UK Spec F82 M4 in California

[C-Baz]

Hi I recently imported my UK Spec facelift F82 Competition Pack into California for some road trips whilst I tour the states, fully equipped with the RHD which seems to be a novelty here.

I have a few things I need technical advice on please.

1. UK Spec cars are recommended to run on Shell V Power 99. In the UK it's Ron 99 and contains maximum of up to 5% ethanol. Here the max I seem to be able to find is v power 91 not sure its Ron rating?. I immediately noticed after filling up my car with v power 91 a power difference. Seems that the car is sluggish at higher rev ranges and not delivering power like im used to.

Questions:

- is V power 91 the best fuel out in California? Do stock f80 family owners use 91 or other brand/octane fuels?
- do I need to get my car tuned to the fuel here?
- is V power 91 bad for the car?

2. Given it's a lot cooler in the UK is there anything I need to think about doing given there are much higher temperatures in California in respects to cooling? Could this also be an issue?

3. Assuming with more modern cars there is no need to change headlights? I know people used to use stickers. Is this something I need to think about with f82 facelift?

4. Any trusted tuners/mechanics in Los Angeles or wider area that could properly test and benchmark the car to ensure its running at its best and tune it accordingly?

Appreciate any help with the above. Went to a couple of local BMW dealers and service centers and they didn't have a clue about any of the above.

Thanks

C-Baz

[Tecnniqe]

If my memory serves me right you want 93 in the US as it equals 98 in Europe which is the recommended European standard for these cars, 98 shouldn't contain ethanol either unlike 95 in Europe which is equal to 91 in the states which is the minimum for European standard. 89 in the US is below that.

95 in Europe = 91 in the US (contains 5% or more ethanol in Europe usually, unsure about US)
98 in Europe = 93 in the US (usually doesn't contain ethanol in Europe, unsure about US)

95/91 minimum
98/93 recommended

87 AKI = 91 RON
91 AKI = 93 RON
93 AKI = 98 RON
100 AKI = 104 RON
104 AKI = 108 RON

There is this weird EU thing trying to force stations to mark the fact they use ethanol in things like 98 even tho there isn't any, so make of that what you want.

You're free to fill higher but you might not get a benefit from it unless tuned.
You might notice a lower power output on worse octane and it may take the car some time to get used to.

Gas in some parts of the US is pretty poor quality so worth taking into consideration.

As far as tuning, you shouldn't need it unless you want more power or can't find proper gas…
As far as cooling, don't worry the F8X got a great cooling system that survives tracking very well just keep and eye on inter cooler leaks which can occur regardless of where you are in the world.
Headlights, no need to do anything

[NSX2M4]

You will not find any 93 octane in California. FYI.

[C-Baz]

Thanks both, I appreciate the responses.

Yeah can't find 93 anywhere in Cali. So today did a mix but haven't really put my foot down yet to test it. Probably going to wait till next refill.

60% 91 V Power Nitro + 40% VP101 Race Fuel

Think that should get me 98+ RON. Might try 70:30 next time. $16 a gallon for this stuff!

The Cali 91 V Power contains no Ethanol. I think the racefuel is 10% Ethanol.

Anyone from Cali here running mixes? What ratio's are you using?

I'm still thinking I might need a stock tune? Assuming air density in Cali is different to the UK too. Must be a different stock map on the car for these parts of the world?

Also whilst I'm trying to get this sorted im somewhat tempted to do the chargepipe and downpipe mods with a tune for a bit extra power. Any recommendations for LA area would be appreciated! 🛠️

[Tecnniqe]

I guess you can do a 91 AKI tune if that makes your life easier

[N1rve]

1) The best gas you can get in california is 91 from a normal gas station. Some stations have 100 Octane race gas but you need to be tuned for that. Typically the car has knock sensors and will retard the timing for the lower octane. All gas in California has 10% Eth. Never heard Shell V power doesn't have 10% Eth.

2) Just make sure your top mount intercooler isn't leaking.

3) You may need to lower your left headlight height and increase the right headlamp height as US Spec is driver side is lower than the right side. This is the "cut off".

[phoenx]

We're gonna need some pics of this RHD M4 cruising in the U.S. Thank you!

[C-Baz]

Originally Posted by N1rve

1) The best gas you can get in california is 91 from a normal gas station. Some stations have 100 Octane race gas but you need to be tuned for that. Typically the car has knock sensors and will retard the timing for the lower octane. All gas in California has 10% Eth. Never heard Shell V power doesn't have 10% Eth.

2) Just make sure your top mount intercooler isn't leaking.

3) You may need to lower your left headlight height and increase the right headlamp height as US Spec is driver side is lower than the right side. This is the "cut off".

Thanks dude very informative.

Must have miss-read somewhere that there was no ethanol in 91 V Power here but seems like there is 10% in everything. Good to know

Assuming a 70:30 mix, 91:101 is a safe play? In UK it's recommended to use 99RON in these cars. So assuming stock I'm good for that mix?

