Which gas to you prefer? Chevron Supreme or Shell V-Power Nitro+

[Merlin_83]

I used to always use Chevron Supreme - but lately have switched to Shell V-Power Nitro +

I'm curious though what brand and type do others use ? Also in states that allow it - do you have access to above 92 octane ?


And one other item - I also tried using ethanol free gasoline, which is horribly expensive since there not adding the ethanol - and to be honest, it didn't seem all that great ?

Thank you,
Merlin

[dparm]

I use whichever 93 octane is the cheapest. Don't fall for the top-tier gas meme.

Most cars that require premium make the rated power on 91 and are designed to run on E5/E10. I certainly would not pay extra for E0 gas which is very difficult to find inside major metro areas in the US.

Also worth noting that octane requirements technically go down with altitude.

[R3dliner]

I've found high ethanol content in couple of shell gas stations here 4/4 stations I've tested. Usually use Mobil 1 or BP. Wish I had chevron here or Philips 66.
I've also tried ethanol free gas and my experience was better. Def felt a difference in power.

[spazzyfry123]

I typically use QT 93. The QuikTrips around here are always stupid busy, so I try to grab the gas that isn't sitting in the tanks.

[Ngilbe36]

I always try to get Shell for all my vehicles. You can believe me or not believe me, but after switching back and forth ever week between Shell, Mobil, and BP, I see at least 1 mpg better consistently using Shell over others. (This data is from my truck)
Yes, @ BOOF-M3 I have a spreadsheet for this one too.

[Mvy]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346216

[timothy2001]

Car is tuned to 93 octane which is readily available near me so that's what I use.

Have only used Sunoco gas more out of habit than brand loyalty.

[xcusem3]

Nothing other than v-power nitro plus goes into my girl since day 1

[nrubenstein]

Originally Posted by dparm

I use whichever 93 octane is the cheapest. Don't fall for the top-tier gas meme.

Most cars that require premium make the rated power on 91 and are designed to run on E5/E10. I certainly would not pay extra for E0 gas which is very difficult to find inside major metro areas in the US.

Also worth noting that octane requirements technically go down with altitude.

Nearly everything is top tier these days. Even Valero.

[BayE30]

my go-to is Chevron. Reason is many years ago i was very into custom turbo setups, and in my experience, Chevron 91 was the only gas that didnt give me pinging or pre-detonation issues.

[Merlin_83]

Greetings,

I pretty sure it's psychological but I swear my ///M3 runs better with the Shell Nitro +

Seems snapper, better starts - I think I saw a recent ad from Shell that had an F82 BMW very prominent in the ad, even though it was a Shell ad

[dkracing]

Originally Posted by dparm

I use whichever 93 octane is the cheapest. Don't fall for the top-tier gas meme.

Most cars that require premium make the rated power on 91 and are designed to run on E5/E10. I certainly would not pay extra for E0 gas which is very difficult to find inside major metro areas in the US.

Also worth noting that octane requirements technically go down with altitude.

Sorry, but top tier gas is real.

I usually use the example of a cola drink. You can buy some Walmart brand of Cola or Sasta Cola or a Coca Cola. All have different ranges in quality from shit to well a Coca Cola.

Quality in gas is real also. All those top tier gas brands have some marketing jazz in the detergents that are in the gas that go in your tank and help keep engine bits running clean, some have more good stuff, some have a bare minimum so they are not false advertising, but extras are there. Mostly the kind of stuff in a bottle of fuel cleaner/stabilizer. (which makes buying those bottles a waste of money if you go to a top tier station often)

If you go to Jim Bobs Gas and Snack 50 miles from civilization they probably have base gas which is fine, but you have a higher risk of other issues like water in your gas etc.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Merlin_83

Greetings,

I pretty sure it's psychological but I swear my ///M3 runs better with the Shell Nitro +

Seems snapper, better starts - I think I saw a recent ad from Shell that had an F82 BMW very prominent in the ad, even though it was a Shell ad

BMW and Shell are in bed nowadays. BMWCCA does a weekly drawing for Shell gift cards for people that post up pictures of their Bimmer at a Shell pump for example.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by dkracing

Sorry, but top tier gas is real.

I usually use the example of a cola drink. You can buy some Walmart brand of Cola or Sasta Cola or a Coca Cola. All have different ranges in quality from shit to well a Coca Cola.

Quality in gas is real also. All those top tier gas brands have some marketing jazz in the detergents that are in the gas that go in your tank and help keep engine bits running clean, some have more good stuff, some have a bare minimum so they are not false advertising, but extras are there. Mostly the kind of stuff in a bottle of fuel cleaner/stabilizer. (which makes buying those bottles a waste of money if you go to a top tier station often)

If you go to Jim Bobs Gas and Snack 50 miles from civilization they probably have base gas which is fine, but you have a higher risk of other issues like water in your gas etc.

Your cola example is a poor one because that is a subjective thing: taste. A better example would be something objective and measurable, like store brand window cleaner versus name-brand Windex. The word "quality" is very nebulous.

The tests for top-tier seem to be far and few between and are always shown for some engine after 4,000 miles of "always top-tier" versus "never top-tier". That doesn't seem terribly applicable to my use case. The M3 already requires 91+ which is going to be better gas with higher detergent levels anyway. The vast majority of people living in a reasonably-populated area will be near these stations already. I certainly would not go out of my way to find one and/or pay $5 more per tank.

[SDPLV]

Only the best. Costco 91.

[STooK]

I've been using Shell 93 because it happens to be the cheapest around me. I would only use big name companies for my M3 but for my daily beaters I look for the cheapest around.

[rks68rt]

Nothing but Chevron Super 92 Octane for all my cars....

[94jedi]

Shell 93 oct vpower. I even joined their rewards club to get .05 off each gallon lol.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by 94jedi

Shell 93 oct vpower. I even joined their rewards club to get .05 off each gallon lol.

Yup
Same here

[Montaver]

I normally fill up with BP 93, but can't say I notice a difference between that Shell, or Chevron. I'll always try go to a station which is on a busy road so they are cycling the stock regularly. Once in a pinch I got 93 from a no name mom n' pop style place but I put $20 in just to get me back, as I suspect they probably aren't selling much 93 (this is in a rural part of NJ) so the chances of getting bad fuel are higher.

[Tewie]

In CA we only get 91. I normally go to Shell or Chevron, but don't make it a point to as much as I used to. There is a gas station around 40 miles from me that sells high octane fuels up to 100 octane. Every once in a while if I'm in the area, I'll load up on some 94 or 96 for some ungodly amount of money per gallon.

[kscarrol]

Usually Shell, my dad was a lifer at the company but don’t hesitate to use Chevron, Exxon or any of the top brands.