[F30inthe6ix]

I was wondering where the rest of you Canadian members prefer to fill up your cars? I've heard nothing but good things about Shell V-Power from other BMW-owning friends, so I've been using that religiously in my 328 so far. I was wondering if you guys had any other preferences when it comes to getting gas for your vehicles.

I've thought about using 94 from Petro occasionally as we have it here in the GTA, but considering the car is tuned from the factory to use 91 octane I've been a little hesitant. Anyone find themselves using 94 octane on a stock tune? and if so, have you noticed any benefits from doing so?

[instalher]

well my uncle Paul is an engineer at the Bowden refinery here in alberta, and according to him, ALL gas in Canada has super high min. standards for detergent, anti coagulants, anti rust, ect. Far far above the u.s. standards, the biggest difference is there secret octane enhancement chemical, shell has v power, chevron has techron, petro Canada has tactrol. ect.. Just look for a top tier fuel and you will be fine,, BMW recognises Costcos top tier gas by the way... Just my two cents.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

i was using Petro 94 but switched to shell 91 just because it does not contain ethanol.

FWIW according to BMW, all the long crank issues with N54/55 engines were caused by ethanol and BMW does not recommend ethanol usage at all.

[TheBingoBalls]

I don't think there is any hard evidence proving you should use Gas A over Gas B. If there was certain fuels that were detrimental to your car, I'm sure BMW would outline them. Use what is available to you as long as you follow the minimum requirement of 91 octane. I've used Petro Canada for pretty much the life of my E90 with zero effects on drivability and I'm approaching 200,000km despite what people are claiming with ethanol being in Petro Canada fuel.

Your question isn't going to yield anything like the various "which oil should I use" threads. The right fuel or oil is the one that follows BMW guidelines outlined in the owners manual.

[lens]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I don't think there is any hard evidence proving you should use Gas A over Gas B. If there was certain fuels that were detrimental to your car, I'm sure BMW would outline them. Use what is available to you as long as you follow the minimum requirement of 91 octane. I've used Petro Canada for pretty much the life of my E90 with zero effects on drivability and I'm approaching 200,000km despite what people are claiming with ethanol being in Petro Canada fuel.

Your question isn't going to yield anything like the various "which oil should I use" threads. The right fuel or oil is the one that follows BMW guidelines outlined in the owners manual.

The hard evidence is pure gas will always be better than ethanol. More mileage per tank and power, which is why shell is so popular.

I literally get 100km more per tank with shell, driving the same way.

[TheBingoBalls]

I'm not going to argue the theoretical benefits of ethanol vs non-ethanol that non-ethanol is more efficient. You might get 100km more on a tank which is great, but you'll get just as many people, including myself, that will not notice any difference - regardless of which fuel i use, I'm getting no more or less than 520-540km on a tank.

Now if OP can get similar fuel economy as you, they should continue to use Shell, but there isn't a right or wrong gas to buy. It's the same with engine oil. Theoretically, some oils are better than others but will the driver feel them? Unless under specific conditions (track use), probably not. But that's not to say you should or shouldn't use certain oils.

I'm not saying you and I are right or wrong but I'm putting this out there before this inevitably turns into a p-ssing match over A is better than B.

Again, the "correct" fluids are the ones that follow BMW guidelines and specifications. It's up to the driver which approved fluid they decide to use and the benefits, if any, are noticed.

[lens]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

I'm not going to argue the theoretical benefits of ethanol vs non-ethanol that non-ethanol is more efficient. You might get 100km more on a tank which is great, but you'll get just as many people, including myself, that will not notice any difference - regardless of which fuel i use, I'm getting no more or less than 520-540km on a tank.

Now if OP can get similar fuel economy as you, they should continue to use Shell, but there isn't a right or wrong gas to buy. It's the same with engine oil. Theoretically, some oils are better than others but will the driver feel them? Unless under specific conditions (track use), probably not. But that's not to say you should or shouldn't use certain oils.

I'm not saying you and I are right or wrong but I'm putting this out there before this inevitably turns into a p-ssing match over A is better than B.

Again, the "correct" fluids are the ones that follow BMW guidelines and specifications. It's up to the driver which approved fluid they decide to use and the benefits, if any, are noticed.

