[Gecko123]

Brought the car to the dealer today and they found the issue is a bad coil on spark plug # 1.

I'm surprised a coil fails at such earlier stage. Is this pretty common for BMWs. I have had many cara in my lifetime but have never owned a BMW. Never heard of a coil fail after 49,000 km (30,000 miles). To me this is very low mileage.

[Gecko123]

Brought the car to the dealer today and they found the issue is a bad coil on spark plug # 1.

I'm surprised a coil fails at such earlier stage. Is this pretty common for BMWs. I have had many cara in my lifetime but have never owned a BMW. Never heard of a coil fail after 49,000 km (30,000 miles). To me this is very low mileage.

[Maranello455]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

To save money? What the fuck is wrong with people these days.....

Don't know about 328, but octane does matter in 335 and in M3.

Agree a 100%. I would not put that crap of fuel in my N54 for anything in the f.... cking world..........................

[ilicboris]

Originally Posted by Maranello455

Agree a 100%. I would not put that crap of fuel in my N54 for anything in the f.... cking world..........................

X2.

Why would you ever run 87 in a BMW when it specifically says 91?

[patents]

Originally Posted by ilicboris

X2.

Why would you ever run 87 in a BMW when it specifically says 91?

Where I live you can only get 87, 89, and 93.

Half a tank of 93 and half a tank of 89 gives you 91. You meet BMW's requirement and save a couple bucks.

Also a third of a tank of 87 and the rest 93 will get you 91.

Lower octane is not inferior in quality, it just has different combustion characteristics (burns "faster"). Mix it with slower burning higher octane and you can get a mixture of the appropriate combustion rate.

Of course mixing grades isn't that convenient, but it does save a small amount of money.

Also it's rare that burning gas with an octane rating in excess of the manufacturer's recommendation gives any benefit whatsoever. I can't speak for the N54, but my N52 won't run any differently on 91 (whether mixed or straight from the pump) than it would on 93.

And here's another secret: gas stations produce blends just like this. They will have only two tanks, regular 97 and premium 93, and if you get 89, it just blends from the two tanks as it's dispensed.

[John 070]

Once again, man wants a single number to determine goodness. Who cares what octane and predetonation actually mean.

93 > 91

Calif. doesn't have 93. So I guess they are scr*****.

The 2016 VW GTI says 87 on the fuel door, the 2015 says 91 premium, yet the car is unchanged from 2015 to 2016. That is a marketing move.

On a 335? 89 is the minimum as stated by the owner's manual. Does it benefit from 91? Yes. 93? flame on

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by patents

And here's another secret: gas stations produce blends just like this. They will have only two tanks, regular 87 and premium 93, and if you get 89, it just blends from the two tanks as it's dispensed.

that's true. Refineries do not make 89 octane fuel - they only make regular and premium.

I don't think any E90 is tuned from the factory for 93 octane. You would benefit from it with a tune, but the stock ignition maps are not maxed out at all. That's why they will run just fine on 87, even if performance isn't optimal. There are also more than one ignition map for different octane levels.

[patents]

Originally Posted by John 070

Once again, man wants a single number to determine goodness. Who cares what octane and predetonation actually mean.

93 > 91

Why is 93 better than 91? Because the number is higher? Because the marketing department at gas companies labels 93 as "premium"?

Yes, in some cars 93 is required or gives better performance. But not mine. Or most.

BTW I care what octane and predetonation mean. Because that's what defines the differences in grades of gas.

[hassmaschine]

I don't think half the people here even know the difference between detonation and knock.

[John 070]

It's the megapixel conundrum, everyone wants their $500 point and click 36 MP camera with a lens the size of a ball point pen. They wonder why that old dude is taking pics with his Nikon D2 that he got off of eBay for $250, and acting like he's a professional photographer and charging money for his services. It's because the D2 is a professional camera from 2007, and he is a professional.

somewhere along the line, Madison Ave. said, megapixel = goodness. The more, the better. They also forgot to tell everybody that only 6 MP is needed to blow a pic up to 8x10 (who does that anymore).

