Here is how to do it yourself, with just a graduated cylinder.

How to test fuels for alcohol content | eHow.com


Or you could buy the $25 test kit online, and do the test in the same way. Since ethanol combines so easily with water, it is easy to measure the concentration.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Sadly mD, not true. We are getting the same crap shoved down our throats (or, is that our filler necks) here in Oz too. Soon (mid 2011) you won't be able to buy regular-grade petrol without 10% ethanol. The only option if you don't wish to use the ethanol blend is to opt for premium grade (95 or 98RON) petrol which is far more expensive.

The link JCL gives all the info needed to test for ethanol. The BMW quick measure is simply a syringe... we just take a fuel sample, suck in x amount of gas, x amount of water, shake it up a bit then let it settle, then compare the fluid split level to the chart which gives us the % of ethanol.

Any test that gives you the numbers needed to figure the %'s without racking up the numbers in your head make it an easy test for anyone. Any math aficionados wouldn't need a chart obviously.

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"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot

You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is

And Fraser, even our premium has at least 10% ethanol... The only way for me to get non ethanol gas is to go to an unbranded station using Louisiana refinery gas that you can't pay at the pump... so my truck ends up with ethanol gas most of the time anyways.

__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot

You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is

We don't have a government telling us what fuel to use, but we will in December. At that point we go to 5% ethanol. Right now, I have been buying 94 at Chevron because it is labelled 'contains no ethanol' when in fact, the 91 may not have any either. Each brand is different, and it varies by province as well. My 535i does like the no-ethanol 94 though, and the Tecron can't hurt a bit.

__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

I guess that I should be thankful for small mercies and the fact that we can still buy non-ethanol blended petrol, even if it does come at a cost. Not that it worries my E53 as it's an oiler but I have an ancient (1991) Range Rover that doesn't like ethanol blends. Likewise, on my modest six acres, I have a range of small-engine machinery (mowers, farm bike, brush cutters, chain saw, etc.) most of which is not E10 suitable, especially the two-stroke stuff.