BMW recommends Shell gas, but it's more expensive than other brands

[F30dud]

Gas in my area is usually $.50-$1 less than mid city where i work, Beverly Hills. However right now its not that much difference, about .25-45 cents, but in summer i've seen worse.

[Grip Addict]

It does not matter as long as it is a top tier gas station.

Some gas stations like Shell and Sunoco claim to put more gas detergents that clean the interior bits of our engines, but as long as you get top tier you are fine.

If I am being completely honest. My "butt dyno" feels like my M3 runs better if i go to Shell or Sunoco than other top tier gas stations, but I will attest its probably all in my head.

[themnmd]

In nor cal I use Chevron 91 octane or sometimes Shell. I try and shop around but usually doesn't make more than $ 3-5 per tank if I am filling up a near empty tank. I also use Safeway card for 20 cents off per gallon at chevron 😀I wish we had Sunoco 94 octane here in California

[Happy Motoring]

Originally Posted by omera60

I use Shell V-power 97 Octane (highest you can get in Turkey) for my newer cars (2 series, Z4M, 850Ci etc), for the oldies (2002’s, E30 etc) I use Shell Fuel Save 95 Octane (gives smoother idle). As previously said I think if you can afford a BMW you shouldn’t shy away from premium.

We're discussing brand of gasoline, not the octane. I'm sure everyone here uses premium but not everyone uses Shell. It's nice to know you put higher octane rating in your classics than my M2 lol

[0w40X1]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Shell is all I have ever used, they have shell rewards as well so I typically get 0.05 cents to 0.10 cents off every gallon. What fuel you use is important but the station you use matters more. My buddy used to sell gas/oil out in west Texas and he said a lot older stations are not well maintained, have older filtration systems and tank leakage, etc. New stations are held to a much higher standard.

Hey, friend, I have used Shell when I was in San Antonio to get some discounts. Also, Chevron has Techron and is very reasonable in that area. Out Midland way, we had major disruption in 91 oct (highest oct here) during the 2017 Houston flooding, so I ended up using HEB AND even Sam's gas.

Both are new modern stations, and I don't fear trouble with those. First sign of gas trouble is engine doesn't hAVE STEADY idle. Last vehicle with idle trouble was in late 90's with a 1990 F150 , and I fixed that one with a few bottles of Techron from parts store.

That was gas for Exxon coming from old Shell refinery in Odessa. I think modern refineries have better additives now.

[hwntime]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Damn you guys on the west coast get x2 screwed. High prices and only 91. I filled up the other day at shell for $2.90.
I don't think shell itself is not any better than mobil or bp imo.

Premium 91 in Portland, OR is averaging around $3.29-$3.49~ish.

[uniqueMR]

Shell just have the best gasoline, V-Power rocks!!!
And Shell is involved heavily involved in racing and sponsoring.

[infinitekidM2C]

its all the same gas with their own "amazing" (aka marketing hype) additives..

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

its all the same gas with their own "amazing" (aka marketing hype) additives..

its fascinating the placebo effects from such simple marketing. i fall victim to it in certain manners as well.

[greasypeanut]

Freshness of gas is also important and there is no gas fresher then Costco with the volume of cars they get.

Also Costco has pizza and churros. The wife likes the new acai bowl as well.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by greasypeanut

Freshness of gas is also important and there is no gas fresher then Costco with the volume of cars they get.

Also Costco has pizza and churros. The wife likes the new acai bowl as well.

I'm still mad that costco got rid of polish sausage.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by greasypeanut

Freshness of gas is also important and there is no gas fresher then Costco with the volume of cars they get.

Also Costco has pizza and churros. The wife likes the new acai bowl as well.

There isn’t a Costco near me, so I usually use ARCO.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by greasypeanut

Freshness of gas is also important and there is no gas fresher then Costco with the volume of cars they get.

Also Costco has pizza and churros. The wife likes the new acai bowl as well.

Very true. About half the time I am in the vicinity of my local Costco, I see the fuel truck refilling the underground tanks.

I live halfway between two Costcos. The one I referenced above is the most convenient (least busy) but the other one has self serve checkout registers and a car wash.

[HawkeyeGeoff]

The Shells in Michigan are sometimes 1.20 MORE than Regular. I use Speedway, Marathon, BP whatever I find that's reasonable. Right now around 2.50/gallon.....meanwhile Shell stations are sometimes 3.20 or so. Ridiculous

[hassmaschine]

we have 92 octane on the west coast.. just not in CA/AZ. And the guy from Turkey who uses 97 octane, that is RON octane, it's more like a 91 or a 92 MON.

