[323d]

I drive a 2007 323i sedan (6 cyl engine, the 200hp spec model)

Since this is my first BMW i asked the dealer if i should be using at least 91 premium gas on the car.. he told me is not required for my model as it is a 6cyl non-turbo one and does not require such a high octane.. I believed him and drove home.. 2 weeks later, i went to a gas station and the gas attendent filled up 3/4 of my tank with 87 regular gas... Afterwards, i noticed a up and down rev during cold start ups in the morning for a minute before it goes away..

I doubled checked my manual just to see if it was the fuel problem.. it said "The minimum AKI rating is 323i: 87 ... so i was like OK, maybe is something to do with the cold weather... I even called the dealer and they said its normal for the egine to rev up and down during the morning cold start...


But today, i was at a self serve gas station and i popped open the gas lid..to my suprise it says "use 91 premium gas"... ......... Now i am worried that i have done damage to the engine..... So my question is,, am i screwed? If the dealer did add 87 to my tank before, then i have drove for 600KM (around 500miles) with 87 regular fuel... is thsi really bad on my engine? OR is it just a wrong sticker on my gas lid

[firefox360]

I think the proper octane level, even for the 323i, would be 91 premium. However, I don't think you've done any damage at this point to the engine. The ECU would have retarded the timings inorder to prevent any damage. My advice would be to fill it up with 91 the next time you have to gas up, and check a few days later see if the revs jump up and down afterwards.

The recommendation in the manual is 87 because that's the minimum that the engine can run on, but it's not the recommended level for the engine to run on. It's best to use 91, unless you happen to encounter a situation where you need gas and 87 is the only avaliable.

[323d]

ah i c.. thanks..

haha i was so worried i quickly filled my gas tank with 94 premium just cause i wanted to "mix" the 87 fuel to make the octane higher.. *i know is stupid, but i was all worried haha*


So the ECU should automatically retune the engine after i put the 91 octane gas? or would it take months ? Cause when i had my civic, it would take almost 3 months for the ECU to retune to the new air intake + fuel

[firefox360]

I believe the ECU should automatically adjust itself immediately once it detects the changes. I can't see it taking months or even weeks for that matter.

[Kev]

You did the right thing. Actually, if you look in the manual, it will tell you what octane to use and what you should do in case you put in the wrong gas.

[Michael Schott]

Here's what the 2008 e90 manual says:

Paraphrasing, "Recommended fuel for all US models is 91 octane. Minimum for the 323 and 328 is 87 octane. It also says that the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on engine life. Do not use any gasoline below the specified minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the engine could be damaged."

BMW also recommends high quality brands. Your problem is probably gasoline quality and not octane rating.

Thanks, Mike.

[Excellence]

Hey, you should put premium gas in your bmw only. Oh and 323d, use some of this for the next time you fill up your car.

You can buy this at Canadian tire. Motomaster Fuel Injector Cleaner.
This should clean out your crappy/dirty 87 gas in your engine.
I use this once every month, and my car's engine seems to run smoother and healthier.

[Last E92 M3]

...engine could be damaged...
not a bimmer but i am putting 87 for a car that requries 91 minimum and runs strong lol
it's daily and i dont give a crap btw
100k atm.

[NaTuReB0Y]

don't panic......

what would you do if you live in South Dakota where there is no 91 octane?

[just4kickz]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

don't panic......

what would you do if you live in South Dakota where there is no 91 octane?

if you can make moonshine you can make oil!

[323d]

Thanks for the advice guys. now i feel a bit less worried...

and i don't really trust those fuel additives stuff. i'd use those stuff on like a old 1.6L civic engine, but not on a new bmw

[Excellence]

Originally Posted by 323d

Thanks for the advice guys. now i feel a bit less worried...

and i don't really trust those fuel additives stuff. i'd use those stuff on like a old 1.6L civic engine, but not on a new bmw

It's fuel injector cleaner, trust me it won't ruin your bmw. The Motocraft one is a very low low based type of fuel injector cleaner. It said said to be used once every time you fill up your car. But I use this motocraft one for once a month. The other type of fuel injector cleaner that is stronger is for once every 3 months, which is NOT the one I showed you.

trust me, if the gas is really dirty in your area its good to have clean fuel injectors than to have clogged/dirty ones.

[de.abeja]

My neighbor is too cheap to put premium in his BMW's. He has been running 87 in every car since the 80's. It really only cuts the power by pulling out timing, nothing else.

[Last E92 M3]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

don't panic......

what would you do if you live in South Dakota where there is no 91 octane?

you serious? pretty hard to believe!

[NaTuReB0Y]

Originally Posted by Last E92 M3

you serious? pretty hard to believe!

yeah......I traveled across 15 states last summer......

and some states only have up to 89.......and some have up to 93......

we only get up 91 octane in california...........

[Kev]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

yeah......I traveled across 15 states last summer......

and some states only have up to 89.......and some have up to 93......

we only get up 91 octane in california...........

Just carry a bottle of Toluene in the trunk when you travel