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09-20-2007, 12:59 PM | #23 | |
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I think they may also adjust the car based on gasoline for the region. In fact he ECU will handle that I believe. IOW, US specs cars may have timing retarded slightly compared to UK. Don't know that for sure though - just a guess. |
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09-20-2007, 01:18 PM | #24 | |
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Don't know the price per litre though. http://www.bp.com/genericsection.do?...tentId=7017179 |
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09-20-2007, 02:10 PM | #25 |
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Above a certain octane rating, higher octane fuel would no longer yield a torque output benefit as the spark can only be advanced so much, at which point the only way to benefit from the higher octane fuel would be to increase the compression ratio by redesigning the geometry. So, it'd be interested in seeing data on a 102 RON dyno run.
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09-20-2007, 02:14 PM | #26 | |
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09-20-2007, 03:39 PM | #27 |
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Thanks for posting that graph eastie, thats awesome!
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09-26-2007, 09:54 AM | #28 |
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B.P. RON 102 data.
A lot of interesting stuff here.
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09-26-2007, 12:08 PM | #29 | |
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03-18-2008, 12:53 PM | #30 |
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Does anyone know the maintenance implications of using a lower grade fuel? In other words, if you ust a lower grade fuel, what long term damage is expected...if any?
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03-18-2008, 01:08 PM | #31 |
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Not specifically, but why even consider doing it? The US manual calls for AKI 91 minimum (93 preferred). Why would you use, say 89, to save maybe 3% on fuel? Likely the engine will be less efficient, negating any cost savings on the fuel purchase.
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03-18-2008, 02:03 PM | #32 |
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I think all modern engines are OK with low octane since they have rather sophisticated knock sensors. There are vast expanses of North America where the only thing available is 85 octane, and I've run a lot of that stuff in all of my BMWs. The only time I've had an issue with 85 octane was in the M5 in Death Valley with temps running 108-115F. Here the SES light came on and stayed on the whole time I was in the Valley. Fuel economy really doesn't suffer that much, but power does. This possibly explains why 85 octane is so prevalent in the Rockies and Colorado plateau. Where I have a choice, however, I always use 91 or higher
The M5 was panting here at 112F on 85 octane:
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03-18-2008, 08:41 PM | #33 | |
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Truth be told, I won't run anything less than 91 oct in the new M3...until about year 2 when I catch myself feeling like a cheap bastard and filler-up with 87...just to see what happens |
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03-19-2008, 02:20 AM | #34 |
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That's because there are very few road cars (including exotics) that run a 12:1 compression ratio like the current M3 does. I don't know what Lamborghini recommends for the just-announced Gallardo LP560-4, but that car has a 12.5:1 compression ratio, so it would be interesting to know, for comparison's sake.
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03-19-2008, 09:16 AM | #35 | |
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Furthermore, even if it turns out Lamborghini (or whichever supercar make) does recommend 93 or whatever for some car, that does not change the fact that a 60k car that is meant to function well as a daily driver will only the very far-fetched and most highly unlikely of cases require higher than 91 octane gasoline. Having said all that, I don't know what the LP-560-4 requires. |
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03-19-2008, 09:32 AM | #36 | |
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Okay, 93 Octane is hard to find in Cali...most places have 91... Oh well Jason
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03-19-2008, 10:49 AM | #37 | |
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Compared to 95, 98 is +4cts and 100 is +13cts. So 98 is really best value for money. |
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03-19-2008, 12:31 PM | #38 | |
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Best regards, south
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03-19-2008, 12:41 PM | #39 | |
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03-19-2008, 01:18 PM | #40 |
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Just for reference, I always put 93 octane in my E46 M3. The one time my wife took the car she filled it up with regular (87?). I did not notice a difference with regular fuel. Then again, I didn't drive it very hard on that tank either.
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03-19-2008, 03:13 PM | #42 |
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The best fuel I can get in Bombay is 97 RON and I use it exclusively. It costs me 10 INR more per litre (that's around 20% more than 91 RON), but there's no way I'd want my M3 losing power for the sake of cheaper gas!
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03-19-2008, 03:15 PM | #43 |
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Did you not see the data in post #28? What exactly did consumer reports test?
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03-19-2008, 03:23 PM | #44 | |
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I don't know how many other cars do this, I would guess the majority of cars in the same price range as the M3. For these cars premium gas does make a difference in performance. What is not clear is will lower than premium gas be harder on the engine in terms of longevity, reliability and maintenance. Backing off on timing does protect the engine from bad gas, but how much? |
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