But yeah, it's expensive here. It think only Hawaii is more. Funny thing is we have 4 refineries within 50 miles. But like 75 cents a gallon is taxes, so...

Anyway, I just use Costco, because I agree with others who said the freshness of the fuel is more important than brand. Also most gas stations are holes in the wall, with horribly maintained pumps and everything is filthy. The Costco station here is super maintained, there's always somebody cleaning and polishing the pumps, cleaning up spills, and you'll never have to worry about a broken hose spraying you with gasoline (yeah, that's happened to me). I guarantee it comes from the same refineries as the other stations, and it's cheaper.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

we have 92 octane on the west coast.. just not in CA/AZ. And the guy from Turkey who uses 97 octane, that is RON octane, it's more like a 91 or a 92 MON.

But yeah, it's expensive here. It think only Hawaii is more. Funny thing is we have 4 refineries within 50 miles. But like 75 cents a gallon is taxes, so...

Anyway, I just use Costco, because I agree with others who said the freshness of the fuel is more important than brand. Also most gas stations are holes in the wall, with horribly maintained pumps and everything is filthy. The Costco station here is super maintained, there's always somebody cleaning and polishing the pumps, cleaning up spills, and you'll never have to worry about a broken hose spraying you with gasoline (yeah, that's happened to me). I guarantee it comes from the same refineries as the other stations, and it's cheaper.

In Seattle you can’t find anything above 91 octane.

[AnOldBiker]

I usually drive cross country each year to see my grandkids. I found that two stations has fresh fuel all the time. Pilot / Flying J's and Loves.

They turn over massive amounts of gasoline and diesel. The main 3 thing that protects the consumer is the constant change out of fuel filters, check and clearing of water in the storage tanks and constant refilling of their fuel tanks. Never had a problem using any grade of theirs.


Note: they are not cheap, but constant of quality and quantity.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by DanG

I use ARCO about 90% of the time. I have for more than 10 years. I have never had a problem with their gas.

I'm in the SF Bay Area. Here Arco has Top Tier. I've been filling at Arco for 5 years now and no problems at all. Costco is Top Tier in our area too. So for me, Top Tier is the answer and Costco and Arco generally have the best prices. Right now Costco is $3.05 for premium and my closest shell station is $4.03. At a 98 cent per gallon difference (extreme, its usually about 50 cents per gallon more), I'm going to Arco which is just as convenient.

For those who say you own a BMW so you shouldn't worry about gas price. I don't. I just worry about getting completely screwed and try to avoid it when I can. Its simply a matter of principle.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

I'm in the SF Bay Area. Here Arco has Top Tier. I've been filling at Arco for 5 years now and no problems at all. Costco is Top Tier in our area too. So for me, Top Tier is the answer and Costco and Arco generally have the best prices. Right now Costco is $3.05 for premium and my closest shell station is $4.03. At a 98 cent per gallon difference (extreme, its usually about 50 cents per gallon more), I'm going to Arco which is just as convenient.

For those who say you own a BMW so you shouldn't worry about gas price. I don't. I just worry about getting completely screwed and try to avoid it when I can. Its simply a matter of principle.

Exactly this. If you want to get into the nuts and bolts you could/should definitely look into top tier brands. There was even an retired fuel guy on this thread who basically confirmed it's all the same, the cost difference is the proprietary blend (marketing) of the same ingredients that they all use.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by pz619

Exactly this. If you want to get into the nuts and bolts you could/should definitely look into top tier brands. There was even an retired fuel guy on this thread who basically confirmed it's all the same, the cost difference is the proprietary blend (marketing) of the same ingredients that they all use.

From past work I know that as well. Fuel is the same; difference, if any, is in the additives and that is what is tested for "Top Tier" gasoline.

I only purchase premium from top tier sellers. But as noted, that includes most of the major companies including Costco.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by DanG

In Seattle you can’t find anything above 91 octane.

Huh, that sucks. I've lived here all my life, but I guess I've never bought gas in Seattle before. Everywhere else in WA I've always seen 92.

[bluewater328]

Ha...well, hassmachine is right. We're happy about keeping premium under $4 in Hawaii. But most of the stations do carry 92...it's the cheap gas stations that don't.