Which brand of gas do you use? - Page 7

Pontrelli · 11-23-2012, 07:03 PM

Only Shell

empilot · 11-24-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apecush

No you're not. Individual cylinder knock sensing is there for a reason. The ECU just pulls timing, netting you less power and worse fuel economy. It does this for 91 fuel as well, just to a lesser extent versus 87.

The ecu pushes for a preset value of maximum advance (which would be achieved using 95+ octane fuel) until it senses knock, and then dials back a predetermined amount. This is where maximum power lives for the given fuel grade.

Why not 85 then? Why does BMW even make a recommendation?

You're absolutely right about the ECU and like you said it has to sense knock before it adjusts cylinder timing and using lower than recommended octane will provide it plenty of knock to prevent.

Using 87 or 89 in a pinch won't hurt anything and that is what the ECU adjustment is for. It also adjusts for changes in oxygen levels due to altitude. Ever notice that 85 octane is usually only found at higher elevations and 91 is the highest octane you can get at those same stations? Thinner air means lower compression, so you can get away with a lower octane.

Consistent use of other than the recommended fuel will damage your engine and you risk voiding your warranty.

I'm just trying to point out that going against the manufacturer's advice is not good for your wallet or your engine. Don't have to take my word for it, though...

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

Take that money you're saving on lower octane and have your ECU re-mapped for 87. Sure it will void your warranty but you're doing that anyway.

apecush · 11-24-2012, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empilot

Why not 85 then? Why does BMW even make a recommendation?

Actually, after thinking about it, I agree with you about engine damage if one was to use low grade fuel constantly as excessively retarded timing can increase cylinder bore wear (in addition to giving lower power and increasing harmful emissions)

phrozen06 · 11-24-2012, 10:11 PM

I use Marathon or 76.

6spdg37s · 11-26-2012, 01:45 PM

I wonder about costco as well... 3.48 a gallon by me where premium at others is over 4.00 ..

is costco premium (93) safe to run in my M3 when i pick it up ?

Savage_M3 · 11-26-2012, 02:40 PM

I've been primarily using Irving 93 the last few years since they opened a new station nearby. I've continued to use them since I got the M3 as well.

My experience has always been positive and I haven't heard anything negative about them. They typically have the lowest prices near me as well...

lookitsma · 11-27-2012, 11:06 PM

BP here.

RaceShroom · 11-27-2012, 11:27 PM

top tier only

chevron
shell
quiktrip
texaco

TTG · 11-28-2012, 03:16 AM

Only Shell

BLACK OPS · 11-28-2012, 04:37 AM

Shell

Grayblack · 11-28-2012, 11:31 PM

Always Chevron.

Johndong888 · 11-29-2012, 02:06 AM

I try hard for shells but I like to switch it up once in a while to Sunoco

It's more important to obtain fresh gas, but not too fresh. You don't want the stuff right off the trucks.

1LRM3 · 12-03-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johndong888

It's more important to obtain fresh gas, but not too fresh. You don't want the stuff right off the trucks.

why is that? is it due to sediment that has not settled? please explain further if you would

Richbot · 12-03-2012, 07:50 PM

Also, I tend to support BP because they distribute 93 octane further West than anybody else, at least they have in my travels through the midwest. Everyone else switches to 91 or 92 somewhere around the MO/KS border.

davekim · 12-03-2012, 07:58 PM

Chevron only..

And1M3 · 12-03-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LRM3

why is that? is it due to sediment that has not settled? please explain further if you would

From tips on pumping gas

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/aut...umping_gas.htm

If a tanker truck is filling the station's tank at the time you want to buy gas, do not fill up; most likely dirt and sludge in the tank is being stirred up when gas is being delivered, and you might be transferring that dirt from the bottom of their tank into your car's tank

6spdg37s · 12-03-2012, 08:00 PM

so anyone have opinion on costco gas?

Franken///M · 12-03-2012, 08:36 PM

Shell 93

MMME30W · 12-03-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMME30W

Yep, i use Costco Kirkland Signature Premium at a very busy store near Cumberland Mall, usually.

On the road, Shell V Power 93, or Chevron Super Premium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMME30W

Personally, I'm in the camp that gas is gas leaving the refinery, with the difference in the additives. Reading I've done indicates Shell and Chevron additives are effective.

I do try to use busy stations (fresh gas) with high flow (clean filters).

Costco refomulated their gas to use 5x the detergent additives vs. before in their Kirkland Signature, so I'm fine with that.

YMMV, of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

I wonder about costco as well... 3.48 a gallon by me where premium at others is over 4.00 ..

is costco premium (93) safe to run in my M3 when i pick it up ?

Sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

so anyone have opinion on costco gas?

Yes.

6spdg37s · 12-03-2012, 09:12 PM

^ lol whats ur opinion on it ?

