system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Do higher end cars really NEED premium gas over regular unleaded?

Just bought a BMW and never thought much of the difference. Read numerous articles - some make a case for each side, but most don't really definitely state if Premium really makes a difference. Thoughts?
gpt
Yes they do. Higher-end cars compress the gas more. If you use a lower-octane gas, the gas will explode on its own, before the engine is ready for it. This may damage your engine, although most newer cars have systems in place that try to detect this and prevent damage.