01-30-2014, 09:20 PM | #1 |
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Gas grade?
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01-31-2014, 08:26 AM | #4 |
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You're driving a car with a turbocharged engine, which is sensitive to octane rating and will lower its power output to meet the lower fuel grade to prevent pre-ignition/detonation. Is it really worth the small difference in price? I never use anything but Shell V-Power in any BMW, normally-aspirated or forced-induction.
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01-31-2014, 08:45 AM | #5 |
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I always use shell as well. BMW recommends top tier fuels for best performance.
89 is the minimum the engine will accept without knocking. 91 is recommended. Let's think of it this way... for an entirely empty tank, you will pay about $1.6 more per tank if the difference in cost is $0.10. You fill up once a week, from empty. That's under $100 difference across the year - assuming that you fill an entire tank every week. You own a BMW. If you want to risk your engine, diminished fuel economy, and sub optimal performance for $100 a year, you should probably get another car. The bottom line though is you will get better gas mileage at higher octanes - so chances are that the savings will be a wash. A lot of people get bent out of shape about buying a car that doesn't take 87. Your total savings is going to be less than $300 across the year between 93 and 87. Chances are that the way that you drive and what kind of mileage you can get will make more difference than the difference in octane rating. Hope this is helpful for you. |
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01-31-2014, 08:50 AM | #6 | |
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Running fuel that is too high in octane is actually bad for the engine since it can burn too slowly, contrary to popular belief, high octane gas isn't "cleaner" and it won't get you better mileage (using octane higher than what the engine was designed for actually decreases mileage), it just burns slower which some engines (such as forced induction engines) require. So if BMW suggests a minimum of 89...I'd use 89. If my 335i requires a minimum of 89, I'd just put 89 in it. It isn't because I want to save the money (the marginal savings is nice though I suppose) but because that means 89 is the most efficient fuel to use for the motor. |
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01-31-2014, 09:10 AM | #7 | |
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01-31-2014, 09:24 AM | #8 |
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Here in Jersey we dont get 91 so i used to alternate 89 & 93 around the half way mark to approximate. & ofcourse forgot a few times & ran on 89 or 93 exclusively & noticed absolutely no difference; so get 91 if its available or 89 should suffice
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01-31-2014, 09:26 AM | #9 | |
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I only use US 93 from a top tier (BP for me). They don't even sell 91 at my BP anyway. |
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01-31-2014, 09:39 AM | #10 | |
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01-31-2014, 09:54 AM | #11 | |
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Top Tier is the same gas with supposedly more additive added to reduce gumming up engines. That's an industry pledge because the gov didn't want to increase the additive requirements in order to match European gas, with the ultimate aim of protecting the US car industry against European imports. Like any other petty steps the gov is taking against imports such as bogus light and bumper requirements. US cars are made to run on crappy gas so it doesn't matter where you fill up. European cars less so. Anyway, this might be true, or not, but this seems plausible to me. I just wouldn't do a test of 87 vs 93, or top tier vs normal gas, on a "Canadian" car, I would do the test on a modern European import. That was my point. |
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01-31-2014, 10:02 AM | #12 | |
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01-31-2014, 10:07 AM | #13 |
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test both and you'll find your stock F30 runs the same with 89 or 91. (American Octane rating)
Placebo effect is a powerful thing though. My car is always faster after I wash it.
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01-31-2014, 10:15 AM | #14 |
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01-31-2014, 10:22 AM | #15 |
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01-31-2014, 10:30 AM | #16 |
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01-31-2014, 10:34 AM | #17 |
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Well said! FWIW, my gas cap says 89 octane minimum.
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01-31-2014, 10:41 AM | #18 | |
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I beliebe BMW switched the minimum rating with the late '13's or 14's. I have a '13 (11/12 build) and it states 91. I plan to run 84 on my next fill up. |
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01-31-2014, 11:58 AM | #19 | |
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01-31-2014, 12:20 PM | #21 | |
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01-31-2014, 12:24 PM | #22 |
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wait whats the re/blue dial between my center air vents?
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