instead of buying a 08 C350...
87 Octane
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c350 08
87 Octane
Yo. So, I'm looking for advice from the performance enthusiasts/technicians in the audience. I get free 87 octane, but have to pay for anything else as part of a work reimbursement.
I'm thinking of going 87 all the time on my stock 2008 c350...any thoughts? Seems like it would just lack a little punch. My question is...can the dealer tell which fuel I'm using and would this affect my warranty. Any thoughts on long term performance should I want to go back to 93 because I'm getting pwned by a 2001 Maxima?
Thanks for your advice!
I'm thinking of going 87 all the time on my stock 2008 c350...any thoughts? Seems like it would just lack a little punch. My question is...can the dealer tell which fuel I'm using and would this affect my warranty. Any thoughts on long term performance should I want to go back to 93 because I'm getting pwned by a 2001 Maxima?
Thanks for your advice!
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From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
let the flaming begin, some ppl on this forum are touchy about this subject, however there are many threads on this already! just search.
I stick with 91 octane, i follow the manufacturer recommendations.
I stick with 91 octane, i follow the manufacturer recommendations.
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
Yes the flaming shall begin...there has to be a reason more and more car companies are recommending higher octane in their engines. They do the tests, they know whats going on, if they have decided that only a certain octane should be used in their engines then that's what you should stick by.
Obviously filling the car up every once in awhile such as in an emergency with a lower octane isn't going to ruin your engine, but prolonged use may. If you decide to go this route and use only 87 octane and something with the engine should go bad, they can and will test the gasoline in your tank. The finding of a fuel not recommended by the manufacturer would be cause for a void of warranty and you would be left with the bill for any repairs. They aren't suggesting you use a higher octane, they simply put it in writing to do so.
I'm sticking with what is stated in the owners manual. I've seen the repair bills for these cars when something goes wrong, thankfully it's been under warranty, I'm not giving them any reason to void mine.
Obviously filling the car up every once in awhile such as in an emergency with a lower octane isn't going to ruin your engine, but prolonged use may. If you decide to go this route and use only 87 octane and something with the engine should go bad, they can and will test the gasoline in your tank. The finding of a fuel not recommended by the manufacturer would be cause for a void of warranty and you would be left with the bill for any repairs. They aren't suggesting you use a higher octane, they simply put it in writing to do so.
I'm sticking with what is stated in the owners manual. I've seen the repair bills for these cars when something goes wrong, thankfully it's been under warranty, I'm not giving them any reason to void mine.
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
Put what the car recommends.
If the car calls for 87, don't waste money on 91.
However, when a call asks for 91 minimum, put the 91. They don't do it to take money from you, they do it because it's what the car is designed to use.
20 cents per gallon when the gasoline is as high as it is today, is a tiny percentage increase. Treat your car right.
Thats my opinion. Again, I use regular, when it is called for, but if a call asks for the premium, thats what it gets!
If the car calls for 87, don't waste money on 91.
However, when a call asks for 91 minimum, put the 91. They don't do it to take money from you, they do it because it's what the car is designed to use.
20 cents per gallon when the gasoline is as high as it is today, is a tiny percentage increase. Treat your car right.
Thats my opinion. Again, I use regular, when it is called for, but if a call asks for the premium, thats what it gets!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Yo. So, I'm looking for advice from the performance enthusiasts/technicians in the audience. I get free 87 octane, but have to pay for anything else as part of a work reimbursement.
I'm thinking of going 87 all the time on my stock 2008 c350...any thoughts? Seems like it would just lack a little punch. My question is...can the dealer tell which fuel I'm using and would this affect my warranty. Any thoughts on long term performance should I want to go back to 93 because I'm getting pwned by a 2001 Maxima?
Thanks for your advice!
I'm thinking of going 87 all the time on my stock 2008 c350...any thoughts? Seems like it would just lack a little punch. My question is...can the dealer tell which fuel I'm using and would this affect my warranty. Any thoughts on long term performance should I want to go back to 93 because I'm getting pwned by a 2001 Maxima?
Thanks for your advice!
1. Visit my dealers Service Manager & ask whether it is possible to detune my engine to run safely on 87.
2. If so, receive the answer in writing that my warranty will not be affected.
3. If not sell the MB ASAP to lessen depreciation costs & buy a car which will run on 87 & put the saved money into your retirement fund.
Fuel prices in the medium to long term are only going one way .Please tell me who you are working for & I will put in a job application
.
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Yo. So, I'm looking for advice from the performance enthusiasts/technicians in the audience. I get free 87 octane, but have to pay for anything else as part of a work reimbursement.
I'm thinking of going 87 all the time on my stock 2008 c350...any thoughts? Seems like it would just lack a little punch. My question is...can the dealer tell which fuel I'm using and would this affect my warranty. Any thoughts on long term performance should I want to go back to 93 because I'm getting pwned by a 2001 Maxima?
Thanks for your advice!
I'm thinking of going 87 all the time on my stock 2008 c350...any thoughts? Seems like it would just lack a little punch. My question is...can the dealer tell which fuel I'm using and would this affect my warranty. Any thoughts on long term performance should I want to go back to 93 because I'm getting pwned by a 2001 Maxima?
Thanks for your advice!
To answer your question, it is very easy for the service dept to tell what gas you are/have been running, and yes, it will void your warranty.
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From: 310/305
black c300 sport p1
If I were in your situation where I could run my car with out any fuel costs in the present high price enviroment I would :-
1. Visit my dealers Service Manager & ask whether it is possible to detune my engine to run safely on 87.
2. If so, receive the answer in writing that my warranty will not be affected.
3. If not sell the MB ASAP to lessen depreciation costs & buy a car which will run on 87 & put the saved money into your retirement fund.
