Gas brand/octane

Kidscollege$ · 04-05-2015, 11:32 PM

What are you burning in your STOCK M3/4? I don't mean what you use at the track. I am sure everyone has their own formula and many of you have tunes. Just for daily driving/cruising etc.

I am having hard time finding 93. Only one station found so far on the other side of town. Generally my options are:
100 $7.50/gal! Ouch
93 with 10% ethanol
92 no ethanol
91 with 10% ethanol
91 no ethanol

Would the 92 be better without ethanol or run the 93 with ethanol? Mix a gal of 100 with 91 no ethanol? Would 91 hurt anything?

SakhirM4 · 04-05-2015, 11:37 PM

Octane 93 is easily available in Texas - that is what I use.

Pharmacist_ · 04-05-2015, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Octane 93 is easily available in Texas - that is what I use.

Yup, Shell 93 for me.

M3Fanatics · 04-05-2015, 11:56 PM

94 w 10% ethanol

biggripper · 04-06-2015, 02:32 AM

Can’t go wrong if you follow the manual. The recommendation is 93 with no more that 10% ethanol content. The manual also states the minimum fuel grade is 91. So really any of those options are viable. If it were me I’d try and go for the 93 w/10% or the 92 plain as much as possible.

I am not a expert in fuel so I can’t really comment on whether 93 w/10% is better or worse for the S55 engine than 92 w/o ethanol.

Vigilant · 04-06-2015, 05:00 AM

Top tier 93 octane from Shell or Valero with at most 10% ethanol as allowed by law.

Subjectively, the car does feel sluggish with non top tier gas.

The PCD folks filled my F80 with 91 octane...that would be the minimum I would consider.

idocm4 · 04-06-2015, 05:03 AM

Shell 93.

tisme · 04-06-2015, 06:18 AM

Esso 95 is the standard in the UK, but I am using Esso 97.

Vectors2final · 04-06-2015, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Octane 93 is easily available in Texas - that is what I use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist_

Yup, Shell 93 for me.

x2

tisme · 04-06-2015, 06:56 AM

In my UK manual it states:

"Minimum grade: Super with RON 95."

"Petrol grade: Super Plus, with RON 98"

Are US engines de-tuned?

Vectors2final · 04-06-2015, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tisme

In my UK manual it states:

"Minimum grade: Super with RON 95."

"Petrol grade: Super Plus, with RON 98"

Are US engines de-tuned?

Your Esso 97-98 is the equivalent of our 93 octane.

RON = Research Octane Number

The US uses this method below to determine ratings.

AKI/ (R+M)/2 = Anti-Knock Index (AKI) or (R+M)/2

In other words... same shit, different color.

biggripper · 04-06-2015, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tisme

In my UK manual it states:

"Minimum grade: Super with RON 95."

"Petrol grade: Super Plus, with RON 98"

Are US engines de-tuned?

Interesting!

mkoesel · 04-06-2015, 07:26 AM

I always use the highest available octane at whichever station I happen to stop at. Usually that is 93, but I believe some carry 92, and I think there are some with 94 also.

I never pay any attention to ethanol content nor brand of gasoline.

By the way, altitude plays a role, so depending on your exact location, my engine running 93 might not be the same as your engine running 93.

huatian · 04-06-2015, 07:36 AM

Exxon or Shell 93

geoff2010 · 04-06-2015, 07:41 AM

Here in Colorado 91 is equivalent to 93 at sea level in terms of resistance to detonation/knock. We are at 5300 feet.

Stage1 · 04-06-2015, 08:28 AM

Shell V Power 93 or Sunoco 94 if its around

Revartr · 04-06-2015, 09:09 AM

I go with 93 no ethanol.

nathangracey · 04-06-2015, 09:27 AM

Another for shell. Tried all the others, chevron... Exxon... But shell is the most consistent. I found some 93. In utah this is unheard of!

Kidscollege$ · 04-06-2015, 09:30 AM

The only 93 is at Sams Club...I have no idea who supplies their gas!

chillindrdude · 04-06-2015, 09:43 AM

hard to find high octane pure gas around there (mid-atlantic). almost always ethanol in there...

Kidscollege$ · 04-06-2015, 09:49 AM

After "googling" "who supplies Sams Club Gasoline" it appears that Murphy oil does. If you can believe what the internet says.

My guess is that they ALL (shell, cheveron, exxon, mobil) get get the gas from the same refinery only adding their own additives to the tanker truck at pick up from the distribution.

Vectors2final · 04-06-2015, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidscollege$

The only 93 is at Sams Club...I have no idea who supplies their gas!

Look up where the main terminals are in your area of the country. That should give you a good idea about where it comes from. The only difference from brand to brand is that companies proprietary blend, cleanliness of fuel, etc.

