87 Octane

808@702 · 08-17-2011, 03:20 PM

So i'm filling up my tank yesterday, and I see another guy with an M3 also filling up at the pump next to me. I couldnt help but notice he was putting 87 octane in his car (I always use 91). So I asked him why he uses 87. He said that he "used to use 91 and since he switched he cant tell any difference in performance, and it is top tier gas". Im wondering what if any affect the use of lower octane would have on the car long term. I dont intend to switch, no way in hell.

Seattle S65B40 · 08-17-2011, 03:55 PM

Whether it's noticeable or not, I would never put less than 91 octane or gas from any station other than Shell or Chevron. That dude sounds like a cheap bastard and his M3 should be revoked.

persian54 · 08-17-2011, 03:58 PM

91 is too low...

S65B40 · 08-17-2011, 03:59 PM

Or he might have been a stealer technician filling cheap gas for the customer. I have seen it happened before.

808@702 · 08-17-2011, 04:03 PM

It was Chevron. He didnt look cheap. I fact he looked friggin rich! And 91 is the highest we can get in LV.

e46e92love · 08-17-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

It was Chevron. He didnt look cheap. I fact he looked friggin rich! And 91 is the highest we can get in LV.

He is cheap, and stupid. What reason other than money would someone ever get 87 over 91 or 93 or 94? Seriously, this is an ///M we are talking about. If someone doesn't like putting high-test, or wide expensive tires or expensive breaks on their car, why on earth did they buy an ///M.....just get a 328, or 335 or 335d (the best) and enjoy those GREAT cars. Again, if you need to go off-roading or haul lumber you don't buy a civic or F430. Different cars, different focuses, different purposes......its not rocket science.

Asiarush · 08-17-2011, 04:16 PM

he is cheap and stupid !!! the difference on a full tank is $ 3.00 between 87 and 91...
even if he doesnt see any difference he is still clogging his injectors with LED.

what a moron

radiantm3 · 08-17-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asiarush

he is cheap and stupid !!! the difference on a full tank is $ 3.00 between 87 and 91...
even if he doesnt see any difference he is still clogging his injectors with LED.

what a moron

He should fish them out and make LED angel eyes. That's savings right there.

ES_TRADER · 08-17-2011, 04:26 PM

I put 91 in my 20 year old camry. I even put 91 back into every loaner car I've ever got. Cheapass he is

Seattle S65B40 · 08-17-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

It was Chevron. He didnt look cheap. I fact he looked friggin rich! And 91 is the highest we can get in LV.

BTW, how does somebody look rich? You can never really tell. Those are often the people who are broke because they spend all of their money on trying to look "rich," with nothing left to back it up. No baller is going to be pinching pennies at the pump... (PP@P)

Doctor J · 08-17-2011, 04:39 PM

Octane rating does not relate to the energy content of the fuel. It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner. Where the octane number is raised by blending in ethanol, energy content per volume is reduced.

87 octane has more energy in it than 91.

As long as his engine is not pinging -- no harm done really.

and to the person that mentioned "LED" (sic) --- there hasn't been any lead in pump gas for years and years

dibxna · 08-17-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiantm3

He should fish them out and make LED angel eyes. That's savings right there.

Glad someone else is a smart ass when it comes to spelling and grammar, ha!

I M STIG · 08-17-2011, 05:12 PM

Sounds like a cheap bastard who needs a swift kick in the nuts! My ex's parents used to put 87 in their E46 325i when they first got it. Then they wondered why they kept having so many engine issues... Then their warranty was stripped once the service department tested their gasoline. I used to get so mad at them for it, too. Her dad and I argued quite a bit about it, hahaha.

Team Plutonium · 08-17-2011, 05:19 PM

You should've called Chuck Norris... he would've roundhouse kicked him in the dick.

808@702 · 08-17-2011, 05:26 PM

HAHA! Next time I see him I will tell him all your opinions. I agree, to save 3 bucks on a tank is just stupid.

e92_m3 · 08-17-2011, 05:36 PM

He might have detuned his car to run efficiently on 87 oct? J/k.

Since he's rich, gas won't be a factor for him. Anyways, why would someone do that? ///M3's are meant for high performance and should use 91 oct out of the factory, unless it's modified to use race gas, etc. That's another story.

sensi09 · 08-17-2011, 05:56 PM

Wondering what type of mileage he gets on 87. Might be under 10mpg or so for regular driving.

