what type of gas do you use?

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:12 pm

i searched because i was sure i saw a thread a looong time ago about this, but i couldn't find anything?

i was using 87, and the other day started using 89, just out of curiosity. i may be crazy, but it feels like it is responding better. it seems like there is just a hint more top end (not much, but it's there) staying power than before.

since i don't have a manual i don't know what it recommends.

what do you guys use and do you think it matters any?

also, side note, if anyone has a manual they could scan i'd be mighty interested in taking a look...

n2tattoos · Post by **n2tattoos** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:53 pm

i always use premium. give baby the good stuff and she'll grow up nice and strong.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:28 am

do you do this just because, or is that what the buddy calls for?

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:56 am

I'm a member of the BMWCCA and this is always a hot topic. Generally the discussions end up like this.

It's best to use the lowest octane available. The lower the octane, the more combustable the fuel (especially important because your Blur is carburated). BMW owners are told to use the highest octane available by the wizards in Munich, but in the United States our low octane fuel is generally higher than anything you can get elsewhere in the world. The reason is 1) our EPA maindated clean air standards and 2) more significantly, in the US we figure octane by using the R+M/2 method, which (I'm told) produces a lower octane rating for fuel that in other countries gets a higher number by using a different method.

The difference you (and BMW drivers) experience may be due to the fact that oil companies switch to a summer blend around this time of year. Also, has your state recently mandated mixing in ethonol into your fuel? Ethonol is junk fuel that burns better, but gives you lower gas milage. We have the cheapest fuel in the nation in Missouri, but because it has a high ethonol content it hurts our mpg.

Now, hot fuel! Don't get me started on that!

This is probably way more than you wanted to know and I've probably confused the issue even more, but this is what I've gleaned from what I've read over the years.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:55 pm

as far as hot fuel, costco is responding to a class action lawsuit and outfitting all their gas tanks with chillers in the lower side. pretty cool if you ask me.

we've had ethanol for a while but as far as summer blends and what not, i couldn't tell you if they have bumped it up.

i figure i will go another week or so with the mid grade, record my "scores" then downgrade for a couple weeks, record my "scores" and maybe repeat once more for scientific effort.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:21 pm

fs8gbe wrote:as far as hot fuel, costco is responding to a class action lawsuit and outfitting all their gas tanks with chillers in the lower side. pretty cool if you ask me.

we've had ethanol for a while but as far as summer blends and what not, i couldn't tell you if they have bumped it up.

i figure i will go another week or so with the mid grade, record my "scores" then downgrade for a couple weeks, record my "scores" and maybe repeat once more for scientific effort.

Make sure you post results.

Where I live along the Kansas-Missouri border, I can buy gas in both states. Even though the octane rating is the same, I find I get better mileage on the Kansas side where there is no ethanol blend. Not much, but better.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:41 pm

KCScooterDude wrote:
fs8gbe wrote:as far as hot fuel, costco is responding to a class action lawsuit and outfitting all their gas tanks with chillers in the lower side. pretty cool if you ask me.

we've had ethanol for a while but as far as summer blends and what not, i couldn't tell you if they have bumped it up.

i figure i will go another week or so with the mid grade, record my "scores" then downgrade for a couple weeks, record my "scores" and maybe repeat once more for scientific effort.
Make sure you post results.

Where I live along the Kansas-Missouri border, I can buy gas in both states. Even though the octane rating is the same, I find I get better mileage on the Kansas side where there is no ethanol blend. Not much, but better.

yeah, i will post my mpg, but i am more interested in performance.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:47 pm

fs8gbe wrote:
KCScooterDude wrote:
fs8gbe wrote:as far as hot fuel, costco is responding to a class action lawsuit and outfitting all their gas tanks with chillers in the lower side. pretty cool if you ask me.

we've had ethanol for a while but as far as summer blends and what not, i couldn't tell you if they have bumped it up.

i figure i will go another week or so with the mid grade, record my "scores" then downgrade for a couple weeks, record my "scores" and maybe repeat once more for scientific effort.
Make sure you post results.

Where I live along the Kansas-Missouri border, I can buy gas in both states. Even though the octane rating is the same, I find I get better mileage on the Kansas side where there is no ethanol blend. Not much, but better.
yeah, i will post my mpg, but i am more interested in performance.

I'll be interested to see both results.