BMW recommends Shell gas, but it's more expensive than other brands

[irishbimmer]

So, what is Sunoco 260? Do they even sell that anymore?

[DmonBoyz]

just go to costco

[Wolfus Aurelius]

I have an Exxon card, and I get .06/gallon off, so I've been sticking with them. However, Shell used to have E0, no ethanol, in its premium or V-Power. Does it still? If so it might be worth it to try a tank.

[DanG]

All gas stations in western Washington have ethanol.

[Z K]

I don't get the anti ethanol thing.. ethanol increases octane and cleans the fuel system. There should be no problems running it on any modern car.

I run e85 on my tuned turbocharged car and it makes 100 more hp over 91 octane gas because e85 is 104 octane.

[infinitekidM2C]

i just filled up with shell and OMG!!! it's like a new car

jk

[DanG]

Originally Posted by bobdavisnpf

I'm using this one:
Grange Co-Op
145 Ne Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, WA; 425-392-6469; ethanol-free CENEX 87 89 92

Might also use this one:
Snohomish Co-Op
168 Lincoln Ave, Snohomish, WA; 360-568-2104; ethanol-free UNBRANDED 87 92

This one's a maybe for me:
North Lake Marina
6201 Ne 175th St, Kenmore, WA; 425-482-9465; ethanol-free UNBRANDED 87 9

Bremerton's got one:
Pacific Pride
400 Wilkes Ave, Bremerton, WA; ethanol-free PACIFIC PRIDE 87 92

Grange in Issaquah is the only one I've confirmed so far. All came from this site and map:
https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/...p?statecode=WA

Pretty sure the ethanol-free 92 has added 2 mpg, 3 hp, 4 mph, and 5 IQ for me... ymmv

Thanks for the update. I haven't seen anything on this side of the lake.

[floridaorange]

FWIW after I went stage 2 I filled up with a half tank of 100 octane from sunco. Throttle response seemed a bit lagging in general but I wasn't sure...until... I filled up today with 93 from shell and throttle response was noticeably better. Assuming the bm3 tune prefers 93, or shell is just good fuel, who knows, but I am sure there was a difference. May the jokes commence.

[GenXer]

I get 5 cents off per gallon every time I fill up with Shell and it's 20-30 cents more than Pilot or 7-11 in my area. $3 - $4.50 more is not a big deal.

I think I pay more than that a month to have people spray poison on my lawn.

[808F90]

Originally Posted by Jekyllmd

Correct me if I'm wrong here but if you can afford a BMW then the 7.00 difference on a fill up shouldn't matter.

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Typically, every gasoline company takes its refined gasoline from the same tank. The difference is in the additives that are added.

Any top tier gasoline should be fine but I would definitely only use top tier gasoline. This includes both Shell and Costco.

I pay almost $6 a gollon in Hawaii. Ugh.

[Car-Addicted]

I use Sunoco 93 octane ethanol-free (called recreational fuel)

[FrankMstein]

I recommend Shell fuel. I recommend the app and get $.5 to $.35 off. Shell is the poop. Check out https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

[1209582]

been using arco for the low prices and noticed no negative side effects. just sketchy to go there.

[mcsquared]

Funny to come across this thread. Both Shell and Costco gas are considered top tier gasolines, and I have both stations close, luckily. I’ll specifically seek out Shell when driving long distances. I’m torn on which (Costco or Shell) to go with for the g80. I’ll read through the thread, as I’m sure either is fine…but, sometimes, it seems Shell is better.

[KevinC]

Costco gas is fine. Use anything that’s on the Top Tier list.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Costco gas is fine. Use anything that’s on the Top Tier list.

I agree. Any top tier gas is fine

[hhkb]

Originally Posted by 808M2Comp

I pay almost $6 a gollon in Hawaii. Ugh.

Just reviving 3 year old threads 🤣

[Rob_G77]

BMW recommended Shell because their premium fuel was ethanol free. From what I've read, all 91 premium in Canada now contains up to 10% ethanol.

At least where I am, I don't think ethanol free gas exists any more. I looked on Esso and Shell websites and there is no mention of any fuel being ethanol free. I know Shell used to be advertsided as ethanol free, but not now.


Rob

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by hhkb

Just reviving 3 year old threads 🤣

You're stuck in 2022...

[jkoral]

BMW's Top Tier gas TSB: https://www.tsbsearch.com/BMW/SI-B13-02-06

[pbonsalb]

I have been using almost entirely Mobil gas. Maybe it is junk now but I have had no fuel related issues in 200k of driving various BMW on Mobil 93 over the past 10+ years.

[MarkOK]

Around here, I am pretty sure Shell has ethanol in all of their fuels (at least the pump says so), and they are the grossest, most run down, least used fuel stations in poor neighborhoods. Other companies around me have top-tier ethanol free premium gas, and that is what I use. I stick with the busiest stations in the nicest parts of town which will more likely have fresher gas.

I avoid ethanol blends -- it has a high octane but is also corrosive. I drove a Toyota for 16 years on nothing but E10 gas (not even toptier gas for 10 years, as I lived in places where it was hard to find). Despite being on top of maintenance (and being a toyota engine), it has developed corrosion issues to contend with. Paying a little extra in gas is worth it, imo.