Interesting he called it "top tier gas." So he can't be that in the dark....

DBH · 08-17-2011, 06:26 PM

BMW recommends 93 octane with a minimum fuel grade of 91. They further state "Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the engine could be damaged.".

Implied here - if the engine is damaged due to low grade (i.e.: 87 octane) fuel, repairs under warrenty may not be covered! With the price difference between 87 and 91/93 you'd have to fill up an awful lot to pay for an new engine!

1MOREMOD · 08-17-2011, 06:33 PM

Is that bad?

M3crazy · 08-17-2011, 06:43 PM

Using 87 octane cant be any worse than using gas with 10% ethanol. I only put 100% gas in my cars.

LarThaL · 08-17-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBH

BMW recommends 93 octane with a minimum fuel grade of 91. They further state "Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the engine could be damaged.".

Implied here - if the engine is damaged due to low grade (i.e.: 87 octane) fuel, repairs under warrenty may not be covered! With the price difference between 87 and 91/93 you'd have to fill up an awful lot to pay for an new engine!

Just curious...to all of you here who live in 91 octane land, do you really think you are getting the full rated power of this engine? My bet is that you are not. 93 or even 94 octane and cold, dry air at sea level is likely needed for a highly tuned, high revving motor such as this to achieve it's stated power output. I don't know for sure on the M3, but this was definitely the case when I had my RS4.

Frostbite · 08-17-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 808@702

It was Chevron. He didnt look cheap. I fact he looked friggin rich! And 91 is the highest we can get in LV.

I think you can still get the high octane race gas at some 76 stations

08-17-2011, 03:20 PM	#1
808@702 7th BMW, 500th Surfboard Drives: My girlfriends crazy! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nv. and Honolulu, Hi. Posts: 718 iTrader: (0)	87 Octane So i'm filling up my tank yesterday, and I see another guy with an M3 also filling up at the pump next to me. I couldnt help but notice he was putting 87 octane in his car (I always use 91). So I asked him why he uses 87. He said that he "used to use 91 and since he switched he cant tell any difference in performance, and it is top tier gas". Im wondering what if any affect the use of lower octane would have on the car long term. I dont intend to switch, no way in hell.
	Tweet

08-17-2011, 03:55 PM	#2
Seattle S65B40 Major Drives: 2008 e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PNW Posts: 1,398 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Whether it's noticeable or not, I would never put less than 91 octane or gas from any station other than Shell or Chevron. That dude sounds like a cheap bastard and his M3 should be revoked. __________________ Club 6MT 2008 E92 M3 6MT, AW/Blk Ext., brushed aluminum 2006 E46 M3 ZCP 6MT Carbon blk/blk(sold) 2001 E46 325Xi 5MT Jet Blk/Blk (sold)

08-17-2011, 03:58 PM	#3
persian54 Lieutenant General Drives: MW E93 M3/E89 Z4 35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal Posts: 15,352 iTrader: (259)	91 is too low... __________________ Next track day: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651089 Sorry I'm just someone who comes on here to fill a void..I dont have the $ to own a BMW. This is a nice E93:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434032

08-17-2011, 03:59 PM	#4
S65B40 Major Drives: 08 AW M3/11 SG 535i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,312 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 M3 Coupe [4.67] 2011 BMW F10 535i S ... [4.33]	Or he might have been a stealer technician filling cheap gas for the customer. I have seen it happened before. __________________ 2008 BMW ///M3 Coupe 6MT Alpine White/Fox Red/ Delivered on March 15th, 2008! Weekend 2011 BMW 535i ///M Sport Sedan 8AT Space Grey/Black/ Delivered on November 26th, 2010! Daily \

08-17-2011, 04:16 PM	#7
Asiarush Private First Class Drives: 2010 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 176 iTrader: (2)	he is cheap and stupid !!! the difference on a full tank is $ 3.00 between 87 and 91... even if he doesnt see any difference he is still clogging his injectors with LED. what a moron __________________ 2010 M3 Jerez Black Metalic, Premium Package, Technology Package, M Double Clutch with driveLogic

08-17-2011, 04:03 PM	#5
808@702 7th BMW, 500th Surfboard Drives: My girlfriends crazy! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nv. and Honolulu, Hi. Posts: 718 iTrader: (0)	It was Chevron. He didnt look cheap. I fact he looked friggin rich! And 91 is the highest we can get in LV.

