» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 08-25-2008, 05:27 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 9 | What kind of gas should I use I know this is a newb question, but which kind of gas should I use? I just bought a 1995 318ti with 55,000 miles on it. My friend says I should use premium, is he right? | | | 08-25-2008, 05:37 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Malvern, PA Posts: 373 | the MINIMUM octane you can put in is 89. I think most gas stations mark that as plus? but yeah. just not regular. i think you can refer to your drivers side door jam sticker. that has info about the gas you should use and tire pressure and all that jazz. EDIT: oh. and welcome to the site post pictures of you new ride if you get a chance __________________ 1997 TI Sport, Silver | | | 08-25-2008, 01:26 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | Yeah, I wasn't sure about this either when I first got my ti because the gas door says minimum of 89 while the owners manual says minimum of 90, big difference, lol. However, I tried 89 then 93 and I swear the 93 feels smoother and quieted down the engine. I'm sticking with the premium. __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | 08-25-2008, 02:58 PM | #4 | Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Farnborough, UK Posts: 64 | For some reason I get ~20% better MPG if I fill up with V-Power than regular, seems odd especially as mine's a 316 compact. | | | 08-25-2008, 04:27 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | technically, you can run regular gas, the engine has knock sensors that can detect when you're running a lower grade of gasoline and it will retard your timing, you'll lose performance but if you just use your ti as a dd you won't notice a difference | | | 12-16-2008, 04:05 PM | #6 | Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oceanside, NY Posts: 53 | I would love to know this as well. The gas door says 89 and the manual says 90, LOL. In NY, Hess only has 87, 89 and 91. | | | 12-16-2008, 04:21 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Elizabeth City, NC Posts: 3,877 | Run a tank of 89 and then a tank of 91. If they feel the same then you are fine with 89. If the 91 feels better then use that. __________________ ~Dave~ 98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop 11 128i space gray slicktop 13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry Search | RealOEM | | | 12-16-2008, 04:21 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 | You're fine running any of those. I use to run premium because it helped me sleep better at night. The 89 grade is fine for the ti. __________________ BMWCCA #403399 2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed Loaded 2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed Traded 1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08 Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | 12-16-2008, 04:40 PM | #9 | Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oceanside, NY Posts: 53 | Thanks guys, I'll run 89 and see what 's up. | | | 12-18-2008, 12:36 AM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: central ct Posts: 503 | i'm running 89 this week. seems fine. next week i'm trying 87. there's a 45 cent price difference per gallon here on it. (87 is about 1.60, 89 is just under $2) so it might be worth it. __________________ 2010 Genesis Coupe 2.0t track | 2000 Dakota Former 1995 318ti owner | | | 12-18-2008, 12:43 AM | #11 | Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 229 | Quote: Originally Posted by Chris S For some reason I get ~20% better MPG if I fill up with V-Power than regular, seems odd especially as mine's a 316 compact. | this is because the lower the rating the faster the burning. hence the sensors retard the timing on 87 91 burns slower than 87s... i use 91 always. whats 10 cents a gallon? | | | 12-18-2008, 12:57 AM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,587 | I use 89. I tried 91 for a few fill-ups in a row, but didn't notice a difference. | | | 12-18-2008, 12:58 AM | #13 | Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oceanside, NY Posts: 53 | Just filled up for the first time tonight and I used 89. I'll calculate the MPG on this tank, then I'll try 91 next and compare. | | | 12-18-2008, 01:00 AM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 242 | I never see 91 around here so I am always using 93. But oh, how I remember the days of leaded 110... | | | 12-18-2008, 01:56 AM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 1,231 | I don't mean to hijack the thread but since I am running Dinan software, should I use 91 octane? I've heard they require 91 or above. somebody correct me If I'm wrong. | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |