BMW and ethanol
06-01-2012, 04:05 AM
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I just checked www.pure-gas.org and it seems as though there are only 5 gas stations in the state of California that have non-ethanol infused gas. Wow!! Very interesting topic. Thanks for the input.
06-01-2012, 05:26 AM
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Why? Because you can save $8 or $9 on a tankful of gas? Your 335i "loves" 100% gasoline even more.
Also, I hope your 335i is off warranty. If you run >10% ethanol (for MY<2007) you may void your warranty for any repairs related to the fuel system. If you read some of the earlier posts in this thread, BMW service centers will often test your gasoline when you bring it in for fuel system related repairs. If they find anything unusual (like >10% ethanol) they can decline any warranty-covered repairs.
Also, I hope your 335i is off warranty. If you run >10% ethanol (for MY<2007) you may void your warranty for any repairs related to the fuel system. If you read some of the earlier posts in this thread, BMW service centers will often test your gasoline when you bring it in for fuel system related repairs. If they find anything unusual (like >10% ethanol) they can decline any warranty-covered repairs.
06-01-2012, 05:47 AM
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Why? Because you can save $8 or $9 on a tankful of gas? Your 335i "loves" 100% gasoline even more.
Also, I hope your 335i is off warranty. If you run >10% ethanol (for MY<2007) you may void your warranty for any repairs related to the fuel system. If you read some of the earlier posts in this thread, BMW service centers will often test your gasoline when you bring it in for fuel system related repairs. If they find anything unusual (like >10% ethanol) they can decline any warranty-covered repairs.
Also, I hope your 335i is off warranty. If you run >10% ethanol (for MY<2007) you may void your warranty for any repairs related to the fuel system. If you read some of the earlier posts in this thread, BMW service centers will often test your gasoline when you bring it in for fuel system related repairs. If they find anything unusual (like >10% ethanol) they can decline any warranty-covered repairs.
06-01-2012, 05:56 AM
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06-01-2012, 06:04 AM
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
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Wow guys, that's a lot of useful info. As it turned out, they weren't trying to refuse warranty work, but they just advised me so that I would know. They ended up replacing the HVA lifters and rockers, mainly because they heard them ticking at cold-start. I don't know if that took care of the light shaking at cold start because my wife took the car in the morning because I had to take in the E60 in for the recall work.
While on the subject, I went to the gas station where I buy my gas to see what the label on the pump says, and they claim they use 10% ethanol. I then went inside and asked the attendant if he had some paperwork to support the 10% claim. He said he didn't, but he was sure that the manager would be able to help me in the morning, and he got a little defensive how they sell 60,000 gallons of gas a week and he's never had one complaint like this before, etc. I guess I'm going to drop this for now until/unless it becomes a real issue with BMW. I use the same gas on the E60 and I don't have any emission/idle type problems.
Thank you all for your valuable input.
While on the subject, I went to the gas station where I buy my gas to see what the label on the pump says, and they claim they use 10% ethanol. I then went inside and asked the attendant if he had some paperwork to support the 10% claim. He said he didn't, but he was sure that the manager would be able to help me in the morning, and he got a little defensive how they sell 60,000 gallons of gas a week and he's never had one complaint like this before, etc. I guess I'm going to drop this for now until/unless it becomes a real issue with BMW. I use the same gas on the E60 and I don't have any emission/idle type problems.
Thank you all for your valuable input.
06-01-2012, 08:48 AM
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+1000 It was a great thread you started here Joe. Too bad there are no "pure gas" stations anywhere near me :thumbsdown:
06-01-2012, 10:10 AM
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
I would love to hear from owners who were refused warranty service based on the fact that their gas had more than 10% ethanol.
I guess what bothers me the most is that instead of focusing on getting their engines to work with higher levels of ethanol, it seems that BMW is focusing on blaming the gasoline for the problems. Funny how other manufacturers use the same gasoline, but you hardly hear any of them complain about the "bad" US gasoline.
As I mentioned earlier, it seems that the EPA has mandated that all cars 2007 and newer must accept 15% ethanol, so it seems that claiming that they won't cover warranty work for cars with more than 10% ethanol may be a risky and very expensive move to defend in court, on their part. If it's a requirement, I don't see how they can get around it.
It may be time for BMW to start to really work for the US market and adapt to US conditions, unless they're willing to give up a big share of their pie to the other guys. Remember how cocky GM was with all their crappy cars? The Japanese took care of that arrogance. Someone will eventually take care of BMW's arrogance. Which car maker will it be?
I guess what bothers me the most is that instead of focusing on getting their engines to work with higher levels of ethanol, it seems that BMW is focusing on blaming the gasoline for the problems. Funny how other manufacturers use the same gasoline, but you hardly hear any of them complain about the "bad" US gasoline.
As I mentioned earlier, it seems that the EPA has mandated that all cars 2007 and newer must accept 15% ethanol, so it seems that claiming that they won't cover warranty work for cars with more than 10% ethanol may be a risky and very expensive move to defend in court, on their part. If it's a requirement, I don't see how they can get around it.
It may be time for BMW to start to really work for the US market and adapt to US conditions, unless they're willing to give up a big share of their pie to the other guys. Remember how cocky GM was with all their crappy cars? The Japanese took care of that arrogance. Someone will eventually take care of BMW's arrogance. Which car maker will it be?
06-01-2012, 01:05 PM
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Why? Because you can save $8 or $9 on a tankful of gas? Your 335i "loves" 100% gasoline even more.
Also, I hope your 335i is off warranty. If you run >10% ethanol (for MY<2007) you may void your warranty for any repairs related to the fuel system. If you read some of the earlier posts in this thread, BMW service centers will often test your gasoline when you bring it in for fuel system related repairs. If they find anything unusual (like >10% ethanol) they can decline any warranty-covered repairs.
Also, I hope your 335i is off warranty. If you run >10% ethanol (for MY<2007) you may void your warranty for any repairs related to the fuel system. If you read some of the earlier posts in this thread, BMW service centers will often test your gasoline when you bring it in for fuel system related repairs. If they find anything unusual (like >10% ethanol) they can decline any warranty-covered repairs.
06-02-2012, 06:35 PM
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In my country is normal to have up to 30% ethanol on gas, my 2004 530i runs perfect, that 10% or 15% of ethanol is not the cause of your problem. In my country is normal to use 85% and 100% ethanol cars. I make racing cars running with ethanol and i am 100% sure, that the difference between 10% or 15% of ethanol on your gas will not make any difference on your car.
To me your problem is something else, like spark plugs, ignition coils, or some moisture on some connector...
To me your problem is something else, like spark plugs, ignition coils, or some moisture on some connector...
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