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I don't even think it has anything to do with how much you spend on the car... If Kia says their cars need 91 octane, then I'd use 91 octane.
If you want to do more than your car needs, then it might be wasted money, but you won't hurt it.. but, to do less.. that just makes no sense to me.
regards,
kyfdx
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/040728.htm
At best that is a gross over simplification, and at worst, a gross misstatement! I am specifically referring to the part that says, "any grade of fuel will produce the same amount of power." Yeah, BULL. If a car has a capable OBC (like the one installed in our cars), the engine will be able to eek out the same power on less fuel by advancing the ignition timing in all phases of driving except at WOT where the engine will simply provide more power. Yes, both fuels will allow our engines to develop the proper amount of power for what ever lower power driving we might be doing; however, higher octane fuel is clearly the more efficient of the two.
Per the request from NycCarGuy:
The compression ratios of the four engines I referenced a couple of days ago are:
2.5L I6: 10.5 to 1
3.0L I6: 10.2 to 1
4.4L V8: 10.0 to 1 (E39 540i)
4.4L V8: 10.0 to 1 (E60 545i)
Folks, no matter what way you look at this, all four engines are "High Compression" engines. Please, do your car and your wallet a favor, use premium fuel.
Best Regards,
Shipo
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
They left out the conspiracy theory between the oil companies and the automakers. The automaker "says" the car REQUIRES Premium Gas. The oil companies sell more Premium therefore increasing their revenues and profits. The car companies get a kickback from the oil company for every car they sell that "Requires" premium fuel.....:)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
1) Do you want a 4-door sedan or a 2-door convertible?
2) Do you want to adopt me?
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Having driven an M3 with SMG, I've gone on record stating that I think you'd be better off in either BMW with the regular slushbox, since either will still be plenty fast, well-proven technology, enhanced resale, etc., but perhaps most importantly, MUCH smoother than SMG, especially during stop and go. And like Steptronic, I found the novelty of SMG wore off very quickly, so you just stick it in "auto" mode, and then the advantages of a conventional auto become apparent very quickly. If you've driven them all and still want SMG, well, different strokes, just MHO.
And while we're opining, an E500 or 545 (with an auto) is likely to be my next ride (currently '02 530 with a stick), and that would be a horse race. The Benz has exceedingly good-looking styling, and avoids the mixed virtues of I-drive, while the BMW has a great chassis and drive train, and does have a little more "sporty" image that doesn't seem quite so "old" as the Benz. Hard to say, much as I like the 5's, you'd never be embarrassed in that Benz.
I bet you even believe President Bush directed the price increase to favor the rich?
I bet Sen Kerry has all the answers to solve the problem.
How about building a few more refineries.
Environmentalist would not like this, I bet.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
For the 5 Series:
1. Worldwide sales UP from 75,625 to 113,900.
2. USA sales DOWN from 23,210 to 23,075.
Of course, the E39 had more choices than the current E60 (M and touring).
In USA, sales of E39 525i and 530i are close to current E60 sales of 525i and 530i. Biggest jump was in 545i sales (up over 2000 from 540i).
That's every shift for me, and I am in a 325. The 5 is a big car for that engine.
You will get a little more umph from the 3.0, but probably won't have any trouble w selling the 525.
We're talking 300cc and nine more horses than a 525 which shouldn't make a huge difference. As for going up almost to redline and shifting so abruptly it scared you, I found that full throttle shifts will go right to redline but the
the engine and trans were as smooth as any I've experienced in 40 years of driving.
I wonder if your transmission was malfunctioning or if you inadvertently left it in the manual mode of the Steptronic (easy to do). This would cause an abrupt shift if you nailed the gas from a low speed in while in too high a gear.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
If I found myself thinking, "Hmmm, I think I'd like to buy a used 2001 525i", I'd quickly correct myself and think, "No, what I really want is a 2000 528i." There really is that much of a difference in low end power and drivability between the two. Then again, maybe I'd change my thinking again and opt for the 2001 or later 530i and have a faster more driveable car than either of the two smaller engined E39 siblings. Oh, wait! I did that already, and I'm really glad that I did. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
It's easy to inadvertently put the Steptronic into manual mode. It naturally wants to go there when you pull it back to "D" and if you're locked in, say fourth at 35 or so it'll quickly drop down to second if you call for gas in a hurry.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Best Regards,
Shipo
Shipo
I can sympathsize. I got rid of a Toyota at 80K miles. For the last 20K major components were failing left and right and it was starting to run into $$$. That and three other below average ownership experiences with Japanese cars has steered me away from them. My reasoning is, if I going to have problems, might as well have fun driving, eg German cars.
