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5er Instrument Accuracy

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Old 03-25-2009, 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by sixcard' post='826831' date='Mar 25 2009, 08:44 PM
I have read my owner's manual and I agree with your monetary analysis, but tell me what harm it does to the engine.

Geez, I thought I got ripped at 72K? You paid 80?
You need to try the same run with 93 octane gas. I bet the MPG goes up by 1-2 mpg. You'll almost offset the cost difference.
I have gotten 27 mpg on the trip computer in a 75mph steady state cruise.

To answer your question, the computer probably changes the timing to compensate for the lower octane gas so no harm done. However the engine will be more efficient, mpg and performance-wise on the good stuff. It's certainly worth the relatively small difference in cost to me.

PS: I have seen 550i's that stickered in the 80's so its not an exaggeration.
Old 03-26-2009, 04:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='826958' date='Mar 25 2009, 11:33 PM
You need to try the same run with 93 octane gas. I bet the MPG goes up by 1-2 mpg. You'll almost offset the cost difference.
I have gotten 27 mpg on the trip computer in a 75mph steady state cruise.

To answer your question, the computer probably changes the timing to compensate for the lower octane gas so no harm done. However the engine will be more efficient, mpg and performance-wise on the good stuff. It's certainly worth the relatively small difference in cost to me.

PS: I have seen 550i's that stickered in the 80's so its not an exaggeration.
Good comments, Rich. I plan do it again with 93. In fact we plan a trip to your Queen City in a month or so.

I guess my ride could have ballooned to 80 with a few more goodies.
Old 03-26-2009, 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by sixcard' post='826826' date='Mar 26 2009, 01:39 AM
I never heard of it until now. It is a German law.
Originally a German law, now a de facto law for European manufacturers. Calibration starts at 30 km/h (which means that you theoretically cannot get fined driving 29 km/h on a 20 km/h road as the speedometer doesn't have to be accurate until it is 30 km/h... )

My tacho is constantly 3 km/h higher than real speed, at least up to 120 km/h.
Old 03-26-2009, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by sixcard' post='827126' date='Mar 26 2009, 07:25 AM
Good comments, Rich. I plan do it again with 93. In fact we plan a trip to your Queen City in a month or so.

I guess my ride could have ballooned to 80 with a few more goodies.
I agree with Richard on his point.I have a 550I steptronic.I have calibrated the gas mileage readout via the "secret menu" so that it is correct.I have made several trips of 285 miles each way and recorded 25.5 mpg.This is with about 70% interstate and 30% rural roads.I use 93 octane exclusively.I believe you are not saving anything by using 87 octane.The electronics will compensate for the 87 octane by reducing timing which will in turn reduce power and mileage.
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