Thought you guys might find this interesting:

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...e_gasoline.xml

 

very interesting. I didn't really understand any of the stuff on the first two pages but the performance stats I understand. A loss of 10.% just buy not using premium? damn

 

didnt have time to read it but the pic tells u everything

thx, time for 93 octane

 

i always use premium.

 

I never buy anything but Supreme with Techron

 

I read the whole article in C&D...its a shame the online version didn't include all of the test results (they tested a variety of foreign and American cars...not just the M3). And the overall feeling from looking at the results is that there is little difference between using regular and premium. The M3 had the biggest difference (which is probably why they showed it), but you have to remember that car is getting 333hp out of an engine only marginally bigger than the Maxima's (0.2L). It is understandable that minute differences in octane might make a difference in an engine that is being stretched to its limits like the M3's....

The majority of the other cars saw very little difference. In fact, several of the cars tested that recommended premium actually had better performance with regular. And vice versa, some of the American cars that recommended regular performed better with premium.

In other words, octane don't matter unless you have an M3.

 

Yea i was thinking just the oposite. I have been using premium, but Im thinking about switching. .1 second off a 0-60 time isnt all that impressive especially when you dont have a racecar. I realize of course that acceleration isnt the only variable though, so I'll have to check out the whole article.