Noticable performance difference using 93 Octane vs. 91 Octane

Thik · 11-23-2013, 05:10 PM

Last week I took a road trip to the States and drove ~2,000km. I filled up on 93 octane gas, which is the octane for premium in Pennsylvania, Virgina and much of New York State.

I didn't think much of it until I noticed that the car pulled really hard on the highway! It felt more responsive and happy to rev than before. I couldn't figure out why but then I remembered it must be the gas.

I've always used Shell V Power 91 Octane here in Toronto only because it contains no ethanol and it's a Top Tier Gas.

The owner's manual recommends 93 octane with 91 being the minimum. I think the computer does compensate for the lower octane. We are losing some of the performance that this engine was tuned for by filling with 91 octane.

I'm thinking of switching to Petro Canada 94 Octane gas from now on. It's still Top Tier gas, but it does contain 10% ethanol.

What do you guys think? Worth switching to Petro 94? I don't like the effects of ethanol, but do want to get the proper performance out of this car.

IzzyGray · 11-23-2013, 05:13 PM

I would take 91 octane with zero ethanol over 93 with 10% ethanol. Hands down. I've dynoed my JCW MINI with both and the 0 ethanol made better power. Alternatively you can run methanol to mimic 100 octane :P

PhillyNate · 11-23-2013, 05:28 PM

I'm here in Pennsylvania and if 91 octane with no ethanol and 93 with 10% ethanol were my only choices I'd also choose the no ethanol 91 octane. FWIW I always use 93.

lsal · 11-23-2013, 05:30 PM

+1 for no ethanol

bobblehead · 11-24-2013, 06:38 AM

stay with shell 91 and petition to Shell Canada (for all of us) to come out with a 94 (no ethanol) to compete with Petro

Thik · 11-24-2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I'm here in Pennsylvania and if 91 octane with no ethanol and 93 with 10% ethanol were my only choices I'd also choose the no ethanol 91 octane. FWIW I always use 93.

Does the 93 Octane at Shell stations in Pennsylvania contain ethanol?

JFWM3 · 11-24-2013, 09:48 AM

My ESS VT1 550 detonates if I use anything other than Ultra 94.

Found a huge difference when I switched.

PhillyNate · 11-24-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thik

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I'm here in Pennsylvania and if 91 octane with no ethanol and 93 with 10% ethanol were my only choices I'd also choose the no ethanol 91 octane. FWIW I always use 93.

Does the 93 Octane at Shell stations in Pennsylvania contain ethanol?

Absolutely. As a matter of fact my car is not at it's best with Shell. BP 93 and Citgo 93 run much better in my M3. Both contain ethanol BTW.

PhillyNate · 11-24-2013, 10:48 AM

Oddly enough I read an article on Autoblog that stated not only will there NOT be a 15% ethanol blend ever, it also hinted it might go away completely. That's if I read it correctly. Hooray!

Thik · 11-24-2013, 02:16 PM

Since ethanol is an octane booster, I think it's pretty hard to have 93 octane gas that's ethanol free. I see it exists out west with Chevron 93, but not in Ontario.

Guess I'll stick to Shell V-Power, but fill with Ultra 94 when going to the track. I'm convinced 94 octane give our cars more power.

Millie · 11-24-2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thik

Guess I'll stick to Shell V-Power, but fill with Ultra 94 when going to the track. I'm convinced 94 octane give our cars more power.

If you are not tuned for it, you are just wasting your money. I found no noticeable difference between Vpower and Chevron 94 (no ethanol)

PhillyNate · 11-24-2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thik

Guess I'll stick to Shell V-Power, but fill with Ultra 94 when going to the track. I'm convinced 94 octane give our cars more power.

If you are not tuned for it, you are just wasting your money. I found no noticeable difference between Vpower and Chevron 94 (no ethanol)

I'm not so sure. It's my understanding this car will advance timing up to a certain octane number without a tune. A tune will set parameters to run optimally at a certain octane number as a constant. Someone please chime in if I'm wrong.

baba louey · 11-24-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I'm not so sure. It's my understanding this car will advance timing up to a certain octane number without a tune. A tune will set parameters to run optimally at a certain octane number as a constant. Someone please chime in if I'm wrong.

I don't think the CPU looks for a certain octane number. It just listens for the onset of detonation and then backs-off on ignition timing, valve timing or whatever is at its diposal to control the pinging. I'm guessing a bit here but that's what I would do if I was programming the CPU.

