Thanks to these and other excellent bimmerfest posts, I believe I’ve discovered the solution. However, I lack laboratory evidence.
My hypothesis
It is evident that the N20 in the F30 can be calibrated for various output. The 328i’s stated horsepower is actually (numbers made up) 240 horsepower on 91 gasoline and 235 horsepower on 89 octane. The 320i has 180 horsepower on 91 gasoline and 176 horsepower on 89 octane (again, made up statistics). It is designed for 89-94 octane in both automobiles. It won’t produce more if you use 96 octane. They could have adjusted this engine to accept 87 octane, but due to the narrow range of allowable octane, it would only have benefited from 87-92 octane.
It would have been preferable for some drivers if the automobile had been adjusted to accept 87 octane, particularly in locations with only 91 octane.
Contrary to popular belief, getting slightly greater gas mileage from slightly higher octane fuel is possible. I’m aware of it. The EPA tested it and discovered the same thing. However, the increase in gas economy was frequently only 1 mpg, which was insufficient to make up for the higher price of premium petrol.
There are 87, 89, and 92 in this area. There are two numbers in Vancouver: 91 and 94. Because I don’t want to pay a significant amount more for 94 and probably see little to no change, I choose for 92. Have you ever used Chevron 94?
When I was in Germany, I once put some Aral 102 octane in the automobile. On the octane scale used in the United States and Canada, 102 seems to be roughly equivalent to 97.
You might not get a response because this is an old thread, and you might be restarting an old thread. Consider starting a new thread, please.
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The Drawbacks of Filling Your BMW With Regular Gas
Buying expensive gas for your BMW or any other vehicle might be costly. You may be able to save money by using ordinary fuel depending on the model of your BMW, but there will be a cost. We think that saving money right away isn’t worth endangering your car.
Thanks to more electronic components, most new BMWs can run on ordinary gasoline, but this might put stress on several elements, including the electronic knock sensors in your engine. These electrical parts provide the engine the ability to recognize the sort of fuel it’s using and alter performance accordingly, protecting your engine.
Regular fuel has the additional drawback of altering the performance of your engine, which results in a reduction in power and slower acceleration. But this isn’t a significant loss. Most vehicles that are advised to use premium fuel but switch to normal gas will lose around 10 HP. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you bought your BMW for its power, even if it probably won’t be a major concern if you only use it to get around town.
There are some exceptions to this rule, just like with anything. Certain BMWs do need premium fuel.
These are the most typical causes for a BMW to need premium, but this is by no means a complete list. In the event that your BMW fits one of the following descriptions, avoid using normal gasoline in it:
- Your vehicle predates the 1996 model year.
- It’s a model M.
- It has a turbo engine or one with high compression.
- Your model of vehicle must utilize premium gasoline, per BMW (they recommend that all of their cars use premium, but only require it on select models)
A complete list of BMWs (model years 2012–2019) that demand premium can be found here, while a list of BMWs that recommend premium but can operate on regular can be found here. Remember, though, that continuing to run as usual can have negative effects. Above all, before converting from premium to normal unleaded, always consult your owner’s manual.
Why BMWs Need Fuel with a 91+ Octane Rating
It’s crucial to keep in mind that when you acquire a BMW, you’re getting a high-quality vehicle. If you want to maintain the high performance levels of your BMW, you must take good care of all of its cutting-edge features and innovations. The type of gas you utilize is the first thing to consider.
BMW advises its customers to only use high-octane gas, such as 91+ octane. This will ensure that your BMW operates at its peak performance, but, like with any gasoline option, there are advantages and disadvantages to using 91+ octane fuel.
SD 328I
Although no manufacturer, including BMW, may compel you to use a particular octane, they can advise you to do so. A minimum of 87 octane is typically required for BMW, while 91 is advised for the greatest performance and mileage.
87 won’t injure anything, like they stated, but it’s not worth it. The cost of losing two to three mpg while driving an 87 is significantly greater than the additional three dollars for premium. In light of this, running 87 is only justified in the absence of premium.
Can a BMW run on ordinary fuel?
The quick response is nothing. You won’t run the risk of damaging your brother’s automobile because the majority of BMWs can run on ordinary gas. The BMW will identify when you use standard gas instead of premium and may operate with a little less power and timing, but all of the components will function as intended.
What is the best gas brand for a BMW?
