What brand of gas do you use?

[crete]

Originally Posted by Jeff330xi

We have BP in Sacramento. Conoco = 76, which we have in Nor Cal. You can even buy unleaded "race gas" (100 Octane) from some 76 stations.

Yeah, but what would the price for 100 octane be now, the chevron near me is now at 2.85/gal for 91 octane.

[ike301]

Chevron on Bay Street (Marina) in San Francisco 2.69, 2.79, 2.89
Chevron on Ortega/19th (Sunset) in San Francisco 2.63,2.73,2.83

I use premium just b/c I've heard the higher octane burns cleaner, therefore it keeps the injectors cleaner.... don't quote me on this. Shoot, at these rates, I almost don't even want to drive = 25 gallons @ 2.89 = $72.25, or 25 gallons @ 2.83 = $70.75. We need a hybrid X5!

*edit* great.... just read that supercharger article.... "High octane fuel does not burn cleaner, it does not clean your engine, it does not increase horsepower or torque (unless you are experiencing knock), it does not smell better, it does not increase fuel economy (unless you are experiencing knock) and is not better for the environment." any other comments on that?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ike301

I great.... just read that supercharger article.... "High octane fuel does not burn cleaner, it does not clean your engine, it does not increase horsepower or torque (unless you are experiencing knock), it does not smell better, it does not increase fuel economy (unless you are experiencing knock) and is not better for the environment." any other comments on that?

Nope, that's pretty accurate. There is a great marketing campaign, however, that has many drivers believing the opposite. I just figure the oil companies are making enough profit. If you are at a name-brand station, one that has a reasonable additive package (ie one that meets federal emissions laws for a start), then resistance to pre-ignition is the only difference, and if you don't experience pre-ignition or performance impacts from the engine controller compensating for pre-ignition, then buying extra octane rating is like giving cash away.

[rocketir]

$5.69/G at a 76 near Lincoln, CA.

[Bavarian]

Today's rate in Toronto is $2.88 per gallon of 92 gas at Esso (Exxon).

For Canadians, that means 94.6 cents per liter.

[crete]

Originally Posted by rocketir

$5.69/G at a 76 near Lincoln, CA.

So is this the only gas station within a 100 mile radius, that price is amazing...that is like $140.00 to fill your X5's tank.

[bimmerfan]

I put 91 Octane in my M5 mostly because it is a high performance engine and it eats a quart of oil every other tank of gas anyway; and since it is out of warranty I don't want to take the chance. On the X5, I've only put gas in it twice (just got it) but I've been putting in 87 Octane as gas in Southern Caliofornia is outrageous... From the looks of it - I'm not alone and others aren't having any knocking problems... ?

[crete]

As BMW recommends 91 octane in X5s, I wonder what lower octane gas as some of you are putting in your X's will do to an engine over a long period of time. If you have any mechanical problems with your engine due to lower octane gas, can BMW determine this and claim the problem is not covered under warranty due to lower octane.

[bimmerfan]

With engine management software it should adjust the detonatin, timing etc. to accomodate the lower octane fuel without causing any problems over a long period of time. Any issues that would come up would materialize in the form of engine knocking (which would be resolved by switching back to the higher octane fuel)... I really don't see it as being much of a risk or causing any damage to the engine.