Thik · 11-24-2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millie

If you are not tuned for it, you are just wasting your money. I found no noticeable difference between Vpower and Chevron 94 (no ethanol)

Per the owner's manual:
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 93
Always use this premium grade fuel to obtain maximum fuel economy and performance.
The minimum approved fuel grade is AKI 91.

Reading the owner's manual, the car is factory tuned for 93 octane.

It does take perhaps a tank or two for the computer to adjust to the higher octane. I did notice a difference on 93 octane in my recent road trip after a few fill-ups.

Pinz · 11-26-2013, 06:08 PM

I used to use 92 octane from Blaine, WA. One time I was low on fuel and filled up with 94 octane from Chevron in Canada. I noticed the car had more power right away, but quickly dismissed it as some kind of placebo effect. One day I decided to try a full tank of 94 octane when the gas prices dropped a little here.

And I never went back.

Not only is it more powerful, the fuel economy went from 11.6 L/100km to 10.8 L/100km. That's a huge difference. It costs almost $20 more per tank than crossing the border each time, but with the better fuel economy, it's only like a $12 difference per tank. And Blaine doesn't have anything better than 92 that I could find.

Welcome to the 93/94 club!

Edit: The fuel economy was consistent before, daily commute to work. The only thing changed was the fuel, and I noticed it instantly when cruising on the highway the instant MPG readout is much lower (for L/100km). Also, the 92 octane had ethanol from what I remember, while the 94 contains no ethanol.

Z K · 11-26-2013, 06:39 PM

Up to 10% ethanol is fine for any newer car. Really people who are complaining about ethanol in their car don't understand that ethanol is not a bad thing.

If your car is over 15+ years old then ethanol may damage your fuel system but newer cars are designed to handle ethanol in gasoline.

You guys complain about ethanol when people are modding their cars to run E85 (85% Ethanol) due to the high octane rating (105 octane!) so they can up the compression or increase boost for increased performance.

Daft · 12-01-2013, 11:03 AM

What about frequent use of octane boosters. Good idea / bad idea?

Irishace · 12-04-2013, 07:06 AM

OP, noticed you are in Toronto, why would you not fill up with Ultra 94 at Petro? It is a proven 94 octane fuel and its the best in the country.

BESTNDA416 · 12-04-2013, 08:24 AM

Even before I got my Ess 650kit I always ran 94 in the M, you do feel the difference between 91&94 octane for sure

SenorFunkyPants · 12-04-2013, 08:34 AM

I recall Car and Driver doing a dyno test on an E46 M3 that showed performance peaking with 96 aki fuel.

Thik · 12-04-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishace

OP, noticed you are in Toronto, why would you not fill up with Ultra 94 at Petro? It is a proven 94 octane fuel and its the best in the country.

I'm hesitant only because of the ethanol content in Ultra 94.

THE TECH · 12-04-2013, 08:46 AM

I haven't noticed any seat of the pants difference between 91 and 93.

