I'm worried about ethanol and my JCW R53 engine's response to it. In Oregon, it's a mandate that all fuel be at least 10% ethanol, and stations are slowly coming aboard. Not sure how much longer "clear" premium is going to be available. There was an article in our local paper the other day about how boat and some other recreational motors are being ruined by the solvent characteristics of ethanol, and how it attracts water molecules which can settle out and create all kinds of trouble. Anyone hear anything yet about how well our motors are going to do w/ it?

 

We have been using that blend in our fuels in my state for more than 10 years. Older cars (read 70' and older) may have problems with seals, but in general all new vehicles are fine and can handle it. You will see a reduction in MPG by maybe 1 or 2. We have stations here that sell "collector car, off road, motorcycle...fuel. The pumps have labels that say not to use on the street. They are generally premium fuel and contain no ethanol. The cost is about $.02 more than premium. We have it for just that purpose, older cars or boats that have some issues with ethanol. I put it in all my cars a couple times a year just "because". My motorcycle actually sounded different with that fuel. I always get 1-2mpg better with that fuel also.

10 or so years ago when they introduced it (10E) here people flipped out. Now that it's the norm not many people here even realize they are running 10%E.
I live in the snow belt and they combat the water problem with other additives. In fact they hardly sell "Heat" here anymore since all the fuel has it in it. If the gas station does sell "Heat" here we just laugh at the folks that buy it thinking they need it. Usually people that remember their fuel lines freezing in the winter.