premium gas necessary?

bmrdude3 · 04-21-2008, 03:28 PM

Ok today I put the lowest gas in my 07 MDX for the first time. I ended up getting 24.3mpg on the highway. Never happened with premium. the MDX has 300 hp too and thats and SUV so why such bad mileage on the 135i? Has anyone put anything other than premium and if so any noticeable difference?

Jewpac · 04-21-2008, 03:29 PM

If you do not use the minimum octane as required by the owners manual you will develop problems in your engine sooner or later.

Dave · 04-21-2008, 03:37 PM

turbo needs the best...
esp for spoolin

SlickShift · 04-21-2008, 03:58 PM

I didn't quite understand some of your post but I wouldn't recommend putting anything but premium in a 135i. The engine's knock sensors would be working overtime trying to delay the timing and would eventually result in damage to your engine.

jraymond · 04-21-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lover

Ok today I put the lowest gas in my 07 MDX for the first time. I ended up getting 24.3mpg on the highway. Never happened with premium. the MDX has 300 hp too and thats and SUV so why such bad mileage on the 135i? Has anyone put anything other than premium and if so any noticeable difference?

You did not mention several variables. I can drive my 135i down an interstate at 55mph and get 30mpg. Or down 1 side of a mountain highway and get 70mpg.

WhiteOne · 04-21-2008, 05:18 PM

15000 miles a year? 20 miles to the gallon? 750 gallons a year? Right? $0.20 more per gallon for Premium? $150 per year more? $12.50 per month? Right? If you can't swing the other $12.50 per month please don't buy a new BMW. You can not afford it. I am not trying to be mean. I am just doing the math. YOMV

vanbmw · 04-21-2008, 06:03 PM

If you are buying a BMW..and one with 300hp then put the good stuff in it!!! If you run crap gas the knock sensor will retart he timing anyways and you are getting the full power...also hard on the motor.

hellrotm · 04-21-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlickShift

I didn't quite understand some of your post but I wouldn't recommend putting anything but premium in a 135i. The engine's knock sensors would be working overtime trying to delay the timing and would eventually result in damage to your engine.

Isn't that why the knock sensors are in there in the first place.

Not using premium will result in less efficiency and performance.

Many tests have proven it will not harm the engine of new cars, with the sensors.

My opinion is. How much money are you really going to save? Not much, get premium.

Red135 · 04-21-2008, 06:13 PM

I agree with slickone's opinion. You paid 40k for a car, put premium in it.

bmrdude3 · 04-21-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

15000 miles a year? 20 miles to the gallon? 750 gallons a year? Right? $0.20 more per gallon for Premium? $150 per year more? $12.50 per month? Right? If you can't swing the other $12.50 per month please don't buy a new BMW. You can not afford it. I am not trying to be mean. I am just doing the math. YOMV

Yeah I have a $48k Acura I can afford the premium. But me being only 18 I looked into cheaper gas. I have read other threads where people have reported saying it doesn't make a difference. Just wondering what the 1addicts have to say.

Dave · 04-21-2008, 06:55 PM

i would take the risk and pony up the extra 5$-10$ for prem gas instead of posting a thread on this...

congrats on ur 48k acura suv..
and welcome to the land of the addicts

Red135 · 04-21-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzodesh

i would take the risk and pony up the extra 5$-10$ for prem gas instead of posting a thread on this...

congrats on ur 48k acura suv..
and welcome to the land of the addicts

Now I also agree with izzodesh.

bmrdude3 · 04-21-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzodesh

i would take the risk and pony up the extra 5$-10$ for prem gas instead of posting a thread on this...

congrats on ur 48k acura suv..
and welcome to the land of the addicts

My point wasn't about the money. I was just seeing the effects on the engine and if anyone has put the water in their tank. I guess I should have been more clear.

BMW Dreamer · 04-21-2008, 08:26 PM

NOT THIS AGAIN. Search. Go buy a Chevy Aveo and you won't have to worry.

USE PREMIUM.

jeremyc74 · 04-21-2008, 10:01 PM

Using fuel other than Premium won't hurt a modern engine. The ECU detects it, and switches to a low octane map, and everything is fine.

