Regular or Premium Gas?

[BoxsterPhil]

For everyday driving, do you use regular or premium gas? I use regular because premium is about 50 cents more in NYC. What do you use?

[squishy]

Premium. As you're supposed to.

[Twix]

Premium. Always. You lose power and economy using regular gas and also are running the risk of gumming up your injectors.

[jadnashuanh]

While at low speeds in the city, you might not notice the performance difference, because the computer must detune the vehicle a fair amount to keep from burning holes in the pistons or burning the valves up, it doesn't run as efficiently. But, it will continue to run without internal damage. Often, the cost per mile comes out about the same, and if you do get a chance to use the performance, it's there and not blocked if you've got premium in it. Note, some brands, regardless of the grade, skimp on the cleaner additives, on those that do provide them, there's more in the premium. THe end result over time is going to be lost if you need even one engine cleaning at the dealer. Use premium from one of the www.toptiergas.com suppliers, and you'll have a much lower chance of having those problems.

[danielj]

50 cents a gallon is what, $6 a tank? Maybe $18 a month if you go through 3 tanks. If your budget is that tight then you bought the wrong vehicle.

[Eric5273]

My dad tried 87 octane in his Jaguar a couple of times and got engine knocking. I always use what is recommended by the manufacturer.

[x1-2012]

Originally Posted by jadnashuanh

While at low speeds in the city, you might not notice the performance difference, because the computer must detune the vehicle a fair amount to keep from burning holes in the pistons or burning the valves up, it doesn't run as efficiently. But, it will continue to run without internal damage. Often, the cost per mile comes out about the same, and if you do get a chance to use the performance, it's there and not blocked if you've got premium in it. Note, some brands, regardless of the grade, skimp on the cleaner additives, on those that do provide them, there's more in the premium. THe end result over time is going to be lost if you need even one engine cleaning at the dealer. Use premium from one of the www.toptier.com suppliers, and you'll have a much lower chance of having those problems.

I fully agree .... However the said site www.toptier.com is not the good one.... Please return to us with the good web address,
Thanks!

[Gort]

Originally Posted by x1-2012

I fully agree .... However the said site www.toptier.com is not the good one.... Please return to us with the good web address,
Thanks!

Its toptiergas.com

I believe that this is more of a "play for pay" endorsement than anything. Sunoco has highly regarded gasoline, but they won't pay to get on the list apparently.

Personally there is no way I would used Regular gas in these turbocharged engines.

[Red Bread]

It's a good thing BMW pays for the OP's oil changes, or I assume he'd be using non synthetic or maple syrup.

[STE92VE]

According to the manual, 89 is the minimum octane rating. 91 is recommended. If you're putting in 87, you may be jeopardizing any warranty claims that arise from improper fuel.

As others have mentioned and we've experienced this personally when premium was non-existent post-Sandy, lower octane yields lower gas mileage and poor performance.

Come out to Long Island, there's only a $.30 difference between regular and premium!

[atomic]

I used the 89 octane for one tank and it didn't perform as well. I wouldn't use less than 89 as the owners manuals states it will adjust for 89 but I don't think it will adjust for less than that.

[atomic]

Originally Posted by danielj

50 cents a gallon is what, $6 a tank? Maybe $18 a month if you go through 3 tanks. If your budget is that tight then you bought the wrong vehicle.

Maybe he is leasing. If I were leasing I wouldn't care what it does to the engine.

[STE92VE]

FWIW, our CA told us that they put in 87 for that "free" full tank of gas they give you when you take delivery. That's why I'm not concerned with the 18.9 mpg achieved on the 1st tankful and it sort of explains it as well.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by atomic

Maybe he is leasing. If I were leasing I wouldn't care what it does to the engine.

That's why I would never purchase a BMW that comes off a lease and I advise the same to everyone who asks.

[Red Bread]

I'd be ecstatic about 18.9 mpg!

Our city mileage is usually around 16.0 using 93 octane, but did manage a little over 26 on the last tank, with a trip to Austin.

A friend of mine is a mechanic who's worked for some racing teams in the EU and he uses 87 in anything on the highway because the lower loads and constant state running produce lower loads. In the city, you have higher loads, so running lower octane is worse than if you were doing all highway driving. I've never followed his lead, I just found the logic at least partially believable.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

I'd be ecstatic about 18.9 mpg!

Our city mileage is usually around 16.0 using 93 octane, but did manage a little over 26 on the last tank, with a trip to Austin.

A friend of mine is a mechanic who's worked for some racing teams in the EU and he uses 87 in anything on the highway because the lower loads and constant state running produce lower loads. In the city, you have higher loads, so running lower octane is worse than if you were doing all highway driving. I've never followed his lead, I just found the logic at least partially believable.

I think that's pretty believable since most equipment runs best at a constant state.

[bluejay_el]

it this a trick question?

[paradoxical3]

Tuned so I do 93 and an e85 blend.

[tominavl]

When I took delivery last Fall, my dealer said: "use a good brand 87 octane." That's what I do. I love the car, and I don't drive it like I stole it. I'm satisfied. When I need extra power, it rises to the occasion. It's a well-designed little turbo motor. I had a Saab 2.0L turbo for 12 years and did the same thing and it never let me down. 160,000 miles of driving pleasure.

[Black Flagged]

91 octane all the time, except when my kids or wife drives it. Then they will put 87 in it and tell me that they put the good stuff in, but I can tell the difference!

[GTony]

Originally Posted by BoxsterPhil

For everyday driving, do you use regular or premium gas? I use regular because premium is about 50 cents more in NYC. What do you use?

My circumstances are much different with diesel. After P/U from Dealer drove 500Km's home and got 5.7L/100km's. Don't know what fuel they put in that comes with a full tank when buying new car.
My second fill up was Premium Diesel because we intend keeping for long time and only use Premium which is around 7 to 12cents a Litre more.
For my Service a year later my average to the dealer and back was 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9/100Km's. That's driving on Highway/Freeway with some speed limits to 110Kmh's an hour.
I do believe that Premium is much better for the engine and some more Km's/Mileage from a tank.
Sorry for the different comparisons/diesel comments, you will have to work out. Just offering my point on Regular v Premium.

[halfmoonclip]

I'm skeptical that the turboed engine would run well on regular....
Moon