Which gas station brand is better for BMW?
I use shell V-Power because I've heard good things, but I have no proof.
BMW recommends BP in the owners manuel. However, I do not have a BP in my area. So, I as well have been using the Shell V-Power gasoline.
i m using Shell V-Power and sometimes Shell V-Power +GTL..
Most gasoline in Canada is watered down with ethanol. Shell V-Power has no ethanol so I try to use it exclusively.
2001 530i Sport (deceased)
2011 528i Sports Pkg, Nav, Premium Sound, Premium Pkg, Comfort Seats
1977 Corvette
All gasoline in the US is watered down with ethanol.
Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad
Look for tier 1 brands, but getting more specific than that will start all kinds of debates. What you should be concerned with is finding a station that has 100% gasoline, with no ethanol. German cars have not reacted well to ethanol, in fact there is some evidence that the HPFP problems in the N54 are due to ethanol.
99 M Coupe
06 Z4M Roadster (1 of 1)
85 M635CSi (Euro)
97 M3 Coupe (Track)
95 M3 Coupe
91 850i 6MT
11 E93 M3
16 X5 35x
16 Chevy Tahoe 4WD
just no small brand new and no 7-elevan, G.M. arco, ampm, costco n sam's club.
Chevron 93
What?
\m/
In answer to the original question, the manual recommends BP. But, that's because that's the major supplier in Germany.
Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad
I fill up with 91 Octane ethanol free fuel. Many stations have high octane ethanol free fuel available.
I don't know. I've checked everywhere here and all contain ethanol. According to Chevron the US govt requires all fuel to be oxygenated during the winter. The oxygenate is ethanol.
Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad
I saw posted on a different forum s list of ethanol free and better than 91 octane, in in Cali, we are sucking...many states just don't carry pure gas at the pump. Do a google search for ethanol free, there is even a list of areas you can get it
OK, I found pure-gas.org that lists ethanol free stations.
Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad
BMW is one of the participants in the "top tier gasoline" qualification. almost all major brands meet this qualification now but i stick with the ones who did originally - QT, shell, chevron, conoco-phillips. usually QT because their drinks are awesome, facilities are always super nice and the fuel is usually cheaper than the others
it's interesting to hear BMW does or did recommend BP because they're still not "top tier." ford does too but they don't participate in the qualification.
regarding ethanol, don't get your panties in too much of a bunch. it runs cooler and cleaner which results in less carbon deposits and, potentially, a power increase. tuners have been running E85 (almost pure ethanol) in cars with stock fuel systems (aside from more powerful fuel pumps and injectors) for 10 years or so and haven't come across any problems with corrosion and such.
Arco uses BP and they normally have the best prices. I also like Texaco when I can find them.
Actually the corrosion comes from the fact that ethanol mixes with water and the water introduced into the system causes the corrosion.- Mileage: Ethanol contains less energy than gasoline, so ethanol blends get fewer miles to the gallon. Ethanol advocates contend the drop is 2 percent or less for E10. Iowa State University Professor Larry Johnson estimates that E10 delivers 96.4 percent of the miles per gallon of gasoline, a drop of 3.6 percent, and E85 delivers 80 percent. Using Johnson's figures, based on numerous studies, a car that gets 25 miles to the gallon and has a 17-gallon tank could go 425 miles on a tank of gasoline. That same car would get 24.1 mpg with E10 and travel 410 miles, or get 20 mpg with E85 and go 340 miles.
Totally stock 97 740iL except for SatRad
In this order:
Shell
Chevron
Citgo
BP
Exxon
Mobil
2008 Alpine White, Portland Brown ///M5 (SMG)
2008 Alpine White, Fox Red ///M3 (6MT)
2008 Sapphire Black, Black 750Li
2010 Alpine White, GT550i
The US export cars are reprogrammed to accept down to 86 octane because here in the wilderness, we can't be assured of 91+ octane like in Europe, where one can buy 97 octane.
Another place to find ethanol free gas is near boat landings/ marina's. Most boats are not designed to run with any ethanol, they have enough to deal with all of the water that seeps in.
I honestly don't know about the gas, but any of the major companies should be good, the only problem I run into is if I buy my gas at Costco or the equivalent, the distributor changes to get the cheapest price, does anyone know how to find out who the current supplier is at these mega stores?
Old car->1992/E34/525iA/70k
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