When I picked up my new (to me) 2010 Mini two weeks ago we got 36 MPG I was a happy boy. When I filled up with a mid grade gas at a local 7-11 and my millage dropped to 31 well you know . My next tank I went to my local Shell station and paied the big bucks for the best 93 octain and it didn't improve. Sure I play some (its a fun car) but over all I'm looking for good MPG on my weekly drive.

Note: yes I rest the gage when I got a new tank.

Let's hear your stories on this. Does the brad and price change MPG that much?

 

Lots of variables can affect the mileage. Best to measure the old fashioned way over many tankfuls as the computer tends to be 1-2 mpg optimistic. Generally the highest octane will provide the best mileage in our MINI's.

 

How are you calculating your MPG? Do not trust the OBC. Reset your trip odometer at each fillup and use the mileage to calculate your MPG per tank.

 

ethanol free

 

Why go mid-grade over premium? Not being condescending, just curious; perhaps there's something I should know about going mid-grade that I don't.

Ethanol free fuel around here = not an option. Neither is Chevron. Neither is Texaco. Neither is Sunoco. Neither is Exxon/Mobil. Shell is, but I don't trust the product: it's more expensive and my previous car would knock like crazy when using Shell.

I'm in a MINI fuel desert here!

 

In the east coast I like Sunoco 93/94 octane and west coast Chevron/Texaco and Shell 91 octane (CA).

 

I was using the computer, but I understand it's not 100%. Just a guide.

 

I was trying mid-grade because of price.
It sounds like Mini's don't like Ethanol.

 

Shell V-power 93 Look up "Top Tier" gas on the internet especially if not using premium----I think Justa is ok with mid grade

 

Well since they switch to 10% I noticed about 10$ loss in all vehicles that have run ethanol so it is not MINI specific but very hard to find corn-free gas.

My justa requires minimum of 91 so says the fuel door. I run 93 in everything, the justa ('02 R50) and the S ('09 R56).

 

Howdy,
Here in AZ, we can only get as high as 91. I bought my baby in so.cal, were I could get 92. I have NEVER put in anything except the highest octane I could get. Why bother?

Oh, and by the way, my mileage with the run-flats was about 30 if I was lucky..... I switched to the Yokohama AVID ENVigors last Saturday, filled up the tank, and now I'm getting close to 40 MPG. I am going to track it with the trip odometer over a few tankfuls, but I'm am blown away by this change of events!

 

I guess we all buy a vehicle for vastly different reasons. If all we wanted was point A to B transportation, Ford would never have evolved past the Model T. People often ask me what kind of milage I get with my MINI. I give them a silly grin and say "who cares, I'm having too much fun just motoring". If I was all that excited about the subject, I'd have a Civic like my son's 7 year old commuter which consistently gets 50+ mpg burning the cheap stuff.

 

Two things will help with mileage.

Skinny, rock hard, tires.

A vacuum gauge, even with a Justa.
Drive in such away that the gauge is always in the max vacuum range.

It'll handle like crap and you won't be going anywhere very fast, but you'll get incredible gas mileage.

Dave

 

So far using 91 from Costco. Averaging 33-35 mpg in mixed driving, not bad at all for 181 hp

 

There is a gas station that advertises "Our fuel is 100% ethanol free." That is the station I use, just seems to get the best performance and fuel mileage without the ethanol.

 

Really! I didn't know the run flats made a difference. What would do that?

 

I fully understand and agree with your thoughts. I could have gotten a box on wheels cheaper with much better milage. I'm just trying to maxamize fuel for the money savings. This is an amazing car and it makes driving to work Jst2Fun

 

I'll pass on giving up that much fun.

 

An curious side subject going on here: A Virginia MINI person, Kokopellie named after a South West indiginous people's fetish character, exchanging pleasantries with a MINI person living in Kokopellie's back yard. Just though I'd point that out. Now...back to the studio.

 

NH Attempting to ban the sale of corn based ethanol in the state:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/newss...-in-house.html