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

[hybris]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I always use Shell V Power 99 in my 335i, it's now covered 114,000 miles 64k of them using shell V Power & it's still on original injectors with mot emissions now lower than when I bought the car six & a half years ago.

V Power costs around £1.40 a litre in my area, around 26 pence a litre more than cheapest supermarket fuel.

There was a fuel comparison on a tv programme called 5th Gear a few years back where they rolling road tested a golf GTI running different fuels. the old Shell V Power 98 ron showed a 6bhp gain over the the worst of the rest.

Link attached.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...YHPuCfxaCPq8BT

So, this test showed that moving from RON 95 to 98 gave a 2% increase in power, and that there was no difference whatsoever between two different RON 98 fuels. So this is zero argument for buying Shell.

[hybris]

Originally Posted by bgalakazam

Still laughing reading this thread. All the scrooges here are hilarious. But hey, if filling up at lower tier gas stations helps you make that lease payment you can't afford - go ahead.

I'm laughing too, but for the opposite reason. You pay more for petrol that likely comes from the same refinery, because Shell paid BMW to advertise for their petrol.

[NoGuru]

Find a newer clean and well maintained Gas station and use there fuel. I hate to do that to old stations but I don't want there old tanks filling my cars fuel system.

[gjm120]

Unless you get a bad batch of gaso (octane is off-spec or there is a trace of distillate in the fuel or water) I doubt there is any difference in the performance on switching for the first fillup. The benefits will come with prolonged usage of good cleaning additives. I believe the best additive is polyetheramine (PEA) which is in Techron and other brands. And from what I've read, continued use of small doses of most any additive package is better than the occasional big slug.

And all the above postings are correct regarding all gaso is pretty much the same until the additive is added at the truck rack. Companies do exchanges where they pull from competitor's terminals in exchange for letting that competitor pull at their terminals. Or they balance out with pipeline batches.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by NoGuru

Find a newer clean and well maintained Gas station and use there fuel. I hate to do that to old stations but I don't want there old tanks filling my cars fuel system.

A good reason to use Costco. Not only is it top tier but at least half the time I am in the vicinity, there is a fuel truck refilling the tanks. I think they turn their fuel over at least once a day.

[gurusan]

I typically fill up with Chevron because I have discount points from Safeway, otherwise it's Fred Meyer since I have points with them too, or Costco.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

... but I get like what 10 hp more? And it cost more than 91 ...

You have to keep in mind that some people would pay a lot of money for just a 10hp gain. Something measured in pennies per gallon will not phase some folks.

[Alpine_F82]

Murphy USA all day long 2.09$ Premium 93

[WestRace]

There are a lot of factors when it comes to engine reliability. Gas is only one of them and may be the least important.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

You have to keep in mind that some people would pay a lot of money for just a 10hp gain. Something measured in pennies per gallon will not phase some folks.

Tbh I don't even think it's 10hp... idk how much more it gives me no one was able to confirm so that's why I figured it really wasn't worth it.

I agree after re-reading myself 10 hp is ok.

[bobdavisnpf]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Tbh I don't even think it's 10hp... idk how much more it gives me no one was able to confirm so that's why I figured it really wasn't worth it.

I agree after re-reading myself 10 hp is ok.

I wonder if anyone has dyno data showing impact of fuel on hp...

[wrickem]

I'm sticking with BP since that was the "gasoline BMW recommends" in 2007 (and it's on my way home from work)

[zomski101]

If I fill up on anything but Shell Premium, which is usually .90 cents more then regular, timing gets pulled across all cylinders by 2 or 3. Usually fill up when there is one gallon left in the tank.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

A good reason to use Costco. Not only is it top tier but at least half the time I am in the vicinity, there is a fuel truck refilling the tanks. I think they turn their fuel over at least once a day.

Problem with getting all the deliveries that Costco gets, the water/sediment that collects at the bottom of the tank is always getting stirred up and goes into your tank.
Can't win either way.

[AnOldBiker]

Not sure of each individual state regs, but I know several have water sensors for a warning and a schedule pump time to remove sediments. And the suction inlet is 10% above bottom due to this. Each pump has a filter prior to hose to your tank.

I also by diesel, and have yet to find water in my fuel/water separator filter in years. (I still check monthly and have a water indicator on it)

I believe you're safe.

[jimbobiggens]

My office used to be on a main highway, with a perfect view of a BP station across the street. We would watch as the owner placed a garden hose in the underground holding tanks, in broad daylight, turn on the water and go back inside. Month after month he did this.

I'm not sure what he was trying to accomplish, but I'll never buy gas there. Makes you wonder about what you are buying, doesn't it?

[AnOldBiker]

Are you sure it was the underground fuel storage tanks ?
If so, he would be out of business in a very very short period of time, loss of contract with bp and the state/feds would be talking to him in an unfriendly manner.

[harris69]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Problem with getting all the deliveries that Costco gets, the water/sediment that collects at the bottom of the tank is always getting stirred up and goes into your tank.
Can't win either way.

True! And I own a station.

[harris69]

Originally Posted by jimbobiggens

My office used to be on a main highway, with a perfect view of a BP station across the street. We would watch as the owner placed a garden hose in the underground holding tanks, in broad daylight, turn on the water and go back inside. Month after month he did this.

I'm not sure what he was trying to accomplish, but I'll never buy gas there. Makes you wonder about what you are buying, doesn't it?

There is no way you can do this and get away with it. I own a station, and NC Weights and Measure (Department of Agriculture) regularly takes samples of my fuel. Also, you would have cars stalling left and right, and would put you on the local news channel in no time.

[harris69]

Originally Posted by AnOldBiker

Are you sure it was the underground fuel storage tanks ?
If so, he would be out of business in a very very short period of time, loss of contract with bp and the state/feds would be talking to him in an unfriendly manner.

True on all accounts.

[jimbobiggens]

Originally Posted by AnOldBiker

Are you sure it was the underground fuel storage tanks ?
If so, he would be out of business in a very very short period of time, loss of contract with bp and the state/feds would be talking to him in an unfriendly manner.

He was running the garden hose into the same hole(s) the trucker used.

[jimbobiggens]

Originally Posted by harris69

There is no way you can do this and get away with it. I own a station, and NC Weights and Measure (Department of Agriculture) regularly takes samples of my fuel. Also, you would have cars stalling left and right, and would put you on the local news channel in no time.

Oh, he didn't get away with it. Somebody sent a video to the news station and it hit the fan. They shut down for a while and replaced the tanks and pumps. The station is still there, but different people. And it's a Mobile station now.