Fuel Requirements on the 318's

[BMW3nthusiast]

I have always put Premium (91- 93) Gas in my BMW's, past to present, & what I want to know is this. Do the E36 318i's / 318ti's need premium, or will 87 work just fine?

If I can switch to cheaper fuel, what can I expect as a result (i.e. crappier gas mileage, engine knocking, running like crap) ...Please don't tell me It's cheaper, I know that.

Thanks

[johnf]

If I can switch to cheaper fuel, what can I expect as a result....The number I remember reading in old BMW brochures was about a 3% reduction in power output and fuel economy from RON 95 to RON 91.

[flyfishvt]

I don't believe any e36 was supposed to use 87 octane. The octane rating you need should be right on the gas cap.

Using 87 will cause very very poor performance and engine knock. Your gas mileage will go down quite a bit too. I tested 87,89,91 octane on several e36's and I will never run 87.

[BMW3nthusiast]

Ok, thanks guys. I just wanted to clarify before making any unwanted experiments. I will continue to use 91 Octane.

[slocar]

IIRC the owners manual calls for at least 89. Run 91 and be done with it ... what are you really saving? A dollar on each fillup?

[flyfishvt]

If you need to feel like you're saving a few bucks then use 89 but....if you really want to save....take your foot off the gas a bit and pump up those tires to 31psi. New plugs will give you an extra 1-2mpg.

[Luikens]

I've run both 89 and 93 in mine. Over a period of 10k miles, I actually found that I got better mileage with 89.

[oblivionskate]

I run 92 or 93 (whichever is available because I'm chipped) in my 325is. you THINK you're saving money when you use 89 but in the end your car is less effecient and gets worst MPG. and plus idk if im just overthinking but my car feels "happier" and runs smoother on 92 and 93.:buttrock

[por911]

I tried, or experimented using 89 octane in our 95 318ia for a bit. The loss of power was noticable, but the loss in mpg was huge. Instead of consistently averaging 24-26mpg, it was in the teens. It was actually more economical to use 92 octane(high test). The non-ethanol stuff really helps out mpg.
regards

[Luikens]

I tried, or experimented using 89 octane in our 95 318ia for a bit. The loss of power was noticable, but the loss in mpg was huge. Instead of consistently averaging 24-26mpg, it was in the teens. It was actually more economical to use 92 octane(high test). The non-ethanol stuff really helps out mpg.
regards

Mine was just the opposite, 26-27 with 93 and 28-30 with 89. I didn't notice any sort of loss of power or gain, but I run with an auto 318 and 3.45 diff.

[slocar]

Mine was just the opposite, 26-27 with 93 and 28-30 with 89. I didn't notice any sort of loss of power or gain, but I run with an auto 318 and 3.45 diff.

Why do you have a manual diff in your auto 318??? Of course you can't tell the difference ... does the thing even move?

I thought the auto 318 with the stock 4.44 was slow ... sheesh.

[por911]

Mine was just the opposite, 26-27 with 93 and 28-30 with 89. I didn't notice any sort of loss of power or gain, but I run with an auto 318 and 3.45 diff.

Our(1995 318ia) BMW is an auto with a factory 4.44 limited slip diff. So, we probably loose some mpg with that. Being in the PNW, I'll take the bit of loss for the added grip in the winters that the diff offers. ; )
regards

[BMW3nthusiast]

IIRC the owners manual calls for at least 89. Run 91 and be done with it ... what are you really saving? A dollar on each fillup?

With a 25cent difference, It's a $3 - $4 savings, but I deliver pizza's in this 3, so gas price & mileage is kinda important... It adds up fast.

[slocar]

With a 25cent difference, It's a $3 - $4 savings, but I deliver pizza's in this 3, so gas price & mileage is kinda important... It adds up fast.

I was talking 10 cent difference vs the minimum recommended 89 ... Yeah its important but i'll rather not drive than fill the car with improper octane and drive it like a 80 year old grandma.


Sent through a teleportation device

[Luikens]

Why do you have a manual diff in your auto 318??? Of course you can't tell the difference ... does the thing even move?

I thought the auto 318 with the stock 4.44 was slow ... sheesh.

Haha. It did have a 4.44 diff, but I drive a bunch of highway and was sick of the drone. Now 70 mph it sits at 2600 rpm and my mpg improved (I have a few vacuum leaks that I need to find still).

It drives just fine, don't even notice the difference from the 4.44 diff anymore. Still seems faster than 75% of those fuel efficient cars on the road. Lets face it, it's a 318. So, unless I FI it, it won't ever be fast.

[slocar]

Haha. It did have a 4.44 diff, but I drive a bunch of highway and was sick of the drone. Now 70 mph it sits at 2600 rpm and my mpg improved (I have a few vacuum leaks that I need to find still).

It drives just fine, don't even notice the difference from the 4.44 diff anymore. Still seems faster than 75% of those fuel efficient cars on the road. Lets face it, it's a 318. So, unless I FI it, it won't ever be fast.
As long as it works for you!

I just know that it would be nice to have it accelerate to 60 in the 10 seconds it's supposed to vs 12. :dunno

I had a 5 sp 318 and even that was slow as molasses.

[blackongrey]

I run 87 octane when I'm commuting, doesn't cause knocking or anything. It is definitely crisper on the response with premium though.

[CirrusSR22]

1996 318ti. I'm at 223,000 miles now - bought it at 97,000 miles - and have run 87, 89, 91 and occasionally 93. I quite frankly have never felt a difference in power or smoothness between any of them. Manual says to use 89.

So, I've just settled with 87. I get 26-27 MPG on average (mostly city) and 34-35 MPG is pretty routine on road trips (usually 65-70 MPH). Although, I do fill with 89 if I know I'll be towing.

[Sallad]

Gas cap says 89.

[BMW3nthusiast]

1996 318ti. I'm at 223,000 miles now - bought it at 97,000 miles - and have run 87, 89, 91 and occasionally 93. I quite frankly have never felt a difference in power or smoothness between any of them. Manual says to use 89.

So, I've just settled with 87. I get 26-27 MPG on average (mostly city) and 34-35 MPG is pretty routine on road trips (usually 65-70 MPH). Although, I do fill with 89 if I know I'll be towing.

I think I'll just use 91, it's a 25cent difference, and I do have an 850i so I have no room to complain. :)

Btw, I'm from the Blaine/ Coon Rapids/ Anoka area. Don't see many Mpls members. Thought I'd share Cirrus.