11-23-2013, 05:10 PM	#1
Thik First Lieutenant 140 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Grey E92 M3 6spd Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Noticable performance difference using 93 Octane vs. 91 Octane Last week I took a road trip to the States and drove ~2,000km. I filled up on 93 octane gas, which is the octane for premium in Pennsylvania, Virgina and much of New York State. I didn't think much of it until I noticed that the car pulled really hard on the highway! It felt more responsive and happy to rev than before. I couldn't figure out why but then I remembered it must be the gas. I've always used Shell V Power 91 Octane here in Toronto only because it contains no ethanol and it's a Top Tier Gas. The owner's manual recommends 93 octane with 91 being the minimum. I think the computer does compensate for the lower octane. We are losing some of the performance that this engine was tuned for by filling with 91 octane. I'm thinking of switching to Petro Canada 94 Octane gas from now on. It's still Top Tier gas, but it does contain 10% ethanol. What do you guys think? Worth switching to Petro 94? I don't like the effects of ethanol, but do want to get the proper performance out of this car. __________________ Check out my YouTube channel chronicling all the driving fun in my E92 M3!
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11-23-2013, 05:13 PM	#2
IzzyGray Lieutenant 27 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (3)	I would take 91 octane with zero ethanol over 93 with 10% ethanol. Hands down. I've dynoed my JCW MINI with both and the 0 ethanol made better power. Alternatively you can run methanol to mimic 100 octane :P
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11-23-2013, 05:28 PM	#3
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	I'm here in Pennsylvania and if 91 octane with no ethanol and 93 with 10% ethanol were my only choices I'd also choose the no ethanol 91 octane. FWIW I always use 93. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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11-23-2013, 05:30 PM	#4
lsal We are all Longwong 138 Rep 940 Posts Drives: F90 CP LCI Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00]	+1 for no ethanol
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11-24-2013, 06:38 AM	#5
bobblehead Brigadier General 256 Rep 4,721 Posts Drives: warp speed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (0)	stay with shell 91 and petition to Shell Canada (for all of us) to come out with a 94 (no ethanol) to compete with Petro
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11-24-2013, 09:48 AM	#7
JFWM3 JFWE92M3 97 Rep 397 Posts Drives: F06 M6 Gran Coupe 6MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: D'Town, Michigan iTrader: (2)	My ESS VT1 550 detonates if I use anything other than Ultra 94. Found a huge difference when I switched. __________________ ____________________________ E92 /// M3 6MT, 997.2 Porsche GT3, B8.5 Audi S4 6MT, WK2 Jeep SRT, 991.2 Targa TechArt 6MT - All Sold F06 /// M6 Gran Coupe Individual 6MT
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11-24-2013, 10:48 AM	#9
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	Oddly enough I read an article on Autoblog that stated not only will there NOT be a 15% ethanol blend ever, it also hinted it might go away completely. That's if I read it correctly. Hooray! __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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11-24-2013, 02:16 PM	#10
Thik First Lieutenant 140 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Grey E92 M3 6spd Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Since ethanol is an octane booster, I think it's pretty hard to have 93 octane gas that's ethanol free. I see it exists out west with Chevron 93, but not in Ontario. Guess I'll stick to Shell V-Power, but fill with Ultra 94 when going to the track. I'm convinced 94 octane give our cars more power. __________________ Check out my YouTube channel chronicling all the driving fun in my E92 M3!
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11-26-2013, 06:08 PM	#15
Pinz Private First Class 43 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	I used to use 92 octane from Blaine, WA. One time I was low on fuel and filled up with 94 octane from Chevron in Canada. I noticed the car had more power right away, but quickly dismissed it as some kind of placebo effect. One day I decided to try a full tank of 94 octane when the gas prices dropped a little here. And I never went back. Not only is it more powerful, the fuel economy went from 11.6 L/100km to 10.8 L/100km. That's a huge difference. It costs almost $20 more per tank than crossing the border each time, but with the better fuel economy, it's only like a $12 difference per tank. And Blaine doesn't have anything better than 92 that I could find. Welcome to the 93/94 club! Edit: The fuel economy was consistent before, daily commute to work. The only thing changed was the fuel, and I noticed it instantly when cruising on the highway the instant MPG readout is much lower (for L/100km). Also, the 92 octane had ethanol from what I remember, while the 94 contains no ethanol. __________________ Now have 2016 M4 2013 E92 M3 /// Mineral White /// Black Novillo Leather /// Competition Package /// Fully Loaded /// CF Roof, Mirrors, Spoiler, Front Diffusers /// Hellst XRT LED Angel Eyes /// BPMSport Tune Stage 1
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11-26-2013, 06:39 PM	#16
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Up to 10% ethanol is fine for any newer car. Really people who are complaining about ethanol in their car don't understand that ethanol is not a bad thing. If your car is over 15+ years old then ethanol may damage your fuel system but newer cars are designed to handle ethanol in gasoline. You guys complain about ethanol when people are modding their cars to run E85 (85% Ethanol) due to the high octane rating (105 octane!) so they can up the compression or increase boost for increased performance. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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12-01-2013, 11:03 AM	#17
Daft Major 384 Rep 1,202 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (2) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 [10.00] 2011 BMW M3 [9.71]	What about frequent use of octane boosters. Good idea / bad idea?
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12-04-2013, 07:06 AM	#18
Irishace ElevenPointFive 326 Rep 2,450 Posts Drives: E90 335 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	OP, noticed you are in Toronto, why would you not fill up with Ultra 94 at Petro? It is a proven 94 octane fuel and its the best in the country. __________________ 2008 E90 335xi - N54 Daily Driver MHD Stage 2+ ~ CPE DPs ~ BMS Intake ~ AMS FMIC
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12-04-2013, 08:24 AM	#19
BESTNDA416 Captain 72 Rep 706 Posts Drives: ESS VT2 650 E92 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [9.66]	Even before I got my Ess 650kit I always ran 94 in the M, you do feel the difference between 91&94 octane for sure
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12-04-2013, 08:34 AM	#20
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I recall Car and Driver doing a dyno test on an E46 M3 that showed performance peaking with 96 aki fuel.
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12-04-2013, 08:46 AM	#22
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	I haven't noticed any seat of the pants difference between 91 and 93.
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