Which fuel should I use?

[Jon.]

I'm picking up my 125i this Friday and I just wanted to ask in advance, what's a good fuel for my car? Would Unleaded Premium from BP and other respective level fuel with other companies be 'good enough'?

I'm not looking into the best but more for what's good for it's price but won't do harm to my car. Don't want to feed my baby shit of course!

Thanks in advanced.

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by Jon.

I'm picking up my 125i this Friday and I just wanted to ask in advance, what's a good fuel for my car? Would Unleaded Premium from BP and other respective level fuel with other companies be 'good enough'?

I'm not looking into the best but more for what's good for it's price but won't do harm to my car. Don't want to feed my baby shit of course!

Thanks in advanced.

Hey mate,

I've always used 98 except in a couple of situations ( counted on one hand ) where I've used 95.

What brand is personal pref. I have found Mobil 8000, BP ultimate 98 have been the most reliable. I often get caltex vortex 98 due to it's proximity to home, but again I've found BP and Mobil to yield the best.

It truly is personal preference.

Just keep up with the 98 though. 95 is crap for our high-revving 6ers!

I'd also suggest a wider spectrum oil than recommended. Im currently on Penrite 5w-50 and has been awesome in the really hot weather and is still light enough that you don't have to sit around for 10 while the engine warms on cold mornings before flooring it :-)

[alik01]

Congratualtions on the car mate. Always been BP Ultimate (98) for me, save once!

[BBK]

As Guran mentioned in another fuel thread, most 98 fuels are similar and if you could tell the difference between each fuel you are some sort of genius.

Any 98 from BP, Shell, Caltex, Mobil would be fine.

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by BBK

As Guran mentioned in another fuel thread, most 98 fuels are similar and if you could tell the difference between each fuel you are some sort of genius.

Any 98 from BP, Shell, Caltex, Mobil would be fine.

True - I just get bad consumption when I go with shell :-/

[Jeef Beef]

I just 98RON ffrom whichever brand I have a discount voucher for that week. Usually Caltex, sometimes Shell. Too much of a cheapass to use BP.

It's only around a $2 difference in the end but I can buy 4 lollipops with that. I quite like lollipops.

[Liub]

I've heard bad things with Shell V-Max or whatever they're called now with our cars. Whether its urban myth or not, *shrug*. I have only used BP Ultimate for mine, helps that my nearest station is a BP!

[gazz]

What bad things? I use it because the station is close but I can change if it is worth it.

[Harlequin]

I've always used Shell V Power (used to use the V Power Racing when it was available) but I'm noticing that I'm not getting the best economy with it... So far I've put it down to the fact that I've only done about 1000kms... and the fact that my right foot seems to weigh more in this car...

How long do you guys reckon it should take the engine to settle down and run in?

(PS: recently bought a new house and there's no Shell easily available so I actually go out of my way to get it... Happy to change if it turns out to be not worth the effort...)

- Harlequin

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

It's all the same really. I used to shop at Woolies, so filled up with Vortex, now I shop at Coles so it's V-Power for me.

[Richard135i]

Personally I stick with Shell V Power and will always just cruise past a BP as they will never get my cash for their disgraceful performance on the environment last year.

If there is no Shell around I will go with Mobil (whatever their 98 is called).

That's just my 2cents.

[Drawn05]

iirc BP is refined in brisbane and melbourne, with Shell and Caltex in Sydney. The BP you get in Sydney is actually refined by caltex but to BPs specs. I have heard that Caltex and Shell are not truly 98RON as they use additives to up the octane from 95RON rather than truly refined 98RON like Ultimate.

I was told by my dealership to avoid shell due to the additives causing sludge in the tank and injectors.

Mind you that could all be BS.

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by Drawn05

iirc BP is refined in brisbane and melbourne, with Shell and Caltex in Sydney. The BP you get in Sydney is actually refined by caltex but to BPs specs. I have heard that Caltex and Shell are not truly 98RON as they use additives to up the octane from 95RON rather than truly refined 98RON like Ultimate.

I was told by my dealership to avoid shell due to the additives causing sludge in the tank and injectors.

Mind you that could all be BS.

Previous dyno results for me, same car in similar conditions, showed more killer wasps and torques using BP 98 over the Shell 100RON V-Power fuel. Tuner believed it was additives in the Shell fuel. A number of mates have been warned off using Shell fuels in their motorcycles for the same reasons.

I also feel that you made every purchasing decision based on issues similar to BP's current problems I expect you'd have a large balance in your bank account (assuming you still use a bank) and wouldn't own much stuff that wasn't organic and made from a cottage somewhere.

[amk2912]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

It's only around a $2 difference in the end but I can buy 4 lollipops with that. I quite like lollipops.

Classic! Love it! Almost a James May sort of comment!

I always use BP because it's the closest to me. To me convenience and time far outweighs a few cents per litre or a minute difference (whether actual or perceived) in performance. When you've got 414 ponies it makes no difference .

[Jon.]

Ah okay so keep to 98 fuel! But damn, I shop Coles so I was thinking of using Shell but with these rumors maybe I'll ditch the discount and make up for it by not taking the cross city tunnel haha

So excited about my car tomorrow =)

Edit: Oh and thank you very much for the feedback!

[One_M]

I used to get the lowest knock counts and highest mileage out of Mobil 8000. Never had issues with it.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

hey OP the new car should be here today???
pics

[MrBlonde]

Just get whatever 98RON is closest, they are all the same.

[Bimmer_Freak]

I don't know if its all in my head or not but my car definitely feels better with Shell V-Power over Caltex Vortex 98. Feels like it has more torque down low.

I have several Caltex right near my house but take a longer trip to the nearest Shell. Plus i usually have a Coles voucher on me as well.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

I've always used Shell V Power (used to use the V Power Racing when it was available) but I'm noticing that I'm not getting the best economy with it... So far I've put it down to the fact that I've only done about 1000kms... and the fact that my right foot seems to weigh more in this car...

How long do you guys reckon it should take the engine to settle down and run in?

(PS: recently bought a new house and there's no Shell easily available so I actually go out of my way to get it... Happy to change if it turns out to be not worth the effort...)

- Harlequin

I've always used Shell V-Power and I think it works well.

I wouldn't worry about your fuel consumption on a brand new car because your engine isn't properly broken in yet. It does get better, just clock some km's on it and you'll find it gets better.

[Bimmer_Freak]

Anyone notice that in the 135i user manual it states that BMW recommends BP Fuels?

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Freak

Anyone notice that in the 135i user manual it states that BMW recommends BP Fuels?

I'd say that's because of the relationship with Castrol...

More correctly, vice-versa.. Probably use Castrol oils as a result of their relationship with BP.