Is regular unleaded better than super unleaded?
12-31-2005, 01:42 AM
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My Ride: I have a 2004 E60. It was registered in January 2004. It's a Black Sapphire 530i SE with a few options:
- Auto-dim interior + folding exterior mirrors
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- Bluetooth
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- Supagard paint treatment
- BMW carpet mats
I have an E60 530i SE and am in the UK. I've been filling up with Shell Optimax petrol (super ulneaded, 98-RON) since I got the car. However, due to a recent well-publicised fire in the South-East of England, there is a shortage of petrol at some petrol stations.
So, I filled up with regular unleaded (95-RON) and my range indicator is now showing more than 400 miles. I rarely get more than around 280 miles with a full tank of Shell Optimax. How can regular unleaded potentially provide a greater range?
So, I filled up with regular unleaded (95-RON) and my range indicator is now showing more than 400 miles. I rarely get more than around 280 miles with a full tank of Shell Optimax. How can regular unleaded potentially provide a greater range?
12-31-2005, 02:07 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather, Aluminum Cube Trim, M Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, Head Up Display, Steptronic, Comfort Seats, Rear Heated Seats, Through Load, Park Distance Control, Navigation , HK Logic 7, etc
wow! good question!!! There was a thread a few weeks ago about which fuel everyone runs and shell v power was the overwhelming favorite, and there were warnings about running with high octane etc. I'm still not convinced that regular unleaded isn't just fine, and your post has me thinking more about it! What's up here guys?
12-31-2005, 02:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Taz' post='217589' date='Dec 31 2005, 10:42 AM
I have an E60 530i SE and am in the UK. I've been filling up with Shell Optimax petrol (super ulneaded, 98-RON) since I got the car. However, due to a recent well-publicised fire in the South-East of England, there is a shortage of petrol at some petrol stations.
So, I filled up with regular unleaded (95-RON) and my range indicator is now showing more than 400 miles. I rarely get more than around 280 miles with a full tank of Shell Optimax. How can regular unleaded potentially provide a greater range?
So, I filled up with regular unleaded (95-RON) and my range indicator is now showing more than 400 miles. I rarely get more than around 280 miles with a full tank of Shell Optimax. How can regular unleaded potentially provide a greater range?
However, all the performance figures by BMW would be using 98RON petrol and there will be a 'disclaimer' saying the performance is reduced with lower octane fuel...
Try both for a while and see which is best, 95RON is fine! (I think in the states 91RON is 'normal' and 95RON is regarded as 'premium'!)
12-31-2005, 02:19 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather, Aluminum Cube Trim, M Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, Head Up Display, Steptronic, Comfort Seats, Rear Heated Seats, Through Load, Park Distance Control, Navigation , HK Logic 7, etc
what about 87 octane? That is our standard regular unleaded here.
12-31-2005, 02:24 AM
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I have an E60 530i SE and am in the UK. I've been filling up with Shell Optimax petrol (super ulneaded, 98-RON) since I got the car. However, due to a recent well-publicised fire in the South-East of England, there is a shortage of petrol at some petrol stations.
So, I filled up with regular unleaded (95-RON) and my range indicator is now showing more than 400 miles. I rarely get more than around 280 miles with a full tank of Shell Optimax. How can regular unleaded potentially provide a greater range?
So, I filled up with regular unleaded (95-RON) and my range indicator is now showing more than 400 miles. I rarely get more than around 280 miles with a full tank of Shell Optimax. How can regular unleaded potentially provide a greater range?
However, all the performance figures by BMW would be using 98RON petrol and there will be a 'disclaimer' saying the performance is reduced with lower octane fuel...
Try both for a while and see which is best, 95RON is fine! (I think in the states 91RON is 'normal' and 95RON is regarded as 'premium'!)
[/quote]
Thats right, in the UK, 95 Ron is regular unleaded (there is nothing lower) and 98 Ron is the premium. I cant believe that 91 Ron still exists Stateside - surely no one puts in the their beautiful bimmer engines ???? Is it for the vans, trucks etc ? Also whats the current price of 95 Ron in the States - I wanna know how cheap it still is !!!!
Originally Posted by Trev550i' post='217595' date='Dec 31 2005, 11:19 AM
what about 87 octane? That is our standard regular unleaded here.
Oh my god !!! Your scaring me dude. You might as well not get a 550i if your going to put 87 Octane in it !!!!
12-31-2005, 02:40 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver, Black Dakota Leather, Aluminum Cube Trim, M Sport Pkg, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, Head Up Display, Steptronic, Comfort Seats, Rear Heated Seats, Through Load, Park Distance Control, Navigation , HK Logic 7, etc
haha I never said I would. I'm just curious what is the lowest you can get away with and still have good performance?
12-31-2005, 02:43 AM
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Welcome to the site Taz 
Nice to have another SE England E60 owner on board
As to your query, i'd say your OBC range was at fault - have you checked the range the old fashioned way?
Most people report an increase in mpg when using higher octane fuels, marginal maybe, but an increase nonetheless (set-off by the higher costs tho')
Nice to have another SE England E60 owner on board
As to your query, i'd say your OBC range was at fault - have you checked the range the old fashioned way?
Most people report an increase in mpg when using higher octane fuels, marginal maybe, but an increase nonetheless (set-off by the higher costs tho')
12-31-2005, 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by IMU' post='217602' date='Dec 31 2005, 11:43 AM
Welcome to the site Taz
Nice to have another SE England E60 owner on board
As to your query, i'd say your OBC range was at fault - have you checked the range the old fashioned way?
Most people report an increase in mpg when using higher octane fuels, marginal maybe, but an increase nonetheless (set-off by the higher costs tho')
Nice to have another SE England E60 owner on board
As to your query, i'd say your OBC range was at fault - have you checked the range the old fashioned way?
Most people report an increase in mpg when using higher octane fuels, marginal maybe, but an increase nonetheless (set-off by the higher costs tho')
12-31-2005, 02:57 AM
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Welcome to the site Taz
Nice to have another SE England E60 owner on board
As to your query, i'd say your OBC range was at fault - have you checked the range the old fashioned way?
Most people report an increase in mpg when using higher octane fuels, marginal maybe, but an increase nonetheless (set-off by the higher costs tho')
Nice to have another SE England E60 owner on board
As to your query, i'd say your OBC range was at fault - have you checked the range the old fashioned way?
Most people report an increase in mpg when using higher octane fuels, marginal maybe, but an increase nonetheless (set-off by the higher costs tho')
[/quote]
True. Which is why i do not rely on the computer for range/mpg calculations period. Unless you drive your car in a straight line on one road for the whole range of the tank, the computer cannot calculate your 'future' tank range based on the previous driving data
12-31-2005, 05:50 AM
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To get the best performance use what the manual states. Turbocharged engines don't benefit from the higher octane. However, generally, engines with higher compression ratios will be more efficient with higher octane fuel. In today?s engines you can get away with lower octane without damaging the engine but the engine management system will retard the engine to compensate and as a result you won't get the full output from it.