Premium in a 88 300SE Is it really needed? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holson Adi · #1 11-18-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevanet

I also have a 2003 Escalade that has a 10:1 compression ratio and calls for regular gas. It has been burning regular gas for 90k miles. The M103 has a lower compression ratio of 9.2:1 and requires premium. I have to wonder how a 10:1 engine can run fine on regular but a 9.2:1 needs premium. I know it is only about a 10% savings, but people will spend a lot of effort and money to try to increase their gas mileage by 10% (20 vs. 22). I don't mind buying the premium if it really makes a difference. However if it doesn't really matter why waste the money.

Sometimes I wonder if expensive car companies specify expensive maintenance or fluids because it seems more exclusive and the original owners probably didn't care about the costs. I would guess that none of the diesels specified veggie oil, but a lot of people are using it.

Sometimes I wonder about this too

The M103 in the US comes with a resistor to 'retard' engine timing (or something to that effect) to supposedly compensate for lower octane gas. I might try and run 87 for my next tank of gas and see what happens

bevanet · #2 11-18-2008, 03:24 PM

I found a post in a previous thread where jgood12006 said:

"If you do get a gasoline 300, DON'T run in on anything but premium or it will destroy itself."

I don't know if this was based on a personal experience, but I would like to know more if he is still out there.