Jimbo

I got the following from BMW World.com Check out number 8 & 10 below. Anyone else seen this?
So we can use regular gas (87 octane) w/o problems, especially with high prices lately?
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The M54 (3.0) is the most reliable BMW engine ever built. Here's why:

1.The camshaft chain drive and the V-belt drive are maintenance-free and designed for the life of the engine.

2.Valve clearances are kept consistent throughout the entire running life of the engine by a self-adjusting hydraulic valve clearance mechanism. There is no need to adjust valve clearances, ever.

3. There is no need to reset the clutch since it is self-adjusting.

4. The air filters and spark plugs only have to be replaced after 100,000 km or 62,000 miles.

5. The oil in the transmission and final drive is a lifetime filling not requiring any replacement.

6. There is no need for any particular running-in service.

7. The BMW Service Interval Indicator informs the driver of the remaining distance until the next oil change. You no longer have to change the oil after a fixed, rigid mileage.

8.The engine is able to adjust automatically to all fuel grades between 87 and 98 octane.

9.Anti-knock control automatically adjusts the engine's running conditions to the respective fuel grade and quality.

10. Please note that the engine's maximum output is only achieved when running on 98 octane premium fuel.

alohalc

based on 10, i'll be more than happy to put 98 in my car .

Jimbo

I think we'll have to put in an octane additive to reach that level. Is 98 octane sold anywhere? It's bogus of BMW to advertise the hp ratings w/o letting you know that 99.9% no one will achieve them. Sux!

The Pentium Guy

ROfl, that's great... but why does it say you need to put premium fuel , i'm guessing it'll affect the reliability of your car (not by much) if you don't put premium. ALso where the hell do you get 98 octane?? they go up to 93 here in the US!

alohalc

in this little island, only a few gas stations have anything above 92 <_<. i haven't tried them before .

EBMCS03

We have 100 octane racing gasoline here in Los Angeles... Seeee (*well apparently someone liked the "100 Octane" so much they stole the sticker..*)

P.S. Oh and yes.. you can feel the differnece with 100 octane vs 91.

katmai

You can find the 76 gas stations here with 100 octane gasoline. There is also a blending chart on the 76 web site for getting different octane level. I have not try this myself.

http://www.riskin.org/rx7/LA_HIGH_OCTANE.jpg

http://www.riskin.org/rx7/racing_gas_locations.txt

http://www.76.com/products/76racing.asp

soc_fans

WOW !! all the m5s. Had a carwash a few days ago and two m5 appear right beside my car. (one at the right and the other at the left). I was kinda ashamed though! haha. But both owners are already like in their 40s.

beewang

Not this M5 owner <_<

I prefer the 101 Octane "Trick Racing Fuel" over the 99 Octane Union 76 stuff. Makes a huge difference especially on hot summer days in SoCal where temp reached 100+ degrees.

http://www.cosbyoil.com/trick.htm

cheers,

beewang

BangleBox_530d

97/98 octane fuel is widely available throughout Europe. In the UK most service stations have 97. Shell is the only one to have 98, I think. It's called Optimax, and is supposedly developed with Ferrari.

I've heard that the octance rating in the US is different. Europe is the RON value. US uses something between RON and some other number. Sorry can't remember more of the story than that. However it means that the BMW BHP rating is 98 in Europe, and I think 93 or 95 in the US.