Price of premium in NC has creeped and now staying pretty solid near $4/gallon. Sucks!

 

89 in my 2013 base model.

 

Price 3.19 here

 

Given both F56 cars (base and "S") are turbos you can bet they will need 91 or better.

 

"Need?' Some say that when manufacturers specify premium, that's because that's what was used to achieve their published horsepower/torque figures and the official EPA mileage ratings. Run on less than premium and you may get less power and fewer miles per gallon.

 

Even with the turbo in the base I would recommend premium.

 

And if they don't I bet they would benefit from less detonation, from the use of a more knock resistant gas (ie: higher octane) Some of the new turboed cars coming out from other auto makers don't require 91-93 and will run on 87, but IMO I just wouldn't.

 

REEEAAAALLY though, what difference does it make? $5? The cost of fun, IMO it's worth it.

 

I think the electronics in modern cars make adjustments for different grades of gas to prevent knocking. I'll probably use mostly premium (sometimes pure gasoline), to gain that tenth of a second in acceleration.

My wife's '14 Mazda CX-5 w/ a 13:1 compression ratio specifies regular -- modern electronics.

 

Well, coming from a '11 Buick LaCrosse V6 that averaged around 20mpg, using Premium in my new MCS is a small price to pay as the average MPG will leap significantly.

 

^^^this^^^ With an 11.9 gallon fuel tank it is a non issue.

 

2014 MCS I'm pretty darn sure will "Require" 93-Octane gas.


T.

 

A definitive answer will show-up when the Owner's Manual for the F56 is posted somewhere (MotoringFile?). For me at least it will be a good read, and answer a lot of questions.

 

Pound wise and penny foolish over a few bucks difference in how many tanks of fuel compared to the cost of replacing the knock sensor, busted rod/valve stem or blown head? Engine knock to any degree is destructive. If the price of fuel is that danged important maybe a Prius would be a better choice.

 

No, it will "recommend" 91. There's no 93 in my state at all. A lot of people use 87, 89 octane in their Cooper S models. I don't.

 

Turbo charged, direct injection, 11 to 1 compression ratio. Answer is obvious.

 

I'm going to guess you must be in CA. ???

I know there are States in the USA that don't actually have the 93-Octane.

Here we do have and I will (Always) be running the 93-Octane in our 2014 MCS for sure.

If gas cost per gallon is really-really important I'm in agreement with the other Poster, Buy an Economy car, not a High-Performance-MCS.

This post is in general not necessarily to a specific individual.




T.

 

I have run 93 in both of my MINIs and have never considered doing anything else. I have only ever put a lower grade in if I had to, such as a road trip. I did'nt my cars to save money on gas. I bought them to Motor on. The best way to Motor is when your MINI is at its best. Best requires Premium + gas. Besides the cost difference is so negligible why bother? Whats another $5 per tank for fun?

 

They do help compensate for that. In the N18 cars, I think the R60 specifically there were people who stated the manual said they could run 89 and no harm done, but I would imagine that since the car is having ot compensate you are losing out and running as it was fully intended.

But I agree, I was apprehensive when we got my wife's CX-5 2.0 in April 2012 (2013MY seems silly, but whatever) when they came out. The 13:1 on 87 have never been an issue and I'll leave that up to the "sky active gods".

 

I saw the same discussion on the VW forum when I bought my 2010 CC. Sometimes got heated. People argued back and forth. Most insisted on premium, but many used regular and couldn't detect much if any difference. I almost always use premium because I guess/assume/hope that more additives (injector cleaners, etc.) are in it.

The owners' manual for the high compression/turbo VW engines says: "Premium or Regular unleaded" and "For maximum engine performance, unleaded Premium is recommended."

 

Arizona has 87, 89, 91. Colorado has 85 I think. In the UK their 93=our 91. There have been countless threads about what to use. I use 91, which is what the manual recommends. I am not aware of anyone who had a problem using less. There are cars (Porche I believe) who REQUIRE 91 and warn you that you'll void the warranty if you use less. Finally there have been reports of Mini dealers voiding people's warranties because the gasoline in the car was screwed up, not the octane per se, maybe the ethanol content when they developed an engine problem or fuel pump problem. These owners just bought gas at the pump. At least one owner lawyered up and won. Another owner took his car to another dealer they fixed it ASAP.

 

We go on road trips often. Locally we have 91 available but when 93 is on the menu that's what he's fed and the mileage immediately increases. The OBC regularly indicates a range at fill up around 340 to 350. On 93 I've seen as high as 415. If we had it, I'd use it.

 

I will use 93 octane.

 

My understanding has always been the octane is based on the compression ratio. The more the fuel/air mixture the more likelihood there is for pre-ignition happening. This will cause all sorts of problem. Most people I know run their low compression engine on super thinking this is better gas when it is just a waste of money. Mini engines will be high compression not super high..91 is all you need unless you modify the engine...93 is a waste.

 

Hmmm, our '14 Mazda has a 13:1 compression ratio and regular is specified.