Which fuel in E46 M3

[roygarth]

Can't remember if it runs on 'regular' or higher octane like V Power? Too many cars ..lol

[Vixpy1]

99 or 97, they will run on 95 but they don't like it

[roygarth]

Vixpy1 said:

99 or 97, they will run on 95 but they don't like it

Thanks. What threw me is that I'm pretty sure the sticker under fuel cap says 95-98, but I was sure I'd heard 95 wasn't a good idea.

[Jim1556]

It's a £40k sports car, with a highly strung engine, designed to run on high octane fuel - why would you put anything else in?

IT will take supermarket ste in an emergency, but it won't run as good.

Get some Shell V Power in, and go for a good blast!

[ds666]

V power - I just had my racer set up on the dyno of an bloke who would buy anything but v power ....
And Tesco sell 99 Octane - is that rubbish just because it is a supermarket ? Do you buy your food at supermarkets or is that rubbish too...

[Jim1556]

I thought it was obvious I meant the 95 stuff at supermarkets...

I've had bad experience of that before - never had a problem with Shell, and the V Power DOES make a positive difference (again in my experience)...

Not sure why your mate doesn't like it (don't racecars use race fuel?)?

[Panthro]

I've had 3 E46's and have run them on either Tesco 99 or Shell V Power. Run fine on either, but it doesn't run well on any 95.

[Sea Demon]

Jim1556 said:

I thought it was obvious I meant the 95 stuff at supermarkets...

I've had bad experience of that before - never had a problem with Shell, and the V Power DOES make a positive difference (again in my experience)...

Not sure why your mate doesn't like it (don't racecars use race fuel?)?

Unless engine is something special or the regulations allow it, most race cars use pump fuel.

[andyman_2006]

Panthro said:

I've had 3 E46's and have run them on either Tesco 99 or Shell V Power. Run fine on either, but it doesn't run well on any 95.

---

Prefer to use 99 Tesco in mine, cheaper than V-power (just as good) Esso 97 and BP ultimate seemed very little better than 95 normal, and it does run on 95 to be fair, just not as sharp or keen.

Andy

[Baz Tench]

I've run mine on Tesco momentum 99 for the majority of my ownership, but recently put some V Power in it.

I've noticed a slight improvement in mid-range performance and better fuel economy with the V Power. My nearest Shell garage is about ten miles away, but I think it's worth the trip from now on.

Edited by Baz Tench on Saturday 14th May 10:00

[E30M3SE]

ds666 said:

V power - I just had my racer set up on the dyno of an bloke who would buy anything but v power ....

Did he go on to explain why?

[Patrick Bateman]

E30M3SE said:

Did he go on to explain why?

I'm always curious as to why some people insist on only using certain brands of super unleaded. I bet you could set up a blind test and show it as a placebo in the vast majority of cases.

[ds666]

E30M3SE said:

Did he go on to explain why?

He did but I can't recall what he said .His preference for racing was Sunnoco , 99 octane , which doesn't go off over time .

Fuel preferences are a bit like an "ATB " knob on your hifi - this is a adjustable dial that is actually not connected to anything but people adjust it perceiving subtle differences in sound quality , sit back and think " A That's Better " .......

[48Valves]

Tesco momentum for me. Partly because that's the nearest petrol station. The other near me is BP but their ultimate is bloody expensive and the car doesn't seem to like it as much.

[Exige77]

Testo momentum 99 for me.

Occasional tank of Optimax if i am about.

Very happy to use Tesco 99

[Jim1556]

Patrick Bateman said:

I'm always curious as to why some people insist on only using certain brands of super unleaded. I bet you could set up a blind test and show it as a placebo in the vast majority of cases.

Fifth Gear did a test, different fuel doesn't matter so much on low powered cars, but a marked difference to be had on a high performance engine/car...

It's from a few years ago...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQghB4asSnI

[Patrick Bateman]

Jim1556 said:

Fifth Gear did a test, different fuel doesn't matter so much on low powered cars, but a marked difference to be had on a high performance engine/car...

It's from a few years ago...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQghB4asSnI

I'm meaning the difference, or lack thereof, between different super unleaded only.

[Jim1556]

Patrick Bateman said:

I'm meaning the difference, or lack thereof, between different super unleaded only.

The video does show a difference between Shell & BP (though only small).

Personally, wherever I've hunted for fuel, BP has ALWAYS been more expensive than Shell (even if they're within a mile of each other), for that reason, I only use Shell unless in an emergency (I plan it wrong)...

[Patrick Bateman]

Jim1556 said:

The video does show a difference between Shell & BP (though only small).

Personally, wherever I've hunted for fuel, BP has ALWAYS been more expensive than Shell (even if they're within a mile of each other), for that reason, I only use Shell unless in an emergency (I plan it wrong)...

I don't doubt there can be small differences, what I struggle to believe is that anyone could actually notice something like a 2bhp difference.

[roygarth]

Patrick Bateman said:

Jim1556 said:

The video does show a difference between Shell & BP (though only small).

Personally, wherever I've hunted for fuel, BP has ALWAYS been more expensive than Shell (even if they're within a mile of each other), for that reason, I only use Shell unless in an emergency (I plan it wrong)...

I don't doubt there can be small differences, what I struggle to believe is that anyone could actually notice something like a 2bhp difference.

There would appear to be some absolute driving gods on this forum - 'Midrange better on Esso, acceleration better on Shell, more responsive on Tesco' etc.