I use the extreme case of the VW GTI, where in 2015 the car needed premium, and today on the 2016, it needs regular. Same car. As in identical. Because the geniuses at VW realized, we got a problem already with TDIs, we need to drop the premium requirement to sell more cars.

[Cory S]

Almost all newer tech cars made now, that have knock sensing technology, will usually adapt to higher octane, and increase timing throughout the tank of fuel, giving a 10-20hp boost when using 91-93 octane.

ALL turbo/supercharged VW's do it, Fords do it, and I am sure BMW's do it also.

My girlfriends 2016 Jetta 1.8T makes 20hp more on 93, than it does on 87... adaptive strategies FTW....

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Cory S

Almost all newer tech cars made now, that have knock sensing technology, will usually adapt to higher octane, and increase timing throughout the tank of fuel, giving a 10-20hp boost when using 91-93 octane.

ALL turbo/supercharged VW's do it, Fords do it, and I am sure BMW's do it also.

My girlfriends 2016 Jetta 1.8T makes 20hp more on 93, than it does on 87... adaptive strategies FTW....

Mercedes Benz supported what you have said...they said they sell vehicles in almost every country in the world, some of which do not have premium, so their vehicles have to be usable in said countries.

It just irks me when teenagers say, "If you don't use 93 octane, you don't deserve a BMW." I guess nobody in Calif. deserves a BMW.

[Carlhuebner]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

To save money? What the fuck is wrong with people these days.....

Don't know about 328, but octane does matter in 335 and in M3.

My thoughts exactly. You can afford this car, but you can't afford the extra $0.10 a gallon to get 93 over 89? I would love to know what you know with all of those pennies you save

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Carlhuebner

My thoughts exactly. You can afford this car, but you can't afford the extra $0.10 a gallon to get 93 over 89? I would love to know what you know with all of those pennies you save

I look at your profile and it says you're in South Jersey. It's 10 cents more per gallon, huh? At what station? And you have 32 posts? What a laugh.

I personally use premium, and it's on avg. 50 cents more per gallon, sometimes 70.

I just don't get where people get off judging others' financial decisions.

Again, I have always used premium in my 335i, but I don't judge others who choose not to. I have used 87 over the entire life of my Nissan, when the gas door recommends premium. Have I gotten 205 ft. lbs. like what's advertised, as a result? No. But the car is now 18 y.o. and has over a quarter of a million miles. I saved up for the 335i with the money.

I will again mention the 2016 GTI, which says 87 on the fuel door. The 2015 says premium. The cars are identical, as in no changes from 2015-16.

[Carlhuebner]

Originally Posted by John 070

I look at your profile and it says you're in South Jersey. It's 10 cents more per gallon, huh? At what station? And you have 32 posts? What a laugh.

I personally use premium, and it's on avg. 50 cents more per gallon, sometimes 70.

I just don't get where people get off judging others' financial decisions.

Again, I have always used premium in my 335i, but I don't judge others who choose not to. I have used 87 over the entire life of my Nissan, when the gas door recommends premium. Have I gotten 205 ft. lbs. like what's advertised, as a result? No. But the car is now 18 y.o. and has over a quarter of a million miles. I saved up for the 335i with the money.

I will again mention the 2016 GTI, which says 87 on the fuel door. The 2015 says premium. The cars are identical, as in no changes from 2015-16.

The only thing i'm gaining from our post count difference is that you spend way more time on the computer than i do.

and the local Sunoco station by my house is $1.65 for 87, $1.77 for 89 and $1.89 for 93. My bad, it's $0.12 more per gallon compared to 89. Regardless, gas is so cheap these days compared to how it's been for the past 5 years, pinching pennies on gas hardly makes sense anymore. Sure, getting the cheap sht won't make a difference right away or even once in a while, but long term of constantly doing it will.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Carlhuebner

The only thing i'm gaining from our post count difference is that you spend way more time on the computer than i do.

and the local Sunoco station by my house is $1.65 for 87, $1.77 for 89 and $1.89 for 93. My bad, it's $0.12 more per gallon compared to 89. Regardless, gas is so cheap these days compared to how it's been for the past 5 years, pinching pennies on gas hardly makes sense anymore. Sure, getting the cheap sht won't make a difference right away or even once in a while, but long term of constantly doing it will.

