» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | 03-03-2007, 08:34 PM | #1 | Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 33 | What octane gas should I use I want to know what octane gas to use. I've been using 87, since that's what I used in my '00 Neon, but I'm not sure if that'll be good for my '96 318ti | | | 03-03-2007, 08:36 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 585 | It says on the inside of the fuel door to use 89 octane and up. I wouldn't run anything under what BMW says is their lowest requirement __________________ | | | 03-03-2007, 08:49 PM | #3 | Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 33 | Ok I have another question. Since I bought this car from an auction, I took it to a BMW mechanic and asked to check to see if it needed a tune-up, and I told him that the check engine light comes on and off. He put it on the diagnostic machine and it came up with: hot film/ AMM temper sensor. He said that he didn't think anything needed to be done now, just bring it back if the light came on again. And he didn't do a tune-up, should I have one done anyway since I have no history for the car? | | | 03-03-2007, 09:47 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Port St. Johns, Florida Posts: 2,242 | I've been running 89 with no problems..recently went to 93(2.70gal), but the car idles better and doesn't choke at long idles with the 93. | | | 03-03-2007, 11:40 PM | #5 | That's not Millpoint Blue Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: BNA Posts: 3,161 | Quote: Originally Posted by phillynative70 he didn't do a tune-up, should I have one done anyway since I have no history for the car? | I'd suggest that you first focus on changing fluids, filters, etc. so that you can create a maintenance schedule. Once you've done all that, perhaps a full tune-up, but I can't think of a reason to do a tune-up unless the car isn't running well. JMJ __________________ Real men know how to SEARCH! THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics." | | | 03-04-2007, 06:04 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Halethorpe, MD Posts: 1,028 | +1 to roadrash's post. I'm assuming you just got the car. Do you have any maintenance records? If not I'd suggesting using the factory maintenance schedule that's in the book (if you have it). New oil/oil filter, coolant, brake fluid, air filter, etc. If you're really ambitious you could change the differential oil, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. I'd throw a bottle of good fuel system cleaner in there too. Redline or Techron seem to be the most poplular. For the octane I would also recommend using at least 89. My '98 seems to run better on premium, especially when it's the weather is hot but that could be my imagination. I did see a report that the most common problem gas station inspectors find is that the octane is lower than it's supposed to be. Since mid-grade is 89 and BMW says that's the minimum I figure I'm a little safer with premium (93 where I live). | | | 03-04-2007, 06:55 PM | #7 | Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 33 | Yes I just got the car on Feb 15th from an auction. and I don't have any maintenance records on the sticker in the window that shows when the oil change was done. Other than the car running a little hot, which some of the site supporters and members told me that it is the temp sensor not having the fan come on, and my brother has been "burping" it; it's idleing a little low. I just want to do what I have to to maintain this car. This is the first time that I actually had a "nice" car. But if you can give any suggestions I'd fully appreciate it. | | | 03-04-2007, 07:03 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 1,299 | my only suggestion is to keep posting your promblems and questions on this site and getting help to fix those promblems that will end with your car running alot better. I also think it is a good idea to go ahead and change fluids and filters. maybe just clean the air filter since replacing them can be expensive if u get a good filter like AFE or K&N. The idle promblem could be due to a vacum leak somewhere. u may want to check into that. just try to find a place where there may be a hole or even a hose completely dislocated. and a big plus is to POST PICS!! this helps put alot. plus we like to see differant Ti's __________________ custom dual exhaust,M3 front and rear bumper, 10.4 inch roof mount drop screen, Viper alarm system, DSII's rims, M3 Vader Seats, M3 Mirrors, Carbon Fiber CAI, Smoked Corners, Side Markers, Leatherz armrests, black grilles 225k miles and still the Ti goes on | | | 03-04-2007, 07:20 PM | #9 | Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 33 | Do I have to go to a BMW dealer for the fuel system cleaner and the air filters, or can I go to Pepboys etc......... | | | 03-04-2007, 07:30 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 1,299 | You can go to Pepboy's, Autozone, O' Reiley's, and other places like that. Just make sure you get the right size filters and right fluids. __________________ custom dual exhaust,M3 front and rear bumper, 10.4 inch roof mount drop screen, Viper alarm system, DSII's rims, M3 Vader Seats, M3 Mirrors, Carbon Fiber CAI, Smoked Corners, Side Markers, Leatherz armrests, black grilles 225k miles and still the Ti goes on | | | 03-04-2007, 08:03 PM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,224 | The manual says to run 91. I do that with a 60:40 mix of 93 to 87. | | | 03-04-2007, 09:22 PM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 2,440 | Mine says 91 too. I just run straight 93. It's only slightly more expensive and I find that I get a 1-2 hp rating higher when I use my G-timer in the same location. | | | 03-04-2007, 11:04 PM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | If you've got no records, start with an Inspection II. 89 is fine. Just go to gas stations that do high-volume sales. 93 works too, but I've found no appreciable change. __________________ I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | 03-05-2007, 01:12 PM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Halethorpe, MD Posts: 1,028 | Stick with the paper air filter from the dealership. They're better quality than the stuff you'll get from Pep Boys or places like that. You'll probably have to get the oil filter from them too as most of the chain places don't stock our filter. The fuel system cleaner you can get anywhere. | | | 03-05-2007, 01:17 PM | #15 | Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 33 | I'm waiting for the BMW dealership to open in the next 10 minutes, hopefully they'll be able to look at the car for me. I really thought the independent mechanic would have told me something more since he had my car all day Friday. I feel like I wasted $80 for nothing. The only satisfaction he did give me was that if the check engine light comes on again he won't charge me to do 2 more diagnostics | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |