Premium Gas or Unleaded for -04 330ci-

Originally Posted by jasonbimmer

if you drive that often, you might consider something more economical.

I put on a similar amount of miles, and I will be putting on more this summer. The amount of miles I drive was actually one of my biggest reasons to get my e46 - even though it was a gas mileage downgrade from my previous Mitsubishi.

I spend too much time in my car to be driving a craptastic, boring, FWD car.

Originally Posted by ChicagoRY

dear "i write complaint letters to game shows guy,"

I hear 87 referred to as "regular" and "unleaded" and "regular unleaded" interchangably. All automobile gas starts off as what's referred to as "unleaded base stock." They have to put things in it to add more octane rating. They actually will only produce 2 grades for a 3 grade pump, the middle grade is mixed on the fly at the pump proportionately.



Sincerely,
"internet-forum a-hole guy" lol

They do that for the stupid people that have a sign on the car that says UNLEADED FUEL ONLY (even though it is virtually impossible to buy leaded fuel anymore) and the stupid people see pumps marked REGULAR, MEDIUM, and PREMIUM. "None of them say UNLEADED, which should I use?" Like the blonde that fixes mistakes on the computer with white out.

The proper question is, PREMIUM OR REGULAR FOR AN '04 330?

The answer is, use the gas specified by the sticker on the gas cap, or fuel filler door. The caveat is, a lesser grade is fine, the car will adjust the engine timing as needed to support what you put in. There is no point in using a higher grade, the car will not run better with better gas, but it will tune itself to the lesser gas if you put it in.

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

They do that for the stupid people that have a sign on the car that says UNLEADED FUEL ONLY (even though it is virtually impossible to buy leaded fuel anymore) and the stupid people see pumps marked REGULAR, MEDIUM, and PREMIUM. "None of them say UNLEADED, which should I use?" Like the blonde that fixes mistakes on the computer with white out.

The proper question is, PREMIUM OR REGULAR FOR AN '04 330?

The answer is, use the gas specified by the sticker on the gas cap, or fuel filler door. The caveat is, a lesser grade is fine, the car will adjust the engine timing as needed to support what you put in. There is no point in using a higher grade, the car will not run better with better gas, but it will tune itself to the lesser gas if you put it in.

Nice try. . .I answered this like 4 pages back with pictures of the gas filler and manual! not falling for it this time.

"Stupid people" was a good try though. . .good try indeed. . . really tried to throw some tinder into the fire (or you could say "pour gas onto the fire" - ha).

My shortest post ever?

sincerely,
stupid people

Ehh, I've ran 87 in my 2001 325i for years, no problems thus far.

Originally Posted by jasonbimmer

if you drive that often, you might consider something more economical.

I'll fill-up 2-3 times per week depending on how many miles I drive.

I've never tried 87 Octane in my 325xi but will float between 89, 91 & 93 octane. While I don't notice any performance increase... I DO notice that the higher the octane the slightly better fuel economy I get.

89 = 23MPG
91 = 24 - 24.5MPG
93 = 25 - 26MPG

This is something I have kept an eye on for the past 6 months.

Originally Posted by ///M=Power

why are you cheap bastards even arguing about what gas to put in, just use premium, its only a few cents more and you know nothing bad will happen....damn e46 has finally fallen into the hands of those on wellfare

Originally Posted by jneumann

I put on a similar amount of miles, and I will be putting on more this summer. The amount of miles I drive was actually one of my biggest reasons to get my e46 - even though it was a gas mileage downgrade from my previous Mitsubishi.

I spend too much time in my car to be driving a craptastic, boring, FWD car.

Couldn't agree more!!!!!
Screw fuel economy, enjoy the drive!!!!

I tried regular only twice and both times I had engine and exhaust noises so other than that its always been premium!!!

Sent from my PG86100 using Bimmer App

Only Run Premium, BMW's run hot and have a high fuse rate, Premium is the best for your car and would always run Premium gas. BMW's can get knocking and Pinging and as your owners manual says "anything below 91 octane after a while can cause knocking and pinging and can damage the oxygen censors" BMW's are the best but are expensive. You bought a BMW if you cant afford to maintain it sell it. needs premium.
Thanks,

^False information, is false.

Manual says "91 recommended" You will not ping or knock on 87 octane, it will however cause lower fuel mileage. Now please stop reviving threads just to give your two cents... especially over a topic that's covered weekly and NEVER ends.

http://www.ehow.com/info_12224574_me...mium-fuel.html

I run Shell 91 Octane V-Power and that's it. End of story. How are we still talking about this?

mine say min 91 required - not recommended

323 runs happily on 87
330 needs 91

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

The answer is, use the gas specified by the sticker on the gas cap, or fuel filler door. The caveat is, a lesser grade is fine, the car will adjust the engine timing as needed to support what you put in. There is no point in using a higher grade, the car will not run better with better gas, but it will tune itself to the lesser gas if you put it in.

Making more power and getting better mileage doesn't qualify as "running better"?

Originally Posted by MercForHire

323 runs happily on 87
330 needs 91

It can be argued that the 323 needs it more than the 330. The 323 runs higher compression (10.5:1 vs 10.2:1 for the 330)

If you aren't running 91+ premium in your e46 you don't deserve to drive one.

close this thread before I shoot someone