DC Metro: Best Octane

[Big Windy]

Gents,

I didn't find any gas station related threads for the DC metro area...where do you guys fuel up, and what is the best octane that you've found?

I saw some other threads through google that 100 octane is available in Baltimore, but there has to be something decent more local.

Thanks!

-BW

[tunnie]

93 is fine =P shell gas with nitrogennnnn

Originally Posted by Big Windy

Gents,

I didn't find any gas station related threads for the DC metro area...where do you guys fuel up, and what is the best octane that you've found?

I saw some other threads through google that 100 octane is available in Baltimore, but there has to be something decent more local.

Thanks!

-BW

[ase2dais]

JDee also found an Octane Booster product - boost it up to 100 octane
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166184

[novablackm3]

Sunoco , exxon , shell all the same to me. i use to only fill up @ exxon mobil until the sunoco's bought them all out in the area.

[JuniorDee]

speed unlimited over by Andrews AFB where i bought the octane booster sells 110 octance cam2 gas. its crazy expensive, like $75 for 5 gallons.

[Splinter4784]

In LA on San Vicente and Bundy theres a 76 that sells 100 octane, im going to try that soon

I heard using 100 octane boosts the power by 20 to 30 whp but im not sure if its accurate

[ADubM3]

Originally Posted by Splinter4784

In LA on San Vicente and Bundy theres a 76 that sells 100 octane, im going to try that soon

I heard using 100 octane boosts the power by 20 to 30 whp but im not sure if its accurate

Well, here is my experience with 100 octane gas.
I lived in Japan for a while and frequently used 100 octane from mobile, esso,
shell etc. To be honest I really could not tell the difference when I filled up regular vs 100 octane. Come to think of it, in Japan the regular is around 90 to 93 octane. I am pretty picky about what I use for my car so it's not like I wasn't paying any attention. Especially when a Litre of 100 octane gas costs around $1.50. (that's about $5/gallon) Sometimes you just couldn't justify filling up with 100 octane gas. The difference is minimal. The only major difference I felt is in the engine knocking when running low rpm's in a high gear.

[ase2dais]

1.5x4(apprx)= $6
wow! just glad were paying just a third of that now

[ADubM3]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

1.5x4(apprx)= $6
wow! just glad were paying just a third of that now

Yup, that is right!!! So paying around $2/gallon is like a dream.
Just think of paying around $80 to $90 for every time you fill up.
With the gas mileage the M3 gets, your lead foot on that pedal will have no problems easing off. Come to think of it the M3 itself is a $100K car in Japan.
Let's see how may owners we have on this post if that was the case.
I can say I would definitely be on the sidelines. lol

[bogdan]

Originally Posted by novablackm3

Sunoco , exxon , shell all the same to me. i use to only fill up @ exxon mobil until the sunoco's bought them all out in the area.

It works for some people. Only problem is that not all the stations monitor the ethanol content in the gas. over 10% could potentially lead to issues with rough running/shaking...etc.

I'll attach some excerpts from the BMW bulletin that was released on Top Tier Gasolines.

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B13 02 06 dated April 2006.
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline in BMW Vehicles

MODEL: All with gasoline engines

INFORMATION
Deposit-control additives have been required by the EPA in all gasoline from 1995; however, since the introduction of the lowest additive concentration (LAC) most gasoline manufacturers have actually reduced the concentration level of detergent additives by up to 50%.
Low content of cleaning additives results in an excessive accumulation of deposits on fuel injectors, the intake valves, the exhaust manifold or inside the combustion chamber. Due to deposits build-up, customers may experience various drivability problems (e.g. cold start problems, rough idle), increased emissions with Service Engine Soon light illumination, reduced engine performance and poor fuel economy.
In order to increase the level of detergent additives in gasoline, the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline requirements were approved by four automotive companies (BMW, GM, Honda and Toyota).
Usage of the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline will help keep engines cleaner, and will reduce deposits-related concerns.

A number of gasoline retailers have already met the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline requirements and are offering this product in all octane grades in all of their respective marketing areas. The current TOP TIER Gasoline retailers are: Chevron®; Texaco®; QuickTrip®; ConocoPhillips®; 76®; Shell®; Entec Stations®; MFA Oil Company®; Kwik Trip®/Kwik Star®; The Somerset Refinery, Inc.®; Aloha Petroleum®; Jiffy Mart®; Mahalo®; Trip-Par Oil Company®. All gasoline outlets carrying the brand of the approved retailer must conform to TOP TIER requirements on products advertised as such.

RECOMMENDATION
BMW recommends using TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline of minimum octane rating of AKI 91 and with alcohol content of less then 10% by volume (or any other oxygenates with up to 2.8% of oxygen by weight). Only the exclusive usage of TOP TIER Gasoline provides the full benefit of reducing deposits build-up. BMW customers may find more information related to TOP TIER Gasoline on the official website www.toptiergas.com.

NOTE: For more information related to alcohol fuels refer to SI B13 01 06 (Alcohol Fuel Blends in BMW Vehicles).

If the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, we recommend BMW Group FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER PLUS (PN 82 14 0 413 341) be added to the gas tank. For optimum cleaning and deposits control, add a 20 fl. oz. bottle every 3,000 miles when refueling.

[Afrothunderr86]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

JDee also found an Octane Booster product - boost it up to 100 octane
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166184

NEVER USE OCTANE BOOSTER!!!! it gives you power at a cost. i fouled out my plugs twice using the stuff on my camaro and those r expensive $6 plugs. you e90 guys have $35 plugs.

[ase2dais]

thks for the headsup! afro, althought I have never used the said product and can never attest to its performance increase. It make me think if your situation is maybe also your type $6 plugs vs our $35 plugs...
and also decided to research more on Higher Octane and found that Premium fuel with higher octane rating, as we know, improves performance but not necessarily because of the high octance rating, as most think

....because the chemical composition of the Premium fuel may be capable of producing more power. It's a matter of how much 'bang' each drop of fuel contains. Looking at the chemistry of the fuels in question, Carbon-to-Carbon bonds actually contain more energy than Carbon-to-Hydrogen bonds. Therefore a fuel which contains more Carbon-to-Carbon bonds will give more power, regardless of the octane rating.

ref: http://www.carsales.com.au/advice/20...ar-faster-7513