Is premium gas really necessary?
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Originally Posted by hmc' post='218503' date='Jan 2 2006, 10:56 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-0...remiumgas_x.htm
In this article, some experts say no.
I am bothered by the fact that Honda 3.0L V6 (in Accord) is rated 245HP with regular gas (87) and my car (3.0L I6) is only rated 215HP with premium gas (91).
I seriously suspect that, like the article says, BMW calls for premium (in case of my model) to distinguish upmarket models.
In this article, some experts say no.
I am bothered by the fact that Honda 3.0L V6 (in Accord) is rated 245HP with regular gas (87) and my car (3.0L I6) is only rated 215HP with premium gas (91).
I seriously suspect that, like the article says, BMW calls for premium (in case of my model) to distinguish upmarket models.
[/quote]
I hadn't seen this thread for a while. I'm leaving the house shortly. I'll try to remember to post some more details tomorrow.
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According to the Service Manager (about 30 years experience) at the local BMW dealer, regular gas is fine. It is more important, he says, to only buy "top tier" gas (Chevron, Shell, Conoco, or Phillips), especially in the winter. He claims that ethanol blends vary all over the map, and that they have seen cars that would only run properly after draining all of the old gas and refilling with good fuel - regular.
Jim
Jim
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Originally Posted by hmc' post='218503' date='Jan 2 2006, 10:56 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-0...remiumgas_x.htm
In this article, some experts say no.
I am bothered by the fact that Honda 3.0L V6 (in Accord) is rated 245HP with regular gas (87) and my car (3.0L I6) is only rated 215HP with premium gas (91).
I seriously suspect that, like the article says, BMW calls for premium (in case of my model) to distinguish upmarket models.
In this article, some experts say no.
I am bothered by the fact that Honda 3.0L V6 (in Accord) is rated 245HP with regular gas (87) and my car (3.0L I6) is only rated 215HP with premium gas (91).
I seriously suspect that, like the article says, BMW calls for premium (in case of my model) to distinguish upmarket models.
[/quote]
There is a lot of yak in the article. The main things are that the VW GTI Golf went from 205 hp/234 torque on Shell 95 to 212 hp/252 torque on BP Ultimate (about a 7.7% torque difference) to 218 hp/248 torque on Sunoco Race Fuel. Not as much detail was provided on the M5. But, for example, the article indicates that the difference in M5 torque at 4,500 rpm is only about 3% (but, it really is only about 2%) from the worst to the best fuel--"an amount that would be undetectable on the road." One interesting thing is that the BMW made 543 bhp--which, of course, is more than claimed. The aritcle said that there might have been more of a difference from the alternative gasolines if the M5 being tested was not such a good performer in general--which, IMO, sounds too speculative to take seriously.
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From: Austin TX
My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Originally Posted by hmc' post='218503' date='Jan 2 2006, 10:56 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-0...remiumgas_x.htm
In this article, some experts say no.
I am bothered by the fact that Honda 3.0L V6 (in Accord) is rated 245HP with regular gas (87) and my car (3.0L I6) is only rated 215HP with premium gas (91).
I seriously suspect that, like the article says, BMW calls for premium (in case of my model) to distinguish upmarket models.
In this article, some experts say no.
I am bothered by the fact that Honda 3.0L V6 (in Accord) is rated 245HP with regular gas (87) and my car (3.0L I6) is only rated 215HP with premium gas (91).
I seriously suspect that, like the article says, BMW calls for premium (in case of my model) to distinguish upmarket models.
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From: Austin TX
My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Originally Posted by Me2002' post='223865' date='Jan 13 2006, 03:19 PM
This month's Roundel has a good letter regarding top tier/premium gas.
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Originally Posted by Me2002' post='223865' date='Jan 13 2006, 02:19 PM
This month's Roundel has a good letter regarding top tier/premium gas.
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From: Austin TX
My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Originally Posted by Me2002' post='223865' date='Jan 13 2006, 03:19 PM
This month's Roundel has a good letter regarding top tier/premium gas.
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