[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Really? I'll have to do some research on that before I go shootin my mouth off!

I always thought about it as the same as 711 gas, Cumberland Farms, etc. Convenience store gas.

Costco buys so much gas that they can get it at a good price without resorting to crap quality. They also have the advantage of having membership dues to help cover the cost. Gas is a major driver of Costco memberships as not only is it top quality, but the lowest priced.

They also go through so much gas that you can be sure your gas hasn't been sitting in the tank for a long time or that you're dredging the bottom.

As keep in mind. Just because a station is a Shell doesn't mean they actually have to carry Shell fuel. So you're not sure what that individual gas station is pumping. Sometimes they even pump 81 when you're paying premium...

None of that nonsense with Costco.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

Costco buys so much gas that they can get it at a good price without resorting to crap quality. They also have the advantage of having membership dues to help cover the cost. Gas is a major driver of Costco memberships as not only is it top quality, but the lowest priced.

They also go through so much gas that you can be sure your gas hasn't been sitting in the tank for a long time or that you're dredging the bottom.

As keep in mind. Just because a station is a Shell doesn't mean they actually have to carry Shell fuel. So you're not sure what that individual gas station is pumping. Sometimes they even pump 81 when you're paying premium...

None of that nonsense with Costco.

Next time I am at Costco I will give it a shot. Part of the reason I don't get it there is the line. I just don't have the patience to wait 20-30 minutes to save 30 cents a gallon or ~$6 bucks on a fillup.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I'm jealous. I paid $6.10 at Costco last week. The local Chevron was $7.18!

Ahhh, the joy of living in California. But Illinois is also pretty bad on taxes.--Bob

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Next time I am at Costco I will give it a shot. Part of the reason I don't get it there is the line. I just don't have the patience to wait 20-30 minutes to save 30 cents a gallon or ~$6 bucks on a fillup.

Sorry you have long lines but at our local Costco wait times are relatively short and often I just get right into a spot. But as a long time retiree, I do have the luxury of being able to go anytime. And yes according to my (somewhat cursory) research as well, Costco is a top tier gas that is usually highly rated. --Bob

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

Sorry you have long lines but at our local Costco wait times are relatively short and often I just get right into a spot. But as a long time retiree, I do have the luxury of being able to go anytime. And yes according to my (somewhat cursory) research as well, Costco is a top tier gas that is usually highly rated. —Bob

Yeah Bob, she makes me go on Saturdays. It’s like sticking needles in my eyes!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yeah Bob, she makes me go on Saturdays. It’s like sticking needles in my eyes!

I think the lines are shorter if you go mid-week...like Tue/Wed/Thurs...unless there is a severe weather condition approaching...then all bets are off!

Then there's also the early birds...and near closing times that usually are not crowded.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I think the lines are shorter if you go mid-week...like Tue/Wed/Thurs...unless there is a severe weather condition approaching...then all bets are off!

Then there's also the early birds...and near closing times that usually are not crowded.

Yeah, I don't have the time or the patience for Costo during the week. I really appreciate the deals and inventory they have there, but it's a journey walking through that store to buy a 100 pack of burgers I can't eat in a year or 15lbs of chicken breasts. I do love the electronic section, I would definitely buy a Mac or a TV there, great prices. I would not trust them putting tires on my car.

All this said, I will tell you what the membership is worth it's weight in gold for - Travel. Costco has an incredible travel website with incredible prices and kickbacks for booking. It is a clean interface without all the clutter and shit the expedias push on you. I think I saved $10,000 on my trip to Hawaii last year over the prices I was getting for the same air and hotel package either direct with the carrier or an expedia.

I have my dog on a raw diet. I bought a chest freezer and I do go there for bulk chicken thighs and ground beef.

Saturday is a complete zoo at my Costco. From parking, to navigating the store to checking out. I need to do a few shots before I go. The M550 will never see that parking lot, so it probably won't get their gas.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I wouldn't put Costco gas in my car. You don't know where it comes from and it probably comes from all different suppliers, whoever is the cheapest. Key word - Cheap.

There's a tank farm down here in Mission Valley. EVERY gas station in this part of the county gets their gas from the farm. The stations then inject their own additives at the stations. Costco spent a pretty penny adding the necessary hardware to upgrade to TopTier.

[adhrp]

I looked up the list of Top Tier gas a long time ago and was happy to see Costco on it, which I expected anyway. I always go to Costco even when traveling (if available). Best time to go is on the way back from work, especially on the days I leave work late, when there are barely any lines.

