GAS- Premium or Regular?
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If you are observant enough, you will notice the difference on engine performance. I used 87 octane on a bmw loaner and it was sluggish and then i filled it up with 91 octane after i finished the 87 and wow what a difference. Try it for yourself you will know what i'm talking about. For $2 extra per full tank, i won't sacrifice performance and risk the car's longevity. This is a NO BRAINER!
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The BMW manual states that 87 octane can be used, even though 91 is recommended.
So clearly, using regular will not damage the engine, and will not void the warranty.
That said I agree with the posters here ... what's the point? If you are buying a BMW and cannot afford an extra few hundred per year to buy premium gas, then maybe you can't really afford the BMW
So clearly, using regular will not damage the engine, and will not void the warranty.
That said I agree with the posters here ... what's the point? If you are buying a BMW and cannot afford an extra few hundred per year to buy premium gas, then maybe you can't really afford the BMW
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Originally Posted by providenceleaf' post='596954' date='Jun 6 2008, 07:16 AM
Why are we even having this discussion? You own a BMW. It's a luxury car. Treat it like one!
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Originally Posted by providenceleaf' post='596954' date='Jun 6 2008, 07:16 AM
I am not taking a shot at anyone or the original poster...this is just an opinion.
Why are we even having this discussion? You own a BMW. It's a luxury car. Treat it like one! I know the price of gas is high, but how much are we talking about here? $5 savings a tank? Please don't give me the over the course of the year it would be argument. That is nonsense as well. You bought a nice car so you should maintain the nice car. Are you going to put regular fossil oil instead of synthetic when you change your oil to save a few bucks?
I used to hear this argument over on the Infiniti forums when I was a regular there. You buy a $50K M45 and now your worried about saving by putting cheaper gas in it and that is when gas was $2.80 a gallon for 93!!! It makes me crazy that someone would even consider this. I personally want the best for my car so it performs at it's best. If I can't afford it or I can, but I "think" it's too expensive then trade the car. Get a Honda Accord that is recommended that it uses 87 octane. Not knocking Honda. I have a Honda in the family and yes it is great that we only have to use 87. It actually runs better with 87 than 93, but it's a Honda and that's what they design their engines to use.
Anyway, I wanted to vent because I think this debate is a tired one that is unnecessary. :thumbsdown:
Why are we even having this discussion? You own a BMW. It's a luxury car. Treat it like one! I know the price of gas is high, but how much are we talking about here? $5 savings a tank? Please don't give me the over the course of the year it would be argument. That is nonsense as well. You bought a nice car so you should maintain the nice car. Are you going to put regular fossil oil instead of synthetic when you change your oil to save a few bucks?
I used to hear this argument over on the Infiniti forums when I was a regular there. You buy a $50K M45 and now your worried about saving by putting cheaper gas in it and that is when gas was $2.80 a gallon for 93!!! It makes me crazy that someone would even consider this. I personally want the best for my car so it performs at it's best. If I can't afford it or I can, but I "think" it's too expensive then trade the car. Get a Honda Accord that is recommended that it uses 87 octane. Not knocking Honda. I have a Honda in the family and yes it is great that we only have to use 87. It actually runs better with 87 than 93, but it's a Honda and that's what they design their engines to use.
Anyway, I wanted to vent because I think this debate is a tired one that is unnecessary. :thumbsdown:
By the way, how'd you like that M45? That was my second choice.
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Originally Posted by providenceleaf' post='596954' date='Jun 6 2008, 07:16 AM
Why are we even having this discussion? You own a BMW. It's a luxury car. Treat it like one! I know the price of gas is high, but how much are we talking about here? $5 savings a tank? Please don't give me the over the course of the year it would be argument. That is nonsense as well. You bought a nice car so you should maintain the nice car. Are you going to put regular fossil oil instead of synthetic when you change your oil to save a few bucks?
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From: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Originally Posted by providenceleaf' post='596954' date='Jun 6 2008, 07:16 AM
I am not taking a shot at anyone or the original poster...this is just an opinion.
