Newbie Question: Grade of Gasoline

[GAB121442]

Good morning, folks. This question probably has been hashed over before, but I can't find it. I just bought a "new" 2012 328i convertible w/67K miles. I have ordered an owners manual for it. In the meantime, Wikipedia says to use 87 Octane (regular) in the I-6 engine. Is this correct? Does the engine do better with mid-level gasoline?

[Raimo5]

That would be N55, a turbo engine, right? Pretty sure BMW requires minimum of 89 for that. These are minimum requirements, and you can always go higher if you want.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by GAB121442

Good morning, folks. This question probably has been hashed over before, but I can't find it. I just bought a "new" 2012 328i convertible w/67K miles. I have ordered an owners manual for it. In the meantime, Wikipedia says to use 87 Octane (regular) in the I-6 engine. Is this correct? Does the engine do better with mid-level gasoline?

My research indicates for the 2012 328i Premium (unleaded) fuel is *required*.

Link:

https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series...eatures-specs/

[jkoral]

Didn't the E93 2012 328i Convertible still use the NA inline-6, N52?

The F30 (sedan) that came out in 2012 came with the turbo-4 N20.

Regardless, both engines have minimum 91 AKI. Usually there is a sticker on the fuel door.

[Bc2005]

I had a 2015 328i and the sticker inside the fuel door said 89 minimum, and “I think” it said 91 preferred. However, in my area premium was often 93, so it was a little more expensive.

I found that it ran fine on 89, but seemed to get a little better gas mileage on premium. BMW has an excellent engine management system, so it will try to advance timing and take advantage of the higher octane. Not the same simple system as many economy cars, where more octane just costs more money.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

I had a 2015 328i and the sticker inside the fuel door said 89 minimum, and “I think” it said 91 preferred. However, in my area premium was often 93, so it was a little more expensive.

I found that it ran fine on 89, but seemed to get a little better gas mileage on premium. BMW has an excellent engine management system, so it will try to advance timing and take advantage of the higher octane. Not the same simple system as many economy cars, where more octane just costs more money.

Depending on the better mileage you are getting with premium doesn't that offset a portion of the higher price of 93?

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

...the sticker inside the fuel door said 89 minimum, and “I think” it said 91 preferred.

You are right, just checked my two owner's manuals and both list a minimum and recommended AKI.

My N55 (turbo inline-6) is minimum 91, recommended 93
My B48 (turbo inline-4) is minimum 89, recommended 91

[Hadden14]

I have never seen or heard of a luxury German car calling for less than "Premium" gas. If it is a high compression turbo engine I would use premium for sure, but the gas cap should tell you.

[GAB121442]

Thanks to ALL of you guys. Mine is NOT the turbo, but I still couldn't see a German car of this design running on regular gasoline. ("Jeez, it MUST be true - I read it on the Internet!") I am a low-mileage guy, so the price of gas is not a consideration. Thanks again; I already know to use Full Synthetic oil. If the stickers you mentioned are still on the car, I will heed them. Peace.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by GAB121442

Thanks to ALL of you guys. Mine is NOT the turbo, but I still couldn't see a German car of this design running on regular gasoline. ("Jeez, it MUST be true - I read it on the Internet!") I am a low-mileage guy, so the price of gas is not a consideration. Thanks again; I already know to use Full Synthetic oil. If the stickers you mentioned are still on the car, I will heed them. Peace.

My naturally aspirated Boxster required (at least) 91. Had a 11.0:1 compression ratio.

Was really designed to run best with 93. Never had a chance to try 93 in it.

But my 996 Turbo one time on a road trip I found 93 at a gas station in Wyoming and fueled up. The Turbo engine reacted quite favorably to 93.

[Efthreeoh]

A 2012 328i cabrio is an E93, which has the N52. It uses premium fuel. 91 octane. The fuel door will have a sicker on it that indicates the octane rating to use.

You can download the owners manual from BMW's website.

https://www.bmwusa.com/owners-manuals.html

[the_abe]

My 07 with the NA I6 wanted premium, so I assume yours does to. It should say under the gas cap.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

A 2012 328i cabrio is an E93, which has the N52. It uses premium fuel. 91 octane. The fuel door will have a sicker on it that indicates the octane rating to use.

You can download the owners manual from BMW's website.

https://www.bmwusa.com/owners-manuals.html

This is the answer to all of the OP’s questions.

[pbonsalb]

The owner’s manual and fuel filler door of my USA 2012 X3 xdrive 2.8i with N52 say 89 octane minimum.

[FrankMstein]

Use only toptiergas.com.