04-05-2015, 11:32 PM	#1
Kidscollege$ First Lieutenant 342 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2015 MW M4 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: NE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Toyota [0.00] 2016 Lexus RX350 [0.00] 2015 BMW/M4 [0.00]	Gas brand/octane - what do you run? What are you burning in your STOCK M3/4? I don't mean what you use at the track. I am sure everyone has their own formula and many of you have tunes. Just for daily driving/cruising etc. I am having hard time finding 93. Only one station found so far on the other side of town. Generally my options are: 100 $7.50/gal! Ouch 93 with 10% ethanol 92 no ethanol 91 with 10% ethanol 91 no ethanol Would the 92 be better without ethanol or run the 93 with ethanol? Mix a gal of 100 with 91 no ethanol? Would 91 hurt anything?
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04-05-2015, 11:37 PM	#2
SakhirM4 Major General 10785 Rep 8,852 Posts Drives: '15 SO M4/'20 Z4 M40i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW Z4 M40i [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [8.76]	Octane 93 is easily available in Texas - that is what I use. __________________ Tejas Chapter, BMW CCA, mem #23915, President 27 years, www.tejaschapter.org
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04-05-2015, 11:56 PM	#4
M3Fanatics First Lieutenant 127 Rep 302 Posts Drives: '15 YMB F80 M3 '15 BSM F15 X5 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mississauga, ON iTrader: (0)	94 w 10% ethanol
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04-06-2015, 02:32 AM	#5
biggripper Captain 725 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Can’t go wrong if you follow the manual. The recommendation is 93 with no more that 10% ethanol content. The manual also states the minimum fuel grade is 91. So really any of those options are viable. If it were me I’d try and go for the 93 w/10% or the 92 plain as much as possible. I am not a expert in fuel so I can’t really comment on whether 93 w/10% is better or worse for the S55 engine than 92 w/o ethanol. __________________ CURRENT///G80 M3CX \| Isle Of Man Green \| Kyalami Orange \| Bi-Color 826M Wheels FORMER ///F80 M3 ZCP \| Yas Marina Blue \| Black \| DCT \| Black 666M Wheels FORMER ///F87 M2C \| Alpine White/Orange \| DCT \| Black 788M Wheels FORMER ///F87 M2C \| Sunset Orange/Orange \| 6MT \| Black 788M Wheels FORMER ///F82 M4 \| SSII \| Full SO \| 6MT \| Black 437M Wheels
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04-06-2015, 05:00 AM	#6
Vigilant Captain 305 Rep 868 Posts Drives: Cautiously fast Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Top tier 93 octane from Shell or Valero with at most 10% ethanol as allowed by law. Subjectively, the car does feel sluggish with non top tier gas. The PCD folks filled my F80 with 91 octane...that would be the minimum I would consider. __________________ 2022 BSM G80 Comp X-drive
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04-06-2015, 05:03 AM	#7
idocm4 Lieutenant 190 Rep 570 Posts Drives: MG F82 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Baton Rouge, LA. iTrader: (3)	Shell 93.
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04-06-2015, 06:18 AM	#8
tisme Captain 72 Rep 741 Posts Drives: F80 M3 in Sakhir Orange Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 model year 330 ... [0.00]	Esso 95 is the standard in the UK, but I am using Esso 97. __________________ F80 M3 Sakhir Orange with DCT and TV collected 21 June 2014.
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04-06-2015, 06:56 AM	#10
tisme Captain 72 Rep 741 Posts Drives: F80 M3 in Sakhir Orange Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 model year 330 ... [0.00]	In my UK manual it states: "Minimum grade: Super with RON 95." "Petrol grade: Super Plus, with RON 98" Are US engines de-tuned? __________________ F80 M3 Sakhir Orange with DCT and TV collected 21 June 2014.
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04-06-2015, 07:26 AM	#13
mkoesel Moderator 7510 Rep 19,370 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	I always use the highest available octane at whichever station I happen to stop at. Usually that is 93, but I believe some carry 92, and I think there are some with 94 also. I never pay any attention to ethanol content nor brand of gasoline. By the way, altitude plays a role, so depending on your exact location, my engine running 93 might not be the same as your engine running 93.
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04-06-2015, 07:36 AM	#14
huatian Second Lieutenant 73 Rep 240 Posts Drives: SS M4 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Exxon or Shell 93
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04-06-2015, 07:41 AM	#15
geoff2010 Mmmmmkay 70 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 2017 S6 + 2017 340 M sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boulder, CO iTrader: (0)	Here in Colorado 91 is equivalent to 93 at sea level in terms of resistance to detonation/knock. We are at 5300 feet.
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04-06-2015, 08:28 AM	#16
Stage1 Curiosity Killed the Cat 241 Rep 822 Posts Drives: M4 GTS Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: PA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2021 BMW M4 [0.00] 2016 M4 GTS [8.00] 2016 Cayman GT4 [0.00] 2016 Wrangler [0.00]	Shell V Power 93 or Sunoco 94 if its around __________________ SOLD - 2015 /// F82 M4 / AY-SO "AY-BRAVE" I'M BACK - 2016 M4 GTS I'M BACK AGAIN - 2021 M4 COMP FPB
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04-06-2015, 09:09 AM	#17
Revartr Second Lieutenant 76 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Cleveland, TN iTrader: (0)	I go with 93 no ethanol.
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04-06-2015, 09:27 AM	#18
nathangracey Private 27 Rep 57 Posts Drives: aw m4 6mt Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: utah iTrader: (0)	Another for shell. Tried all the others, chevron... Exxon... But shell is the most consistent. I found some 93. In utah this is unheard of!
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04-06-2015, 09:30 AM	#19
Kidscollege$ First Lieutenant 342 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2015 MW M4 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: NE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Toyota [0.00] 2016 Lexus RX350 [0.00] 2015 BMW/M4 [0.00]	The only 93 is at Sams Club...I have no idea who supplies their gas!
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04-06-2015, 09:43 AM	#20
chillindrdude Lieutenant Colonel 1161 Rep 1,726 Posts Drives: anything with 4 wheels Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	hard to find high octane pure gas around there (mid-atlantic). almost always ethanol in there... __________________ My Trackable Street Car 2016 BMW M4 GTS
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04-06-2015, 09:49 AM	#21
Kidscollege$ First Lieutenant 342 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2015 MW M4 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: NE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Toyota [0.00] 2016 Lexus RX350 [0.00] 2015 BMW/M4 [0.00]	After "googling" "who supplies Sams Club Gasoline" it appears that Murphy oil does. If you can believe what the internet says. My guess is that they ALL (shell, cheveron, exxon, mobil) get get the gas from the same refinery only adding their own additives to the tanker truck at pick up from the distribution.
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