What octane gas do you use?

FLOSS M · 06-03-2014, 08:30 AM

Shell 93

///M Power-Belgium · 06-03-2014, 08:49 AM

98 Shell or Esso .(Euro/Spec)

Rbembas_M3 · 06-03-2014, 09:10 AM

I've been running Shell V-Power 93 octane and no problems

this is what Shell website says.

•It’s the only premium that Ferrari chooses for improved performance
•Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline exceeds the stringent requirements of the world’s top automakers – Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen – and is certified as a top tier Detergent Gasoline

DBH · 06-03-2014, 10:34 AM

93.

BTW, the BMW "Supplementary Owner's Manual" states the following:

"Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 93
Always use this premium grade fuel to obtain maximum fuel economy and performance.
The minimum approved fuel grade is AKI 91.
Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the engine could be damaged."

Carl L · 06-03-2014, 04:50 PM

91 as I'm in Cali. Would use 93 if I were in a different state.

rdoctor · 06-03-2014, 05:10 PM

Shell 93, ethanol free

sam0329 · 06-03-2014, 05:13 PM

Here in Alberta Canada. I believe only Petro 91 and Shell 91 are ethanol free. I always use Husky or Petro 94 (up to 10%) on all my cars.

schnell325 · 06-03-2014, 05:16 PM

94 octane, ethanol free in British Columbia.

B8bydesign · 06-03-2014, 05:23 PM

93

duk · 06-03-2014, 06:18 PM

91 piss cali gas

should i put in 2 gallons every tank of 100 to help out? sigh

Longboarder · 06-03-2014, 08:33 PM

I set the bone stock e9X M3 dyno record at 366 RWHP on Cali 91 octane gas back in Sept 2013.

So 91 is fine for a stock motor.

coloradoe92m3 · 06-03-2014, 09:37 PM

Honestly if you never see any hard driving than 91 is fine. If you drive hard 93 is extra protection. But to save a few bucks? Seems the M3 is a bit too much car for you cost wise

FogCityM3 · 06-03-2014, 09:52 PM

On track days, mix in 100 unleaded at the pump to get to avg of 93 octane. Otherwise its 91 Cali gas.

miringrains · 06-04-2014, 06:36 AM

California is so p*ssy with all their emission laws and other bs. Jeez i thought ny was bad. At any rate, dont be cheap. 93 octane is optimal.

Helmsman · 06-04-2014, 07:16 AM

Over her BMWs rec is 98 with 95 as absolute min. I use typically 99. Puzzled over the way to measure octane in Europe vs US as the car can't coop with the 89-93 but seems to be either different market car tune or way to spec the fuel...

gatorfast · 06-04-2014, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Over her BMWs rec is 98 with 95 as absolute min. I use typically 99. Puzzled over the way to measure octane in Europe vs US as the car can't coop with the 89-93 but seems to be either different market car tune or way to spec the fuel...

Its a different rating system. I believe European 98ron is equivalent to 93 octane in US.

AshyLarryMP · 06-04-2014, 08:07 AM

If you pay $1 more per gallon, over 100,000 miles it's going to cost you about $6,000 more.

MrPrena · 06-04-2014, 05:26 PM

91 is highest here. I use 91

drifts500 · 06-05-2014, 03:03 AM

91 Octane...stup1d laws in California..especially environments...The state could have collect more tax from 93 octane and use it to fund environmental system rather than setting pu$$y laws unlike other states..

chili555 · 06-05-2014, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrix924

I remember reading in the BMW guide that the absolute minimum octane rating should be 89 (I could be wrong on this as well).

I believe the manual says the minimum is 91. As 91 is not available here in the woods, I use 93. In a $70k+ very high-performance car, I would never risk using anything below the manufacturers specification.

On the other hand, I doubt that any car designed for street use and without significant ($$$$) engine modifications will benefit in the slightest from 100 octane or higher.