BMW, for instance, advises using premium fuel in all of the vehicles it sells in the United States, though they can also run on ordinary. According to Thomas Plucinsky, a BMW representative, using lower-octane fuel normally doesn’t hurt the engine.
Can I fuel my BMW with 89 octane?
No matter what model you have, BMW advises only using premium unleaded fuel. That’s not to say that your BMW won’t run on inferior fuel, but premium unleaded fuel will keep its quality over time, allowing you to constantly drive at peak performance.
What happens if I fill up my BMW with 87 gasoline?
According on the state you’re in, we switched between the common types of premium gas to meet BMW’s minimum and recommended 91-octane gasoline requirements.
Which fuel is best for a BMW? Shell?
It is advised to use Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Premium Gasoline in BMW M and BMW M Performance vehicles. Shell is the right partner for the BMW Car Club of America because its unique formulation provides triple-action protection against gunk, wear, and corrosion for optimal engine performance.
Is Shell fuel preferable for BMW?
Your car’s ECU will modify engine timing and performance to work with the lower-octane fuel if you accidently fill up with ordinary petrol. Most of the time, this is acceptable for situations where there are no premium fuel pumps nearby, but using the cheapest fuel for extended periods of time is not recommended.
In my BMW, can I use 87 octane fuel?
Just the chemical that they add to the gas is the main distinction between 87 and 91 octane fuel. They still include unleaded fuel that will operate properly in your car. The additive’s goal is to increase the gas’ resistance to pre-detonation, also known as pinging or knocking.
Why does BMW suggest Shell gas?
Shell gas is more expensive than other brands, but BMW recommends it – BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST. As most of you are aware, BMW suggests using Shell gas in our BMWs.
What kind of vehicles need premium fuel?
No, premium fuel does not keep running longer in a fuel tank than conventional fuel. If a car has been idle for a while, the owner could start thinking about how long the petrol will last. And by months or years, we don’t just mean days or weeks.
What happens if 93 fuel is placed in an 87 vehicle?
91+ octane fuel is the fuel created exclusively for use in BMW high-compression engines. Because it optimizes engine function and reduces fuel waste, you can travel farther on a single tank of gas, increasing your miles per gallon.
What happens if 89 gasoline is placed in a 91 vehicle?
It won’t hurt vehicles made to run on regular gasoline to mix regular or mid-grade gasoline (87-89 octane) with premium fuel (91-93 octane). Nevertheless, depending on the vehicle, blending various types of gasoline in vehicles made for premium fuel could cause engine knocking and fuel system damage.
Can 87 and 91 gas be combined?
Can I combine unleaded and premium gas? Yes, drivers are allowed to mix the two fuel kinds. According to The Drive, the mixture of gas types will produce an octane level somewhere in the center, which the vehicle “will survive.”
Can premium and normal gasoline be mixed?
Most of the time, the car will run just fine, although you might notice less power and reduced gas mileage. Because the fuel isn’t burning properly in more acute cases, you might hear engine banging or valve chatter. You should take it to your mechanic because these things could harm your engine.
Is premium fuel required?
If you use higher octane fuel, it won’t harm your engine. For instance, it’s acceptable to use 95 or 98 in an engine made for 91. However, don’t go below the manufacturer’s minimum octane recommendation when using fuel. It may cause damage to use 91 in an engine made for 95 or 98.
What happens if you once mistakenly fill up with regular gas instead of premium?
If a luxury car has a high performance or turbocharged engine, premium gas may be necessary. More opulent trim levels for a car may offer engine choices that need premium petrol even if you’re not buying a luxury model.
Is premium fuel more durable?
Burning premium gas is not necessary for the majority of people, although it is advised. Your automobile manufacturer suggests premium for a reason, and it’s not because they are working closely with the oil industry. The plain truth is that premium fuel is required for your car to operate at its best efficiency, according to tests.
Does the difference between 87 and 91 octane actually exist?
“Use premium unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 91, you could harm the engine and perhaps void your car’s warranty. If significant knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 91 octane or above, the engine needs service.”
What would happen if 91 was entered instead of 95?
The quick response is: NO! We do not advise using subpar fuel in BMWs. When reading the owner’s manual for some models, this might seem like a good alternative, but Triangle Imports doesn’t subscribe to that way of thinking. The potential harm that conventional petrol could do to your car is simply not worth it.