I know manual says you should use premium, and it's better for many reasons, especially for turbo, however, does anyone use regular? Also do you own or lease your x3?
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I know manual says you should use premium, and it's better for many reasons, especially for turbo, however, does anyone use regular? Also do you own or lease your x3?
stactum wroteAlthough a lower grade gasoline may work it is a huge risk on a $40-$50k vehicle to take. BMW recommends 91 AKI with a minimum rating of 89 AKI. I use 93 AKI which is the highest available around me. I have been on road trips where 89-91 AKI is available only (in mountains and such) and the car ran fine.X3 owners, what octane grade gas are you using on your X3?
I know manual says you should use premium, and it's better for many reasons, especially for turbo, however, does anyone use regular? Also do you own or lease your x3?
BMW recommends premium fuel in the naturally aspirated vehicles as well. I think it is a much lower risk to use 89 AKI in those engines.
For businesses and professional drivers who consume a lot of fuel I can see a concern about small differences in fuel costs. I'd guess that for most of us here, it's really not much of an issue. Much talked about, little real impact.
Lucky13 wroteLucky, your number is right -- I'd gone too fast and did 30 gallons a month instead of 30 gallons a week. For me the savings of $187.20 still isn't worth the risk.Nahoa, you may want to use a calculator. 30 gallons a week times 52 weeks is 1560 gallons times .12 is $187.20 not $43.20.
And thanks for pointing out the error in such a nice way, your momma would be proud.
Will own it as well.
I don't see the point of putting lower grade gas to save a dollar or two. I would probably waste a lot more than that on car products anyway
Want the thrill wroteSame here.....I use Shell premium and own my 35i.
Definitely not worth the risk, given the slight cost increase. Less than 10% difference here in price.
pokerface wroteThe minimum approved on the N20 and N55 is 89 AKI, with a warning that you may experience engine noise and roughness that isn't a cause for concern (yeah.... right). The recommended is 91 AKI and above.Premium on the n52. I did notice that the recommended for the n20 engine is 89 octane on the new cars. Would you do it???
jsbos wroteYou are probably pretty safe on the N52 running 89 AKI and certainly 91 AKI. Without a turbo the cylinder pressure is much less and the fuel is much less likely to auto ignite.I use only Premium on my 28i N52. I own it. The difference in price vs lower grade for a tank of gas is very little.
kskpsu wroteWhere in Wisconsin do you find ethanol free premium? I can only find corn free regular here.Always Shell 93 Vpower, own my car. Only time I will ever deviate is if I find gas without corn in it. Not an option where I live in good ole corrupt IL, but a mini road trip to Wisconsin will yield Quick Trips that have ethanol free premium...they are Tier 1 gas provider as well.
Also, I don't recall seeing 91 octane in recent memory. It always seems to be 87, 89, 93... I usually use BP.
Fryguy29 wroteIt would help if I spelled it correctly in my original post....Kwik Trip, my bad.Where in Wisconsin do you find ethanol free premium? I can only find corn free regular here.
Here is a good resource for you as well:
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WI
kskpsu wroteThanks so much for the link!Fryguy29 wroteIt would help if I spelled it correctly in my original post....Kwik Trip, my bad.Where in Wisconsin do you find ethanol free premium? I can only find corn free regular here.
Here is a good resource for you as well:
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WI
Now a question for the entire group. Which is better for the car? Ethanol free 91 octane or 93 octane that contains ethanol? Many of the places that are ethanol free are listed as only having 91 octane. Any thoughts?