But we all know a sample size of one means zilch. There are plenty of examples on these boards where Japanese cars get driven to the Ultimate Nightmare experience. Yet out of the thousands of stellar sales and owners, one bad experience sticks out like a sore thumb. People keep saying how they keep their BMWs for 300K+ with regular maintenance. I've never seen any car over 100K, without regular maintenance and $$$ the car is not fit to be one the road.
Good luck with yours.
Another, more important question: I test drove today, and am seriously considering buying a 530i sport/premium in Southern California. The car comes with Bridgestone Potenza run-flat tires. These tires seem to make the ride feel very rough---every nook and cranny in the road is transferred to the passengers, my teeth were almost chattering. I don't want to give up a smooth ride, and I really want the handling and suspension that the sport model offers.
I currently drive a Jaguar XJR with 370 hp and very good handling, fun to drive (no fun at service center--teeth chatter from fear there). It has Potenza S-03 255/40/18 tires and has a much smoother ride.
Will replacing the run/flat tires seriously improve the ride of the car? Or does part of the roughness of the ride also have something to do with the suspension? The dealership will only sell the car with these run/flat tires. Salesman was unhelpful/unknowledgeable.
Truth is, for about $3K in repairs, it could easily make it to 300K but enough is enough. Just ordered a 2005 545I six speed. Hope I get have the same good luck
New cars with run flat tires do not have a spare tire. The dealer cannot change to normal tires till you buy the car to keep from being sued.
E60.. 5-series from '03-
E46.. Current model 3-series
E90.. 3-series starting in '06
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The 5 series is widely recognised as having one of the best, possibly the best, handling/ride combinations available.
E60.. 5-series from '04- (I know that kyfdx knows that, probably just a typo) ;-)
Rough riding 530i SP: Hmmm, having never driven with Run Flats, my suggestion is that maybe the dealership forgot to remove the extra pressure in the tires (cars are shipped with lots of extra pressure in the tires to inhibit bouncing while in transit). My first BMW was delivered to me with something like 50+ pounds in the tires. Not only was it rough riding, the handling was so squirrelly that I was barely able to control it on a bumpy road.
FWIW, I have an E39 530i SP, and the ride is quite wonderful, so much so that even the couple of elderly folks that I've had in it have commented on how smooth it was.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Run flat tires suck.. (did I say that out loud?). Getting the pressure checked is a good idea, but really... run flat tires s...
Unfortunately, it looks like we will have to get used to it.. it looks like all BMWs will have them soon.
regards,
kyfdx
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E60: MY04- . CY 03-
(Sometimes the cars come out at different times in USA and Europe, with them often getting things first. Sometimes they get models, e.g., 520i, we don't get.)
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I don't often get to appreciate just what a wonderful machine the 530 really is. Beautiful balance, precision, adequate power and just a joy to drive quickly. I count myself fortunate to be able to drive one.
Truth is, you just summmed up the glory of owning a BMW in a few words, very well; a nice break from the otherwise prosaic writing the rest of us usually contribute to this forum.
Thanks
I have to say that that even the 528 is much more desirable than a 525 in terms of responsiveness. BTW - all automatics. You can feel the diff and in stepping through all of them. The 530i is the best of the sixes. More power could easily be handled in this nimble config. But if all one can afford is a 525i, the dynamics of an E39 are without compare (with the right tires)!
Engine # 206KA25434790
Chasis # WBAHB22060BB76917
TIA.
Good day.
BMW engine codes start with an "M" (most 6 & 8 cyl engines), an "N" (a few 8 & 12 cyl engines) or an "S" (if the car is an M5 or M3).
If you want to find out lots of neat stuff about your car find the build sheet, it should be under your rear seat. Alternatively, you could ask your local dealer to get you a copy using your VIN number.