SeaBeast · 12-03-2012, 09:27 PM

shell v power only

jackaleyess · 12-04-2012, 12:29 AM

Petron. Ron98 exclusive.

11-24-2012, 10:11 PM	#136
phrozen06 NA V8 Drives: 01 330ci, 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 39°27'33"N 77°58'04"W W. Virgina, Kansas Posts: 1,090 iTrader: (1)	I use Marathon or 76. __________________ M3 DCT/Swift Spec R Springs/Macht Schnell Spacers/Megan Exhaust/Coming Soon: Test Pipes and BPM Stg 2 Tune People Who Say It Can't Be Done Should Not Interrupt Those Who Are Doing It

11-26-2012, 02:40 PM	#138
Savage_M3 Private First Class Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 130 iTrader: (1)	I've been primarily using Irving 93 the last few years since they opened a new station nearby. I've continued to use them since I got the M3 as well. My experience has always been positive and I haven't heard anything negative about them. They typically have the lowest prices near me as well... __________________ 2011 M3 Sedan - Jerez Black, DCT, Comp, Navi, etc...

11-28-2012, 03:16 AM	#141
TTG ... Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,592 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [3.78] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [4.00]	Only Shell __________________ Retired: 2011 E92 M3 AW w/ Silver Novillo ZCP, ZTP, ZPP, 494, 6FL, 507, 302 & 415.....ED April 29th, 2010 Retired: 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray, Black Leatherette + Alum, Nav, ZCW, ZSP, PDC, CA & Sunshade.....ED Oct 19th, 2006

11-28-2012, 04:37 AM	#142
BLACK OPS Captain Drives: E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 638 iTrader: (0)	Shell __________________ 2011.75 Jet Black e92 ///M3: ZCP\|6MT\|BB interior\|Turner Motorsport black pedals\|IND Edition Cosmetic Package \|LUX 5K\|35% tint\|clear-bra\|Vorsteiner GTS-V diffuser

11-29-2012, 02:06 AM	#144
Johndong888 John Drives: '12 AW/FR M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 628 iTrader: (8)	I try hard for shells but I like to switch it up once in a while to Sunoco It's more important to obtain fresh gas, but not too fresh. You don't want the stuff right off the trucks. __________________ Current - 2012 AW/FR E92 M3 - DCT w EDC, ZPP w Tech, Apps, Enhanced Sound, SAT. Mods - Piano Black, Euro Visors, OEM Performance CF Spoiler + Grills + Pedals, IND Gloss Blk Pkg, Lux V3, Arkym CF Front Lip, 19" HRE P40 Sold - 2008 BSM/Black E92 335i - Step, Premium, Sports, Logic7, Comfort, Navi, SAT, Alum.

11-23-2012, 07:03 PM	#133
Pontrelli Banned Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 157 iTrader: (0)	Only Shell

11-26-2012, 01:45 PM	#137
6spdg37s Captain Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: dirty jerz Posts: 738 iTrader: (2)	I wonder about costco as well... 3.48 a gallon by me where premium at others is over 4.00 .. is costco premium (93) safe to run in my M3 when i pick it up ?

11-27-2012, 11:06 PM	#139
lookitsma Private First Class Drives: BMW M3 E92 Melbourne Red Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 139 iTrader: (0)	BP here.

11-27-2012, 11:27 PM	#140
RaceShroom Registered Drives: non bmw Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: tx Posts: 3 iTrader: (0)	top tier only chevron shell quiktrip texaco

11-28-2012, 11:31 PM	#143
Grayblack First Lieutenant Drives: M5 F10 SG Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 330 iTrader: (0)	Always Chevron.

12-03-2012, 07:50 PM	#146
Richbot Major Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL Posts: 1,487 iTrader: (1)	Also, I tend to support BP because they distribute 93 octane further West than anybody else, at least they have in my travels through the midwest. Everyone else switches to 91 or 92 somewhere around the MO/KS border. __________________

12-03-2012, 07:58 PM	#147
davekim Registered Drives: 2008 e93 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Chevron only..

12-03-2012, 08:00 PM	#149
6spdg37s Captain Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: dirty jerz Posts: 738 iTrader: (2)	so anyone have opinion on costco gas?

12-03-2012, 08:36 PM	#150
Franken///M A70 Drives: '11 E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Germany/Midwest Posts: 258 iTrader: (0)	Shell 93

12-03-2012, 09:12 PM	#152
6spdg37s Captain Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: dirty jerz Posts: 738 iTrader: (2)	^ lol whats ur opinion on it ?

12-03-2012, 09:27 PM	#153
SeaBeast New Member Drives: E92 M3 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	shell v power only

12-04-2012, 12:29 AM	#154
jackaleyess Private First Class Drives: 528i m-sport f10 silver Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: kuala lumpur Posts: 156 iTrader: (0)	Petron. Ron98 exclusive.

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