You don't need to feel the difference in oil, it's what it does in the long run.

The same thing with fuel, keep putting ethanol with the F30s, and you'll see what it does in the long run.

But hey, some people like to take care of their cars right?

[TheBingoBalls]

Like I said earlier, I've been using Petro for the better part of the life of my E90 with almost 200,000km with no ill effects and the whole argument of ethanol vs non-ethanol was as alive then as it is today with F30s.

Maybe your argument is more evident with F30s or turbo engines in general, but I'm sure someone could chime in and all they used was fuel with ethanol with no problems. If it was 100% fact that fuel with ethanol damages engines, I'm sure BMW would clearly state not to use those fuels. Until then, I'm fine using anything that BMW allows without worry and so far it's been fine.

YMMV. :

[lens]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Like I said earlier, I've been using Petro for the better part of the life of my E90 with almost 200,000km with no ill effects and the whole argument of ethanol vs non-ethanol was as alive then as it is today with F30s.

Maybe your argument is more evident with F30s or turbo engines in general, but I'm sure someone could chime in and all they used was fuel with ethanol with no problems. If it was 100% fact that fuel with ethanol damages engines, I'm sure BMW would clearly state not to use those fuels. Until then, I'm fine using anything that BMW allows without worry and so far it's been fine.

YMMV. :

If BMW can make money off you by having you bring in your car when your fuel lines or filters are broken, then they can keep quiet until there's enough of that. There's a reason why they're reducing the free maintenance to 3 years, and having no CPO transfer or warranty transfer. They're getting greedy.

For those who actually keep their cars and don't lease, little things like this can affect your car in the long run. If you lease and give back your car after 4 years, then use any fuel you want. The E90 was NA, (except the 335i N54) so you probably felt no ill effects from ethanol, but turbo engines are a bit different and they do need 91 octane, with no ethanol to use it's full potential.

[Tsilly]

Had my f30 for 4 years the car hasn't tasted anything other than V-power!

[power-fade]

Chevron 94

[Mhnd198502]

For the past month+ i`ve been testing the Chevron, Shell, PetroCan gas on my F30 MPE.

Big F for Shell - all grades

Chevron - 94 A+ if you go racing. Street use----F
Chevron - 89 B- for everyday driving

PetroCan - A+ on on all grades.
I find PetroCanada`s gas the best for street use and racing. Not too hard on the gearbox shifting (like Chevron 94). Not too slow on reaction when you press the gas pedal.

Now, is your call what you put into your car.

[lens]

Originally Posted by Mhnd198502

For the past month+ i`ve been testing the Chevron, Shell, PetroCan gas on my F30 MPE.

Big F for Shell - all grades

Chevron - 94 A+ if you go racing. Street use----F
Chevron - 89 B- for everyday driving

PetroCan - A+ on on all grades.
I find PetroCanada`s gas the best for street use and racing. Not too hard on the gearbox shifting (like Chevron 94). Not too slow on reaction when you press the gas pedal.

Now, is your call what you put into your car.

....89 octane?

.....Yeah....




They used 91 octane to test these results. So if you put 89 octane, you get less power out of your engine, and potentially have it knock/crappy MPG.

[Mhnd198502]

Well...that`s why i said "everyday driving". I don`t think you`re racing when you go to work or to Costco.
You`d be surprised, MPG was very close between all of them. I get between 400-450km/tank the way i drive my car.

Depends what you want from you car...You want to be the first at the stop light, sure, go with 94.

How come BMW doesn`t say anything about diesel fuel?

[lens]

Originally Posted by Mhnd198502

Well...that`s why i said "everyday driving". I don`t think you`re racing when you go to work or to Costco.
You`d be surprised, MPG was very close between all of them. I get between 400-450km/tank the way i drive my car.

Depends what you want from you car...You want to be the first at the stop light, sure, go with 94.

How come BMW doesn`t say anything about diesel fuel?

Because there's only one type of diesel being sold at the stations.

And why would you buy a 300HP+ BMW and treat it like a honda?

I drive mine pretty hard, as I bring mine to the backroads, and I actually get 500-550KM per tank.

Even for everyday driving I put 91, if I have access to 94, I put 94. The higher the octane, the cleaner the fuel, and the happier your engine is.

It's not about racing, you put the best fuel because it's better for your car.

If you lease your car, then who cares I guess, but if you keep it, you may want to do the little things that have your car last longer without problems.

But hey, your car isn't my car, so you can put whatever you want in your car, if you want to put 87 octane, go ahead.

[Mhnd198502]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Because there's only one type of diesel being sold at the stations.

And why would you buy a 300HP+ BMW and treat it like a honda?

I drive mine pretty hard, as I bring mine to the backroads, and I actually get 500-550KM per tank.

Even for everyday driving I put 91, if I have access to 94, I put 94. The higher the octane, the cleaner the fuel, and the happier your engine is.

It's not about racing, you put the best fuel because it's better for your car.

If you lease your car, then who cares I guess, but if you keep it, you may want to do the little things that have your car last longer without problems.

But hey, your car isn't my car, so you can put whatever you want in your car, if you want to put 87 octane, go ahead.

You`re wrong about the Diesel. Shell has 2 or 3 types of diesel.

Just cos i did this "test" doesn`t mean i treat this car like a Honda.
I didn`t say i`m still putting 89 in it as of today. And yes, i`m leasing it. Don`t really care about it that much since BMW owns the car. I`m sure by the end of 2016 they will come out with 340i M Performance, and i will jump on that.

500-550km per tank? Hard to believe that if you drive it like you say.
Don`t look at the odo after you fill up. I get the same thing on the display "550km", but when i start driving it....The closest i got was 485-490km.

[lens]

Originally Posted by Mhnd198502

You`re wrong about the Diesel. Shell has 2 or 3 types of diesel.

Just cos i did this "test" doesn`t mean i treat this car like a Honda.
I didn`t say i`m still putting 89 in it as of today. And yes, i`m leasing it. Don`t really care about it that much since BMW owns the car. I`m sure by the end of 2016 they will come out with 340i M Performance, and i will jump on that.

500-550km per tank? Hard to believe that if you drive it like you say.
Don`t look at the odo after you fill up. I get the same thing on the display "550km", but when i start driving it....The closest i got was 485-490km.

The shells around here only have 1 type.

And I get about 11L/100KM average per tank, this winter, I got 12.5-13L/100KM which is about normal.

[Mhnd198502]

That`s what i get too. 12-13.5L/100km winter (got my car in Dec 2015)
But i`m not going based on what the display says. I fill up and reset the odo to 0.

[Tim@codemybimmer]

In case anyone was interested:

My historical gas mileage of my old 2013 328i xDrive http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/328i_x...mbits93/234446

My current 2015 328i xDrive
http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/328i_x...mbits93/411008

Winter is really taking a toll on the gas mileage, but I find the onboard computer quite accurate compared to my calculations based on my trip computer + fuel pump.

[E30toF30]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Because there's only one type of diesel being sold at the stations.

And why would you buy a 300HP+ BMW and treat it like a honda?

I drive mine pretty hard, as I bring mine to the backroads, and I actually get 500-550KM per tank.

Even for everyday driving I put 91, if I have access to 94, I put 94. The higher the octane, the cleaner the fuel, and the happier your engine is.

It's not about racing, you put the best fuel because it's better for your car.

If you lease your car, then who cares I guess, but if you keep it, you may want to do the little things that have your car last longer without problems.

But hey, your car isn't my car, so you can put whatever you want in your car, if you want to put 87 octane, go ahead.

WOW, you get 500-550km/tank on your 335? Holy smokes...is it a large proportion of hwy driving? I haven't even been able to get past 400km on a full tank! However I do about 95% city driving so maybe thats part of it...that and the very heavy right foot...

[eluded]

Costco

[lens]

Originally Posted by E30toF30

WOW, you get 500-550km/tank on your 335? Holy smokes...is it a large proportion of hwy driving? I haven't even been able to get past 400km on a full tank! However I do about 95% city driving so maybe thats part of it...that and the very heavy right foot...

80% city 20%highway, I have all seasons DWS, which helped me gain about 2-3MPG more, andhad intake walnut blasting done.