SL/R230: Premium Fuel?
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Joined: Mar 2009
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500 SL
Premium Fuel?
My SL is arriving tomorrow, 
, but I was wondering if I can be a cheap &$%#%@ and put cheap-o fuel in it. The only two cars I previously owned which actually freaked out when cheapo was put in them was a 1964 Thunderbird 429 v8 and a C5 Corvette, the rest of the V-8's would handle the cheap stuff pretty well. I know for some this might be some sort of sacroligious thought, but has anyone tried this and did the engine knock at all?
, but I was wondering if I can be a cheap &$%#%@ and put cheap-o fuel in it. The only two cars I previously owned which actually freaked out when cheapo was put in them was a 1964 Thunderbird 429 v8 and a C5 Corvette, the rest of the V-8's would handle the cheap stuff pretty well. I know for some this might be some sort of sacroligious thought, but has anyone tried this and did the engine knock at all?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
This subject has been done to death on these boards, so you may want to do a search on this topic as well.
Basically, with modern ECU and injection systems you will not get a "knock" like on old carbureted engines as the ECU can advance the timing to prevent it. The horsepower and torque ratings (and wear and tear ratings) were all done using premium fuel, so you will be getting reduced power. Since the car will be igniting the fuel earlier to prevent detonation from compression, it could mean that the burn won't be quite as clean and could possibly leave small amounts of residue on the cylinder heads.
The bottom line is, give the engine what it needs and it will give you years of enjoyment in return. Would you eat canned dog food? It's technically food and it'll still give you your daily requirements of calories, but I'm sure the side effects are not pretty.
Rook
Basically, with modern ECU and injection systems you will not get a "knock" like on old carbureted engines as the ECU can advance the timing to prevent it. The horsepower and torque ratings (and wear and tear ratings) were all done using premium fuel, so you will be getting reduced power. Since the car will be igniting the fuel earlier to prevent detonation from compression, it could mean that the burn won't be quite as clean and could possibly leave small amounts of residue on the cylinder heads.
The bottom line is, give the engine what it needs and it will give you years of enjoyment in return. Would you eat canned dog food? It's technically food and it'll still give you your daily requirements of calories, but I'm sure the side effects are not pretty.
Rook
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
The answer in a word is NO!
Your car will work, but not properly. We had tuned an E55, and the client complained that he didn't feel any difference. I couldn't figure out any problem, and I happened to ask him what kind of gas he used. Of course he said regular, and explained that he was just being cheap! I could not believe that he would buy a $100K performance car and cheap out on the gas, but it does happen..
Long story short...... he ran premium and the car came alive, and he was actually surprised! There are so many sensors in the car to prevent damage from low octane fuel, and as stated previously there won't be knocking as a result, but this is a well built and finely tuned machine, that should use premium fuel.
Your car will work, but not properly. We had tuned an E55, and the client complained that he didn't feel any difference. I couldn't figure out any problem, and I happened to ask him what kind of gas he used. Of course he said regular, and explained that he was just being cheap! I could not believe that he would buy a $100K performance car and cheap out on the gas, but it does happen..
Long story short...... he ran premium and the car came alive, and he was actually surprised! There are so many sensors in the car to prevent damage from low octane fuel, and as stated previously there won't be knocking as a result, but this is a well built and finely tuned machine, that should use premium fuel.
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I have a 2007 SL550 and I always use the high-octane fuel. I do not worry about some power loss with a lower octane fuel; I just do not wish to cause any damage to the car. I have an extended MB warranty and I hope to keep the car for a long time.
I also have an ML500 and I use the 89-octane fuel and I cannot tell a difference, compared to the required higher-octane fuel.
I also have an ML500 and I use the 89-octane fuel and I cannot tell a difference, compared to the required higher-octane fuel.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Not to sound too harsh about this, but I think it's great to hear that a number of people here think that they know better than a ginormous team of highly trained German engineers that work for a company that spends almost a million euros a day on Research and Development alone. When they say that Premium fuel is required, then one could safely assume it's required. Especially to achieve the full efficiency, reliability and power of the engine.
Also, if someone is so concerned with 20cents on the gallon over regular fuel, then wouldn't the fact that you can only get 16mpg in the city concern you more?
Rook
// You don't know your arteries are clogged until you have a heart attack... the same could be said for an engine.
Also, if someone is so concerned with 20cents on the gallon over regular fuel, then wouldn't the fact that you can only get 16mpg in the city concern you more?
Rook
// You don't know your arteries are clogged until you have a heart attack... the same could be said for an engine.
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From: San Diego
'08 SL55
My SL is arriving tomorrow, , but I was wondering if I can be a cheap &$%#%@ and put cheap-o fuel in it. The only two cars I previously owned which actually freaked out when cheapo was put in them was a 1964 Thunderbird 429 v8 and a C5 Corvette, the rest of the V-8's would handle the cheap stuff pretty well. I know for some this might be some sort of sacroligious thought, but has anyone tried this and did the engine knock at all?
, but I was wondering if I can be a cheap &$%#%@ and put cheap-o fuel in it. The only two cars I previously owned which actually freaked out when cheapo was put in them was a 1964 Thunderbird 429 v8 and a C5 Corvette, the rest of the V-8's would handle the cheap stuff pretty well. I know for some this might be some sort of sacroligious thought, but has anyone tried this and did the engine knock at all?
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Joined: Nov 2008
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07 S550 & 05 SL55
biophase thanks for that
i was gonna do the same calculation
idk why people have to be cheap..... you can make up for that cost by not taking your gf out 2 times in an entire year......
if you want to be cheap by a different car
i was gonna do the same calculation
idk why people have to be cheap..... you can make up for that cost by not taking your gf out 2 times in an entire year......
if you want to be cheap by a different car
Thread Starter
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500 SL
Thank you all for the response and especially biophase for that calculation!
1) Hell no I didn't buy an expensive car, I am cheap! I bought a $25,000 500sl, just happens to look new, but being the cheapo I am I usually buy cars that are deeeeepreciated, but aaaaaapreciated by their previous owners, so they are still nice.
2) Teehee, I am cheap, I date girls who pay their own way, after the first couple of dates, it's pretty much accepted practice.
3) Cheapness is a disease, trust me, but at least I have good taste and get cheap things. But, as evidence that it is a disease, I was actually contemplating saving $138?!?!
1) Hell no I didn't buy an expensive car, I am cheap! I bought a $25,000 500sl, just happens to look new, but being the cheapo I am I usually buy cars that are deeeeepreciated, but aaaaaapreciated by their previous owners, so they are still nice.
2) Teehee, I am cheap, I date girls who pay their own way, after the first couple of dates, it's pretty much accepted practice.
3) Cheapness is a disease, trust me, but at least I have good taste and get cheap things. But, as evidence that it is a disease, I was actually contemplating saving $138?!?!
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
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19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
The paperwork that came with my SL when I did European delivery stated that it was okay to run regular or premium gas while in Europe, but the car would be reprogrammed for US Emissions and require premium fuel when it was redelivered in the US.
)