[BUNCHAMASSEYSGOBMW]

So we don’t have a Costco close by. How is Sam’s Club fuel? Same as Costco or not even?

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by BUNCHAMASSEYSGOBMW

So we don’t have a Costco close by. How is Sam’s Club fuel? Same as Costco or not even?

Walmart / Sam’s Club isn’t top tier. So, no not in the same league.

https://www.toptiergas.com/fuel-stations/

[Daniels1117]

Originally Posted by BUNCHAMASSEYSGOBMW

I have read a lot of ppl say they don’t use premium fuel (89,91) in their bmw. For the record I have only filled up twice so far and HAVE used premium grade but wondering if anyone uses regular? Along with everything else, maybe a matter of opinion but I’d like to see everyone’s opinion and thoughts. I know all about the pinging and knocking they say happens if you don’t use premium. Some ppl say that’s not true. Thoughts?

Inside the gas tank on the door it will tell you which fuels are recommended. Much to my surprise the inside of my gas tank not only says “91” but also specifies “shell quality fuels recommended”

[SquareWheels]

This is what my owners manual says:
Recommended gas quality

BMW recommends AKI 91.

M Performance model:

BMW recommends AKI 93.

I suspect that is what yours says, too.

What I can't easily figure out is what is AKI vs octane.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by SquareWheels

This is what my owners manual says:
Recommended gas quality

BMW recommends AKI 91.

M Performance model:

BMW recommends AKI 93.

I suspect that is what yours says, too.

What I can't easily figure out is what is AKI vs octane.

AKI is just the technical term for Octane. Stands for Anti-Knock Index.


You can read a lot on it if you want.

https://www.bmwmoa.org/news/438324/U...-RON-oh-my.htm

[Chappers 71]

5th Gear fuel test from a few years back, Shell V Power gives an additional 5bhp over standard petrol in a golf Gti

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

There's a tank farm down here in Mission Valley. EVERY gas station in this part of the county gets their gas from the farm. The stations then inject their own additives at the stations. Costco spent a pretty penny adding the necessary hardware to upgrade to TopTier.

I think the additives are all added at the refinery or distribution point where the tankers load. Excerpts below from the AAA website. Also, what Costco didn't do (at least at my Costco) is pay up for pumps that blend 87 and 93 at the pump to make 91. That is where 91 comes from and Costco doesn't sell it, only 87 and 93. Naturally, I have the joy of owning three cars which all require 91 or better. --Bob

Time to Roll Out
Pipelines, ships and barges transport base gasolines from refineries to distribution centers where they are held in large storage tanks. The tanks usually contain base fuels from many different refineries and oil companies, so all gasoline starts out essentially the same. As fuel is loaded into large tanker trucks for delivery to gasoline stations, special additive packages are blended in, which turn the base fuels into branded gasolines with unique characteristics.


At The Pump
At service stations, gasoline is stored in separate underground tanks for regular and premium gasoline, as well as diesel if the retailer sells it. Where available, mid-grade gasoline is made by blending regular and premium together in the pump. AAA research has found that there is no benefit to using a grade of gasoline higher than that recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.


Top Tier Gasoline
The government mandates that all gasoline contain a minimum quantity of detergent additives to help keep your car’s fuel system and engine clean. However, many automakers think the minimum is insufficient, so they blend more and unique additives with base gasolines to meet a higher standard called Top Tier™ detergent gasoline. A 2016 study by AAA found that Top Tier gasoline can keep engine components up to 19 times cleaner than fuels with the minimum required detergent level. There are currently 52 brands of gasoline that meet the Top Tier standard.

[AP]

Yeh that fits gear video was well worth broadcasting as it show how little difference it makes to performance
I’d argue you’d not notice that on the road at all
You could offset that technical power increase by just having some luggage in the car or a passenger

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by AP

Yeh that fits gear video was well worth broadcasting as it show how little difference it makes to performance
I’d argue you’d not notice that on the road at all
You could offset that technical power increase by just having some luggage in the car or a passenger

Well I’ll happily keep using V Power & take the extra bhp & tbf I only put £40 a week in the G31 unless I’m actually going somewhere so any extra cost is negligible, I get that you with your fat & thirsty m lite V8 may have to save your pennies where you can

