[bimmerdood5000]

I recently bought a 2025 X2 M35i and am a bit confused about which fuel octane to use. I’ve received conflicting information from my dealership — some have said 91 octane is fine, while others have suggested 93+ octane.

The manual first recommends 91 but then states that 93 octane is recommended for “M Performance model”. I’m not sure if the M35i is included in this category!

Can anyone with experience or knowledge about this clarify which octane is best for the M35i? Also, I’d appreciate any reasons or justifications for your answers, such as engine performance, fuel efficiency, or long-term reliability.

Thanks in advance!

[SnowCover]

get 93. (either Shell or Costco, whichever is more convenient for you)

[schnell325]

If 93 is available, go with it. If not, 91 will suffice.

I run 93 in my M4 GTS when it’s available, but she’s run with zero issues on 91. The DME will recognize the octane and make adjustments accordingly

[SnowCover]

this thread reminded me of a question that's been bugging me for a while.

I got a 2023 X1 in the USA. It's the 28i, so the sticker says 91 octane.

Why is BMW too cheap to print a different octane info sticker for the inside of the fuel door? The one in my X1 says "unleaded petrol only" but I don't know anybody in the US who says that. We say "unleaded gas only" or "unleaded fuel only" Guess BMW wanted to save 5 cents per sticker by not having to print a different sticker for the US?

Okay, I know that's some serious nitpicking. It's not as bad as BMW deliberately refusing to make a center armrest cover that opens towards the left for UK and Australian X1. They have steering wheel on the right, so it's really silly that they get armrest covers that opens in the wrong direction.

[Fish Fingers]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

this thread reminded me of a question that's been bugging me for a while.

I got a 2023 X1 in the USA. It's the 28i, so the sticker says 91 octane.

Why is BMW too cheap to print a different octane info sticker for the inside of the fuel door? The one in my X1 says "unleaded petrol only" but I don't know anybody in the US who says that. We say "unleaded gas only" or "unleaded fuel only" Guess BMW wanted to save 5 cents per sticker by not having to print a different sticker for the US?

Okay, I know that's some serious nitpicking. It's not as bad as BMW deliberately refusing to make a center armrest cover that opens towards the left for UK and Australian X1. They have steering wheel on the right, so it's really silly that they get armrest covers that opens in the wrong direction.

In Europe (UK at least) we actually get a different sticker in the fuel cap stating the relevant fuel type (E5, E10).
So it's even weirder that it mentions petrol in US cars.

Maybe it's revenge for Europeans having to call football, 'soccer'.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by Fish Fingers

In Europe (UK at least) we actually get a different sticker in the fuel cap stating the relevant fuel type (E5, E10).
Even weirder that it mentions petrol in US cars.

Maybe it's revenge for Europeans having to call football, 'soccer'.

I'm starting to think that "logic" is not a word used in the German dictionary, at least not the one used by BMW people in Munich?

[markronnie]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

get 93. (either Shell or Costco, whichever is more convenient for you)

I believe BMW prints that SHELL is recommends within the USA edition of the manual.

SHELL brand gas but you can go with any brand that has the Octane level of either 93 or 91. Some say a “Top Teir” brand is best.

I’ve also found that BP / Amoco brands are great as well. Though they are no longer considered a “Top Teir” brand if that means anything to you.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

this thread reminded me of a question that's been bugging me for a while.

I got a 2023 X1 in the USA. It's the 28i, so the sticker says 91 octane.

Why is BMW too cheap to print a different octane info sticker for the inside of the fuel door? The one in my X1 says "unleaded petrol only" but I don't know anybody in the US who says that. We say "unleaded gas only" or "unleaded fuel only" Guess BMW wanted to save 5 cents per sticker by not having to print a different sticker for the US?

Okay, I know that's some serious nitpicking. It's not as bad as BMW deliberately refusing to make a center armrest cover that opens towards the left for UK and Australian X1. They have steering wheel on the right, so it's really silly that they get armrest covers that opens in the wrong direction.

Funny, my 28i says I can use 87

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by schnell325

Funny, my 28i says I can use 87

Are you in Canada? If so, what makes Canadian X1 28i capable of running on E15 and 87 octane? US X1 28i is only allowed to run on 89 octane at a minimum and E10 only.

I was always under the impression that US and Canada X1 28i engines were identical. Or are there differences that only BMW knows about?

Does that mean if I drive my US X1 28i to Vancouver, I can fill up with 87-octane and/or E15 gasoline?

I'm not so sure anything that BMW puts in writing anymore(in the car or in the owner's manual)

Speaking of Canada, I also recently saw that there was no spare tire for the X1 sold in Canada. That is so weird. Being such a big country with vast distance between cities, I would have thought that Canadian drivers need the spare tire than us.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

Are you in Canada? If so, what makes Canadian X1 28i capable of running on E15 and 87 octane? US X1 28i is only allowed to run on 89 octane at a minimum and E10 only.

I was always under the impression that US and Canada X1 28i engines were identical. Or are there differences that only BMW knows about?

Does that mean if I drive my US X1 28i to Vancouver, I can fill up with 87-octane and/or E15 gasoline?

I'm not so sure anything that BMW puts in writing anymore(in the car or in the owner's manual)

Speaking of Canada, I also recently saw that there was no spare tire for the X1 sold in Canada. That is so weird. Being such a big country with vast distance between cities, I would have thought that Canadian drivers need the spare tire than us.

Yes sir, on Vancouver Island on the west coast.

I can only imagine that the US and Canadian engines are identical, no reason not to be.

Can confirm no spare tire (my 19’s aren’t even runflats 😅&#128517. I commute 35 miles (60km) each way to work. And I’ll be keeping an extra wheel/tire in my X1