Harmful to run 89 octane with dinan chip?

[ME30W]

I have an 89 325i with a dinan chip.

I'm stuck at work with no gas, not even enough to wait in the 2 hour lines at the pump. I found a guy selling 89octane gas that he will deliver, but I'm not sure how harmful running a few gallons of 89 would be to the car.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[butters]

I doubt any major damage could occur, it'll just run poorly and go through the fuel slightly faster. I would push it in line at the pump, or try for a jerry can or siphon from a buddy's car or something.

Funny, my sister lives in midtown and was forced to buy premium after driving for quite some time to find a station (NJ side I believe).

[jlevie]

Driving gently and only adding a few gallons should not hurt the engine. There is some high octane fuel in the tank now, so the result will be higher than just 89.

[325ix]

Like jlevie said. I doubt any real harm will come with only a few gallons. Is it normally tuned for 91?

[BrownBeanE30]

nothing should happen brah just drive her ;)

[mbonanni]

I have a dinan chip in my eta and was told running 91 octane was useless. I ran it for quite awhile till I was told this. I switched to 89, and have not noticed a difference.

[bmwstephen]

the m20 doesn't have knock sensors to adjust the timing like modern bmw engines. aren't you just asking for trouble when your ignition is advanced yet your octane level is set to expect an early detonation?

[squidmaster]

baby it. I don't think it'd knock but it is a possibility.

[ME30W]

I didn't end up taking the risk. My tank was pretty much at zero, and did not want the inferior fuel to mess anything up.

Had to leave the car at work over the weekend, and hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on some of that sweet, sweet high octane fuel this week

[squidmaster]

is it not available to you? You could drive it home, as long as you don't dog it.

[2mAn]

89 + octane booster?

[Wh33lhop]

You would have been fine driving for a little bit as long as you were easy on it. Add a gallon or two of 89 and when you get home fill up with 91. The Dinan tunes aren't even that aggressive really so the timing map won't be so advanced that you'll be knocking all over the place wih 89.

I know people who put 89 in their dailies (that require 91). I wouldn't condone regular use of it but it won't seriously harm your engine if you run a gallon or two of the stuff, especially if you are not wailing on it.

edit: Wow 11 days ago. Oh well.

[squidmaster]

Still good for anyone searching though.