[baz]

Has anyone else noticed what it says inside the gas cap? Does BMW have some sort of an understanding with shell or is fuel from shell “optimized” for bmw’s?

[Orient330iNYC]

i think the understanding goes as far as shell pays bmw, bmw recommends shell fuel.


any top tier gas should be fine, they pretty much all come from the same tank at the regional depot

[Qsilver7]

Ditto…Shell paid for this advertisement. The info below shows how they were paid up to 2022 to take BMW to the ball…apparently they repaid to carry on the relationship.

[baz]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Ditto…Shell paid for this advertisement. The info below shows how they were paid up to 2022 to take BMW to the ball…apparently they repaid to carry on the relationship.

Learn something new everyday

[p0p]

I did a non-stop drive from VA to FL; One fill-up was with Shells and the other with Exxonn. Got about 4mpg more on Shell.

I only use Shell in my 3series, but in the x7 I switch between Costco and Shells.
Only reason I use Costco is it's topTeir gas and the wife says it cheaper. In reality Shells is only about $2.50 more per full tank, but if you calculate getting more MPG - I still prefer Shell over others. Unless im on the NJ Turnpike and get Sunoco 94

[baz]

Originally Posted by p0p

I did a non-stop drive from VA to FL; One fill-up was with Shells and the other with Exxonn. Got about 4mpg more on Shell.

I only use Shell in my 3series, but in the x7 I switch between Costco and Shells.
Only reason I use Costco is it's topTeir gas and the wife says it cheaper. In reality Shells is only about $2.50 more per full tank, but if you calculate getting more MPG - I still prefer Shell over others. Unless im on the NJ Turnpike and get Sunoco 94

That’s good to know. I use Costco gas whenever I can but not always. But you are right, in the grand scheme she’ll isn’t that much more expensive, I suppose.

[thenew3]

Where I'm located, Shell is anywhere from $0.60 to $1.10 more per gallon than Costco. On a 20 gallon tank that comes out to $12 to $22 more per fill up.
I've heard some folks say Costco gas gets lower MPG, but yet to see any real scientific test.

I'm going on a 4500 mile trip this July. I might just pay a little more for Shell and test it.

[ddv2005]

Originally Posted by p0p

Got about 4mpg more on Shell.

No way to get 4mpg more on same gas grade and ethanol levels.

[manutod]

Originally Posted by p0p

I did a non-stop drive from VA to FL; One fill-up was with Shells and the other with Exxonn. Got about 4mpg more on Shell.

I only use Shell in my 3series, but in the x7 I switch between Costco and Shells.
Only reason I use Costco is it's topTeir gas and the wife says it cheaper. In reality Shells is only about $2.50 more per full tank, but if you calculate getting more MPG - I still prefer Shell over others. Unless im on the NJ Turnpike and get Sunoco 94

I second this. Been using Shell exclusively since 2010 in my 'so-called' luxury cars - a 2008 E92 335i, 2015 Audi SQ5, 2019 Maser' and now '21 X7 M50i and it served me well.
I did have a '13 CX-9 and '17 Durango in between that I didn't care about putting Shell in them.

[blutob2]

Mine doesn't have a Shell sticker. But I generally use Costco or QuikTrip and MPG has been pretty good.

[MPower10s]

I notice better than rated mpg using Costco

[Paultattoo]

I know a lot of you will cringe when you read this but... This is my third X7. I had a 2020 and then a 2022 that got smashed so I bought another 2022.

I put in the cheapest gas I can find. I have for all three X7's that total almost 140,000 miles. Never a problem.

I don't know about long term but don't care either because when the warranty is up I trade in.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

I put in the cheapest gas I can find. I have for all three X7's that total almost 140,000 miles. Never a problem.

Did you at least use premium grade fuel?

[Paultattoo]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Did you at least use premium grade fuel?

Nope. The cheapest I can find. Never a problem.

[Delrazdan]

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

Nope. The cheapest I can find. Never a problem.

I can’ t prove it but I have seen posts that if there is ever an engine issue and bmw is able to detect from fuel sensors the non premium gas, bmw can refuse the warranty. Call it urban legend or whatever, not sure if it’s true or not.

[Paultattoo]

Originally Posted by Delrazdan

I can’ t prove it but I have seen posts that if there is ever an engine issue and bmw is able to detect from fuel sensors the non premium gas, bmw can refuse the warranty. Call it urban legend or whatever, not sure if it’s true or not.

3 cars, 140,000 miles and never a problem. At 20 MPG and almost 400 miles per tank, saving a buck a gallon comes to a nice bit of change. It's late, any mathemagicians feel like computing how much?

[Boulder]

Originally Posted by Delrazdan

I can’ t prove it but I have seen posts that if there is ever an engine issue and bmw is able to detect from fuel sensors the non premium gas, bmw can refuse the warranty. Call it urban legend or whatever, not sure if it’s true or not.

That's BS. The owners manual says 87 octane minimum - for both 40i and M50i engines (not sure about the S63 engine in the LCI M60). The gas cap sticker should say the same thing. Using premium just gets you slightly better performance and maybe a bit more smoothness.

[blutob2]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

That's BS. The owners manual says 87 octane minimum - for both 40i and M50i engines (not sure about the S63 engine in the LCI M60). The gas cap sticker should say the same thing. Using premium just gets you slightly better performance and maybe a bit more smoothness.

My manual clearly says 89 min and 91 recommended for my 40i.

[blutob2]

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

3 cars, 140,000 miles and never a problem. At 20 MPG and almost 400 miles per tank, saving a buck a gallon comes to a nice bit of change. It's late, any mathemagicians feel like computing how much?

I think "a buck a gallon" is on the high side but generally I only see about .30-.40 cents different for 87 - 89 and even 91. I do travel a lot and know those differences can increase around the country.

But even at 40 cents a gallon that comes out to $2K saved over 100K miles, which to me I have no issue spending that much extra. Idk, I guess to me if you can afford this kind of car, then treat it with love and put some higher quality fuel in it.