What it does hurt is power output. The reason for the higher octane is to be able to advance the timing further to make more power. The low octane map retards the timing, reducing power output.

The mileage under normal driving conditions will likely be exactly the same because at partial throttle you're not using all the power anyway.

defcon1racing · 04-21-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

15000 miles a year? 20 miles to the gallon? 750 gallons a year? Right? $0.20 more per gallon for Premium? $150 per year more? $12.50 per month? Right? If you can't swing the other $12.50 per month please don't buy a new BMW. You can not afford it. I am not trying to be mean. I am just doing the math. YOMV

+1

Premium fuel = cost of ownership

Why do so many people get so upset about premium fuel requirement and the cost of 91+ octane?!

roldan · 04-21-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defcon1racing

+1

Premium fuel = cost of ownership

Why do so many people get so upset about premium fuel requirement and the cost of 91+ octane?!

I think it's always seeing the price for 87 whenever you fill up. The trick is not even to look at the price for 87 - my eyes are now used to always looking at the bottom price on the sign, not the top price... maybe it helps that e30s predate knock sensors, so anything less than 91 is a serious no-no.

The Chad · 04-21-2008, 11:58 PM

If they say "Premium Unleaded Only" on the gas cap, then that's what I'd put in the car. The premium you pay in fuel is not that much. However, I like to point out to people who complain about 87, "Well, at least you don't have to pay an extra 22 cents per gallon" and that shuts up their whining.

Cars that only run on 87 won't benefit from higher octane, but cars designed to run on higher octane like having it.

Quote:

Yeah I have a $48k Acura I can afford the premium. But me being only 18 I looked into cheaper gas.

So you bought your own car? That's nice, yeah can afford the gas. But how does being 18 make a difference? I'm confused.

Rye · 04-22-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chad

So you bought your own car? That's nice, yeah can afford the gas. But how does being 18 make a difference? I'm confused.

Yeah, that's what I don't understand either. You get a nice premium car and don't want to pay the price that comes with owning it. Might as well just sell it and downgrade to a Honda Odyssey. Gets just as good gas mileage, seats 7 comfortably, cargo space is plentiful, $20K cheaper, and runs on 87 all day long.

Evolution Racewerks · 04-22-2008, 01:51 AM

Whatever forum you read where they told you it doesn't make a difference, I'd recommend you stop reading it. Just cause someone said so in a forum doesn't mean it's true. Granted on a low compression n/a motor, the difference is very small that it is not a problem. On a turbo motor, do not run anything other than premium if you ever plan to boost. If you don't boost, you're fine, just don't ever plant your foot in it. Yes, the ecu will pull timing when it senses knock from lower octane gas, but you still have to knock first for the ECU to detect it and pull timing. Now the manufacturer usually tunes the car to run richer than normal so that the knock isn't as bad. Chip or piggyback your ecu where the boost is increased and air/fuel ratios running leaner to make more power, your margin of error is SMALL. Knock will kill your motor very fast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lover

Yeah I have a $48k Acura I can afford the premium. But me being only 18 I looked into cheaper gas. I have read other threads where people have reported saying it doesn't make a difference. Just wondering what the 1addicts have to say.

S54dan · 04-22-2008, 01:54 AM

You need to run premium in your BMWs especially if they are brand new. The inline 6 E39's (not 540/M5), E36's (not M3), and E46's (not M3 or 330i ZHP) are safe to run on regular, but you won't get the performance out of them without using premium.

mprhead5 · 04-22-2008, 02:12 AM

I never worry about the price of 91. I run 95 octane in my MSM which means I have to add 1/3 bottle of Torco to every tank on top of the 91 octane price. Its only an extra couple bucks more for a tank

