I was wondering, in these days of escalating gasoline costs, how many Mini owners are still following the BMW recomendation of high octane gas when they fill up?

 

Can you afford to buy the cheaper gas?
It's designed for high octane (MCS) due to forced induction. The timing will try and adjust, losing power in the process and extended ping/knock will cause engine damage. Is that worth the small savings?

 

How many people are keeping large vehicles when lowest octane fill-ups cost as much, if not more, than a fill up of the highest octane in a mini?

Go to the gas station, and look at the meters of people around you. People freak out when mine stops pumping at 23$... look over and they're over 30!

If they can't afford a couple cents more a gallon, they shouldn't be in a MINI. They should go buy a large vehicle that takes twice as much money to fill up.

*it's a small price to pay for so much fun!

 

OK, just to be clear. I am using the high octane gas in my 2003 MCS. I don't know what gas prices are like in Bumpuss, VA or Charlotte, NC, but here in Chicago we have some of hte highest prices in the nation. A fill up routinely costs me in excess of $30.00. A simple, yes I pay for the good stuff or no I don't think it's necessary will do.

 

There's lots of discussion on the subject on pretty much every MINI forum (NAM, mini2, et al). The general concensus is to stick to the good stuff as recommended. When you use lower octane gasoline, the engine retards, the engine management has to throttle back (how much depends on the car; Street Tuner on SPEED showed a 911 only losing 5hp, but another car I can't remember lost 25 hp), timing can be thrown off, engine knock/ping can occur, and in general most people on these forums report WORSE gas mileage as a result.

So in short: NO. $0.10 more per litre is worth it if it gives me better fuel economy (and won't potentially damage the engine).

 

Yes, I pay for the good stuff. However, since Cali has 91 octane premium, when I am travelling and in a state with 94 octane and 90 mid-grade, I will fill up with mid-grade at the half tank point. :smile:

I ran a few tanks of regular in Wanda (sorry, baby) and got worse mileage. I prefer to follow the Owners Manual guidelines and use premium fuel for my MINI.


Clover

 

The cost DIFFERENCE between regular and premium is what would save you $. Here in Missouri, 91 is $0.20 higher than regular. The difference per fillup would be about $2 for 87 vs 91 or higher in Missouri. The savings would be so small it's not really worth considering. Stick to high octane fuel; the engine's knock sensor isn't foolproof and the car runs better on 91 or better.

 

only the best for my baby! the better gas mileage makes it worth it!

 

I go with 93 octane. As stated before why take a chance on engine damage for small savings.

Conversely, for my Ranger, Ford recommends 87 octane, yet I have to run 89 to keep it from pinging. So be it!

 

I only use 93 octane. :smile:

 

I have owned my 05 MCS since December 12, 2004.

I have driven 6775 miles.

I've put in 315.13 gallons of gas.

I am averaging 21.32 mpg.

93 octane here in Charlotte has averaged $2.13 per gallon during this timeframe.

I have spent $671.85 in fuel in just over 6 months.

My gas mileage has fluctuated by only 3 mpg the entire time, even through my JCW kit installation in March and my ECU software getting updated by MINI in June. I have used nothing except 93 octane. The owner's manual recommends high-grade, and my receipts and records reflecting the proper treatment of the vehicle will repay my expense in higher resale, less chance of engine wear/damage and potential for denied warranty claim. Plus, I am enjoying the best possible gas mileage for my driving style, and the best performance and enjoyment from my car!


And what does it cost for all this peace of mind?

At this rate, my annual fuel expense is estimated at $1124.89 for 528.12 gallons at 2.13 per gallon.

If mid-grade costs .10 cents less per gallon than high-grade, my annual fuel cost would be: $1072.08 for a savings of $52.81

if mid-grade costs .20 cents less per gallon than high grade, my annual fuel cost would be $1019.17 for a savings of $105.72


So, for between roughly $50 and $100 bucks more per year, I follow manufacturer's recommendation, get better gas mileage, get and ENJOY better performance, better safeguard my car's systems and engine components, extend engine life, comply with warranty requirements, and increase resale value (and yes, as you can guess my car's documentation is impeccable, with every receipt--even gas receipts, logged, scanned, and retained: I'm a sick-o)...

