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This information is surprising. I recall watching a news special several years back where they asked a bunch of mechanics, auto execs and race car drivers whether high octane gas made a difference and they all said no except in very high end performance cars... basically they said that if you didnt pay over 100K for your car, stick to the base gas. Was that incorrect info?
This information is surprising. I recall watching a news special several years back where they asked a bunch of mechanics, auto execs and race car drivers whether high octane gas made a difference and they all said no except in very high end performance cars... basically they said that if you didnt pay over 100K for your car, stick to the base gas. Was that incorrect info?
"Several years back" may be the operative phrase. Compression ratios are getting higher, even on everyday passenger cars, in a bid to increase fuel economy. With higher compression ratios comes a need for higher-octane gas. Any modern car -- even those designed to run on premium -- can run on regular gas because the computer will retard the timing to accommodate it. But then you're losing power and probably fuel economy, so in the end it's probably a wash. So as long as premium is recommended, might as well stick to the good stuff.
"Several years back" may be the operative phrase. Compression ratios are getting higher, even on everyday passenger cars, in a bid to increase fuel economy. With higher compression ratios comes a need for higher-octane gas. Any modern car -- even those designed to run on premium -- can run on regular gas because the computer will retard the timing to accommodate it. But then you're losing power and probably fuel economy, so in the end it's probably a wash. So as long as premium is recommended, might as well stick to the good stuff.
That is very, very good to know... thanks for the info!
What do you think about differences in quality among the Top tier brands? I guess that if BMW endorse all of them that would mean all of them are very good for BMW, but from the other side of view they still differ in price. Is it just all about property location, local taxes, owner's business strategy, etc. or there is something else like maybe better and more expensive additives to gas?
Generally QT is less expensive and Chevron and Shell stations are more expensive (additional 20-30c/gallon) but some of them are matching QT or even lower end brands if they situated next to them across the street.
Our local regular is 87 octane and our "premium" is 90 so I don't bother using premium in either car that calls for it. I've run tanks of premium and regular back to back and found no difference in performance or economy. But I do make sure it is a top tier brand, my preference being Shell. I had trouble with off brand fuels damaging the fuel level sender and that part is typically serviced as part of the fuel pump assembly, at about $400 in parts. It takes a lot of cheap fuel to make up $400.
What do you think about differences in quality among the Top tier brands? I guess that if BMW endorse all of them that would mean all of them are very good for BMW, but from the other side of view they still differ in price. Is it just all about property location, local taxes, owner's business strategy, etc. or there is something else like maybe better and more expensive additives to gas?
Generally QT is less expensive and Chevron and Shell stations are more expensive (additional 20-30c/gallon) but some of them are matching QT or even lower end brands if they situated next to them across the street.
Any top tier brand will be fine.
Always use the minimum or recommended octane fuel. Anything higher is a waste of money unless you have your car custom tuned for it or has certain mods. Assuming your car is fairly stock, your car will run fine off of cheap fuel until significant amounts of crud builds up in the engine. Some people run cheap fuel and add a detergent from auto parts or retail stores. Some people add a little every tank some use a whole bottle every few tanks and so on. This is fine and I guess you will save a little money that way, but to me factor in the time to buy and add the additive and it's a wash. I just buy top tier and over a few hundred thousand miles I have never had an issue with build up, bad cats, or o2 sensors.
Are there any significant differences in quality among the Top tier brands?
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