Why are we even having this discussion? You own a BMW. It's a luxury car. Treat it like one! I know the price of gas is high, but how much are we talking about here? $5 savings a tank? Please don't give me the over the course of the year it would be argument. That is nonsense as well. You bought a nice car so you should maintain the nice car. Are you going to put regular fossil oil instead of synthetic when you change your oil to save a few bucks?
I used to hear this argument over on the Infiniti forums when I was a regular there. You buy a $50K M45 and now your worried about saving by putting cheaper gas in it and that is when gas was $2.80 a gallon for 93!!! It makes me crazy that someone would even consider this. I personally want the best for my car so it performs at it's best. If I can't afford it or I can, but I "think" it's too expensive then trade the car. Get a Honda Accord that is recommended that it uses 87 octane. Not knocking Honda. I have a Honda in the family and yes it is great that we only have to use 87. It actually runs better with 87 than 93, but it's a Honda and that's what they design their engines to use.
Anyway, I wanted to vent because I think this debate is a tired one that is unnecessary. :thumbsdown:
Why are we even having this discussion? You own a BMW. It's a luxury car. Treat it like one! I know the price of gas is high, but how much are we talking about here? $5 savings a tank? Please don't give me the over the course of the year it would be argument. That is nonsense as well. You bought a nice car so you should maintain the nice car. Are you going to put regular fossil oil instead of synthetic when you change your oil to save a few bucks?
I used to hear this argument over on the Infiniti forums when I was a regular there. You buy a $50K M45 and now your worried about saving by putting cheaper gas in it and that is when gas was $2.80 a gallon for 93!!! It makes me crazy that someone would even consider this. I personally want the best for my car so it performs at it's best. If I can't afford it or I can, but I "think" it's too expensive then trade the car. Get a Honda Accord that is recommended that it uses 87 octane. Not knocking Honda. I have a Honda in the family and yes it is great that we only have to use 87. It actually runs better with 87 than 93, but it's a Honda and that's what they design their engines to use.
Anyway, I wanted to vent because I think this debate is a tired one that is unnecessary. :thumbsdown:
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Originally Posted by gregg2gs' post='596631' date='Jun 5 2008, 08:46 PM
I've spoken to so many people and its like asking people who they will vote for President... 50/50 Putting regular will destroy the pistons because of premature combustion, blah, blah, blah
Others say, the gas is the same andthere is just an unnoticeable performance difference and the cars computer makes up for the change in grade.
Anyone REALLY know the truth?
Others say, the gas is the same andthere is just an unnoticeable performance difference and the cars computer makes up for the change in grade.
Anyone REALLY know the truth?
assumptions:
1) using premium you average about 20mpg
2) since we all agree modern engine will retard timing to prevent knock, it's save to assume your mileage suffers, i.e 19mp with lowest grade
3) premium = $4.50/gallon while lowest grade $4.20/gallon
4) 15000 miles annually
Savings
(15000/19 * 4.2)-(15000/20 * 4.5) ~ $59/year.
If I can save $59, I'll BUT you risk pinging still and would $59 worth risking that engine damage? you the only one can answer that.
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Originally Posted by skylolow' post='596638' date='Jun 5 2008, 08:55 PM
Your car will run fine. The computer will adjust. You will lose HP. How much who knows (I'd estimate 5 to 15 HP tops). But with the lower octane you could notice some knocking in the engine over time. Knocking isn't ever good so long term I would assume some damage could be done.
Where I live premium fuel is only about 10 cents to 15 cents higher then reg. So if you pump in 15 gallons your only looking at about $2.00 or so difference in each tank. Say you fill up once a week, in a whole year you'd only save about $100 or so. I'm sure most of us will spend a $100 on something worthless in the next few weeks so to me it isn't even worth putting in regular gas.
Where I live premium fuel is only about 10 cents to 15 cents higher then reg. So if you pump in 15 gallons your only looking at about $2.00 or so difference in each tank. Say you fill up once a week, in a whole year you'd only save about $100 or so. I'm sure most of us will spend a $100 on something worthless in the next few weeks so to me it isn't even worth putting in regular gas.