What octane gas do you use?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

93 octane required. Shell, BP, or Sunoco.

93 / 100 mix at the track to prevent detonation on the long straights

Is your Dinan badge connected and all one piece? Mine is separate letters and looks a little different...

Originally Posted by trader4

I've been using regular for ~100K miles, 2002 3.0, currently at 175K miles.
Also, there are some folks claiming that premium will result in better
MPG, pay for itself, etc. I tested that a couple times, running the same route
with regular and premium, saw no difference. If I wanted to do a
0 -60 test, then I'd be using premium to make sure I got the absolute
max performance.

AFAIK the M54 retards itself if you use lower grade gasoline. Don't think you will damage anything, but from my experience with the M54 (in 3 cars personally and at the shop I worked) it doesn't like anything lower than 91 octane. I'd be interested to see what the live data looks like using Autologic or DIS. We definitely saw decreased MPG and power when customers (or relatives) used lower than premium.

[tmv]

93 from top tier stations, usually QT.

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Is your Dinan badge connected and all one piece? Mine is separate letters and looks a little different...

About to ask the same question

[edogg]

All premium Chevron, Shell, or 76, all the time (never Arco or grocery store gas garbage). And I'll sometimes fill with the occasional tank of ethanol-free premium when I happen to be near the grange.

Also, I throw in a bottle of Techron every few thousand miles. And I've been using Lucas fuel treatment pretty regularly too.

ETA: I don't understand why people balk at the price of premium gas. At $.30 more per gallon, a whole 25 gallon fill up will cost you $7.50 more. Seems worth $7 to get the proper performance out of your car.

[weiln12]

I use 91, that's the highest I can get around UT/ID/CO. If there's higher I haven't seen it. However, about 50% of the premium 91 in Idaho is ethanol free which I've always preferred.

My brother always used 87 in his X5 3.0, but since he's moved on (has a 535i now) he uses 91 now. I've never understood why balk at the price difference. There's a cost for higher performance.

But I'm also used to it, the only vehicle I've owned in the past 4 years that didn't require premium is my Tundra, and that's only until the SC goes on it.

[bcredliner]

Chevron 93 octane that has Techron in it and meth injection that raises the effective octane to 116+

[edogg]

Originally Posted by trader4

Not if you're not using that performance. I'm not doing 0 - 60 test runs
for a magazine. Plenty of performance for me.

I've had vehicles stall using poor quality gas; hence the reason I don't use Arco or grocery store gas.

Why shortchange yourself on reliability and performance to save a few bucks a week? Is your budget that tight?

[YETTI]

Yea not worth the headache is it bad that to switch between octanes of fuel because next fill up is going to be premium and I have been using mid grade for the last 6 months

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by YETTI

Yea not worth the headache is it bad that to switch between octanes of fuel because next fill up is going to be premium and I have been using mid grade for the last 6 months

Not a problem

[kvc]

Originally Posted by trader4

I've been using regular for ~100K miles, 2002 3.0, currently at 175K miles.
Also, there are some folks claiming that premium will result in better
MPG, pay for itself, etc. I tested that a couple times, running the same route
with regular and premium, saw no difference. If I wanted to do a
0 -60 test, then I'd be using premium to make sure I got the absolute
max performance.

I beg to differ. In my experience, I have far better fuel economy using a higher octane fuel, than 'regular'. Moreover, my engine seems to run smoother and is slightly more responsive.
As many others have said, the modest difference in cost to fill up your tank is akin to buying 'OEM' filters as opposed to 'generic' when servicing your car IMHO. I like to think I'm doing the best I can for my pride and joy, and she will perform accordingly, by providing reliability and pleasure.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI from the owners manual: (note the use and difference between "requirement" & "recommendation")

The M62TU and probably the M54 (I know this applied to the sedans) have a minimum requirement of 87 AKI...but 91 AKI is recommended.

The N62 has a 91 AKI minimum REQUIREMENT: