I thought this was an interesting article.

What do you guys think?

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106293/article.html

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

My Corvette is supposed to get premium fuel but I pretty much just use the regular. If I get on it hard, it pings a second then the computer pulls timing and I can feel it falling on it's face a little. I think it's fine for every day use but there is a performance advantage to the premium.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

You don't think it would be ok to use 87 on my 88 300TE right? The article says with the newer cars the computer adjusts to compensate.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

My W201s don't have knock sensors. In addition, do the risk v. savings equation.

Well that answers my question Yeh then the w124's dont have knock sensors either. And your right...the money saved in cheaper gas would probably end up costing more when the repercussions of using cheaper gas shine.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Well on high performance engines, regular fuel might induce knock and make the knock sensor retard the timing, this would lead to reduced performance.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

Retarded timing also causes excessive heat on the exhaust valves.

Correct, it also causes burnt out valves and carbon deposits.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

I know personally of two Mercedes engines that went to crap over running 87 octane. (not my fault) One was an M104 and it has knock sensors. Totally not worth it! Even in cold weather.

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

You bet your fuel injectors you need it!!!

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I have an 89 300TE, I drive 40000 miles, using the car for work, premium on average is 20 cents a gallon more, thats $400 a year. Why would I risk damage to my car for $400 a year? I also have a 87 560SL that I wouldn't think of putting anything but premium in the tank. Its bad enough that here in the midwest I have to buy fuel thats been spiked with that **** ethanol!!!!!

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'05 Ford Escape 100,000 miles
'87 560SL 92000 miles
'89 300TE 199,000 miles
'02 Audi TT 100,000 miles
'00 Ford Excursion V-10 121000 miles
'92 Mercury Capri 100000 miles
'02 BMW 325XI 60000 miles
'92 230CE 160000
'87 BMW 535SI 160,000 miles
'93 Rinker Captiva 209
5 Kids
2 Dogs
1 Wife

High compression engines need higher octane. If thats a problem buy a Honda, high end cars cost more to run.


AFAIK all MB's need 93 octane.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

High performance VTEC engines from Honda run far better on premium as in case of my Accord V6, so does Toyota and others. The Supra turbo would never idle or give the performance with regular 87ON fuel.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

Am I the only one that gets better MPG with higher octane fuel?

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Not all MBs specify 93 octane gas. Star Tuned Magazine states that 91 or greater octane gas is only required for all pre 1972 and 1986-present model year gas powered MBs, except for the 1986 190E 2.3. 1975-1985 model year gas MBs can use regular unleaded gas, 1972-1974 models must use at least 87 octane gas.
https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/StarTuned/pdfs/LiquidJune06Star.pdf

I still don't think I'd use anything less than premium in a MB, no matter what they say. Better to play it safe.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.