I bet you are < 23 y.o. Judging people isn't going to get you that far in life, as you near 23, you'll begin to realize that everybody is different, and have different priorities. Congrats on your 40th post, and being such a know it all when it comes to 335s.

[Carlhuebner]

Originally Posted by John 070

I bet you are < 23 y.o. Judging people isn't going to get you that far in life, as you near 23, you'll begin to realize that everybody is different, and have different priorities. Congrats on your 40th post, and being such a know it all when it comes to 335s.

Well I hope you're not a betting man because you're wrong. I'm not judging anyone, just saying you're not going to get very far cheaping out on gas when it's already relatively inexpensive. Why risk any potential of long term damages, whether it is proven or not. If you're that concerned about the $2 per tank full that you're saving, you'll have much better luck saving money by cutting corners elsewhere like generic brands at the grocery store, quit smoking, or drink a couple less beers a week. I'm all about making my dollar count, buy gas is one thing I believe in spending a couple extra dollars on for the good stuff.

I've never seen someone get so sensitive over something that was not even directed at them or take so much pride in their meaningless post count. I hope that you are under 23, otherwise I'm sorry that post count means so much to you at an older age. good day sir

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by Cory S

Almost all newer tech cars made now, that have knock sensing technology, will usually adapt to higher octane, and increase timing throughout the tank of fuel, giving a 10-20hp boost when using 91-93 octane.

ALL turbo/supercharged VW's do it, Fords do it, and I am sure BMW's do it also.

My girlfriends 2016 Jetta 1.8T makes 20hp more on 93, than it does on 87... adaptive strategies FTW....

it actually works the opposite.

the default ignition maps are tuned for premium (not necessarily 93 octane or race fuel mind you). With knock adaptation and fuel quality detection algorithms, it reduces ignition andvance (and indirectly, power) for a lower octane fuel (assuming it's actually knocking/pinging).

So beyond what the stock "high octane" map is tuned for, you don't "gain" extra power by using it - you just give up some of that when you use a lower grade fuel. I doubt its 20hp either (unless you dynoed it, which again, I doubt). Stock ignition maps are not very aggressive, otherwise nobody would gain power with a tune on pump gas.

also, you're not going to cause any damage, long term or otherwise, by using something other than premium - even in a 335i. Personally, I use premium, but most people don't care enough to pay the difference. I'd like to see you try and convince my wife why she should pay 50 cents extra a gallon (it's definitely not 12 cents here) when she's probably never even seen redline on her car.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

it actually works the opposite.

the default ignition maps are tuned for premium (not necessarily 93 octane or race fuel mind you). With knock adaptation and fuel quality detection algorithms, it reduces ignition andvance (and indirectly, power) for a lower octane fuel (assuming it's actually knocking/pinging).

So beyond what the stock "high octane" map is tuned for, you don't "gain" extra power by using it - you just give up some of that when you use a lower grade fuel. I doubt its 20hp either (unless you dynoed it, which again, I doubt). Stock ignition maps are not very aggressive, otherwise nobody would gain power with a tune on pump gas.

exactly what VW demonstrates with the 2016 GTI. If you want the numbers on the website or in the manual, you'd need to use 91. But the fuel door states regular 87. It's amazing that people read into the facts, to even insinuate whether a person deserves to drive a BMW. Then again, ain't ignore lists pretty good? Block would be even better.

[shuaige]

Originally Posted by walmark

I've seen this list before, it's pretty outdated (half of San Jose locations are permanently closed). Also, it focuses on race gas (100+ octane) for $$$, not simple and affordable 93 premium.
But thanks!! It's still valuable list

I don't think anyone even close to the Bay Area sells 93. There's a 76 not on the list in Saratoga that also sells 100 octane. Other than that, I think the Redwood City location is the other pump option, unless you want E85.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I don't think half the people here even know the difference between detonation and knock.

half the people here wouldn't know the significance of 5252 rpm. Used to be nobody left HS without knowing it.

[Carlhuebner]

Originally Posted by John 070

half the people here wouldn't know the significance of 5252 rpm. Used to be nobody left HS without knowing it.

come on, even my uninformed self with a low post count knows that