08-17-2011, 04:26 PM	#9
ES_TRADER Colonel Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC Posts: 2,369 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2012 328i E92 [5.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [0.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [5.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	I put 91 in my 20 year old camry. I even put 91 back into every loaner car I've ever got. Cheapass he is

08-17-2011, 04:39 PM	#11
Doctor J Captain Drives: 2010 E93 M3 DCT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 698 iTrader: (0)	Octane rating does not relate to the energy content of the fuel. It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner. Where the octane number is raised by blending in ethanol, energy content per volume is reduced. 87 octane has more energy in it than 91. As long as his engine is not pinging -- no harm done really. and to the person that mentioned "LED" (sic) --- there hasn't been any lead in pump gas for years and years

08-17-2011, 05:12 PM	#13
I M STIG RawAutos.com Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 478 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a cheap bastard who needs a swift kick in the nuts! My ex's parents used to put 87 in their E46 325i when they first got it. Then they wondered why they kept having so many engine issues... Then their warranty was stripped once the service department tested their gasoline. I used to get so mad at them for it, too. Her dad and I argued quite a bit about it, hahaha. __________________ 2009 E90 M3\| Jerez Black \| Extended Silver Novillo with Brushed Aluminum \| 6MT \| EDC \| Premium Package II \| Convenience Package \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| HD Radio \| Heated front seats \| Fold down rear seats \| Moonroof \| 19" wheels \| RawAutos.com

08-17-2011, 05:19 PM	#14
Team Plutonium Major General Drives: 911 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate Posts: 8,526 iTrader: (1)	You should've called Chuck Norris... he would've roundhouse kicked him in the dick. __________________ Gone... ESS VT2-625 \| ESS Tune \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Brembo 380mm BBK \| Dinan 4.10 Diff \| KW Variant 3 Coilovers \| Dinan Camber Plates \| Dinan Strut Tower Braces \| Dinan X-Pipe \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Vorsteiner GTS3 Bumper \| Varis System One Diffuser \| OEM Performance Spoiler \| Stack Gauges \| GTS Door Sills \| Volk TE37 \| Falken Azenis RT615K 275/315 \| Pulled Fenders \| Turner Stud Kit \| OMP ARS Racing Seats New: 991C2S

08-17-2011, 05:26 PM	#15
808@702 7th BMW, 500th Surfboard Drives: My girlfriends crazy! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nv. and Honolulu, Hi. Posts: 718 iTrader: (0)	HAHA! Next time I see him I will tell him all your opinions. I agree, to save 3 bucks on a tank is just stupid.

08-17-2011, 05:36 PM	#16
e92_m3 Major Drives: 2009 e92 m3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 1,470 iTrader: (0)	He might have detuned his car to run efficiently on 87 oct? J/k. Since he's rich, gas won't be a factor for him. Anyways, why would someone do that? ///M3's are meant for high performance and should use 91 oct out of the factory, unless it's modified to use race gas, etc. That's another story.

08-17-2011, 05:56 PM	#17
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal Posts: 1,512 iTrader: (1)	Wondering what type of mileage he gets on 87. Might be under 10mpg or so for regular driving. Interesting he called it "top tier gas." So he can't be that in the dark....

08-17-2011, 06:26 PM	#18
DBH Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA Posts: 275 iTrader: (0)	BMW recommends 93 octane with a minimum fuel grade of 91. They further state "Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the engine could be damaged.". Implied here - if the engine is damaged due to low grade (i.e.: 87 octane) fuel, repairs under warrenty may not be covered! With the price difference between 87 and 91/93 you'd have to fill up an awful lot to pay for an new engine!

08-17-2011, 06:33 PM	#19
1MOREMOD Major General Drives: at a moderate pace Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: garage Posts: 6,538 iTrader: (3)	Is that bad? __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings & bearings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster knob\|Euro header\|Eisenmann sport\|K&N c.a.i.\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|CSL brakes\|RS19s\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|race pulleys\|BMWpedals\|Apex studs\|1995 Ford Probe gt chump car\|

08-17-2011, 06:43 PM	#20
M3crazy Private Drives: In transit: 2013 E92 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	Using 87 octane cant be any worse than using gas with 10% ethanol. I only put 100% gas in my cars.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search