New M3 and fuel question

[Greogry]

Hi, I am moving from a Porsche 997 to a new M3 in a few weeks. I have always used Shell V Power in the Porsche, should I continue to do so in the M3 or is ordinary unleaded ok? Thanks.

[Lostprophet]

Why the change?

[Greogry]

Three children and a wife! To be honest the prices of the new 991 are just ridiculous. The M3 is simply more practical and is quick enough for me. Got what, I think was a good deal and I even got 50% off the service package for the M3.

[M3Charlie]

I have always run BP ultimate in mine, used normal for a very short while but the car does seem a lot better and is designed to run on the higher octane.

[Jarrod]

The manual recommends 98 ron as standard although I understand Tesco 99 is slightly better based on various tests. Personally wouldnt give it 95.

[healntoe]

What's the range per tank on these - based on Bmw's figures they quote 23-25mpg combined which works out to around 305miles to the tank. It would be interesting to know from current owners what sort of range is "normaly" acheived....

[M3Charlie]

324 as an average

[griff7]

Inside the fuel cap it says 95-98ron so anything between these should be fine.mine gets a mixture but tesco 99 is my 1st choice.

[ant man]

As per the manual and fuel filler, between 95-98 can be used. 98 is recommended and 95 leads to a decrease in performance.

Evolve have extensively tested Vpower (99 ron) and it provides 10bhp more than regular unleaded (95 ron)

I only use Vpower and thoroughly recommend it. I average 22.7mpg and use the car's performance.

[MattOz]

I normally get just over 350 from the tank and that's filling up when it isn't bone dry, so putting 55-58 litres in. This is mainly because I don't do much town driving. OBC currently says I'm averaging 28.7mpg. Worked out properly it's just shy of 28mpg.

[Greogry]

Thank you for all your replies. Back to Shell V Power it will be, I cannot fault it with the 997 so the M3 will have the same treatment.

[croyde]

MattOz said:

I normally get just over 350 from the tank and that's filling up when it isn't bone dry, so putting 55-58 litres in. This is mainly because I don't do much town driving. OBC currently says I'm averaging 28.7mpg. Worked out properly it's just shy of 28mpg.

Bloomin! hell, my 1997 323i does 17 round city and 25 on a run so getting an E92 M3 sounds like a cost cutting idea.

[Greogry]

Another thought, I have had a tracker in the 997, do any of you have one in an M3 and if so what would you recommend?

[M3Charlie]

Tracker Monitor on my E36 M3 and BMW Trackstar on my E92 V8. The Trackstar dropped my insurance with Admiral by nearly £300!!!

[AOK]

Greogry said:

Another thought, I have had a tracker in the 997, do any of you have one in an M3 and if so what would you recommend?

Only if it makes a sizeable difference to your insurance. My reasoning:

Trackstar, fitted (with 30 days free subscription) = £400
3 years subscription at approx £80pa = £240
Total spent on trackering after 3 years = £640

IF the car is stolen, the tracker actually works and the coppers find the car (i.e. not put in a container / tracker disimmobilised etc).. you're pride and joy is back on your drive, and the pay-out cheque from your insurer is cancelled. Apart from its not your pride and joy anymore: it has a scuffed bumper, one of the mirrors is hanging off, 3 of the alloys are curbed, the interior stinks of pot and you need to spend £500 having new keys programmed. (the thief's will still have the old ones in their pockets so you can't just get duplicates, otherwise they come back to your house and drive their car away again)

OR... for about the same money (£640), and respectable dealer will sell you an AXA administered 3 year GAP policy. These have a phenomenal success rate: You pray your car isn't found (especially as it doesn't have that damn tracker) and you get enough money back to get another nice new shiny one. AND you're covered should an uninsured 16 year old under the influence crash into you in his Dad's untaxed Astra. Cos the tracker won't help you if the latter happens.

Hope that helps

[waremark]

Different answer from me. For a long time I generally used VPower/Ultimate/Tesco99. Then when I had to use ordinary stuff I decided that I could not tell the difference subjectively in either performance or consumption. Now I use 95 all the time, except when expecting a particularly sporty drive. I still don't actually notice the difference subjectively.

My average is about 22 - it varies greatly depending on the type of driving, about 16 with the sort of use for which I would put in VPower, high twenties for a long journey at nearly legal speeds.

[Zero7]

V-Power for me too, Matt must be running his on just one bank of cylindrs to get 28mpg ;-), I get 20.7, but mostly A roads, on a m-way run I've seen 24 max.

[Greogry]

Thanks for all your comments,V Power it will be. As for the tracker, think I will give it a miss - I have taken out GAP insurance so if the car was to be nicked I would prefer it not to be found as it would have been thrashed and damaged no doubt.
Ten days to wait for delivery and then the frustating running in period, before being able to give it some.

[R1_NUR]

17.1 mpg here.

[x5x3]

95 here for me (getting around 21mpg), 95 is free, 98 is not, so easy decision really!