Best gas?

ceesar · 09-20-2011, 12:02 AM

Ok, this forum might not be the best place for this...but here goes anyway.

Reading the M3 manual tonight ... and I noted the section about using premium quality gas, so it got me thinking, what brand is the best to use?

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Shell seems to be the dominant player, with a smattering of Chevron, 76 and Arco.

I've been using Chevron Super Premium (up to 10% ethanol) in my GTi, but with the M3 enroute (and the complex instruction in the M3 manual

), figured I'd re-visit this.

What does everyone else use?

bmw_enthusiasm · 09-20-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceesar

Ok, this forum might not be the best place for this...but here goes anyway.

Reading the M3 manual tonight ... and I noted the section about using premium quality gas, so it got me thinking, what brand is the best to use?

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Shell seems to be the dominant player, with a smattering of Chevron, 76 and Arco.

I've been using Chevron Super Premium (up to 10% ethanol) in my GTi, but with the M3 enroute (and the complex instruction in the M3 manual

), figured I'd re-visit this.

What does everyone else use?

Is is my impression that all bimmers do better on mobil 93...
and less on sunoco...

macavant · 09-20-2011, 12:33 AM

I use any of the top tier brands. My GTI (due to the 2.0T) seems to be more sensitive to the dip in octane than my M3. Most noticeably during the summer months. Here in CA, we get pretty crappy fuel to begin with. So far I have used Chevron, Shell and 76 on the M3.

http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html

Prince_of_Persia · 09-20-2011, 12:53 AM

Lots of thread about this. Shell is the choice of most bimmer drivers

1MOREMOD · 09-20-2011, 02:08 AM

i use shell, chevron or 76 and dont notice any difference.

BeamingE39 · 09-20-2011, 03:44 AM

I personally find Shell V-Power to be the best than Chevron and 76 about even.

sarddenso · 09-20-2011, 04:28 AM

my service guy in houston recommended texaco/chevron.
filled up with shell every now and then and didn't notice too much difference between them.

ThunderMoose · 09-20-2011, 11:29 AM

Shell and not just because I work for them

JDy80 · 09-20-2011, 11:41 AM

I'd love to use Shell, but my BP card gets me cash prices at those stupid dual cash/credit pumps. Anyone know if the Shell card does the same?

mpm3 · 09-20-2011, 11:43 AM

shell im all over it ! V powar i beat a lambo on that gas ( jking )

PTURANO · 09-20-2011, 04:14 PM

Shell Vpower.....Best no question.

GOLFFRR · 09-20-2011, 04:18 PM

Shell always for me

Mr. ///M3 RD · 09-20-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Lots of thread about this. Shell is the choice of most bimmer drivers

You know a fellow that was fairly high in the oil and gas business corporate lather once told me "it does not make much of a difference"

On my former e46 a 2002 M3 I used mostly regular then once in a while I used super to clean the valves out good. Now mind you I at that time drove mainly highway very little city or town milage. Sold my e46 with almost 100,000 KM on the clock and never ever any engine issues.

Now my M3 e92 I use mainly Super and once in a while Premium I treat my MB C 350 in the same way ... even though myu MB dealer told me "use only Super or you have to come in and have your computer reset"

PhillyNate · 09-20-2011, 05:10 PM

I use Citgo 93 exclusively. It ran wonderfully in my 328i and ditto for my M3. Between you and I, I don't believe Hugo Chavez uses as much ethanol as everyone else. I have no proof though.

Stainless 45 · 09-20-2011, 05:19 PM

In the manual BMW recommends BP

JohnnyRoaster · 09-20-2011, 05:28 PM

I use Shell V-power as well. They partner with Stop & Shop in my area. I usually pay 50-90 cents off with my Stop & Shop gas points.

PhillyNate · 09-20-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stainless 45

In the manual BMW recommends BP

My experience with BP is for some odd reason it only runs well when mixed another brand gasoline. A full tank of that stuff has not been great.

burnsniper · 09-20-2011, 06:21 PM

The brand of gasoline should not make that any difference in performance (at least in the US). In the US, base gasoline can come from any number of refineries regardless of the brand and are often loaded into trucks (for delivery to stations) at the same terminal. For example Exxon branded gasoline may have been produced at a BP refinery. Gasoline will differ based on its original crude source but it would be impossible to determine which gasoline you are buying is from which crude source. Furthermore, different sources of gasoline are usually blended several times before they get to a pump.

