Golfer Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 OK before we jump, I just read my hand book and spoken to BMW customer services about the fuel grade. I Have the 550i M Sport which is NOT an M3 engine however the book states Premium 95 octane minimum 91 octane. Now here in the UK, all basic fuels are 95 octane so do I need to put super in it or not? super being 98/101 octane.:confused: I am not trying to save a few quid, but no point wasting money if not requiring super. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 The ECU will cope with either, so you can run standard unleaded. If it thinks it's too low a grade fuel, it will retard the timing, so you don't get engine knock (aka pinking) - all sensed and fed back to the ECU by knock sensors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 The ECU will cope with either, so you can run standard unleaded. If it thinks it's too low a grade fuel, it will retard the timing, so you don't get engine knock (aka pinking) - all sensed and fed back to the ECU by knock sensors. I just spoke to the BMW engineer, he said and I quote "use 95 octane" at premium petrol stations, BP,Shell,ect not supermarket stuff!! he said the engine is not highly strung and IHO will not benefit from super!!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Not many modern NA engines do, unless they're highly strung. Not sure about the supermarket comment though, although that's a whole separate debate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Not many modern NA engines do, unless they're highly strung.Not sure about the supermarket comment though, although that's a whole separate debate... Yea the supermarket thing is "Debatable" I suppose it depends on "which" supermarket is used.Still not 100% on which fuel to use, may just go tank about tank and see if there is any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 That's what I'd do. I run Tesco 99 (or Momentum as they call it) and it runs the same and does the same tank full to tank full MPG as it does on V-Power. I don't use BP Super (Ultimate) because it's a bloody rip-off everywhere I've been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Yea i'll do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 I'd just stick Shell or Sainsburys standard unleaded in it (95RON)... there's a big difference with highly strung NA cars (M3/5/6's), but unless you map it, sounds like you'll be as well off on 95. Saves you a few quid, no hassle hunting for the right garage AND you've still got stonking performance (I hate BP Ultimate too, never seems to give any benefit and always expensive. Shell or Tesco Super for me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 I'd just stick Shell or Sainsburys standard unleaded in it (95RON)... there's a big difference with highly strung NA cars (M3/5/6's), but unless you map it, sounds like you'll be as well off on 95.Saves you a few quid, no hassle hunting for the right garage AND you've still got stonking performance (I hate BP Ultimate too, never seems to give any benefit and always expensive. Shell or Tesco Super for me) Do BP supply sainsburys do you know?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Depends where in the country the petrol station is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 OK Finished my experiment with fuels. Using a journey I make a lot I filled the Car with 99 Ron to see if any improvements could be had, this was over two days and 250 miles. Result NONE, the car has covered 2040miles and the MPG is 26/27.6 all the time. It is still returning 26/27.6MPG on 99 Ron, so next fill will be the cheap stuff, as no increase in power was detected either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 That's good news, it means the engine has some great potential for the tuners :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Yep I thought so too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 I wonder how strongly the oil companies have complained to BMW for making a high end engine that runs just as well on 95 RON? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 I wonder how strongly the oil companies have complained to BMW for making a high end engine that runs just as well on 95 RON? It actually says on the fuel flap 95 Ron premium, the guys in the states say use the highest ron available but why if the car does not need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 I don't use BP Super (Ultimate) because it's a bloody rip-off everywhere I've been. Also BP Super is 'only' 97 RON's, some need the full 99 RON's of Shell/Tesco for mapping reasons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 Also BP Super is 'only' 97 RON's, some need the full 99 RON's of Shell/Tesco for mapping reasons Hi Bazza, not bought the New "Enhanced GTR" yet then?.:D Arcam is not too convinced yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 My old A6 2.7 V6 Twin-turbo ran on the 'normal' stuff (as per the manual!) and wasn't fussed at all over the 97/98 stuff. I was pleasantly surprised at that myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Hi Bazza, not bought the New "Enhanced GTR" yet then?.:D Arcam is not too convinced yet. nope, mine is 'enhanced' enough to blow the 2011 version into the weeds... selling this one and buying the new one at £70k would be bonkers, though I would like the nav and ipod link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 nope, mine is 'enhanced' enough to blow the 2011 version into the weeds... selling this one and buying the new one at £70k would be bonkers, though I would like the nav and ipod link I had a test drive today in the New GTR, it seemed a bit lower on torque below 3K RPM, not sure why!!, low miles maybe. I still need more room this year at least, I need those rear seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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