That's about the price of a good steak meal for four on the grill.

 

I use 91 octane, which IS the premium gas here in California. I guess I am afraid to use less octane for fear of messing up the engine. I used high octane for the last 8 years in my Audi, and it's got 190,000 miles on the engine and still drives like a top.

As far as cost goes, well I think few places in the nation are higher than San Francisco. In San Jose, where I work, the gas is cheaper than in SF and it still cost me $32 to fill up my tank tonight (No Name Gas, at $2.65/gallon!)

I have been getting about 25-28 MPG on the highway (2005 MCSC)...

 

Gotta love good old California Gas pricing!

Paid $3.16/gallon in Baker, CA this last weekend...

 

Must have been about 110° last weekend, too.

 

Well about 50 miles west of Baker is the cheapest gas I have found in CA. it is always cheaper than San Diego.

Earl

 

Also, if mid-grade yielded even a conservative reduction in fuel economy of 5%, that works out to 1.068 miles fewer per gallon, or 20.29 mpg vs 21.36 mpg, likely degrading over time as engine wear and damage amasses.

That drop in gas mileage equates to 565.08 fewer miles distance per year for the same cost in gas.

It then requires an additional 27.85 gallons of gas at 5% worse mileage to go the same annual distance as high-test.

To match the distance of 93 octane yielding 5% better fuel economy per year, I would have to pump nearly 2 more tanks of gas and spend $59.32 to go the same distance, and STILL have all the disadvantages previously discussed.

That's a conservative 5% reduction in gas mileage. Quite possibly, the reduction would be (much) greater!

 

And most importantly, it feels like you're dragging an anchor behind you.

Don't handicap a car that needs every ounce of it's power!!!

 

god, i'm glad i live in Ohio!!!

premium - 94 - $ 2.29 on a bad day

 

I have know some people who have used regular (oxygenated California 87 octane garbage) in their MCSs, and they have all experienced poor performance.

Basically what will happen is that your engine's knock sensor will sense knock and then retard timing in response, killing performance.

I personally recommend Unocal 76 Premium 91 and higher octane fuel!

 

On U.S. Military Bases in Germany we pay about $2 a gallon for the good stuff, but if you try to buy gas off post at a German gas station you'll end up paying over $4 for the same octane. Needless to say, I stick to buying my fuel on post and I always use the highest octane offered in all of my vehicles.

 

I fill up in Richmond at either Wawa or Sheetz. It's about 2.30 a gallon right now... a week or two ago it was like 2.15. It fluctuates alot...

But in Bumpass/Beaverdam, it stays higher. Try 2.40 a gallon or so. No fun. I remember when i learned how to drive a few years ago, it was 1.09 for the low octane, and my mom was cringing when it went to 1.16 because she got 9 mpg in her 79 olds :P

 

I go w/ the good stuff. My last vehicle as a 00 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quad Cab. She had a 26 gallon tank. My MCS gets the same miles per tank as the truck did but w/ half the gas so even though the premium is more expensive I'm am still saving a considerable amount of money on gas.

Plus, it helps that I've moved closer to work and cut at least 90 miles of my round trip commutes.

 

That explains why diesel vehicles are so much more popular in Europe; gasoline prices are just outrageous!

 

I also am interested in the premium fuel question. I haven't yet ordered my mini. I will today or tomorrow and am still waffling between the MC and the MCS. One consideration is fuel. Does the MC also need premium fuel or just the MCS? What does the owner's manual say? All I have is brocheres and they say nothing. This obviously wouldn't be the only reason to buy an MC over an MCS, but it would be consideration. Can someone help me out?

Thanks,

Steve

 

According to MINI/BMW, both the MC and MCS should be given Premium (91+ octane) unleaded gasoline. If MotoringFile were up, I would point you over there as they have PDF versions of all new MINI model year owner's manuals (2002-2005).