What brand gasoline is best quality?

Sleeper519 · 01-29-2010, 11:07 PM

Just wondering which brand among the major gas companies has the best quality 93 for our M3s?

I've tried to search but didn't come up with anything, other than some people were having knock probs with Shell (surprised me, I thought they were one of the better ones). I use 93 oct from usually Shell or Chevron, try to avoid the off-brand el-cheapo players (although Costco's prices are tempting!). I've never had any knocking or performance issues, but would like to feed my M with the best quality fuel. I understand that this engine doesn't like ethanol percentages over 10%. Who puts out the highest quality product?

Anybody got answers or favorites?

spyderco10 · 01-29-2010, 11:14 PM

don't know about where you guys live, but there's only one refinery in Hawaii. all the gas comes from one source. It's a matter of who puts what additives, so our gas here is all the same.

M-Tuned · 01-30-2010, 01:51 AM

Good thread!! I wanna know too... Well, this is what I've heard... (in So cal.)
Mobil > Chevron > Shell > 76> Arco > non-brand
Any inputs?

Trier Germany · 01-30-2010, 01:53 AM

Shell has the best gas. Shell V-power racing!

Kev · 01-30-2010, 01:54 AM

http://www.toptiergas.com/

Personally, I had some issues with Mobil in the past with my E55 AMG (and Mobil was the recommended gas). I switched to Shell afterwards with no issues.

duk · 01-30-2010, 02:10 AM

any of the top tier gas and highest grade you can get

JIO · 01-30-2010, 02:42 AM

In Oregon, I use 76 gas...it's 92 octane premium, while all the other gases are 91 octane premium.

Bdez · 01-30-2010, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trier Germany

Shell has the best gas. Shell V-power racing!

Roger that

ooowowizstev · 01-30-2010, 03:06 AM

Personally fill up on Shell.

skim · 01-30-2010, 03:17 AM

i like chevron and plus it's the cheapest out of 1st tier around my house

does anyone know how to tell how much ethanol is added to the fuel? i can't find any % info wherever i go..

mkoesel · 01-30-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev

http://www.toptiergas.com/

The thing about this site that has always bothered me is that they do not actually provide any data, such as actual amount of detergent content in the gasolines they recommend vs. those that they don't. As such, as convincing as their cause sounds, I've never been able to take it entirely seriously. After all, I could just as easily put a similar website and tout other gasoline companies and their products. I am not discounting this website outright. I am merely saying that I am skeptical of any source that does not at least attempt to show hard data.

Anecdotally, for what it is worth (maybe not much), I've never had engine problems with any car I've owned (BMW or otherwise) and I always just use whatever gas is convenient when it is time to fill up.

Just my 2 cents on the topic. Just MHO.

AMMZING · 01-30-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Tuned

Good thread!! I wanna know too... Well, this is what I've heard... (in So cal.)
Mobil > Chevron > Shell > 76> Arco > non-brand
Any inputs?

Arco is usually teh cheapest though, even on the premium grades. That Costco gas aint too shabby though either.

01-30-2010, 07:55 AM

Chevron with Techron is the best. If I can't find Chevron then I will use Shell

davedave · 01-30-2010, 08:24 AM

i usually fill up 1 tank chev, 1 tank shell, 1 tank Mobil ... i heard by doing this way, it will avoid engine built up

Periokid · 01-30-2010, 08:59 AM

In my area, we do not have any of the top tier gases. There is a Shell but it is not nearby. I generally use BP.

Banango · 01-30-2010, 11:52 AM

Manual says BP

BCA · 01-30-2010, 12:14 PM

I've always used Shell 93.

I do get nervous about Ethanol content because in the entire Houston area and surrounding counties, they add Ethanol year-round (for emissions reasons apparently). But I haven't noticed any problems.

JC919 · 01-30-2010, 12:17 PM

I usually go with Shell. However, I have family in the retail gas business, and it really depends on your local stations more than the brand.

Periokid · 01-30-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banango

Manual says BP

Yup, but not considered top tier. Go figure.

Sleeper519 · 01-30-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banango

Manual says BP

Maybe BMW has an ownership stake in BP...

Green///Hell · 01-30-2010, 12:57 PM

Shell here, seems like its the most readily available here

Eau Rouge · 01-30-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duk

any of the top tier gas and highest grade you can get

Agree. Top tier gas that's Ethanol Free is the ticket.

