Are M54's (M54B25 specifically) okay with V-power / high octane fuels?

[Aulday]

I always put v-power in sports cars. Obviously the Z4 isn't charged so it's not as necessary, but I prefer to use it plus it's cheap at Trago.

The only possible problem is some older engines can get worn valve seats from always using this type of fuel.

What's the score with M54s, mine being an M54B25

Thanks!

 

[enuff_zed]

I must admit I have never heard any stories of worn valve seats with those fuels?
Are you sure you're not getting muddled up with Valve Seat Recession on older engines that relied on lead to lubricate the valve seats?
With those (from my Capri days) you had to either use an additive, or get hardened valve seats fitted.

 

[Smartbear]

I’ve never heard of engine problems caused by super-unleaded, it’s got additives which are good for the engine so can’t see how it can do harm. Have you got a link showing the damage?
Rob

 

[oldgitdave]

Well the M54 3.0i fuel rating plate says 91 to 98 RON.

Shell V power is 99 RON. It won't do any harm & certainly shouldn't affect valve seats (older cars requiring leaded fuels, yes) but there's no advantage in using it either as far as the octane level is concerned. It is known to be a high quality fuel as far as additives are concerned such as anti-wear & detergents so possibly some advantages there compared to cheaper fuels. I tend to use Costco premium fuel at 97 RON & I've also used their 95 RON unleaded occasionally. I've never noticed any difference whatsoever tbh.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Some years ago I had an E46 325ti as a daily (so M54B25) and when I took it to my local ex-Sytner Indy he recommended using super-plus in any petrol BMW. He had an E39 530i as his daily (so M54B30) and said he always ran it on Shell V-power.

So feeling guilty, from then on I always used Tesco Momentum as my nearest filling station was a Tesco!

I must have run it on that for about 15,000 miles until I sold it on 103K and never had any issues - although I didn't feel any ifference in hot it drove either! Maybe it was slightly more economical?

 

[Thrustyjust]

Just use normal unleaded in mine and runs fine................ I am sure most other beemers using these engines will be running normal unleaded. Like the fuel cap above showing the RON , its in spec

 

[Danglesberries]

Shell V-Power, totally unnecessary rip-off. Round here, Shell standard unleaded is now £1.30 a litre. V-Power is £1.45!!!!! How can they possibly justify that kind of price hike for a 'possible' couple more miles to the gallon? Too many gullible people falling for their sales hype IMO.

 

[sw4nny]

I have used Tesco momentum for all the time I have had the
2 zeds,around 8 years and had no problems.
I was a friend of the guy I got my current z from and he only used standard tesco fuel in the 8 years he had the car and also had no issues.

 

[Smartbear]

Shell V-Power, totally unnecessary rip-off. Round here, Shell standard unleaded is now £1.30 a litre. V-Power is £1.45!!!!! How can they possibly justify that kind of price hike for a 'possible' couple more miles to the gallon? Too many gullible people falling for their sales hype IMO.

Are you aware that super-unleaded also cleans your engines internal parts? It’s not just about power.
Rob

 

[GuidoK]

The only thing against using premium fuels is that they are less in demand.
That could have a potential to cause problems in the engine and fuel system.

 

[sw4nny]

I work for a large retailer and we have around at least 4 or 5 tankers a week delivering all fuels,we sell a hell of a lot of fuel,dependent on where you get yours from may dictate how long they have had it,ours certainly does not sit in the tanks for long and thats all grades and fuel types.
Also the difference for momentum and regular fuel is only 5p a litre and tends to stay around this amount as prices fluctuate,

 

[tomscott]

Don’t know if anyone saw this:

https://youtu.be/fCuMb330bfo

Granted Chicago and hard winter but the super had water vapour in it because nobody was buying it... made for squeaky bum times... the car was not happy at all! Ended up putting a methanol product in to absorb the water so it can be used in normal combustion.

Doubt that would ever happen in the uk but thought it was interesting!

 

[Ewazix]

I've always used Shell V Power no problems for over a decade, my indi technician says it's one of the smoothest running older BMW's that he sees and recommends the best oil and fuel available. Also that the M54 is one of BMW's most durable engines that give few problems if maintained properly. I do very low mileages every year so the extra cost is negligible and it does seem more perky under load, which makes sense as the higher octane allows the timing to advance slightly more under load as detonation is approached. But others say it makes no difference and I just have an over-sensitive butt dyno :lol:

Either way you will search hard to find reports of properly maintained M54's wearing or failing other than occasionally due to overheating/head gasket failure caused by coolant loss (usually a micro-split in the header tank) and certainly nothing about valve wear related to high octane fuel with additives like V Power, so the choice is yours.

 

[Danglesberries]

Shell V-Power, totally unnecessary rip-off. Round here, Shell standard unleaded is now £1.30 a litre. V-Power is £1.45!!!!! How can they possibly justify that kind of price hike for a 'possible' couple more miles to the gallon? Too many gullible people falling for their sales hype IMO.

Are you aware that super-unleaded also cleans your engines internal parts? It’s not just about power.
Rob

So does standard Shell fuel! If you think it's worth the difference, use it.

 

[HU51A_FU]

I always have used V-power, Tesco momentum, Esso Synergy....wont put **** fuel in my pride and joys period, every little helps and running it on a better fuel has its advantages as mentioned above. Even when it comes to using high end lubricants for the engine you're always going to reap some benefits, a healthy car is a happy car

 

[Smartbear]

Shell V-Power, totally unnecessary rip-off. Round here, Shell standard unleaded is now £1.30 a litre. V-Power is £1.45!!!!! How can they possibly justify that kind of price hike for a 'possible' couple more miles to the gallon? Too many gullible people falling for their sales hype IMO.

Are you aware that super-unleaded also cleans your engines internal parts? It’s not just about power.
Rob

So does standard Shell fuel! If you think it's worth the difference, use it.

But standard fuel doesn’t have the same additives as super, the manufacturers make a point of stating this .
Rob

 

[Danglesberries]

You really will argue the toss over everything. If you believe the sales hype and think the huge difference in price is worth it, then go ahead and use it. Of course the manufacturers will promote their own goods.

 

[Danglesberries]

If you look at the 'small print' of ALL the big petroleum suppliers in this country supplying 'premium' fuel, they all guarantee absolutely NOTHING in terms of ANTHING except a few extra cleaning additives!

 

[enuff_zed]

except a few extra cleaning additives!

Is this not what [ref]Smartbear[/ref] was saying?

Again, we have drifted well off track from answering the OPs question and are heading once more into 'picking a fight in an empty room' territory. :roll:

 

[Smartbear]

You really will argue the toss over everything. If you believe the sales hype and think the huge difference in price is worth it, then go ahead and use it. Of course the manufacturers will promote their own goods.

If you hadn’t cast such a sweeping generalisation calling people on here gullible, i wouldn’t have bothered correcting your ignorance
Rob