Which brand of gas do you use?

[RogeM3]

For those that use pure gasoline, just remember to use BMW Fuel System Cleaner in the tank every 6k miles to clean your injectors... Part of Shell and Shell like Gas stations that is good, is that they have chemicals (cleaners) that help your engine, that's basically the only good thing they have, so by using pure gas it would be helpful for you to use a Fuel Cleaner, like BMW's.

my 2 cents

[Sam@ModeCarbon]

Shell or Exxon

[E90M3-SG]

Shell V-Power!

[BMWJ]

Choose your favorite and go for it, it makes no difference which brand you buy. It's all marketing, and clearly the gas companies are doing a good job with that. By the way look up who owns top tier.... it's all marketing my friends. No different than the Pepsi or Coke argument.

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by BMWJ

Choose your favorite and go for it, it makes no difference which brand you buy. It's all marketing, and clearly the gas companies are doing a good job with that. By the way look up who owns top tier.... it's all marketing my friends. No different than the Pepsi or Coke argument.

I heard something to the fact that maybe like 3 companies own all the refineries. All the different banners out there roll up to these 3.

Not sure if that is accurate but I had heard that.

The one thing I do know that if it is not a corporate owned store, the gas is not always the same. They can buy gas "off the rack" so marketing does come into play.

I think I would spend more time making sure to go to a busy station not what station to ensure you do not get stale gas.

[IFX]

Mobil.

[mdosu]

99% Shell, 1% BP

[cambit]

i probably wasted my money, but during the 1200 mile break-in period I filled up with Sunoco GT 100 octane gas from my local 76 station (woodside, redwood city).

Occasionally I go back to mix 100/91 to get ~95 octane, but mostly just fill up at the whatever gas station is near, Shell, Chevron, 76, and Costco gas.

[Dellirium]

Shell

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by M3RD

If you are Canadian then watch Marketplace on CBC tonight at 9:30 PM

You may find it interesting as the truth will be told about the different gasoline grades and how the public is being mislead by the oil companies.

The show was lame ... Basically said follow manufactor recommendations. And don't put premium in shit boxes.

[Xtopherus]

Originally Posted by cambit

i probably wasted my money, but during the 1200 mile break-in period I filled up with Sunoco GT 100 octane gas from my local 76 station (woodside, redwood city).

Occasionally I go back to mix 100/91 to get ~95 octane, but mostly just fill up at the whatever gas station is near, Shell, Chevron, 76, and Costco gas.

I've been to that station and have contemplated a tank of that stuff. I have to wonder, though, how long does that gas sit in the underground tank? There can't be that much of a demand for it.

[izzyM3]

91 of course - United oil... closest, cheapest n my M still zips.

[cambit]

Originally Posted by Xtopherus

I've been to that station and have contemplated a tank of that stuff. I have to wonder, though, how long does that gas sit in the underground tank? There can't be that much of a demand for it.

I can't really speculate on the demand for that racing fuel. I think it's a legitimate concern, but given the options in the area we don't have much of a choice.

I do want to say based on my own experience that octane ratings 91 vs 93 vs 95 vs 100 have a larger material effect than comparing Shell vs Chevron vs 76, all at 91.

[kawasaki00]

Originally Posted by W///

Is it kind of a mom's pop's store? There's a few no name brands not far from the house, but if I'm going to go non-top tier, I'm sticking with a bigger chain like Spinx.

No the main one I use is a Shell station. I live on Lake Norman and there are ethanol free stations all over. Lot of guys have burned up the engines in boats and jetskis from the ethanol fuel.

[kawasaki00]

Originally Posted by RogeM3

For those that use pure gasoline, just remember to use BMW Fuel System Cleaner in the tank every 6k miles to clean your injectors... Part of Shell and Shell like Gas stations that is good, is that they have chemicals (cleaners) that help your engine, that's basically the only good thing they have, so by using pure gas it would be helpful for you to use a Fuel Cleaner, like BMW's.

my 2 cents

Actually using ethanol in the fuel is far worse for your system. The reason bmw started using the cleaner was to combat the ethanol in the fuel. Pure gasoline has superior cleaning power over ethanol, methanol alcohol etc. Problem with ethanol is when it evaporates it leaves a horrible sticky film on everything, it also dries out gaskets, seals etc. We have had to change all the orings in our fuel systems at work because the ethanol will make them swell up and dry out and start leaking.
Even the ethanol free gasoline has the detergent package as the others have. Just like oil.

[Powerbeast]

Chevron or Mobil

[RogeM3]

Originally Posted by kawasaki00

Actually using ethanol in the fuel is far worse for your system. The reason bmw started using the cleaner was to combat the ethanol in the fuel. Pure gasoline has superior cleaning power over ethanol, methanol alcohol etc. Problem with ethanol is when it evaporates it leaves a horrible sticky film on everything, it also dries out gaskets, seals etc. We have had to change all the orings in our fuel systems at work because the ethanol will make them swell up and dry out and start leaking.
Even the ethanol free gasoline has the detergent package as the others have. Just like oil.

That's why I use 100% pure gasoline, I think I've only put once Shell Gas with ethanol, just once.... I don't like ethanol gasoline, poor MPG, water in the tank, poor performance, etc... I put the BMW Cleaner, since it was recommended to me by the dealer, saying it helps keep the engine clean, so 100% Non-ethanol Gasoline plus a Cleaner it's what i do... I'll do more research to find out if I really need the cleaner. Thanks!

[Marco@McKennaPerformance]

Chevron or Shell

[MY13E92M3]

Originally Posted by BMWJ

Choose your favorite and go for it, it makes no difference which brand you buy. It's all marketing, and clearly the gas companies are doing a good job with that. By the way look up who owns top tier.... it's all marketing my friends. No different than the Pepsi or Coke argument.

Very true. My Aunt works for BP and confirmed the above.

That said, since we dont have BP in Hawaii, I only put Chevron.

[rdollie]

Let me assure you that's inaccurate. There are refineries owned by the top-tier brands (e.g., Chevron), 2nd tier brands (e.g., Valero), independent refineries (becoming less common) and joint ventures.

Also, even the top-tier brands will on occasion buy on the spot market if economics/demand dictate. They simply buy a specific spec and may or may not have to blend it with something before it hits their retail outlets.

Originally Posted by M3forMe

I heard something to the fact that maybe like 3 companies own all the refineries. All the different banners out there roll up to these 3.

Not sure if that is accurate but I had heard that.

The one thing I do know that if it is not a corporate owned store, the gas is not always the same. They can buy gas "off the rack" so marketing does come into play.

I think I would spend more time making sure to go to a busy station not what station to ensure you do not get stale gas.

[Port Canaveral M3 driver]

Sunoco 260 (100 octane) or a top tier gas? Still looking around the site for info and use of Sunoco 260 by you guys, do you?

[mkiv808]

Originally Posted by cambit

i probably wasted my money, but during the 1200 mile break-in period I filled up with Sunoco GT 100 octane gas from my local 76 station (woodside, redwood city).

Occasionally I go back to mix 100/91 to get ~95 octane, but mostly just fill up at the whatever gas station is near, Shell, Chevron, 76, and Costco gas.

100 won't benefit your car at all, neither will "95". It doesn't have the compression/timing to utilize the extra octane.