Fuel prices in the medium to long term are only going one way .Please tell me who you are working for & I will put in a job application.
1. Visit my dealers Service Manager & ask whether it is possible to detune my engine to run safely on 87.
2. If so, receive the answer in writing that my warranty will not be affected.
3. If not sell the MB ASAP to lessen depreciation costs & buy a car which will run on 87 & put the saved money into your retirement fund.
Fuel prices in the medium to long term are only going one way .Please tell me who you are working for & I will put in a job application
.
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From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
I have also been told that besides testing you gas in the tank the dealership can check the on board data log and determine ignition temp and that will determine what octane fuel you are running. It also logs how often the "knock" sensor kicks in which reflects lower octane fuel. If you get free low octane gas and want to use it, I would put in a bottle of good quality octane booster (even at $5-$10 a bottle still cheaper than filling up at $65+).
Just my 2 cents
Just my 2 cents
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2011 E350 Sport 4matic
You did not understand. You would not be running E85 (i.e., 85% ethanol; 15% gas) in you Mercedes. Instead, I was saying if you mix in 10% with your 90% 87 octane gasoline, you will raise the overall octane a bit higher. If you started with pure gasoline you would only be ending up with the mix containing 8.5% ethanol--and that is less ethanol than the 10% ethanol most of us are forced to use in the gas coming from the local filling stations.
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
You did not understand. You would not be running E85 (i.e., 85% ethanol; 15% gas) in you Mercedes. Instead, I was saying if you mix in 10% with your 90% 87 octane gasoline, you will raise the overall octane a bit higher. If you started with pure gasoline you would only be ending up with the mix containing 8.5% ethanol--and that is less ethanol than the 10% ethanol most of us are forced to use in the gas coming from the local filling stations.
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From: San Antonio
2008 C350
+1.
Pay the extra money for the proper feul. The fact that 91 is required isn't exactly an additional selling point for MB so they would tell you that 87 is okay if it were (at least informally anyway).
You'll save money by going with cheaper feul, but may get nailed in the long run if you have engine problems and your warranty is voided or expired.
If someone is worried about the extra 20 cents per gallon when buying the car, they should invest in a lesser expensive vehicle. Your situation is unique that apparently you are getting free gas so you would be saving $4.50 a gallon. I agree with the others and say see if you can just pay the difference.
Pay the extra money for the proper feul. The fact that 91 is required isn't exactly an additional selling point for MB so they would tell you that 87 is okay if it were (at least informally anyway).
You'll save money by going with cheaper feul, but may get nailed in the long run if you have engine problems and your warranty is voided or expired.
If someone is worried about the extra 20 cents per gallon when buying the car, they should invest in a lesser expensive vehicle. Your situation is unique that apparently you are getting free gas so you would be saving $4.50 a gallon. I agree with the others and say see if you can just pay the difference.
Last edited by MBTex; Jul 14, 2008 at 12:12 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
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c350 08
The difference is between paying $0 for gas and paying $65+ each fill up. This is a serious expense for me in the long term given other unexpected financial issues not foreseen when purchasing my luxury item = )
Manufacturers recommend a lot of ****. I'm sure that people here have plenty of modifications to their c350's that aren't manufacturer approved. I'd love for someone to find a real reason (besides voiding warrantee, which is a big deal of course...the reason I'm questioning this) in terms of engine wear or risk that makes this is a bad idea.
Trust me, I'd much rather have the 93 octane and not deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what I'm doing to my first real car!
Manufacturers recommend a lot of ****. I'm sure that people here have plenty of modifications to their c350's that aren't manufacturer approved. I'd love for someone to find a real reason (besides voiding warrantee, which is a big deal of course...the reason I'm questioning this) in terms of engine wear or risk that makes this is a bad idea.
Trust me, I'd much rather have the 93 octane and not deal with the uncertainty of not knowing what I'm doing to my first real car!
Last edited by EmceeSquared; Jul 14, 2008 at 03:25 PM.
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C300 Sport/Palladium Silver on Black/P2
Yeah this is a tough one.
Got to see if work let you pay the difference. Otherwise, maybe do like said and spend the $5-$10 per tank on octane booster, or maybe every other tank put it in, or pour half the bottle with each tank.
I'd never say put 87 in it, ever, but it's hard when it's completely free, if you do.
I still wouldn't do it daily, i'd try to pay the difference, or if not allowed, put something else in the tank to bring up the octane some.
Got to see if work let you pay the difference. Otherwise, maybe do like said and spend the $5-$10 per tank on octane booster, or maybe every other tank put it in, or pour half the bottle with each tank.
I'd never say put 87 in it, ever, but it's hard when it's completely free, if you do.
I still wouldn't do it daily, i'd try to pay the difference, or if not allowed, put something else in the tank to bring up the octane some.
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The fact is that using fuel of too low of an octane will cause engine damage, which is the reason it will void your warranty. Carbon buildup will be one long term result, and you will have consistent pre-ignition, which could cause any number of issues.
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1999 210 4matic / 2011 W204 C300 sport
sorry , not trying to flame you , but looks like you cannot afford to drive this car , or any car that uses 91 octane
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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1999 210 4matic / 2011 W204 C300 sport
of course i am unhelpful , because this person has already made up is mine , no matter what happen , he will use 87 octane .. he just want someone here to back him up . lots of other member already tell him not to and he still dont get the message , let see how you can help him out
Last edited by maninblack; Jul 14, 2008 at 05:51 PM.
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Fast Cars!
honestly, you can put 87 in there and it will drive ok for regular driving. if you start to floor it, then it will suck. it wont really effect the car, depending on how long you plan to keep it. Trust me, people put 87 octane in the Mercedes loaner cars all the time and they are fine.
