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-   -   Regular gas? (https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/cooper-non-s/208251-regular-gas.html)

BigCanoe 04-12-2011 06:14 AM

Regular gas?
 
Does the Mini Cooper (non S) require premium gas? What US octane level? I am considering one for a commuter/fun car, but I would prefer to buy cheaper gas to save money if it wont hurt the car.

Sabes 04-12-2011 06:17 AM

Everybody is going to tell you to use the search function. But to save you time, look at your user manual, it will tell you to use at least 91 octane. Don't use regular

BigCanoe 04-12-2011 06:18 AM

Thank you. Can I use a mix of 89 and 93, we dont have 91 :) Ok,ok, 93 it is :)

amberback 04-12-2011 06:33 AM

I use 93 in mine, lots of places don't have 91. In the end it's less than $5 extra per fill up - if that's going to make or break your bank account then you probably should consider something else.

Blainestang 04-12-2011 06:38 AM

The truth is, I often hear that people get slightly better gas mileage from using premium in the cars, as designed.

If you assume that Premium is ~10% more expensive than regular gas (.30), and you get ~10% better mileage as a result, then the premium isn't really costing you any more. Plus, you've got more power when you need it (timing doesn't have to be retarded to prevent preignition) and you don't have to worry whether or not you could be hurting your car.

That's how I justify it anyway :)

trwxxa 04-12-2011 07:37 AM


Originally Posted by arncota (Post 3259267)
Thank you. Can I use a mix of 89 and 93, we dont have 91 :) Ok,ok, 93 it is :)

Yes, you can use a mix of 89 and 93.

GigglesMcMini 04-12-2011 12:04 PM


Originally Posted by Blainestang (Post 3259283)
The truth is, I often hear that people get slightly better gas mileage from using premium in the cars, as designed.

If you assume that Premium is ~10% more expensive than regular gas (.30), and you get ~10% better mileage as a result, then the premium isn't really costing you any more. Plus, you've got more power when you need it (timing doesn't have to be retarded to prevent preignition) and you don't have to worry whether or not you could be hurting your car.

That's how I justify it anyway :)

:thumbsup: I am the Queen of Justification, and this is a very good one! I tried to feed my kids well to keep them strong and healthy, why should your Mini expect anything less :wink: ?

MiamiGuitarMan 04-15-2011 10:25 AM

According to my user manual it says that it can run fine on 87 even though 91 is the optimal recommendation. The dealer also told me it could run 87 just fine.

NewBlueMiniCoop 04-15-2011 11:45 AM

Since when is "just fine" ever good enough?

GigglesMcMini 04-15-2011 11:50 AM


Originally Posted by NewBlueMiniCoop (Post 3262076)
Since when is "just fine" ever good enough?

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :lol:

asindc 04-15-2011 12:05 PM


Originally Posted by NewBlueMiniCoop (Post 3262076)
Since when is "just fine" ever good enough?

"Close enough" rarely is.

DneprDave 04-15-2011 12:19 PM

I dunno, "Close enough" and "Just fine" works for me!

Dave

Joey D 04-15-2011 07:51 PM

Do not run 87 octane in your Cooper, it'll run like crap. Really your are putting at the most 12 gallons in the car and that's if you area really empty. At $.20 more then regular, premium will cost you at most $2.40 more per fill up, that's nothing in the grand scheme of things. If money is that tight just skip a morning coffee or some other unneeded expense from your week.

GigglesMcMini 04-16-2011 05:41 AM


Originally Posted by Joey D (Post 3262431)
Do not run 87 octane in your Cooper, it'll run like crap. Really your are putting at the most 12 gallons in the car and that's if you area really empty. At $.20 more then regular, premium will cost you at most $2.40 more per fill up, that's nothing in the grand scheme of things. If money is that tight just skip a morning coffee or some other unneeded expense from your week.

You put this issue in perfect perspective!!! :thumbsup:

dannyhavok 04-16-2011 07:29 AM

My manual says 87 is acceptable if I can't find 91+ but my gas cap says minimum 91. What I take from this is that my car probably won't burst into flames if I'm out of gas in the sticks and I need to fill up at Bob's Gasoline Shack with 87, but I always get 91 or 94, because it's only a few bucks and I feel better about it.

run26385 04-19-2011 11:07 AM

My gas cap says 89, manual says 87 acceptable but 91 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My justa born Dec 2010

MiamiGuitarMan 04-19-2011 03:17 PM

Some interesting reading on the topic

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/...s_premium.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...tion-premium-g

LittleJoe 04-19-2011 03:38 PM

Those are good articles and each show that premium gas is not "better" for the typical car. However, for Mini's high compression engines, they will run "better" with premium fuel.

GigglesMcMini 05-12-2011 12:35 PM


Originally Posted by LittleJoe (Post 3265469)
Those are good articles and each show that premium gas is not "better" for the typical car. However, for Mini's high compression engines, they will run "better" with premium fuel.

Is the engine in my Justa considered a "performance" engine? My MA told me I could put regular in her with no issues, but he actually doesn't own or drive a mini :sly: .

I put 93 octane in her, anyway...just curious if premium recommended is because its a "performance" engine, or the configuration, or....Mini is in cohoots with the oil companies :eek2:

MiamiGuitarMan 05-12-2011 03:30 PM

at 120hp I wouldn't consider the engine to be a "performance" engine.

My last tank was 91 octane. My current one is 87. I can't tell a bit of difference and my mpg seems to be the same if not maybe even slightly better.

GigglesMcMini 05-12-2011 03:39 PM

Hmmm, we don't have 91 here in Maryland, but have 89, however, cost difference not worth the risk....:no:

MotorMouth 05-12-2011 03:42 PM


Originally Posted by MiamiGuitarMan (Post 3282891)
at 120hp I wouldn't consider the engine to be a "performance" engine.

10.6:1 compression ratio is in the performance category.

dannyhavok 05-12-2011 06:30 PM


Originally Posted by MotorMouth (Post 3282900)
10.6:1 compression ratio is in the performance category.

Bingo. In this context it's about compression, not HP output.

DneprDave 05-12-2011 08:12 PM

I get regular gas, usually in the morning, as I'm waking up!:razz:

Dave

GigglesMcMini 05-13-2011 04:38 AM


Originally Posted by DneprDave (Post 3283096)
I get regular gas, usually in the morning, as I'm waking up!:razz:

Dave

:roll: Oh Dave :roll:


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