Author Topic: E36 M42 octane question (Read 2970 times)

mgold · « **on:** May 22, 2007, 02:09:33 PM »

So I'm looking for a 5-speed E36 318i sedan as a daily driver so I can semi-retire my cabrio. I drove a '95 a few weeks back and was surprised to see that the gas filler stated 89 octane. Do all E36 318i's allow for 89 octane, or did that start in a particular year? I know that the E36 325i had a switchover in '93 when VANOS was introduced to the M50, but I'm not sure about the 318i. Thanks in advance.

nomad · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:23:39 PM »

later M42 and M44 had knock sensors so you can use lower octane gas and the computer will retard timing when detonation is sensed. I wish my 91 had this as I don't want to pay the increasing cost for 91 octane here in CA.

It's still cheaper/equal to having a 325 that gets 24 mpg max on 86 octane... I get 28-30mpg on 91

mgold · « **Reply #2 on:** May 23, 2007, 03:33:49 PM »

Yeah, my cabrio gets 27mpg when tuned correctly (it needs a new O2 sensor, plug wires, plugs), but I also have to run 91 octane. While I will likely continue to run 91 on the newer car, it'll be nice to be able to run 89 in a pinch. There's a '92 sedan for sale in my area, but not sure if it has the knock sensors or not hence my question.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 23, 2007, 04:44:10 PM »

I don't think the '92s did, or any of the M42's for that matter. My friend has a '93 318is auto, and it doesn't. I can't remember ever seeing an M42 with factory knockers, but I may be wrong.

mgold · « **Reply #4 on:** May 24, 2007, 02:43:39 PM »

Like I said, the '95 I drove allowed for 89 octane, and I think that's only possible with knock sensors.