Fuel

[Alexlind123]

What sort of Gasoline do you use? Please state the sort of engine and the year in which the car was produced. A poll wont really work here because there are so many different engines. 87 (regular), 89 (Plus) , 91 (Premium).

[crashnburn80]

Fuel quality is more important than octane rating, unless your car specifically requires higher octane fuel or you have chipped or otherwise modified. I always use Chevron usually 89, but recently 87 as prices are relatively high. I have a 91 535i.

[peks]

usually 92, 90 if im feeling cheap. 11/88 535 not chipped

[mzarifkar]

The odd thing here in IA is that 87 is more expensive than 89, they add ethanol or something to it? anyone know more of this, but anyway ive been using the 89 on a 95 525 (M50TU)

[Paul in NZ]

91 RON m30 12/89,96 RON if i am on a road trip

[Torque]

89 on the 7/90 m20.

[Beez540]

94 4.0L M60, chipped.

premium 92 only.

I prefer Chevron or Shell V-power.

[guinness]

89 here in an 89 525

[Alexlind123]

I use 89 octane shell plus, i started out with a couple tanks of 91 octane v-power but then decided to see if i would notice and undesirable with plus instead. It does specify to use only premium unleaded, but perhaps the german engineers are overly catious of american gasoline with the nikasil and all.

[Kalevera]

I use 89 octane shell plus, i started out with a couple tanks of 91 octane v-power but then decided to see if i would notice and undesirable with plus instead. It does specify to use only premium unleaded, but perhaps the german engineers are overly catious of american gasoline with the nikasil and all.
Where does it say to use premium unleaded?



best, whit

[uscharalph]

Where does it say to use premium unleaded?



best, whit
My manual says: "Your BMW is designed to operate with unleaded fuel with an Anti-Knock index of 87 AKI. This designation is comparable to Research Octane Number 91 RON"

Which octane is that in the United States?

[Karl]

The odd thing here in IA is that 87 is more expensive than 89, they add ethanol or something to it? anyone know more of this, but anyway ive been using the 89 on a 95 525 (M50TU)
Yes, in Iowa the ethanol blend seems to be subsidized to the point it's cheaper than lower octane.
Owner's manual specifies 90 octane for the M50 engine, and here in KS a couple chains carry a 90 octane ethanol blend that weems to work well.

[bimmerd00d]

former E34, 10/92 prod. 525i M50tu i always used Chevron, Exxon, Shell, or Conoco. Same in the 98 540, M62B44

[Zeuk in Oz]

What sort of Gasoline do you use? Please state the sort of engine and the year in which the car was produced. A poll wont really work here because there are so many different engines. 87 (regular), 89 (Plus) , 91 (Premium).
I have an M20 engine and use 98 octane (highest available in Oz) which probably equates to 91-92 in the States.
I don't use it for the octane rating though I seem to get better economy with it, but rather that it contains injector cleaner so hopefully keeps the injection system cleaner.

[Kalevera]

RON 91/AKI 87 = regular 87.

I think they may have stated that the use of premium was required in other countries (OZ), but no US spec 535 or M20 525 needs it -- regular will do just fine, and neither motor can compensate for higher or lower octane fuel (except for whatever claims the oilco asserts regarding the former).

best, whit

[digitaldragon03]

AKI 91 octane in the 540. I can feel the car respond to my foot much better and i get better gas mileage also. Around here, 91 is only 5 cents higher than 89 so i figure i might as well go 91.

[Rick L]

I always use Shell V-Power 93 octane on all my cars since it is right by my house. I'm told all gas (Shell, Mobil, etc.) is about the same except the octane rating. If you ask me, I think their right... ;)

[Picatavi]

I use Mobil 93
10/92 M50 525i not chipped

[Russell]

95 525i m50 chevron 93 chipped