Different branded gasolines do have different fuel additives. However, the additives are generally derived for cleaning fuel injectors, preventing deposits, etc. and a lot of this is pure marketing. The additives are not what make the power for a car, the gasoline base is. Some areas of the country do change the base blend based on the weather (winter vs summer).

It is also important to use as close to the designed octane rating as possible (not more) to maximize performance. Putting a higher octane gasoline in a car will actually reduce performance (unless you are tuned for that octane!).

Ultimately, if you were to use off brand gasoline for the life of the car you may have some deposit problems at ~100,000+ miles.

kscarrol · 09-20-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I use Citgo 93 exclusively. It ran wonderfully in my 328i and ditto for my M3. Between you and I, I don't believe Hugo Chavez uses as much ethanol as everyone else. I have no proof though.

Sorry, but that is not Hugo's choice! If he wants to sell gasoline in the US, it has to meet US standards... And I'm sure that like most oil companies they are net buyers on the wholesale gasoline market and then blend to both their and the US's standards.

Prince_of_Persia · 09-20-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Lots of thread about this. Shell is the choice of most bimmer drivers

You know a fellow that was fairly high in the oil and gas business corporate lather once told me "it does not make much of a difference"

On my former e46 a 2002 M3 I used mostly regular then once in a while I used super to clean the valves out good. Now mind you I at that time drove mainly highway very little city or town milage. Sold my e46 with almost 100,000 KM on the clock and never ever any engine issues.

Now my M3 e92 I use mainly Super and once in a while Premium I treat my MB C 350 in the same way ... even though myu MB dealer told me "use only Super or you have to come in and have your computer reset"

Haha interesting! I have never used regular gas ( except for rental car) . Does your car drive different when you use regular gas?

Seven7 · 09-21-2011, 01:20 AM

I used to go to chevron and add in there best they have which is the 94 in canada. It costs about a dollar and 50+ cents per litre. I pay 100 bucks each time and the tank isnt full. Now i switched to Shell V-Power, it costs a dollar and 30 cents and I only play 75 dollars and my tank is full and my m3 runs great. Shell is the way to go imo.

Nelrock · 09-21-2011, 11:01 AM

I use Shell.

09-20-2011, 12:02 AM	#1
ceesar Private First Class Drives: 2012 M3 Convertible Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 103 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 E93 Con ... [0.00]	Best gas? Ok, this forum might not be the best place for this...but here goes anyway. Reading the M3 manual tonight ... and I noted the section about using premium quality gas, so it got me thinking, what brand is the best to use? Here in the Pacific Northwest, Shell seems to be the dominant player, with a smattering of Chevron, 76 and Arco. I've been using Chevron Super Premium (up to 10% ethanol) in my GTi, but with the M3 enroute (and the complex instruction in the M3 manual ), figured I'd re-visit this. What does everyone else use?
	Tweet

09-20-2011, 12:33 AM	#3
macavant always on the "M" button... Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: California Posts: 195 iTrader: (1)	I use any of the top tier brands. My GTI (due to the 2.0T) seems to be more sensitive to the dip in octane than my M3. Most noticeably during the summer months. Here in CA, we get pretty crappy fuel to begin with. So far I have used Chevron, Shell and 76 on the M3. http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html __________________ Spritzig Graphit Metallisch \| 16mpg of unadulterated M goodness ...

09-20-2011, 12:53 AM	#4
Prince_of_Persia Colonel Drives: 6MT E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 2,155 iTrader: (1)	Lots of thread about this. Shell is the choice of most bimmer drivers __________________ AW\|FR 6MT E92 ///M3

09-20-2011, 02:08 AM	#5
1MOREMOD Major General Drives: at a moderate pace Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: garage Posts: 6,520 iTrader: (3)	i use shell, chevron or 76 and dont notice any difference. __________________ 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\|

09-20-2011, 11:41 AM	#9
JDy80 Captain Drives: 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 717 iTrader: (0)	I'd love to use Shell, but my BP card gets me cash prices at those stupid dual cash/credit pumps. Anyone know if the Shell card does the same? __________________ 2003 Cobra -> 2010 BMW e90 M3 - Space Grey - Black on Carbon Leather Int. - BRILLIANT CAR!!

09-20-2011, 03:44 AM	#6
BeamingE39 Second Lieutenant Drives: slower than I'd like Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 240 iTrader: (0)	I personally find Shell V-Power to be the best than Chevron and 76 about even.