4M · 06-05-2014, 09:21 AM

The information I learned from my longtime friend who now runs a dealership (so take that with a grain of salt) is that even though the Owner's Manual recommends a minimun rating of 91, the cars are engineered based on the expectation that no one will actually follow that advice and tuned so the engine will accept 85-87 range gas. (U.S.) As a result, the additional octane is kind of wasted (performance wise) on this engine unless it's tuned. The rub there, of course, is some claim that you've "damaged" the engine by running a lower spec fuel.

jtodd_fl · 06-05-2014, 09:27 AM

I use 93 Octance - usually Shell. I suspect the BMW recommendation of BP is likely marketing-driven; i.e. some type of "partnership". I wish I could find good ethanol-free gas here in Southwest Florida. The only ethanol-free gas I can find within like 50 miles is 90 octane. There is literally one station I could find.

Does anyone know of a good way to locate ethanol-free stations? The only places I could find only showed the one.

06-03-2014, 08:30 AM	#23
FLOSS M ///M3 387 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: 22 M3 X-Drive Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Shell 93
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06-03-2014, 08:49 AM	#24
///M Power-Belgium General 64694 Rep 24,947 Posts Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	98 Shell or Esso .(Euro/Spec) __________________ "MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
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06-03-2014, 09:10 AM	#25
Rbembas_M3 Lieutenant 40 Rep 494 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: BUFORD GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've been running Shell V-Power 93 octane and no problems this is what Shell website says. •It’s the only premium that Ferrari chooses for improved performance •Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline exceeds the stringent requirements of the world’s top automakers – Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen – and is certified as a top tier Detergent Gasoline __________________ 2011 M3 Coupe,Jerez Black,DCT,EDC,DSC 2010 X5 30i Black
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06-03-2014, 10:34 AM	#26
DBH First Lieutenant 3 Rep 349 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	93. BTW, the BMW "Supplementary Owner's Manual" states the following: "Required fuel Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 93 Always use this premium grade fuel to obtain maximum fuel economy and performance. The minimum approved fuel grade is AKI 91. Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the engine could be damaged."
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06-03-2014, 04:50 PM	#27
Carl L Major 196 Rep 1,248 Posts Drives: '15 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	91 as I'm in Cali. Would use 93 if I were in a different state.
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06-03-2014, 05:10 PM	#28
rdoctor Lieutenant 168 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 991.1 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW e92 M3 [0.00]	Shell 93, ethanol free __________________ 991.1 GT3 SOLD: e92 M3 6MT, Jet Black/Black Dinan: Software Tune \| CF Intake \| Exhaust \| Pulley Kit \| Stage 1 Suspension \| Pedals /// BBS e88 18x9.5 et19; 18x10.5 et19 on PS4 265/285 /// Lux Angel Eyes
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06-03-2014, 05:13 PM	#29
sam0329 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Edmonton AB iTrader: (3)	Here in Alberta Canada. I believe only Petro 91 and Shell 91 are ethanol free. I always use Husky or Petro 94 (up to 10%) on all my cars.
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06-03-2014, 05:16 PM	#30
schnell325 Bored at work.... 893 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	94 octane, ethanol free in British Columbia.
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06-03-2014, 05:23 PM	#31
B8bydesign Lieutenant Colonel 689 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: '11 BMW M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (10) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	93 __________________ New: '11.5 e90 M3 \| DCT \| Space Gray/Novillo \| ZCV \| ZCW \| ZP2 \| ESS 625 \| BPM \| M Performance \| iPE \| BC Racing \| BPM \| iND \| LUX \| Volk \| Coby \| Recaro Sold: '11.5 e92 M3 \| DCT \| Mineral White/Novillo \| ZCP \| ZCV \| ZCW \| ZP2 \| M Performance \| ACM \| BPM \| iND \| Thule \| LUX \| Macht Schnell \| Broadway Static \| Rogue Engineering \| BBS \| Challenge \| Metak
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06-03-2014, 06:18 PM	#32
