[Traveling1]

I know the 335i recommends top tier gas if possible. Would that also apply to a 2007 328i?
Tom

[onebadmofo]

Nope, you can put whatever you want in it. There are no benefits of running premium in 328. 335 needs it because it's high-compression turbocharged engine.

PS - be ready for the crowd that'll be screaming "I only put race fuel in my 328".

[Delta0311]

You don't need top tier but be ready to hear engine knock from low grade gas. Also if you are using a tune or a PBX then high grade gas is recommended for better performance. I also noticed I get better gas milage from V-Power and Sunoco 93.

If you're running a stock 328 then mid-level gas is all you need.

[gunnerxq]

Every Bmw should get top tier gas. I notice a difference in my car. My car can't idle right on sunnoco gas but lasts the longest. Bp gas burns too fast. The best performance for my car is Shell, Mobil, and Exon. But I think Mobile and Exon are a little better then Shell. Just my two cents.

[Bakeneko]

The N52 has a compression ratio of 10.7:1. At that range, premium (93) should be used to avoid knocking. The 328 manual also states premium as the recommended grade. Not sure why you'd want to diverge from that.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Nothing but Shell V-power from the start.
Car still runs smooth and strong as day one.
Listen to all of the loaners on the lots, and how crappy they
sound and run. I have had dealerships openly admit to throwing
shit grade 87 gas in them. To think they might be CPO one day
*shudder*.
Shell V-power FTW!

[rbocc13]

in my bmw only put premium but got it CPO so who knows what the previous owner did. In my 08 A4 i had... i put regular in it for the whole lease (3 years) no knocking no errors nothing wrong.

[pjm]

Originally Posted by onebadmofo

Nope, you can put whatever you want in it. There are no benefits of running premium in 328. 335 needs it because it's high-compression turbocharged engine.

PS - be ready for the crowd that'll be screaming "I only put race fuel in my 328".

Yeah, BMW recommends premium in that car just fo the hell of it.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

You can do one of two things, put the gas in, premium, that the guys who designed & built the motor tell you too use. Or you can listen to some clueless poster who is saving chump change at the pump while reducing his gas mileage when the computer cuts back the ignition timing to compensate for the 87 octane. Of course the knock sensor will not cut back the timing till the car knocks & knock beats the crap out of the motors internals.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

You can do one of two things, put the gas in, premium, that the guys who designed & built the motor tell you too use. Or you can listen to some clueless poster who is saving chump change at the pump while reducing his gas mileage when the computer cuts back the ignition timing to compensate for the 87 octane. Of course the knock sensor will not cut back the timing till the car knocks & knock beats the crap out of the motors internals.

God damn!!! Love this post, you just murdered that argument.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Bear knocks it outta da PARK son!

[electro-house]

335i needs 91 or better, I wouldn't use 87 octane in a 328i, but 89 would be sufficient.

[Lebo932]

I'm pretty sure on my 328 it says on the gas door or the cap to use minimum 91 octane? I've tried all grades and i think that 92+ definatly gives smoother acceleration and better milage. I've been using nothing but V-Power for about a year now and if for some reason they dont have it and i'm left with no choice but to get midgrade, my car always feels sluggish and doesnt run as smoothly, plus it drinks it up faster. I'm sure there isnt much of a difference (probably in my head more) and i dont think it would hurt the engine, its just a matter of personal prefference.

[Nalod]

328 manual says premium.

Why a 335 user would say otherwise?

Oh, I get it!

[Michael Schott]

There's a ton of misinformation in this thread.

1) BMW recommends 91 octane for the 2007 328i in the owners manual. They recommend Top Tier but that's due to the additives not the octane. The minimum they recommend is 87 and they say: "If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat- ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life." Pay attention to the part where it says "no effect on engine life".

2) It will do nothing for you to use anything over 91 in a 328i. The engine management system is designed to make maximum power with 91 octane. If you use lower octane the engine may knock causing the computer to retard the timing causing a minimal loss of power and fuel economy.

In Michigan, where I live, we usually can get 87, 89 and 93 octane fuel. I generally fill up with 93 octane as 89 is below BMW's recommendation.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

There's a ton of misinformation in this thread.

1) BMW recommends 91 octane for the 2007 328i in the owners manual. They recommend Top Tier but that's due to the additives not the octane. The minimum they recommend is 87 and they say: "If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat- ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life." Pay attention to the part where it says "no effect on engine life".

2) It will do nothing for you to use anything over 91 in a 328i. The engine management system is designed to make maximum power with 91 octane. If you use lower octane the engine may knock causing the computer to retard the timing causing a minimal loss of power and fuel economy.

In Michigan, where I live, we usually can get 87, 89 and 93 octane fuel. I generally fill up with 93 octane as 89 is below BMW's recommendation.

Agreed. I've been using "off brand" 93 octane in my last 3 NA 6 BMWs for a decade with no problems whatsoever. One advantage is that these stations have a much higher turnover than the "majors" so there is less chance of stale gas, and the other is the cost savings of 20 to 50 cents per gallon.

Tom

[AddictedToBavarian]

Originally Posted by Bargamon

328 manual says premium.

Why a 335 user would say otherwise?

Oh, I get it!

Why? Because our cars are hoopties if they are not 335s. Don't even put gas put water it's only a 328. Trolls...

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by 328xi0wner

Why? Because our cars are hoopties if they are not 335s. Don't even put gas put water it's only a 328. Trolls...

LMAO..

Althoug if that was the case and the 328 could run on water, it would be the greatest car to ever leave the production line.

[CamelBiscuit]

I remember when I bought a 2001 Honda prelude brand new and it said put the high octane in it. That shit got old at the 50,000 mile mark and now I put the lowest Shasta gas I can find in it. Over 100,000 miles and the thing works like a champ!

[eppisgood]

I'd be stoked if I could get 93 octane out here, stuck with the 91. A few locations sell racing fuel/100 octane stuff but at over $7/gallon I'll pass unless I am going to the track. I used to do a 91 & 100 octane mix before I'd go out on for a canyon run.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

For what its worth by 330Ci says 91 minimum on the gas door & I would not but 89 in it.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by eppisgood

I'd be stoked if I could get 93 octane out here, stuck with the 91. A few locations sell racing fuel/100 octane stuff but at over $7/gallon I'll pass unless I am going to the track. I used to do a 91 & 100 octane mix before I'd go out on for a canyon run.

We have 93 as standard premium in Carolina I usually mix in 4 gallons or so of 100 ($7.25) to bring it up to 95 octane. Seems to work very well, pulled down 365whp pure stock with a JB4 on Map2.