09-20-2011, 04:28 AM	#7
sarddenso Private First Class Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sydney Posts: 114 iTrader: (0)	my service guy in houston recommended texaco/chevron. filled up with shell every now and then and didn't notice too much difference between them.

09-20-2011, 11:29 AM	#8
ThunderMoose Captain Drives: 2009 C2S and 2003 E46 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: League City, TX Posts: 888 iTrader: (0)	Shell and not just because I work for them

09-20-2011, 11:43 AM	#10
mpm3 Captain Drives: 2007 M coupe Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 776 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 BMW M coupe [5.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	shell im all over it ! V powar i beat a lambo on that gas ( jking ) __________________

09-20-2011, 04:14 PM	#11
PTURANO New Member Drives: 2008 M3 E93 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New York Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	Shell Vpower.....Best no question.

09-20-2011, 04:18 PM	#12
GOLFFRR BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Golf Cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solvang, CA/Camarillo, CA Posts: 10,976 iTrader: (4)	Shell always for me __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, PM ME FIRST I CAN HOOK YOU UP! We are Performance Center\|Euro Delivery\|BMW Individual Specialist Need a quote?..Ryan /Checa Email link \| T.805.482.8878 ask for Francesca www.stevethomasbmw.com \| OUR PARTS STORE \| Facebook-STBMW \| Twitter-STBMW

09-20-2011, 05:10 PM	#14
PhillyNate BMWCCA #405750 Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,424 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	I use Citgo 93 exclusively. It ran wonderfully in my 328i and ditto for my M3. Between you and I, I don't believe Hugo Chavez uses as much ethanol as everyone else. I have no proof though. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe (retired 06/21/11)

09-20-2011, 05:19 PM	#15
Stainless 45 First Lieutenant Drives: Last of the V-8 Interceptors Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 383 iTrader: (0)	In the manual BMW recommends BP __________________ 2011.5 LeMans Blue e92 DCT, ZCP, European Delivery. Black Edition Grilles, No Keyhole or Reflectors, Rear Fogs Enabled, Encore Innovation Exhaust, LUX Angel Eyes. "Last of the V-8 Interceptors, a real piece of history..."

09-20-2011, 05:28 PM	#16
JohnnyRoaster Captain Drives: 09 Jerez Black M3 Sedan Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Outside Beantown Posts: 940 iTrader: (0)	I use Shell V-power as well. They partner with Stop & Shop in my area. I usually pay 50-90 cents off with my Stop & Shop gas points. __________________

09-20-2011, 06:21 PM	#18
burnsniper Private First Class Drives: 1M BSM & Audi Q5 2.0T Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Maryland/Virginia Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	The brand of gasoline should not make that any difference in performance (at least in the US). In the US, base gasoline can come from any number of refineries regardless of the brand and are often loaded into trucks (for delivery to stations) at the same terminal. For example Exxon branded gasoline may have been produced at a BP refinery. Gasoline will differ based on its original crude source but it would be impossible to determine which gasoline you are buying is from which crude source. Furthermore, different sources of gasoline are usually blended several times before they get to a pump. Different branded gasolines do have different fuel additives. However, the additives are generally derived for cleaning fuel injectors, preventing deposits, etc. and a lot of this is pure marketing. The additives are not what make the power for a car, the gasoline base is. Some areas of the country do change the base blend based on the weather (winter vs summer). It is also important to use as close to the designed octane rating as possible (not more) to maximize performance. Putting a higher octane gasoline in a car will actually reduce performance (unless you are tuned for that octane!). Ultimately, if you were to use off brand gasoline for the life of the car you may have some deposit problems at ~100,000+ miles.

09-21-2011, 01:20 AM	#21
Seven7 First Lieutenant Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 348 iTrader: (1)	I used to go to chevron and add in there best they have which is the 94 in canada. It costs about a dollar and 50+ cents per litre. I pay 100 bucks each time and the tank isnt full. Now i switched to Shell V-Power, it costs a dollar and 30 cents and I only play 75 dollars and my tank is full and my m3 runs great. Shell is the way to go imo.

09-21-2011, 11:01 AM	#22
Nelrock Lieutenant Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 516 iTrader: (0)	I use Shell. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| Melbourne Red \| Black Novillo w/Carbon Leather Trim \| M-DCT \| Competition Package \| Premium Package 2 \| Convenience Package \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Heated Front Seats 2004 E46 M3 \| Silver Grey \| - Retired

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