What octane gas do you use?

[ferrix924]

Hey guys, I got my 2012 e92 M3 back in January and couldn't be happier with the car - it's actually blown me away and then some. I tried searching around the forums but I couldn't find the exact answer so here I go (I might have missed it, if so, apologies): I remember reading in the BMW guide that the absolute minimum octane rating should be 89 (I could be wrong on this as well). I saw in a lot of the old threads that many people use 93. Is there a big difference between 89, 91, and 93 in terms of gas mileage, power, and wear on the car? I'm mainly worried about the cost but I don't mind spending more on 93 if it there is a significant effect on gas mileage and wear on the car in the long term. Just wanted to get as many opinions as possible. I appreciate the help!

[Someone?]

93, i have a 93 octane tune, but i would run it anyway.

[Chris M4CS]

I usually use non-ethanol 93 octane in mine, but at $5 a gallon, it's a bit expensive. Where I live here in OKC, there are only 1 or 2 stations that offer 93 so I have used non-ethanol 91. And honestly, I really haven't noticed a performance difference...other than I'm sure my car is faster with 93 due to the lightened wallet!

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by ferrix924

Hey guys, I got my 2012 e92 M3 back in January and couldn't be happier with the car - it's actually blown me away and then some. I tried searching around the forums but I couldn't find the exact answer so here I go (I might have missed it, if so, apologies): I remember reading in the BMW guide that the absolute minimum octane rating should be 89 (I could be wrong on this as well). I saw in a lot of the old threads that many people use 93. Is there a big difference between 89, 91, and 93 in terms of gas mileage, power, and wear on the car? I'm mainly worried about the cost but I don't mind spending more on 93 if it there is a significant effect on gas mileage and wear on the car in the long term. Just wanted to get as many opinions as possible. I appreciate the help!

Not sure if serious.

If you have access to 93, use it. 91 should be an absolute minimum if you don't have access to 93 imo. Don't be cheap, you are driving a $70k+ car when purchased new.

[M3/4 life]

I use 93 & 93 only IF YOU HAVE ACCESS to 93 octane & choose not to use it in this car than i.m.h.o you're quite foolish!

[Agent-GHQ]

Here in Cali we don't have 93 which says required but 91 is the bare minimal. But I have tried 100 and that was $9.50/ gallon!! I was at a 1/4 tank and I filled up the tank with 100 and I honestly did not noticed any significant difference, not even when M mode activated

[ferrix924]

Originally Posted by blankstar43

Not sure if serious.

If you have access to 93, use it. 91 should be an absolute minimum if you don't have access to 93 imo. Don't be cheap, you are driving a $70k+ car when purchased new.

Thanks for your input. It was a serious question, I've been using 93 when it's available (like you said, why skimp on gas when you bought a $70k car) but I was mainly trying to determine if using 93 over 91 had an effect on gas mileage and the health of the engine. I saw some posts that alluded to that and it sparked my curiosity

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by ferrix924

Thanks for your input. It was a serious question, I've been using 93 when it's available (like you said, why skimp on gas when you bought a $70k car) but I was mainly trying to determine if using 93 over 91 had an effect on gas mileage and the health of the engine. I saw some posts that alluded to that and it sparked my curiosity

Best to use 93 to mitigate the risk of potential detonation from a bad batch gas.

[Ezio]

i use 93.

[1MOREMOD]

I told a guy at the track I use 75 octane this weekend so everyone else could have a chance to catch me

[audioMeth]

87

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

I told a guy at the track I use 75 octane this weekend so everyone else could have a chance to catch me

Did you use an octane debooster aka piss in the tank?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Did you use an octane debooster aka piss in the tank?

No I run 92, just being a dick

[stealthM3]

Originally Posted by Agent-GHQ

Here in Cali we don't have 93 which says required but 91 is the bare minimal. But I have tried 100 and that was $9.50/ gallon!! I was at a 1/4 tank and I filled up the tank with 100 and I honestly did not noticed any significant difference, not even when M mode activated

Thats because w/o a race tune and map, 100 octane will not make a difference.
It does add a good amount of increase with a tune when catless.

OP, if you have access to 93, go 93. Im not sure why you even mentioned 89 as an option?

[Law]

Must be nice to have a choice between premium fuels.
Residents of the People's Republic of California certainly do not.

[GVIFlyer]

BP 93

[ZEEM3R]

93, only use 91 if the gas station near me does not have 93 and theres no way I can make it to a gas station that has 93 without risking getting stranded.

[SenorFunkyPants]

I only use 95 aki in mine and it really likes it...mind you it bloody needs to at nearly $8.5 a US gallon and 15 mpg! (Regular U/L is $8 a US gallon)
You can certainly tell the difference if you use 95 for a while and then are forced to switch down to a tank of regular 91 aki...it starts to pink after a few hundred yards until it readjusts and generally feels off colour.

[Agent-GHQ]

Originally Posted by stealthM3

Thats because w/o a race tune and map, 100 octane will not make a difference. It does add a good amount of increase with a tune when catless.

Aren't M3 race tune out the box ready to race? 😏

[BrewRifle]

93.

[tacoman]

Originally Posted by GVFlyer

BP 93

I think our owners manual suggests BP fuel. Have not read it myself....but a bud told me this
Luckily...a BP is 1.5 miles away from the house.

[besiktas]

93, unless it is not available