Will check the intercooler for leaks also and get the headlamp looked at too 🤘

You might actually see me knocking around, I'm fairly local to BH.

[C-Baz]

Originally Posted by phoenx

We're gonna need some pics of this RHD M4 cruising in the U.S. Thank you!

For sure will start taking some pics

[YASBBYM3]

Originally Posted by C-Baz

Hi I recently imported my UK Spec facelift F82 Competition Pack into California for some road trips whilst I tour the states, fully equipped with the RHD which seems to be a novelty here.

I have a few things I need technical advice on please.

1. UK Spec cars are recommended to run on Shell V Power 99. In the UK it's Ron 99 and contains maximum of up to 5% ethanol. Here the max I seem to be able to find is v power 91 not sure its Ron rating?. I immediately noticed after filling up my car with v power 91 a power difference. Seems that the car is sluggish at higher rev ranges and not delivering power like im used to.

Questions:

- is V power 91 the best fuel out in California? Do stock f80 family owners use 91 or other brand/octane fuels?
- do I need to get my car tuned to the fuel here?
- is V power 91 bad for the car?

2. Given it's a lot cooler in the UK is there anything I need to think about doing given there are much higher temperatures in California in respects to cooling? Could this also be an issue?

3. Assuming with more modern cars there is no need to change headlights? I know people used to use stickers. Is this something I need to think about with f82 facelift?

4. Any trusted tuners/mechanics in Los Angeles or wider area that could properly test and benchmark the car to ensure its running at its best and tune it accordingly?

Appreciate any help with the above. Went to a couple of local BMW dealers and service centers and they didn't have a clue about any of the above.

Thanks

C-Baz

here you go

[tjjmx]

I wouldn't worry too much about driving in higher temperatures and engine cooling. Been noted many times online the F80/F82's cooling system is very efficient.

Last month drove my M3 to Tahoe from the Bay Area with 3 other passengers and the temperature that weekend was 100F. The car did drop in performance at higher elevations especially in the mountain, maybe because it was the thinner air. Car's performance returned to normal the next day. Likely the engine management system knocked down some performance so the car wouldn't overheat but still strong enough to pass some slower cars on the changing lanes on Hwy 50 thru the mountain passes.

[C-Baz]

Thanks everyone. Been almost a year now and everything has been smooth sailing. Will post some pictures soon.

[EezyBeezy]

Standing by for pics

[Wanted_M]

Have fun and enjoy your time here.

The octane number is the simple average of two different octane rating methods—motor octane rating (MOR) and research octane rating (RON)/2. The higher an octane number, the more stable the fuel. Retail gasoline stations sell three grades based on the octane level. 87, 89, 91(Arizona, California, Nevada) or 92 in Oregon/Washington State.

Midwest and East coast have 93 and 94 octane which is what your use to in UK.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by NSX2M4

You will not find any 93 octane in California. FYI.

Originally Posted by C-Baz

Thanks both, I appreciate the responses.

Yeah can't find 93 anywhere in Cali. So today did a mix but haven't really put my foot down yet to test it. Probably going to wait till next refill.

60% 91 V Power Nitro + 40% VP101 Race Fuel

Think that should get me 98+ RON. Might try 70:30 next time. $16 a gallon for this stuff!

The Cali 91 V Power contains no Ethanol. I think the racefuel is 10% Ethanol.

Anyone from Cali here running mixes? What ratio's are you using?

I'm still thinking I might need a stock tune? Assuming air density in Cali is different to the UK too. Must be a different stock map on the car for these parts of the world?

Also whilst I'm trying to get this sorted im somewhat tempted to do the chargepipe and downpipe mods with a tune for a bit extra power. Any recommendations for LA area would be appreciated! 🛠️

Come to NorCal for the good stuff ⛽️

https://s.yelp.com/4cAxa72CTa

You can enjoy the sights and great food while you visit.

[C-Baz]

Some pics as promised. Let me know what you think.

[EezyBeezy]

Very cool! I can’t say i’ve ever seen a RHD M car in the states.

[windnsea00]

I have seen you in West Hollywood! Was wondering why there was a RHD M4 over here!

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by TractionControlDelete

Come to NorCal for the good stuff ⛽️

https://s.yelp.com/4cAxa72CTa

You can enjoy the sights and great food while you visit.

What grade did you try? 94 AKI should be close to 98 RON. There are some stations that sell 100 octane in LA but I would think your car would adapt to our 91 AKI which is close to 95 RON.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by windnsea00

What grade did you try? There are some stations that sell 100 octane in LA but I would think your car would adapt to our 91 AKI which is close to 95 RON.

Sinclair on Riverside in Burbank has 100octane at the pump. I usually do half 91 half 100 there.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by windnsea00

What grade did you try? 94 AKI should be close to 98 RON. There are some stations that sell 100 octane in LA but I would think your car would adapt to our 91 AKI which is close to 95 RON.

I run 98 year round - the car likes it but 91 wasn’t an issue the 3-4 times I’ve used it

[Wanted_M]

A pic with the Porsche man