[604subtlestylez]

I'm about to lease a 2011 328i E92 ZPP:

How important is it to follow break in procedure? Is it worthwhile for me to just get a car with 1500 kms on it so that way it has been broken in?

[e90m3_6MT]

I have a 328, it is minimum 91 like all bmw's but if you're in the middle of nowhere without gas and the pump only has 87 the car can run on it but it was really designed to run on 91 or better look inside your gas filler cap

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by 604subtlestylez

Also, since this is a 39-month lease, should I bother putting 91 octane? User Manual says that the 328i needs minimum 87.

If you really had to ask this question, maybe you should have leased that Hyundai instead...

[A2G]

i know ppl who put 87 octane in their 335i's a couple of times a month...since their car is leased, they dont care...i dont think its right, but hey not my decision

if the BMW user manual says u can use 87 octane in your 328i, then you can do it and BMW should not give you any trouble

[w2]

Why would you buy a high performance engine and then put fuel in it that won't allow it to perform as designed?

As I understand it, modern engine management systems are smart enough to detect premature detonation and adjust the engine timing accordingly, which means you aren't going to damage your high compression engine by running the occasional tank of 87 octane through it, though it may cause problems if you habitually do so. However, not only will this make the engine produce less power, but it will also run less efficiently, meaning you may save ten cents per liter at the pump, but you'll be pumping more liters. In the end, you don't save much if any money, you don't get the performance you paid for, and you run the risk of doing long term damage to your engine if you use less than the minimum 91 octane on a consistent basis.

Unless I'm missing something.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

Just follow the Owner's Manual.

+1

[604subtlestylez]

So in regards to break-in then, how critical is it? I heard that BMW's get broken in from factory. I'm not sure if this is true.

I just don't know if I can handle taking it easy when I get the car.

[DimSum]

Not really. The technology they use make our cars is much different from before. Our cars are somewhat pre-broken into.

[aleksl]

I use 89/90 octane in my 325i since I live at 3500ft ASL.

[Bimmer Al]

If you cannot afford 91 octane or break in the engine, please do not buy one. Seriously do the math. If you spend 10cents extra a litre that is $5-$6 bucks a tank. If you fill up once a week we are talking $250 year.

So you are willing to jeopardize a master piece of engineering for what most people spend on Starbucks? Sick!

[EVTee]

Originally Posted by w2

Why would you buy a high performance engine and then put fuel in it that won't allow it to perform as designed?

As I understand it, modern engine management systems are smart enough to detect premature detonation and adjust the engine timing accordingly, which means you aren't going to damage your high compression engine by running the occasional tank of 87 octane through it, though it may cause problems if you habitually do so. However, not only will this make the engine produce less power, but it will also run less efficiently, meaning you may save ten cents per liter at the pump, but you'll be pumping more liters. In the end, you don't save much if any money, you don't get the performance you paid for, and you run the risk of doing long term damage to your engine if you use less than the minimum 91 octane on a consistent basis.

Unless I'm missing something.

This.

I don't think the 328 will suffer as much from low octane fuel vs. turbo / supercharged car. That is you won't feel a significant difference in power under normal driving conditions.

I don't break in my cars, modern engines are throughly tested before they leave the factory, often running at high rpms for an extended period of time. If any damage was done, it would've already been done. Drive it like you stole it!

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Al

If you cannot afford 91 octane or break in the engine, please do not buy one. Seriously do the math. If you spend 10cents extra a litre that is $5-$6 bucks a tank. If you fill up once a week we are talking $250 year.

So you are willing to jeopardize a master piece of engineering for what most people spend on Starbucks? Sick!

+1. Not to mention that this question has been asked / discussed here about eight million times...

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by 604subtlestylez

I'm about to lease a 2011 328i E92 ZPP:

How important is it to follow break in procedure? Is it worthwhile for me to just get a car with 1500 kms on it so that way it has been broken in?

Those 1500 kms would be Demo kms and therefore pretty harsh. Break in is extremely important re-engine life expectancy. Same as changing your oil.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by EVTee

This.

I don't think the 328 will suffer as much from low octane fuel vs. turbo / supercharged car. That is you won't feel a significant difference in power under normal driving conditions.

I don't break in my cars, modern engines are throughly tested before they leave the factory, often running at high rpms for an extended period of time. If any damage was done, it would've already been done. Drive it like you stole it!

Very misguided. They are run at the factory at high speed to test. Why does a broken in engine run smoother and faster than a new one??