Experiences with octane booster? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

PRAXXUS · 9th January 2007, 02:47

I use Chevron 94 octane fuel. I have tried the 89 and 91 octane, and both with cause my car to ping under load, 94 seems to do the trick.

Do you think filling up once in awhile with octane boosters would be good for the engine or am I harming it or just throwing my cash away?

opinions please.

TIA

fugginfazt · 9th January 2007, 04:14

I've used 104 and NOS octane boosters in mine for almost 10 years the only effect I'm aware is my car doesn't predet. anymore and its faster

PRAXXUS · 9th January 2007, 06:00

Has any independent studies been done to verify if these products actually work?

I have researched products like Lucas Oil Additives, and studies have shown, that they are bad for your car!

Check this out:
http://bobistheoilguy.com/images/lucas/lucas.htm

However, I haven't been able to find much info regarding octane boosters...

farrell · 9th January 2007, 10:35

Hi
Has your engine got an aftermarket eprom fitted ?
If its a stock 3.6, it should survive ok with the fuel you are using (94)though it was mapped for 95 octane fuel ideally.
I would not run the low octance fuel (89-91)

Unless the engine management has been mapped to run high octane fuel(97 & above) , you will get zero benefit from using it.
The spark will require advancing & you certainly will not gain power.

Good maintenance of fuel & spark related parts makes these cars run smooth.
The std 3.6 benefits from regular rotor (24,000 miles) ,ignition wires (every 60,000 miles or 5 yrs) & plug changes(10,000)
Change the fuel filter every 2 yrs or 24k miles etc.

Cheers
Farrell

Mmm-Five · 9th January 2007, 10:58

Faz, isn't the Canadian rating slightly different to ours (and the same as the US) - i.e. their 91 is equivalent to our 95 (or am I talking out of my

)?

farrell · 9th January 2007, 11:15

Hi Tony
Yes, it is.
I was careful to state octane fuel.
The optimum fuel grade for the 3.6 & 3.8 is 95 octane.
The 3.6 had a global fuel calibration & 3.8..well...it was not capable of keeping up with the rapidly evolving global emission tests in the different markets...

Cheers
Farrell