I can’t prove it but I suspect that only using V Power in the e92 35i for the 80,000 or so miles that I did in it is the reason it was still running fine on its original injectors @ 125,000 miles when I sold it

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Warp Ten

I think the additives are all added at the refinery or distribution point where the tankers load. Excerpts below from the AAA website. Also, what Costco didn't do (at least at my Costco) is pay up for pumps that blend 87 and 93 at the pump to make 91. That is where 91 comes from and Costco doesn't sell it, only 87 and 93. Naturally, I have the joy of owning three cars which all require 91 or better. --Bob

Time to Roll Out
Pipelines, ships and barges transport base gasolines from refineries to distribution centers where they are held in large storage tanks. The tanks usually contain base fuels from many different refineries and oil companies, so all gasoline starts out essentially the same. As fuel is loaded into large tanker trucks for delivery to gasoline stations, special additive packages are blended in, which turn the base fuels into branded gasolines with unique characteristics.


At The Pump
At service stations, gasoline is stored in separate underground tanks for regular and premium gasoline, as well as diesel if the retailer sells it. Where available, mid-grade gasoline is made by blending regular and premium together in the pump. AAA research has found that there is no benefit to using a grade of gasoline higher than that recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.


Top Tier Gasoline
The government mandates that all gasoline contain a minimum quantity of detergent additives to help keep your car’s fuel system and engine clean. However, many automakers think the minimum is insufficient, so they blend more and unique additives with base gasolines to meet a higher standard called Top Tier™ detergent gasoline. A 2016 study by AAA found that Top Tier gasoline can keep engine components up to 19 times cleaner than fuels with the minimum required detergent level. There are currently 52 brands of gasoline that meet the Top Tier standard.

That might be your state, but I can assure you (local news has covered it many times) all the stations here get their base fuel from the tank farm. Also, I have yet to find a station in the Peoples Republik of Kommiefornyastan that sells 93 octane (unless it's a special station that sells racing fuel). We had 93 until about 2001.

[Warp Ten]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

That might be your state, but I can assure you (local news has covered it many times) all the stations here get their base fuel from the tank farm. Also, I have yet to find a station in the Peoples Republik of Kommiefornyastan that sells 93 octane (unless it's a special station that sells racing fuel). We had 93 until about 2001.

You are probably right--Illinois is different from California. We do get 93 octane and our taxes are a little bit lower (but not much--we also have an all-Democratic government). And I don't have any verifiable info on whether your additives might be blended at the gas station. I just have what the AAA put on its website. Anyone know for sure on this? --Bob

[Marc_911]

93 Octane in my car, They say you actually get better gas mileage if that's something you care about. cant hurt!

[JohnWaterski]

Originally Posted by taskrov

Back in the late '80 I designed and wrote the gasoline blending computer control system for a major oil company. During testing and subsequent support, I have observed many blending batches (both directly into pipeline and tanks) and have seen what components go into various grades of gasoline. I have since retired, but I don't think a lot has changed in how gasoline is blended today. Internally, we had a number of other blending property specifications besides octane. They were related to something one could call "driveablity." These specifications changed with the season, region, and even State, California being the strictest.

Blending premium fuel (93 R+M/2) called for the most "expensive" components, typically only four blending streams could be used. The other grades were more tolerant and one could blend "cheaper" components. The last one, regular (87) had to take the rest since all the streams had to be blended. Thus the regular blend got all the heavy components which are the ones that tend to "coke up" in the combustion chamber. Regular gas is a commodity. One cannot tell who actually produced it. It all goes into same shared pipelines.

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but Shell in the US (and maybe other majors) have been selling their refineries. At this point Shell is down to just one plant near New Orleans. So the chance of getting Shell refined and blended gasoline at any Shell stations are small. They probably still supply the additives which are added at the terminal after pipeline shipment. Additives do make a difference in reducing engine deposits, for example in Top Tier.

My advice is to avoid regular, even Top Tier and use at least Mid grade, but ideally Premium.

With current gasoline blending in the US, all gasoline is made to locally regulated specifications. Refineries make fuel to just meet specifications with little margin giveaway. All of the fuel generated is combined when its shipped to distribution facilities. There is typically only two grades made, regular and premium. Mid grade is a blend of the regular and premium. Ethanol and cleaners are blended into the tanker truck with each fuel grade.

Bottom line, buy top tier premium gasoline if you want durability and performance from your car. Yes, you can run lower quality fuel, but there are tradeoffs in performance and life of the engine.