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	91 piss cali gas should i put in 2 gallons every tank of 100 to help out? sigh __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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06-03-2014, 08:33 PM	#33
Longboarder Major General 3437 Rep 6,771 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monarch Beach iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5M [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 Tu ... [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 [10.00]	I set the bone stock e9X M3 dyno record at 366 RWHP on Cali 91 octane gas back in Sept 2013. So 91 is fine for a stock motor. __________________ Current BMWs: 2022 X5 40i, 2016 X5 50i 2015 Porsche 991 Turbo S 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo (930) a couple others IG: longboarder949; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT1...eoFBszPIK0gf9w
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06-03-2014, 09:37 PM	#34
coloradoe92m3 Banned 31 Rep 496 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: u.s iTrader: (0)	Honestly if you never see any hard driving than 91 is fine. If you drive hard 93 is extra protection. But to save a few bucks? Seems the M3 is a bit too much car for you cost wise
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06-03-2014, 09:52 PM	#35
FogCityM3 Colonel 500 Rep 2,400 Posts Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	On track days, mix in 100 unleaded at the pump to get to avg of 93 octane. Otherwise its 91 Cali gas.
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06-04-2014, 06:36 AM	#36
miringrains Banned 74 Rep 702 Posts Drives: '11.5 M3 E93 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	California is so p*ssy with all their emission laws and other bs. Jeez i thought ny was bad. At any rate, dont be cheap. 93 octane is optimal.
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06-04-2014, 07:16 AM	#37
Helmsman Major General 4489 Rep 7,140 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Over her BMWs rec is 98 with 95 as absolute min. I use typically 99. Puzzled over the way to measure octane in Europe vs US as the car can't coop with the 89-93 but seems to be either different market car tune or way to spec the fuel...
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06-04-2014, 08:07 AM	#39
AshyLarryMP Lieutenant 24 Rep 422 Posts Drives: 2011 MW E92 ZCP DCT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	If you pay $1 more per gallon, over 100,000 miles it's going to cost you about $6,000 more.
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06-04-2014, 05:26 PM	#40
MrPrena Captain 1590 Rep 803 Posts Drives: BMW Hyundai Nissan Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: TB iTrader: (0)	91 is highest here. I use 91
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06-05-2014, 03:03 AM	#41
drifts500 Private First Class 12 Rep 100 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seoul iTrader: (0)	91 Octane...stup1d laws in California..especially environments...The state could have collect more tax from 93 octane and use it to fund environmental system rather than setting pu$$y laws unlike other states.. __________________ 09 e92 M3 Coupe TE37RT with Hankook R-S3 265/285 Techtec ECU Stock Exhaust
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06-05-2014, 09:21 AM	#43
4M Second Lieutenant 142 Rep 284 Posts Drives: '13 Melbourne Red E92 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 Coupe [7.60]	Octane Info The information I learned from my longtime friend who now runs a dealership (so take that with a grain of salt) is that even though the Owner's Manual recommends a minimun rating of 91, the cars are engineered based on the expectation that no one will actually follow that advice and tuned so the engine will accept 85-87 range gas. (U.S.) As a result, the additional octane is kind of wasted (performance wise) on this engine unless it's tuned. The rub there, of course, is some claim that you've "damaged" the engine by running a lower spec fuel.
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06-05-2014, 09:27 AM	#44
jtodd_fl 2nd Asst to Dept Undersecretary 6704 Rep 1,298 Posts Drives: People crazy Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F82 M4 [9.00] 2016 F87 M2 [0.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00]	I use 93 Octance - usually Shell. I suspect the BMW recommendation of BP is likely marketing-driven; i.e. some type of "partnership". I wish I could find good ethanol-free gas here in Southwest Florida. The only ethanol-free gas I can find within like 50 miles is 90 octane. There is literally one station I could find. Does anyone know of a good way to locate ethanol-free stations? The only places I could find only showed the one.
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