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Coaster99 Rookie Author New Jersey Posts:48 Points:485,540 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 9:19:21 AM Ignore Coaster99 Report Abuse I ran my new 525 on hih octane for two tanks then reduced to regular gradually without any loss of mpg and no ping. I was worried in hot temps but there was no loss of power or ping with a/c use, I now have over 12,000 miles and still ues regular gas.

Coaster99

Rookie Author
New Jersey

Posts:48
Points:485,540
Joined:Sep 2005

Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 9:19:21 AM

Ignore Coaster99 Report Abuse

I ran my new 525 on hih octane for two tanks then reduced to regular gradually without any loss of mpg and no ping. I was worried in hot temps but there was no loss of power or ping with a/c use, I now have over 12,000 miles and still ues regular gas.

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i4runner Veteran Author Orlando Posts:278 Points:59,910 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2009 7:51:14 PM Ignore i4runner Report Abuse I have tried regular and mid grade in my 323I. Basically the same engine as in the 525 depending on the year. I noticed not only a loss of performance but I noticed enough of a loss in mileage that I decided it was not worth being cheap. Also, it is not worth being cheap to such a fine car that will take care of you if you take care of it. If you cant afford the premium, then it is time to go buy a cobalt.
geobmw Champion Author Miami Posts:6,166 Points:1,399,295 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 26, 2009 6:34:25 AM Ignore geobmw Report Abuse Pataz is right.
DeeZill Champion Author Tucson Posts:6,773 Points:1,201,955 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2009 11:35:05 PM Ignore DeeZill Report Abuse the engine computer readjusts itself constantly to compensate for octane of fuel, load on the engine, etc. Run any octane you want, the car will be OK.
ChandlerChan Rookie Author St. Louis Posts:23 Points:740 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2009 10:41:50 AM Ignore ChandlerChan Report Abuse When you are switching to lower octane gasoline, please remember use all the gas which was left in the tank. If you don't, you will confuse the computer and might cause damage to your engine.
alp Champion Author Portland Posts:17,872 Points:3,481,945 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Dec 11, 2008 1:07:59 AM Ignore alp Report Abuse My wife has been running her 2002 325i for 2 years on regular with no problems. I suppose it cuts the power a little, and frankly I'm not sure that it doesn't cut the mileage, but it works just fine.
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,227 Points:122,020 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2008 8:10:55 AM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse If you can't afford the gas you can't afford the car, simple. I always use premium as the manual says.
no3putz Sophomore Author Albany Posts:146 Points:18,795 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2008 10:01:37 AM Ignore no3putz Report Abuse unleaded 93 ocatane only, why sacrifice, its a performance vehicle?
The Hoe Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,295 Points:856,645 Joined:Nov 2002	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2008 12:03:47 PM Ignore The Hoe Report Abuse I recently ran regular in my 530... no ping but a definate differnce in power.
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,979 Points:1,589,295 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 9, 2008 4:46:00 PM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse I have a 528I. I always use the premium. A year ago my check engine light came on. I had it checked by my mechanic and he told me the computer indicated it was the catalytic converter. We both thought it was a false positive. It happened again so I went to the dealer. The bad news was the converter was bad, the good news was it was under warranty for 70,000 miles so the $2,000 cost was covered. Why would it go bad? Dealer indicated the most common was using the wrong octane. It might not happen in a year or two or three but eventually it will fail. The manufacturer suggested, as you might expect, that only Shell be used to protect the converter and get max performance from the engine. What you do is up to you but even with high gas prices in my area the premium is only 20 to 30 cents a gallon more. Not that bad to protect the vehicle.
rhinorover Champion Author Edmonton Posts:1,860 Points:329,150 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 9, 2008 4:08:40 PM Ignore rhinorover Report Abuse I'd double check the fine print on your warranty in this case. The couple bucks you save on fuel won't be worth the $10k it'll cost to replace the engine if they deem the lower grade fuel as cause of damage (if any occurs) and void your warranty. On a vehicle that's out of warranty...that's your choice but on a new car it'd be ashame to waste your warranty over a couple bucks. rhino
The Hoe Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,295 Points:856,645 Joined:Nov 2002	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2008 4:51:48 PM Ignore The Hoe Report Abuse I've been wondering the same thing... glad to hear it will be OK for my 2005 530i.
m1gunr Veteran Author Tacoma Posts:314 Points:58,680 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2008 3:27:21 PM Ignore m1gunr Report Abuse I have a 94 525i. the specs call for 89 octane. About every 6 months I'll fill it up with super when I'm taking 400 mile trip. I've found no difference in mileage between 87 & 92 octane and its got 175k. Keep it tuned and maintained properly. Last summer I opened it up to 130 mph with no issue when I left Spokane on a trip. I sure miss Germany.
JettaMan64 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,025 Points:391,205 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 27, 2007 1:36:40 AM Ignore JettaMan64 Report Abuse I have a 97 328i, and it says on the fuel door to run 89 octane or better. thats my 2 cents.....
VickiPaddler Veteran Author Idaho Posts:250 Points:40,975 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 23, 2007 10:40:34 AM Ignore VickiPaddler Report Abuse Well that answers my question! haha I own a 525i and was wondering if i should switch to premium for better gas mileage because my friend says its better but i would rather stick with the cheaper gas if I dont need to change!
#12#_WiseguyM5 Rookie Author Chicago Posts:8 Points:200 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2006 11:29:15 AM Ignore #12#_WiseguyM5 Report Abuse Non-M cars are generally tuned to run on regular. The 97 328i and the newer 525s will run fine on 87. BMW Doesn't say it, but they run fine.
HFE Veteran Author Houston Posts:274 Points:89,310 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Oct 27, 2006 9:26:07 PM Ignore HFE Report Abuse the problem will be on the long run where buildup in the engine will occur which will affect performance and also longevity of the engine
Bimmerman Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:319 Points:119,315 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Oct 16, 2006 12:37:06 PM Ignore Bimmerman Report Abuse interesting.
JettaMan64 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,025 Points:391,205 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Oct 7, 2006 10:12:20 PM Ignore JettaMan64 Report Abuse I've been running unleaded gas for 3 weeks now in my 97" 328I, so far haven't had any problems yet, so thanks for the advice!!!
SHanneba Champion Author Houston Posts:1,442 Points:1,195,260 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Nov 8, 2005 6:08:22 AM Ignore SHanneba Report Abuse The onboard computer will adjust to octane levels from 87 - 98. You will loose some performance with 87 octane, the igmition timing will be retarded to prevent knock. Under most normal driving conditions it would not be noticeable, but stand on it a few times with each octane and you would notice a difference. It would take about 5-6 full throttle 1/4 mile runs for the car to adjust to the higher octane. The Dinan web site has a M3 dyno run that compares 91 octane to 93 octane. They gained about 3% in max Horsepower with just a change in fuel.
#12#_kda67 Rookie Author Chicago Posts:8 Points:670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2005 11:15:49 AM Ignore #12#_kda67 Report Abuse We have a 2004 525 currrently with 16000 miles almost all using regular gas and no problems.