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Thread: M50 on higher octane

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    857

    Default M50 on higher octane

    (Pre-VANOS M50)

    Mmmmmmmmmmm! What can I say, this engine's loving it.

    Well, I've been trying it since September (I fill up about once a month or so), and M50 is loving this stuff. Engine is a lot more responsive in the low end, and yesterday I had the oil changed along with having the winters put on, with this result: a super smooth runing engine! It also tends to be less jerky when I release the gas pedal in 2nd or 1st gear from a downshift, or from having to let go just to slow down when my accelerating plans are thwarted. Life is unpredictable.

    And, my mileage average has gone from 12.3L per 100 km, to 10.0L per 100 km, combined highway and city driving. Needless to say I think the higher price of the fuel more than pays for itself.

    Man, this car's awesome.

    As a side note, here in Canada, we have three grades of octane fuel : 87, 89 and 91. Perhaps its different in other provinces though. I went from 87 to 89 and now 91 for the last two fillups at least. I understand things are different with our neighbours South of the border.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    SF Bay Area
    Posts
    86

    Default

    Down here in the states, I only put 91...and usually Chevron...in my 525 m50. Actually, the owner's manual calls for it. 209,000 miles and runs like a charm. 22 miles per gallon combined.
    Steve
    SF Bay Area
    1992 525i/5-spd, 250K mi
    17inch wheels

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    167

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BMWDriver View Post
    (Pre-VANOS M50)

    As a side note, here in Canada, we have three grades of octane fuel : 87, 89 and 91. Perhaps its different in other provinces though. I went from 87 to 89 and now 91 for the last two fillups at least. I understand things are different with our neighbours South of the border.
    Bloody hell. In the UK the lowest grade generally available petrol is 95 RON and the highest is 98:

    http://www.petrolprices.com/about-fuel.html

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    196

    Default

    Australia is 92 for standard and 95 for hi performance. There is a slight difference in performance, but its not enough to warrant the extra cost.
    ss2115.

    BMW 525i Touring - 1993 (current drive car).
    DS23 Citroen Safari - 1974 (restoration and modifications).
    Golf MkIII - 1997 (fun car and daughters learn-to-drive car)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
    Posts
    2,561

    Default

    My 95 specs 89 octane.
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    5,403

    Default

    All placebo - no knock sensors on a non vanos M50 so if you put trash fuel in it, it'll knock with no correction. If you add better fuel it'll just not knock - it won't add timing or anything to "better" performance. Additionally when you release your throttle pedal from a cruise you are in over-run and no fuel is being supplied to the engine at all.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Oldham, England
    Posts
    3,078

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sal_park View Post
    Bloody hell. In the UK the lowest grade generally available petrol is 95 RON and the highest is 98:

    http://www.petrolprices.com/about-fuel.html
    Spot on. Be nice if we could even compare like for like but your link suggests they pick any number of RON and put it on the pumps. Maybe why lots of you guys in the south go blown O2 sensors from that cheap stuff out of the dutch market a while ago?

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