Real Story on need Premium gas please

[tcp_ML500]

timf - 5/18/2004 11:09 AM
...seems this topic comes up every 6 months or so and results in two factions those who do and those who don't use premium.

0) I see a third faction, those who use one or the other, depending on the mood.
I have seen a fourth faction, those that make 89 by mixing one half tank of 91 to one half tank of 87 when the price of 89 is greater than the average price per gal of 87 and 91.
A hypothetical fifth faction mixes their own 90 with 87 and 93. Anal factions can reproduce anything from 87 to 93, at most gas stations, or 87 to 91 given enough incentives, a measuring stick and lit cigar.

timf - 5/18/2004 11:09 AM
More sophisticated ECU's have individual knock sensors for each cylinder and can adjust individual timing to avoid this problem.

1) We are victims of a conspiracy theory whereby German auto manufacturers are in cohoot with oil companies around the globe to force us to use the premium stuff while they've had water engine patents (by Chuck V might I add) in their drawers for years.

timf - 5/18/2004 11:09 AM
As a data point my ML430 runs on 89 octane...
Indeed I have also run it on 87 octane for extended periods and not noticed / recorded any significant drop off in power or MPG.

2) No wonder your ML is in the shop all the time if you use the lower grade gas

timf - 5/18/2004 11:09 AM
As for my 911TT that always gets premium as its turbo charged and runs high boost levels - but even then I would have no qualms about regular gas should the need arise as I have confidence in the ECU to back off accordingly. I just couldn't tolerate the more noticable drop off in power - don't want to get beat off the line by a ML500 ;-)

3) Stop here for a minute. Are you saying that in order for the ML500 to beat your 996 needs to run regular while the ML500 needs to run premium? Why that's the most outrageous claim I've ever read on this forum! You lost all credibility right there, wether you have design ECU for ignition timing or not.
[:)]

[Mac]

Maybe it's more than just bad luck that you got a lemon ML.

timf - 5/18/2004 9:09 AM . . . As a data point my ML430 runs on 89 octane as a compromise and has been returning 15.7MPG around town driving with no ill effects - it's now at 61,000 miles.

Indeed I have also run it on 87 octane for extended periods and not noticed / recorded any significant drop off in power or MPG . . .

[timf]

Hey Mac,

I expected you to respond just as you did ;-) But do you really think running on the occasional tank of 87, but 89 octane the rest of the time instead of 91 explains all the none engine related problems I've had with my ML ?

What about those poor ML owners in the mountains who can only get 87 ?

In actual fact apart from the usual engine problems with the MAF, O2 sensors and cracked Cat's - I'd say the engine & transmission have been great.

Maybe you think my running on 89 octane is a symptom / example of my not taking care of my ML ? Again - you're wrong and I have full service history to prove it! As a case in point I've always taken my own Mobil 1 oil to the dealer long before MB made the switch. Never did like the idea of 10,000 miles on Dino oil.

Indeed my ML runs and looks like it's brand new - it's just taken a ton of silly trivial maintenance / repair to keep it that way. Practically all none engine related.

None the less I'm pleased that you agree I got a lemon - shame MB didn't see it that way.

But like many others I'll vote with my wallet and continue to post about the darkside of MB ownership.

[tcp_ML500]

has made various switches fail, caused electronics to go AWOL, ABS failures, low tire inflation, body damage, leather seat wardrobe malfunctions dring the superbowl halftime, etc...

These are beyond dispute. You called it upon yourself. The Vance workers had pre cognition of what you were going to do and they built you a MLemon!

The ultimate proof?
Your ML on premium can't even beat your 996TT on regular! Coincidence? I think not!