in the US) in a fiscally and environmentally irresponsible way. If you care about either of those issues, you may want to stay away for that reason alone!

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by The X Men

You will get better gas mileage with the non-ethanol gas.

AND better performance !

[StevenBTO]

Non-scientific observation of mine: My car shakes/vibrates more at idle when I use gas with ethanol then it does without ethanol.

[KneeDragr]

Non-ethanol gas for all the reasons above and also it is more stable when storing your vehicle.

[dan5.5]

I think I read in the manual that only non ethanol gas is supposed to be used. I could be wrong.

[f30racerM]

Originally Posted by ocso1606

Any advice on this? I have a local gas station that sells both. Which would be better? Does it matter anymore? The octane is 91 non-ethanol and 93 ethanol. Thanks

Typically ethanol based fuel offers a higher octane and is worthwhile in turbocharged applications.

[Roowah]

Originally Posted by dan5.5

I think I read in the manual that only non ethanol gas is supposed to be used. I could be wrong.

That's not possible. There are many states including mine that don't sell non ethanol gas. They're designed to run with 10% ethanol. It is true however, that if you are able to get straight gas, you will get better mileage, since ethanol has a lower energy rating than pure gasoline.

[ric124]

in Florida all gas has 10% or less ethanol. I wish I could find a gas station with no ethanol. I think what the manual says about ethanol they are talking about e85.

[Frogman]

From the manual:

[ocso1606]

Just an update, the non-ethonal is about 30 cents more a gallon and I notice a huge difference in performance. It is 91 octane. We were out of town this past weekend and had to fill up with Shell 93 octane. Ran the tank dry yesterday and filled back up with the non-ethonal, immediate difference. If you guys can find it use it! Still debating rather or not the 30 cents more is worth it and can be made up through gas mileage.

[Tsuvoi]

Originally Posted by Frogman

From the manual:

They are warning against fueling with a pure ethanol solution like they do in some countries such as brazil. Over here it's 10% max.

[Roki_014]

Originally Posted by ocso1606

Just an update, the non-ethonal is about 30 cents more a gallon and I notice a huge difference in performance. It is 91 octane. We were out of town this past weekend and had to fill up with Shell 93 octane. Ran the tank dry yesterday and filled back up with the non-ethonal, immediate difference. If you guys can find it use it! Still debating rather or not the 30 cents more is worth it and can be made up through gas mileage.

They cost the same by my place

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by ft1337

They are warning against fueling with a pure ethanol solution like they do in some countries such as brazil. Over here it's 10% max.

The manual specifically refers to E-85 ethanol as being a no-no. Many states in the US now have a 10% ethanol blend which is just fine. Initially it was used during winter months as a replacement for MTBE as an oxygenate to reduce emissions , but now it's year-round.

E-85 is 85% ethanol which should only be used motors designated as "flex fuel" compatible, meaning they are prepped for E-85.

As stated previously, E-85 is the brainchild of the corn lobby in their never ending quest to find uses for corn that will keep demand and prices high. It's about the dumbest, most lopsided concept ever conceived in my humble opinion. I think we should find a way to fuel our cars with bloated politicians. Then we'll be solving two problems at once.

Here's a simple synopsis of the concept:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...356709682.html

[MaestroAl]

Well I'm game if you are. Let's get all the politicians and stick them in a room together and seal the room apart from one, small exit, to which we can attach a turbine. Since all politicians produce is hot air and shit, we can power the turbine with their hot air and burn their shit for even more power.

I reckon we could power Los Angeles with them

[jbbrann]

http://pure-gas.org/ has a list of stations that sell ethanol free gas. They were pretty up-to-date in my neck of the woods. Boating is popular where I live and a lot of people don't like to run ethanol gas in their marine engines, so luckily it isn't too hard to find ethanol-free around here.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by jbbrann

http://pure-gas.org/ has a list of stations that sell ethanol free gas. They were pretty up-to-date in my neck of the woods. Boating is popular where I live and a lot of people don't like to run ethanol gas in their marine engines, so luckily it isn't too hard to find ethanol-free around here.

Just used this and looks like the gas station by me only offer and if I remember correctly they have their 90 listed as recreational gas. I already buy my 93 gas from them anyway for $3.99

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by jbbrann

http://pure-gas.org/ has a list of stations that sell ethanol free gas. They were pretty up-to-date in my neck of the woods. Boating is popular where I live and a lot of people don't like to run ethanol gas in their marine engines, so luckily it isn't too hard to find ethanol-free around here.

The bigger issue for boats is that the ethanol attacks the fiberglass tanks breaking down the resin and carrying it into the carbs and cylinders. This is primarily an issue on older boats, but if it happens you're screwed.

[jddssc121]

the only place that sells non-ethanol by me is a no name gas station....... so i'm trading off ethanol for some gas that probably has crap levels of detergent...... so do i want a little better MPG and maybe even power for a dirtier engine? that's my dilemma....

[lewes2]

Going over the DE state line into MD, the stations serving up pure gas carry only grade 89. Which would you use? 91 ethanol or 89 pure gas?

We are planning a trip to Williamsburg, Va, and enroute, there's a Sunoco station about 44 miles south selling 93 pure gas. Filling up there!

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Tsuvoi

Over here it's 10% max.

I believe its more like 15% now. The EPA just picked a random date out of their ass and said all cars produced after this date (2001) will be fine with E15. Which is weird that a 2001 325i/330i would be affected by ethanol, but a 2003 E46 would not. Both have the same engine. I also looked to see if there was any change in pumps, fuel lines, hoses ect.. guess what? No change.


The trouble I run into is Ethanol free vs top tier gas. There aren't any stations near me that have both.