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      04-11-2014, 07:32 PM   #1
S1OOORR
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What Fuel grade do you use and why 89 or 91

Would you use 89 grade im thinking about it
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      04-11-2014, 08:33 PM   #2
atomic80
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I'd stick with what's recommended by BMW. These engines are high performance and the last thing you'd want is to muck it up with lower octane grade gas.
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      04-11-2014, 08:48 PM   #3
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Whichever grade you choose, choose it from one of these companies: http://www.toptiergas.com/
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      04-11-2014, 08:52 PM   #4
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Yes I am aware of the recommended fuel octane but once you open your gas tank cover it says minimum 89 just curious if anyone put 89 in
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      04-11-2014, 09:40 PM   #5
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If it says it's ok then no harm in doing so.
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      04-11-2014, 09:46 PM   #6
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89 and up. Some countries have maximum octane of 89.

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      04-11-2014, 11:20 PM   #7
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Also just be aware that various countries use a different octane rating for their fuel. The "octane rating" on US pumps is not the same as the RON rating used in Europe and elsewhere (including Australia). 89 octane in the US is - I understand - equivalent to about 92-93 RON. Here in Australia our petrol (gas) is generally available in 3 RON specs - 91, 95 & 98. Which is why our recommended minimum fuel RON is 95.

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      04-11-2014, 11:56 PM   #8
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I stick with 93. 92 when it's not available. 91 is rare to find around me and when it's there, it's not much of a price difference so I'm willing to just pay the extra couple bucks a week. I say no to 89...
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      04-12-2014, 12:36 AM   #9
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Ok all I been using is 93
91 is hard to find I dont think I will use 89 neither
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      04-12-2014, 01:09 AM   #10
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Mine will probably only take 93 since it's a 5.0i.
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      04-12-2014, 10:44 AM   #11
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For what the price difference, it is not worth it to go lower than 91, as that's what we have here in smog free california.
Unless if it was back in the day where it was 10% difference between 91/92 and 89. Now the difference is only about 3%.
I even don't shop around for gas station anymore, because price/distance wise doesn't make sense anymore.
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      04-13-2014, 06:33 AM   #12
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In Canada, I use Shell V Power, octane 91 and ethanol free.

From Shell Canada:
Does a vehicle benefit from increased octane?

Different vehicles require different levels of octane. To determine the appropriate octane level for your vehicle, check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.

Since, the F15 manual recommends 91, I would go above the stated min 89.
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      04-13-2014, 07:11 AM   #13
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If the manual recommends 91, then stick with 91. Using less than 91 will not cause any harm because of the incredible engine management that modern cars are capable of. If an engine is designed for 91, due to it's higher compression ratio, then that's where it will get the best efficiency and performance. Less octane would cause knocking, but the engine management software dials back timing and other parameters to keep it from knocking, which is good... It will do no harm. But, if you are using lower octane because it is cheaper, you are probably losing any savings to lower gas mileage because of the engine management software dialing back the performance. Plus you aren't getting the full potential performance you paid a premium for... More than likely one of the reasons you bought a BMW.
On the flip side, putting higher octane in a car than what it was designed for will do absolutely nothing to improve performance or efficiency and is a complete waste of money.
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      04-13-2014, 08:48 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticBlue
On the flip side, putting higher octane in a car than what it was designed for will do absolutely nothing to improve performance or efficiency and is a complete waste of money.
This assumes 91 is actually available, which it isn't in many places... Even then, not sure I agree, but I'm no expert and 91 isn't readily available where I live, so I stick with 93 and waste $2 a week
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      04-13-2014, 09:20 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny View Post
This assumes 91 is actually available, which it isn't in many places... Even then, not sure I agree, but I'm no expert and 91 isn't readily available where I live, so I stick with 93 and waste $2 a week
Well, under the circumstances, yes, you are doing the right thing. If 91 is the recommended minimum, and your only choice is 89 or 93, then yes, 93 is the right choice. Higher octane than needed certainly won't do any harm and you will get the same added benefit that you would get from 91. Just don't think that since 91 is good, 93 is even better. It doesn't work like that. If the design and compression ratio of an engine call for 91, 93 won't make it any better, in any way, than 91. It would perform exactly the same. But it's better than 89.
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      04-14-2014, 12:10 PM   #16
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It the engine doesn't ping with 87 go with that.
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      04-14-2014, 01:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny View Post
This assumes 91 is actually available, which it isn't in many places... Even then, not sure I agree, but I'm no expert and 91 isn't readily available where I live, so I stick with 93 and waste $2 a week
I haven't seen 91 anywhere in NY State. So you always need to fill up using Super or Ultra.
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      04-14-2014, 01:11 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnthonyL88
I haven't seen 91 anywhere in NY State. So you always need to fill up using Super or Ultra.
Exactly. I think Sunoco used to have 91 back when "ultra" meant 94. Don't think I've seen either in a few years now.
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      04-14-2014, 02:03 PM   #19
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I just use the green one (diesel) and there aren't any options for grade.
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      04-14-2014, 03:14 PM   #20
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I agree with what Mysticblue said..
It is amazing how people think... If people had the option to use gas octane rating from 91 to 99.. people will always choose higher thinking the higher the number the better the gas for your high performance engine

I've used 87 and 89 octane with no problems... for few weeks most people here in NJ / NY had no choice but to use regular unleaded due to Hurricane Sandy's aftermath..

My X5 is running pretty damn good...
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      04-14-2014, 03:32 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by someguy View Post
I just use the green one (diesel) and there aren't any options for grade.
In Europe, there are.
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      04-14-2014, 03:35 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phantomac2 View Post
In Europe, there are.
And many other parts of the world
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