01-29-2010, 11:07 PM	#1
Sleeper519 Captain 68 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	What brand gasoline is best quality? Just wondering which brand among the major gas companies has the best quality 93 for our M3s? I've tried to search but didn't come up with anything, other than some people were having knock probs with Shell (surprised me, I thought they were one of the better ones). I use 93 oct from usually Shell or Chevron, try to avoid the off-brand el-cheapo players (although Costco's prices are tempting!). I've never had any knocking or performance issues, but would like to feed my M with the best quality fuel. I understand that this engine doesn't like ethanol percentages over 10%. Who puts out the highest quality product? Anybody got answers or favorites? __________________ 2008 M3 Coupe / DCT // StopTech BBK 380/355 / Pagid RS29 / Motul / Apex Arc-8 / BFG R1S / Ground Control / MS filter / Performance spoiler / BPM tune // Road Atlanta 1:39.70 / VIR Full 2:10.87 / Barber 1:42.20
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01-29-2010, 11:14 PM	#2
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	don't know about where you guys live, but there's only one refinery in Hawaii. all the gas comes from one source. It's a matter of who puts what additives, so our gas here is all the same. __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
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01-30-2010, 01:51 AM	#3
M-Tuned JOY IS BMW. 20 Rep 335 Posts Drives: 2010 AW/FR E92 M3 & 2018 X5 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Good thread!! I wanna know too... Well, this is what I've heard... (in So cal.) Mobil > Chevron > Shell > 76> Arco > non-brand Any inputs?
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01-30-2010, 01:53 AM	#4
Trier Germany Banned 58 Rep 1,084 Posts Drives: 2009 E-90 M3 space gray Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Deutschland KreisTrier auf Autobahn 64 & Tucson AZ iTrader: (1)	Shell has the best gas. Shell V-power racing!
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01-30-2010, 01:54 AM	#5
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 481 Rep 8,828 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	http://www.toptiergas.com/ Personally, I had some issues with Mobil in the past with my E55 AMG (and Mobil was the recommended gas). I switched to Shell afterwards with no issues. __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
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01-30-2010, 02:10 AM	#6
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	any of the top tier gas and highest grade you can get __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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01-30-2010, 02:42 AM	#7
JIO Captain 48 Rep 636 Posts Drives: '09 Space Gray E92 M3 w/DCT Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon iTrader: (0)	In Oregon, I use 76 gas...it's 92 octane premium, while all the other gases are 91 octane premium.
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01-30-2010, 03:06 AM	#9
ooowowizstev Brigadier General 141 Rep 4,903 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, Irvine iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 M3 [10.00]	Personally fill up on Shell. __________________ '08 E92 ///M3 - AW/BLK/CF, M-DCT, 19's H&R, Vorsteiner, Eisenmann, BMC, BBS More to come...
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01-30-2010, 03:17 AM	#10
skim Captain 142 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	i like chevron and plus it's the cheapest out of 1st tier around my house does anyone know how to tell how much ethanol is added to the fuel? i can't find any % info wherever i go.. __________________ Future mod consideration: exhaust, pulley otherwise, very happy with how the m3 was born
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01-30-2010, 07:55 AM	#13
///M Protocol Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Chevron with Techron is the best. If I can't find Chevron then I will use Shell
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01-30-2010, 08:24 AM	#14
davedave Captain 40 Rep 788 Posts Drives: Godzilla Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (7)	i usually fill up 1 tank chev, 1 tank shell, 1 tank Mobil ... i heard by doing this way, it will avoid engine built up
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01-30-2010, 08:59 AM	#15
Periokid First Lieutenant 61 Rep 335 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (0)	In my area, we do not have any of the top tier gases. There is a Shell but it is not nearby. I generally use BP.
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01-30-2010, 11:52 AM	#16
Banango New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: E90 M3 6MT Jerez ZTP ZPP ZCW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NYC/NJ iTrader: (0)	Manual says BP
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01-30-2010, 12:14 PM	#17
BCA Captain 21 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	I've always used Shell 93. I do get nervous about Ethanol content because in the entire Houston area and surrounding counties, they add Ethanol year-round (for emissions reasons apparently). But I haven't noticed any problems. __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2019 Porsche Cayenne Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i
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01-30-2010, 12:17 PM	#18
JC919 Lieutenant Colonel 72 Rep 1,803 Posts Drives: CSL Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland iTrader: (0)	I usually go with Shell. However, I have family in the retail gas business, and it really depends on your local stations more than the brand. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 2007 GT3 Clubsport w/CGT buckets in Scotland 2003 CSL, SG, Alcon BBK SOLD 2002 M5, SSII/Blk and bone stock. In storage back home in TX 2008 M3, AW/Blk 6MT, lots of track stuff SOLD
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01-30-2010, 12:57 PM	#21
Green///Hell Colonel 183 Rep 2,872 Posts Drives: 991 GT3, F15 X5, 1199S Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (5)	Shell here, seems like its the most readily available here
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