04-21-2008, 03:28 PM	#1
bmrdude3 Private First Class 22 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: pa iTrader: (1)	premium gas necessary? Ok today I put the lowest gas in my 07 MDX for the first time. I ended up getting 24.3mpg on the highway. Never happened with premium. the MDX has 300 hp too and thats and SUV so why such bad mileage on the 135i? Has anyone put anything other than premium and if so any noticeable difference?
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04-21-2008, 03:29 PM	#2
Jewpac Marty Turco Hater 37 Rep 768 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	If you do not use the minimum octane as required by the owners manual you will develop problems in your engine sooner or later. __________________ 135i, Alpine White, Taupe Leatherette, iPod USB adaptor, 6MT Delivery Wednesday 5/7
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04-21-2008, 03:37 PM	#3
Dave formerly izzo/comeback 287 Rep 3,382 Posts Drives: 2016 RC 350 F Sport Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 135i [6.80]	turbo needs the best... esp for spoolin __________________ BMW CCA # 418268
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04-21-2008, 03:58 PM	#4
SlickShift Lieutenant Colonel 323 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: '11 BMW E90 M3 ZCP, '21 X5 ZMP Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (7)	I didn't quite understand some of your post but I wouldn't recommend putting anything but premium in a 135i. The engine's knock sensors would be working overtime trying to delay the timing and would eventually result in damage to your engine. __________________ -Nick 2018 BMW 440i - M Sport, Exec Glacier Silver Metallic/Coral Red Dakota Retired: '00 323i, '06 325Ci, '09 135i, '06 Z4M Roadster, '93 525i, '76 2002, '14 X1, '14 M235i, '16 X4, '16 435i
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04-21-2008, 05:18 PM	#6
WhiteOne Major 28 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	15000 miles a year? 20 miles to the gallon? 750 gallons a year? Right? $0.20 more per gallon for Premium? $150 per year more? $12.50 per month? Right? If you can't swing the other $12.50 per month please don't buy a new BMW. You can not afford it. I am not trying to be mean. I am just doing the math. YOMV
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04-21-2008, 06:03 PM	#7
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	If you are buying a BMW..and one with 300hp then put the good stuff in it!!! If you run crap gas the knock sensor will retart he timing anyways and you are getting the full power...also hard on the motor.
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04-21-2008, 06:13 PM	#9
Red135 La Flama Blanca 27 Rep 1,545 Posts Drives: 1-series Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Abq, NM iTrader: (1)	I agree with slickone's opinion. You paid 40k for a car, put premium in it.
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04-21-2008, 06:55 PM	#11
Dave formerly izzo/comeback 287 Rep 3,382 Posts Drives: 2016 RC 350 F Sport Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 135i [6.80]	i would take the risk and pony up the extra 5$-10$ for prem gas instead of posting a thread on this... congrats on ur 48k acura suv.. and welcome to the land of the addicts __________________ BMW CCA # 418268
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04-21-2008, 08:26 PM	#14
BMW Dreamer Colonel 72 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: Modded 06 TL Manual Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern IL. iTrader: (0)	NOT THIS AGAIN. Search. Go buy a Chevy Aveo and you won't have to worry. USE PREMIUM.
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04-21-2008, 10:01 PM	#15
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	Using fuel other than Premium won't hurt a modern engine. The ECU detects it, and switches to a low octane map, and everything is fine. What it does hurt is power output. The reason for the higher octane is to be able to advance the timing further to make more power. The low octane map retards the timing, reducing power output. The mileage under normal driving conditions will likely be exactly the same because at partial throttle you're not using all the power anyway.
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04-22-2008, 01:54 AM	#21
S54dan I no longer work for United BMW! 308 Rep 3,330 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E46 330i ZHP, E36 325i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (36) Garage List 1994 BMW 325i [8.50] 2005 M3 [9.66] 2005 325i [8.00] 2003 330i ZHP [9.00]	You need to run premium in your BMWs especially if they are brand new. The inline 6 E39's (not 540/M5), E36's (not M3), and E46's (not M3 or 330i ZHP) are safe to run on regular, but you won't get the performance out of them without using premium. __________________ BMW CCA, PCA, & CHIN Motorsports Instructor.
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04-22-2008, 02:12 AM	#22
mprhead5 Private First Class 9 Rep 146 Posts Drives: Join Date: Nov 2007 iTrader: (0)	I never worry about the price of 91. I run 95 octane in my MSM which means I have to add 1/3 bottle of Torco to every tank on top of the 91 octane price. Its only an extra couple bucks more for a tank
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