Does an E46 require premium fuel?

[Soldo]

I love this topic.

There is NO POINT in putting in a higher grade of gas in a car that doesn't require it. Your car won't get MORE power, it won't get BETTER mileage, you just pay an extra premium for nothing.

The purpose for higher octane is to prevent pinging. If the car is meant for 89, and you put in 94, it'll just be more resistant to pinging, but with modern cars, like the E46's which have knock sensors, it's not really an issue. I believe the 330's do require 91, so in an engine like that, i would say go with what is required.

If it's not in the manual (which i remember being the case with a 323i i had) then stick to 89 and save yourself a few bucks everytime you fill up cause the costs are just getting crazy! It's funny seeing you guys laugh about using cheap gas, and it's the price you pay for driving a BMW. If the car doesn't require it, the joke is on those that put more than required!

[j0nblayz]

330's do require 91.. i usually put 94 though

[S.A.330iM]

Putting ing low grade fuel than is recomended will cause the engine to retard the timming to avoid detonation in high copres engine, Wich means less power.
I put 91 shell in mine. Should i switch to 94ultra, is it worth the extra money? I read somewhere that the E46 does worse with ultra.

[j0nblayz]

i never use shell, for some reason shell also screws up my fuel lever sensor on my x5, i always use mohawk or husky in my x5 and same as my 330ci.

[automadness]

i know that my 01 330 say 91 min in the manual i also heard people got less mileage with 94

[bimmerjoe]

i noticed when i had my e46 that when i did put the 87oct i felt a huge lag in acceleration.. if you need to hit up the cheap route once and a while do 89 minimum and thats still hurting the car, but once and a while isnt bad

[Airbalancer]

on 2000 323 CIC the gas door label reads, 91 recommend, 87 minimum