This is possibly one for the BMW Techs on here.
I've got an E92 330i with the N53 engine. I currently commute to work by train so only really use it at weekends, but an office move means I may have to start commuting by car.
From what I've read on the Internet, most people recommend using only Shell VPower with this engine (which I've done so far) as the injectors are a bit fragile (mine have already been replaced under recall once), and there is apparently an issue with carbon build up on the back of valves.
If I have to do 18,000 miles a year in it, the fuel consumption is slightly the wrong side of acceptable, but using normal Shell fuel might just tip the balance in it's favour.
My question is, will using ordinary (non supermarket) petrol cause problems with the injectors etc?
Also, is the advice in the link below valid?
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=694228
E9X Direct Injection Petrol Engines
Moderator: martauto
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tom325ise
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Last edited by tom325ise on Sat May 10, 2014 10:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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bss325i
- E30 Zone Team Member

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A lot of the problems with the injectors are down to the poor quality of the earlier ones and the fact the are right in the cylinder head so heat plays a part in their demise.
That post in the link you provided is from a US forum, i gues their driving style is more sedate, especially on higways with their stupidly low 55 mph limits.
Carbon build up on N53, N54, N43 does not seem to be that common in the uk
That post in the link you provided is from a US forum, i gues their driving style is more sedate, especially on higways with their stupidly low 55 mph limits.
Carbon build up on N53, N54, N43 does not seem to be that common in the uk
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tom325ise
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Location: South London
Great! Thanks Barry
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bss325i
- E30 Zone Team Member

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- Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: London/Surrey
Just give it some death (when oil is up to temp) now and then, 
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tom325ise
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 181
- Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: South London
OK, well I seem to have broken it!
It's developed a fault where for the first few minutes of running from cold it has a very lumpy idle - the rev needle drops noticeably, the car feels like it's about to stall and the whole car shakes. Then after a couple of minutes it clears and the car is back to normal again.
I've got one of the Bluetooth fault code readers and it doesn't seem to be throwing up any codes before, during or after the rough running. I've also tried running some fuel system cleaner through it.
Anyone got any ideas?
It's developed a fault where for the first few minutes of running from cold it has a very lumpy idle - the rev needle drops noticeably, the car feels like it's about to stall and the whole car shakes. Then after a couple of minutes it clears and the car is back to normal again.
I've got one of the Bluetooth fault code readers and it doesn't seem to be throwing up any codes before, during or after the rough running. I've also tried running some fuel system cleaner through it.
Anyone got any ideas?
