Do you use Shell premium gas as recommend by BMW?

[1M4]

Why do they recommend Shell as opposed to Chevron or Mobil?Does the M engine run best on Shell or is it just a suggestion ?What is it about Shell that they like?

[duky]

I do like Shell V-POWER but having said that I use any on this list: http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

When I used to use Sam's Club gas on my 335i the dealership claimed that it was the reason that my fuel pump had issues. After that episode I've only used top tier. Might have been bullshit but there's so many places on the top tier list that I don't mind spending a little extra on it.

[Jockey]

I use it when I can. If not, any of the higher tier gas brands that have 93 works just fine for me.

[RickFLM4]

I mostly use Shell or Chevron because they are most convenient to me. Can't say I can tell a difference in performance. I'll also use Mobil or BP if I need gas and there is no Shell or Chevron nearby.

[SMGCFP]

I have a gas station at home that has 91 octane but is ethanol free. Do you guys think that's similar, better or worse than 93 octane with 10% ethanol?

[bb1857]

Originally Posted by 1M4

Why do they recommend Shell as opposed to Chevron or Mobil?Does the M engine run best on Shell or is it just a suggestion ?What is it about Shell that they like?

Because Shell paid more money to be the official fuel recommended by BMW. It's all about the marketing dollars and has nothing to do with the product being good, bad, or better.

[1M4]

Originally Posted by bb1857

Because Shell paid more money to be the official fuel recommended by BMW. It's all about the marketing dollars and has nothing to do with the product being good, bad, or better.

I have never had any issues with it and I start with it in my first tank of gas .Throughout my ownership, I never use any other brand. I don't believe in mixing fuel but that is my preference.About 90 percent the same gas station as well . Having heard of some gas stations with bad fuel in the past, in the USA shell stations had a bad rap for a while.

I also remember when I had the 2008 335 with the N54 in for service,a shop foreman 23 years with BMW. took a ride with me an was an advocate of chevron 93.He told me some bmw cars came in with idle or performance issues and came up with chevron being one fuel that the problematic cars were not running on.

[teefive]

Originally Posted by bb1857

Because Shell paid more money to be the official fuel recommended by BMW. It's all about the marketing dollars and has nothing to do with the product being good, bad, or better.

Except Shell/Pennzoil products (as well as past fuel / oil brands recommended by BMW) have been VERY good products.

I don't think BMW would recommend a low quality product simply due to marketing $s

[BwoodBMW]

LOL at this thread.

[Bluex]

You know, in a way it's good this thread is now hidden away in the Mechanical Maintenance forums. I've seen "fuel" threads get ignited and pretty intense in some other forums. Who'd have figured that people get pretty worked up over gas.....

2 camps: some that say the "top tier" and places like Shell make all the difference in the world, others that say it's all from the same place, just brand specific additives thrown in.

For what it's worth, I had a conversation with my SA when picking up my car from having the Integration Level software updated and he mentioned how there was 1 error code of "below grade" gas causing a fault (was simply during the winter, octane dropped in a tank of gas after not driving it for a few weeks) and he mentioned that before working for BMW he was in the automotive fuel biz and worked for Shell.

According to him, in my area, all the gas comes from the exact same place and even with the additives, there really isn't any difference in fuel at all. Said the "top tier" stuff was all just marketing, but what DID make a difference wasn't what brand of fuel you got, but how clean they kept their tanks. He said, generally speaking, in our area that Shell stations are owned by one particular guy and he was meticulous about keeping his tanks clean, so it was a good place to get gas. Other than that, he mentioned "look for newer stations....Wawa gas stations are also very good at cleaning their tanks. avoid the smaller older stations, they are the ones that have all sorts of sediment"

Was just interesting.

[DiamondGCoupe]

I almost always use V-Power, it's actually the cheapest Premium full around me (except for Sam's club). At least $.10 cheaper than Chevron, so why not? The one time I used Sam's club Premium, I experienced a weird issue shifting gears, I can't see how it's related but ironic nonetheless.

[///Mongo]

If I have a choice, I prefer Shell V-Power 93 or Sonoco Ultra 93

[bb1857]

Originally Posted by teefive

Except Shell/Pennzoil products (as well as past fuel / oil brands recommended by BMW) have been VERY good products.

I don't think BMW would recommend a low quality product simply due to marketing $s

Yes they are very good products but they recommend whoever ponies up the most money at the time of contract negotiations. I don't think they are going to recommend Billy Bobs gasoline but if they don't recommend a higher tier product it does not mean its not sufficient or is even any worse than Shell products. Shell didn't "all of a sudden" get better so BMW started recommending them....they did it because of marketing dollars...simple as that.

[CreoUCLA]

I use Mobil exclusively... because of a company gas card. I've never had any issues.

[DaBean]

I use Chevron exclusively. Might as well keep corporate profits in the US

[dmk08]

I use Shell cause my local station gives $.10/gal off for Kroger card and $.04/gal off for paying cash.

[stealth70mde]

Yes, I use Shell Premium every time that I can.

[aboulfad]

I mostly fill up with Shell V-power Nitro+ Super (Quebec) and look what car thinks about it : http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1270184. So it doesn't matter in the end as long you meet the minimum requirements written in your fuel cap, and it doesn't say Shell!

[Sassicaia]

Highest octane shell I can get in my city is 91. Chevron offers 94 so I only get that.

[ecf34]

Does anyone fill-up at Costco or is it just me?

[firedown31]

Everything but Shell. BP, CITGO, Mobil, Speedway, 7-11, Irving are all around me and all sell 93. Haven't had an issue in 13k miles.

[Domer88]

The amazing power of marketing.

There is no measurable difference between gasolines of the same octane. Different brands have proprietary additives, but there is no evidence those differences have any effect whatsoever on engine performance or longevity.