BMWs operate at higher compressions than everyday cars, and premium gasoline is called for. The higher the octane number, the more resistance to uncontrolled combustion. In a gasoline engined car, the air and fuel are squeezed together (compressed), and, as you know, squeezing stuff together generates heat. Premium fuel has a higher octane rating — 93 in most states or 91 in California, where God hates gearheads. This rating is derived from the stability of the fuel. A lower-octane fuel will combust Do turbo cars need premium gas? Not all turbocharged cars need premium gas, but it's a more common requirement among turbos than other kinds of engines, thanks to the way these engines work. The name turbo comes from the turbine these engines use to inject more air into the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Contrary to many people's claim, using slightly higher octane gas can result in better gas mileage. I've noticed it. The EPA tested it and found the same to be true. However, the improvement in gas mileage was often only 1 mpg, not enough to offset the higher cost of premium gas. Around here, there's 87, 89, and 92. 91 and 94 are available in BMWs use premium fuel. While regular gas cars CAN use premium because higher octane won’t damage the car, cars that use premium by default shouldn’t be given gas that has a lower octane than recommended (as is the case with regular fuel having less octane). Do BMWs need premium gas? No matter your model, BMW recommends using only premium-unleaded fuel. That’s not to say your BMW won’t run on lower-grade fuel, but premium-unleaded fuel will maintain its quality in the long run, letting you drive at peak performance consistently. Absolutely not. The engine in your BMW (the M54) is a high-compression engine. Using 87 octane can cause premature detonation in the cylinders, because it is designed to ignite under lower compression (such as your average Honda Civic engine), which can potentially lead to problems over time, and cause pinging/knocking in the short term. Using Do BMWs need premium gas? October 11, 2022 September 30, 2022 by Carolina. No matter your model, BMW recommends using only premium-unleaded fuel. That’s not to say Does BMW need premium gas? However, as BMWs are luxury vehicles, they will be more expensive to maintain and repair than other makes and models. BMW owners can expect to pay upwards of $1,000 to $1,700 for overall maintenance and repairs each year. When it comes to BMWs, one of the most frequently asked questions is, Do I really need premium gas in my BMW? The answer is simple: it depends. All BMWs are designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline. However, using premium gasoline can provide some benefits and can even improve fuel economy. 9jMjj.