Just curious . . . SHELL Premium 93 is the highest priced premium gas I've seen. Does anybody know if SHELL 93 is better than any other 93?

Thanks!

 

No better and no worse, there's slight variations in detergent/additive content but nothing that should make a large difference in the performance of your vehicle. There will be variations in prices based on location and even between same brand stations near each other. I know in Augusta, GA there was a Circle K off of I-20 that was consistently 10-20 cents more expensive than the Circle K a few miles farther off the interstate near my friends house.

 

I use Shell Gasoline V-Power 93 on both of my MINIs and I have noticed better mileage since switching from Citgo 93. It is good stuff in my book.

 

I've never put anything in my car but Shell V-Power. Yeah, it is more expensive, but for me it makes sense because the other gas stations in the area are grocery store stations and I know they use the cheapest gas they can get their hands on so it's not consistent fuel from tank to tank.

 

God I wish we had 93 or 94 in California.
Thats the only thing I miss about PA.

 

I use Sunoco 93 Octane. I drove shell for a couple months and then Sunoco. The MINI responds better to Sunoco. Fact or fiction, that's how I feel.

 

Shell is awesome, also run Mobil/Exxon.
I stay away from Amoco BP mostly because I used to be in the gasoline storage tank testing business and Amoco's were filthy with all sorts of crud they refused to clean.

On the wall of the service dept of my MINI dealer was a list of recommended fuels. All the above plus Phillips/Conoco and QuikTrip (regional brand). Not sure if Amoco was on there

 

i have also always used shell 93 V-Power. Great response =). about 4 years ago Mercedes Benz and BMW would prohibit the use of bp gasolines!

 

Love Shell when I can get it, the only stations around here are waaay out of the way and are ridiculously expensive. I mainly fill up with Shell when on trips. For everyday driving I use the local Raceway. The gas may not have as many additives and detergents but it's always fresh.

 

I can't wait to get back to Florida so I can use Sunoco race fuel its like 16 I think.

 

Use mostly Chevron 93!
MINI sells a "Fuel System Cleaner Plus", I've put in one bottle already - MINI said to use it every 3000 miles or so. If your unsure of the quality of the gas try the cleaner.

 

Here is a list that I found of the Top Tier gasoline retailers. I believe Top Tier was established by the automakers because gasoline retailers kept reducing the additivies (mainly detergents) so the automakers set a standard that must be met to be classified as Top Tier. I am not sure the last time this list was updated. Top Tier gasoline retailers must meet the standards with all grades of gasoline to be approved. So some retailers might meet the standard for their 91/93 octane fuel but might not make the list because they do not meet the standards for the lower grade fuels.

TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:
QuikTrip
Chevron
Texaco
MFA Oil Co
Conoco
Phillips 66
76
Entec Stations
Shell
The Somerset Refinery, Inc.
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Co
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Mileage Stations
Chevron Canada
Shell Canada
Petro-Canada
Sunoco Canada

I suspect that even within this list some have more addditvies than others so their gasoline might be worth the extra cost. However, if you use one of these retailers you at least know they meet a standard.

 

I always go for Sunoco ultra94 if I am out of town and can't find a Sunoco Shell is next on my list for the V-power 93 but not all stations have.

 

My local Shell station sells premium for a little less than most other local competitors, Mobil, Exxon, Sunoco, etc... It's not a lot cheaper, but consistently a litle less expensive.

 

A local car shop that sells gas told me that only they and Shell were still selling 100% gas--no ethanol. I noticed that the pumps didn't have the ethanol stickers at Shell, also. If true, it could account for the higher price.

Except, maybe, in Virginia and other places where it seems ethanol is law.

R

 

I don't think it's recommended to run gas with no ethanol in the MINI, but I could be wrong.

 

Shell here in Miami sells gas with 10% Ethanol.

 

Base gasoline (regular and premium) is a fungible product. It is all made to the same spec as required by the area in which it is sold. I don't know the latest count, but there are many many "botique" blends around the US. Gasoline is the same with the exception of the proprietary additive packages at name-brand gas stations - as mentioned above. Generic brands (the gas you get at grocery stores, Costco, Sams, unbranded 7-11's, etc.) get a basic additive package and major brands like Shell, Exxon, Mobil, BP, Amoco, etc. have their own exclusive additives which are generally better and usually worth the little extra they cost.

Most gasoline is distributed using commercial public pipelines. The 2 biggest in the US are probably Colonial Pipeline and Plantation Pipeline. They bring most of the gasoline produced on the Gulf coast to the East, Southeast and Northeast. All the refineries pump their gasoline into the pipelines in mixed batches and volumes are pulled off into local distribution terminals along the pipeline. What actually goes into, say, a Shell Terminal, may have been actually produced at an ExxnMobil refinery, and vice versa. In fact most distribution terminals in the US are now owned by third parties and 2 competing stations across the street from each other may have fuel out of the same tank at the distribution terminal! Only the additive package is different. Additives are injected into the gsoline as it is loaded on the truck to go to the station.

Most gas stations in the US are dealer or distributor operated and they set their own retail prices. Obviously Shell and others sell to the dealers and distributors at prices determined by the oil companies, but the retail posted price is set by the operator. There are of course some stations owned and operated by oil companies, but the number of these is shrinking.

 

Actually, one of the requirements for "Top Tier" status is that their gasoline must contain between 8% and 10% ethanol. I know they ignore this in some states like Alabama, which do have ethanol-free gas, but generally, Shell gas will have ethanol, even though it's not always required to mark it that way on the pump.

 

I re-read the official MINI gasoline guide, it's 10 percent or less ethanol. The ethanol is used to reduce engine knock, so I guess it's good to have some, but not too much.

 

Our engines can not handle more than 10% ethanol.

 

I used to get V-Power over the summer when premium here in NJ was about $4.25 a gallon, and Shell was about 4.20. Now its like 20 cents more than everywhere else so now I just get gas at any name-brand station but most of the time Sunoco because it's right next to my work.

 

I always fill my Clubman up with Shell.
Shell's latest TV commercial says:
"Now Shell gasoline contains Nitrogen!"

 

I usually use nothing but Shell V-Power - there's one near the house and it's been good so far. Last time I filled up, had no choice but to use Texaco. So far I've noticed no real change.

The Nitrogen thing is a gimmick, I think.

 

I was told from the dealership that the MINI does not like ethanol and that is why they use the sytem cleaner. Which I think might be something like Seafoam. Also almost every single Petrol Engine out there can't handle more than 10% ethanol it starts causing heating issues cause the ethanol burns hotter. Also I don't know about I would rather run BP its more UKDM. Hahahaha I am such a fish and chipper(aka ricer)