What GAS grade ?

[m3f_M3samurai]

With the high prices oof gas these days I was wondering if any of you dropped to a lower grade gas, Here in Southern California regular is @ $2.30 and supreme is @ $2.50 on average.

I've used medium grade gas all the time, but then again I haven't modified my vehicle.

But lately it seems that certain stations might be selling a lower grade as supreme or medium because I've noticed a change in the vehicle, I'm trying to find a reputable gas station, another thing I've noticed is that at the cheapest gas stations you actually have to fill up with more gas.

Is it just me or has anyone else experienced this ?

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Luckily for me, gas can still be found around here for 1.89ish, only a few places.. staring to go over 2 bucks now though :\



I would never put anything but premimum in my car. I am surprised your car isn't acting weird by putting a lower grade in, most end up doing funky things. Most off the wall places sell really cheap gas, less additives.. etc. I'll only use Exxon/Mobil or Shell too in my car. Ill fill up maybe once ever 1 1/2 weeks.

[m3f_imports4ever858]

WTF are u thinking puting in cheap ass 89 in your car? if you cant afford 91 with some octane booster then do your car a favor and leave it in the garage, no offence but you don't deserve the m3 if you gonna mistreat it like that.. its already bad enough that the highest octane we get here is 91, but putting in 89, when it clearly states to NOT use anything lower than 91, is just rediculous.. hey you might as well stop changing your oil and just keep filing it up as it burns off.. u guys on the east coast are lucky, 93 octane and it costs cheaper than 91 here.. i try to fill up at shell or chevron and use NOS racing octane booster at least once a week.. go get full fuel service done and get some 76 racing gas 103 octane and run that gas straight for a few days, your car will love you.. and u'll love the results..

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

We get 93 octane here and although that is all I use, many people will fill up at 1/2 a tank with 89, then the next time use 93, and keep alternating. The result will be about 91 octane and you will save a little bit of $.



However, I would never run lower than 91 unless it was an emergency.

[m3f_blinky13]

Premium,... would you give your wife a cubic zirconia ring or diamond...?

[m3f_04M3blur_1ceee0bbd5]

We get 93 octane here and although that is all I use, many people will fill up at 1/2 a tank with 89, then the next time use 93, and keep alternating. The result will be about 91 octane and you will save a little bit of $.



I've never heard of anyone doing that before. You mean all you have is either 89 or 93, no mid-grade 91?

[m3f_Max M3]

93 only.

If I can't afford it, I won't drive it.

In Boston area, you can find 93 for $1.85 on "special" days... I know when all the local stations have their cheap days!

[m3f_M3samurai]

Premium,... would you give your wife a cubic zirconia ring or diamond...?





Hey if I could get away with a cubic Zirconia for all the girlfreinds you bet I would.



The reason I've been using 89 is cause the previous owner was using it and I don't feel any difference between using midgrade or premium. Like I said I'm shopping around for a gas station and have used premium and midgrade a week at a time.

Once a Gas Station owner told me there was no difference between the premium and midgrade , and that many times when the delivery truck came around the new guys messed up and mixed them up.

Now unless you have a kit to test gas everytime you're at the pump I don't see how you would know the gas is 100% premium.

[m3f_Max M3]

Hey if I could get away with a cubic Zirconia for all the girlfreinds you bet I would....







So, if you don't get caught then it's okay, huh?

I'm sure that attitude will get you far in life.

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

Yes, the large stations (Shell, Mobile, etc.) only have 87,89 and 93. I think it is a scam so cars that require 91 or higher, have to pay for the 93.



I use the 93, but you can mix the 93 and 89 every half tank to get the 91 if you really want to save that extra $. That is too much work for me.



I have also heard that our cars can be run on 89 or even 87 if necessary as the ECU will adjust. The car will not perform as well when the ECU adjusts to the knock sensors, and you probably don't want to really push the car.



To be safe you really should run 91 or higher.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

the gases are chemically different The higher the octane, the better they burn, and cleaner mind you. Taste them sometime.. youll see :P

[m3f_FLY G-550_9b0fb0d13b]

:smash:



I can relate to your pain!!! But I don't think you should be using anything lower than 91 octane, on the long run you may have some issues.



Find a good gas station and get to know the people behind the counter, talk to them see what they have to say.



I personally only use Chevron 91 Octane with that extra juice they put in there. I purchased my 99 coupe Titanium silver 4 months ago and only drive about 450 miles a month so far.



Drive less or bite the bullet!!!

[m3f_sameguy]

If you use lower octain gas, you will get knock. (the pinging you may have heard from a badly tuned low tech engine) This is gas detonating due to the compression and heat in the combustion chamber, not ignited by the spark plug. You may not notice it as knock sensors in the engine adjust the timing to avoid knock. Adjusting the timing in this manner or retarding the timing causes a loss of power from your engine. If my life depended on it, I would run lower octain, if I was stranded somewhere, I would, but to save $5 on a tank, no way.

[m3f_04M3blur_1ceee0bbd5]

We usually have 3 grades of gas, 89, 91 and 93. I use 93.

[m3f_imports4ever858]

it doesn't matter what kind of emergency it is, i would never consider putting in anything lower than 91, if its emergency, u call a tow truck and get your car towed, or whatever else u got to do, if you stranded, call a friend, and if u did get 89 or 87 octane gas when u were stranded u could have got at least 91.. no excuse..