Hey Guys, I was just wondering would my Mini be ok if I used Regular gas instead of Premium? Here in Chicago I have to pay an arm and a leg for Premium would I be doing anything wrong the internals of the engine by using Regular?

Thanks

 

You will not like the results......
This question has been asked, and debated many times.....
Short term....lower performance....reduced MPG....possible knocking+detonation.
Longer term, head cracks, piston/piston ring issues, etc.
Folks have done it...are you willing to have a car that runs like a POS, drive it like an OLD LADY, and chance $5000+ in motor damage?
You Make the choice.

 

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I think I will run Premium, didn't know it would cause all of that.

 

if you want to understand the answer I'd recommend a little research on what "octane" means . . . the Wikapedia version isn't bad.

And then, well I don't know what the price difference is in Chicago but around here it is usually less than 10 cents on the gallon 'tween mid-grade and premium (I wouldn't drop to regular) and that equates to about a dollar a tank. For me that's less than a dollar a week. $50 bucks a year? Is it worth ignoring what the factory recommends for $50 a year?

Lastly my 79 has a high octane requirement according to the manual and no computer to automatically adjust the engine to compensate for the lower octane. I filled up with mid-grade once. REPEAT - ONCE. I almost had to drain the fuel tank .... the car bucked, stumbled and dieseled after shutoff.

Never never again tried that one. And it made me very very aware of what the computer would be compensating for in the MINI. Also brought back memories of my 1975 Cutlass Salon with a 350 and 4 barrel which drank high test at about 12 miles to the gallon. To run medium grade the trick was to retard the timing a couple of degrees. Eliminated knock but was hell on performance. You'll know why if you understand 'octane'

 

The answers are all given, but I will add, you could have if the engineers who designed the engine made it to use that octane. The engine was designed to use 91 or better. That is the simple reason why you must.

 

My Mini drinks nothing but 93

 

Yes, 91 or better. Or else you will be paying an arm and a leg.

 

Ok, Thanks for the replies guys! The price for Premium is about $2.75-$3.00. Which isn't so bad, but can live with that price.

 

May the car gods strike your Regular gas pump with lightning and thunder

Just kidding, but serious not a good idea. Also, alot of gas stations do have "cleansers" in gas so that internals do not get gunked.

 

I only use Shell Premium.

By the way the consistently cheapest top tier gas station in the area is the Shell by Old Orchard, on the corner of Old Orchard Road and Lawler.

The Iphone GasBag app is your friend.

 

Run Premium ONLY, I've had a customer that ran regular in his 05 S since day one. At 42k we had to replace the engine. When we tore it down I'd never seem so much carbon. The valves were all burnt, and had some cracked rings. Also the car was and automatic and had been stock for 30k. The only mod it had at 30k was a 15% pulley.

 

I know that Shell Station, really good prices. Thanks for the heads up