M3 E46 fuel

[wrighty1111]

Is super unleaded a must.

[Frik]

It's a high performance engine. Give it the proper food.

Why would you not?

[macca]

I ran mine for 3 years on 95 RON without any problems

[stewie732]

Ofcourse it is not essential but it is certainly recommended!

[Ayrton4ever]

In my humble view you will not have a problem with lower octane fuel since the ECU adjusts the ignition timing taking into account the fuel (anti knock properties). So the higher the octane the more 'aggressive' the ignition curve and the lower the opposite.

so in my view the only (!) benefit of high octane fuel is higher power output (since the ECU will allow a more aggressive ingnition timing curve)

sorry if this sounds too technical!

[Vixpy1]

They will run fineon 95, but you will be down on power and mpg.

Its a 100bhp/litre car, in a very high state of tune, It deserves proper fuel.

[ian in lancs]

i get about 2-3mpg more using SPUL than UL

[Adom]

I've never noticed any tangible difference - mine make do with poverty fuel i'm afraid.

[Deutscher]

Nearly always use the cooking variety. Whenever I treat her to some fine wine she fails to notice the difference.

[LittleBro]

I usually put in super unless I'm doing a long motorway run. I've not noticed it as much on my current car but previously on my E39 M5, there was noticable pinking if I used normal UL.