R50/53 Octane Requirements
#77
Originally Posted by Turcicus
With the cost of gas as high as it is (and from what it sounds like, it's going to get higher soon), how does everyone here handle paying for premium? Does anyone who recently bought a MINI notice a big difference in their gas spending now as opposed to when you had something that ran on regular? How big is the MINI's gas tank, by the way?
Or does anyone really care about how much they spend in gas, just as long as you're havin' fun motoring??
Or does anyone really care about how much they spend in gas, just as long as you're havin' fun motoring??
Regards
-Randy
#79
Originally Posted by Turcicus
With the cost of gas as high as it is (and from what it sounds like, it's going to get higher soon), how does everyone here handle paying for premium? Does anyone who recently bought a MINI notice a big difference in their gas spending now as opposed to when you had something that ran on regular? How big is the MINI's gas tank, by the way?
Or does anyone really care about how much they spend in gas, just as long as you're havin' fun motoring??
Or does anyone really care about how much they spend in gas, just as long as you're havin' fun motoring??
If you use mid-grade, or even regular, it is unlikely you will notice a difference. I have used mid-grade, 89 octane, and noticed no difference in performance or economy. The MINI is designed to run on anything from about 87 octane to 98 octane. The ECU will adjust the timing to prevent harmful detonation. This reduction in timing might or might not be enough for you to notice a difference, depending on how closely you observe how your MINI performs, how much of an octane change you have done, and how you drive your MINI.
It's not gonna tear up because you don't use exactly 93, (or is it 91?) octane gas. If you switch grades of gasoline it takes a while to really tell whether your economy or performance has been effected, for better or worse. There are some owners who say they no longer have stalling or hesitation problems after they switched to a slightly lower octane fuel.
Also, someone is going to say do a search because this has been discussed at great lengths....which it has.
I just wanted an opportunity to state my minority opinion again to see if I can get some heated responses.
#80
#81
#82
Its simple! Just get free gas! I carry a hose in my car and when im running low I just find one of those cars that dont have the locking gas covers! ................Of course I am kidding! Im bored at work! Since I dont have a MINI yet (ordering this weekend! ) I hope the happines I get from the car will overcome the cost of premium!
#83
The difference in premium and regular is .20 here. That means if regular is 2.60 and premium is 2.80, the difference is about 9%. So if I would have spent $100 in a month on regular, I now spend $109 on premium. Not a big deal, really.
I usually average about 30 MPG in my Cooper. So I am spending about the same as somebody driving a car that takes regular that gets 27 MPG. Anybody driving a car that gets less than 27 MPG is spending more on gas than me, even if it takes regular. Not too shabby.
I usually average about 30 MPG in my Cooper. So I am spending about the same as somebody driving a car that takes regular that gets 27 MPG. Anybody driving a car that gets less than 27 MPG is spending more on gas than me, even if it takes regular. Not too shabby.
#84
Despite what resmini says...
it can make all the difference. Here in CA, we get crappy 91 octane for premium. If you floor it with that, you do get timing retard. It can be very severe. The results is lost engine efficiency and power. I loose about 5 hp, and milage as well (10%+). Depending on the quality of gas, you may or may not see as severe a change as well, but keep in mind that if you do run into the timing retard, that it's effect isn't just power loss, but motor efficiency as well. It is very possible that any savings in buying lower grade gas will just be lost in reduced range. This is all the more true if you're a "spirited" driver.
Matt
Matt
#85
I went from a Honda Civic to an MCS and definately noticed the difference in my monthly commute costs.
75 mile daily commute
Honda: 375 miles week / 33mpg x $2.50 x 4 weeks = $113.63 per month for gas
Mini: 375 miles week / 24mpg x $2.70 x 4 weeks = $158.65 per month for gas.
The Mini is costing me $55 more in gas per month but the drive to work and back is sooooooo much more fun
75 mile daily commute
Honda: 375 miles week / 33mpg x $2.50 x 4 weeks = $113.63 per month for gas
Mini: 375 miles week / 24mpg x $2.70 x 4 weeks = $158.65 per month for gas.
The Mini is costing me $55 more in gas per month but the drive to work and back is sooooooo much more fun
#87
Threads merged
Welcome to NAM miniT.
Yes, MINI does recommend premium fuel. It's in both the owners manual and on the inside of the door covering the gas cap.
Originally Posted by miniT
The mini needs premium? I just got mine yesterday and they didn't tell me that. Are you sure? Note I do not have a manual yet so I can't look this up.
Yes, MINI does recommend premium fuel. It's in both the owners manual and on the inside of the door covering the gas cap.
#88
Originally Posted by mikem
Hi Folks,
I'm new to this and have not purchsed a Mini yet. I'm still in the thinking mode trying to figure out what to do. With the increased fuel prices I have concern about the need to use premium fuel and if I will be able to find it in the near future. Has anyone tried regular in their Mini?
I'm new to this and have not purchsed a Mini yet. I'm still in the thinking mode trying to figure out what to do. With the increased fuel prices I have concern about the need to use premium fuel and if I will be able to find it in the near future. Has anyone tried regular in their Mini?
#89
#90
Originally Posted by mrkoenig3
Hey Guys,
This seems to be the place for fuel questions. I posted in some other spot on mods for the Mini, but not responce as of yet. my question is on E-85 which is 85% ethenol. It is like 30 cents cheaper than reg. (87) but the octane is supposed to be 110. The 100 octane is $4.00 per gal. here in Las Vegas, so even though that is only like $6.00 per tank, compared to 91, but that does break the budget for gas for me, (not the bank, the budget)
This seems to be the place for fuel questions. I posted in some other spot on mods for the Mini, but not responce as of yet. my question is on E-85 which is 85% ethenol. It is like 30 cents cheaper than reg. (87) but the octane is supposed to be 110. The 100 octane is $4.00 per gal. here in Las Vegas, so even though that is only like $6.00 per tank, compared to 91, but that does break the budget for gas for me, (not the bank, the budget)
MINIclo, if your "listening", do you remember which thread the question of Ethanol popped up on? Mick
#91
I used 93 octane from when I bought the car last summer until this fall, it was used for autocrossing and commuting. During the colder months the car is just used for commuting, so I've been using 89 octane for the last few months. I've recently switched back to 93 octane and my mpg has improved by 1-2 mpg. It's about a wash where mpg vs cost is concerned for me, but for the warmer months where performance is a concern, I'll definitely be using 93 octane. Never tried 87 octane, never will. Where I buy gas, 93 octane is .10-.12 more expensive than 89 octane.
-Keith
-Keith
#92
my mpg has improved by 1-2 mpg
--NOTE-- I am not advocating the use of lower octane fuel than premium gas in the MINI, just commenting on other causes for MPG to be lower in the winter.
#93
Originally Posted by Turcicus
With the cost of gas as high as it is (and from what it sounds like, it's going to get higher soon), how does everyone here handle paying for premium?
BTW.... I'm not kidding, its cheaper to use the SUV.
#94
Originally Posted by rhawth99
I don't know that you can blame the mileage difference in the winter on the lower octane gas.
--NOTE-- I am not advocating the use of lower octane fuel than premium gas in the MINI, just commenting on other causes for MPG to be lower in the winter.
--NOTE-- I am not advocating the use of lower octane fuel than premium gas in the MINI, just commenting on other causes for MPG to be lower in the winter.
Yes, I know all about the gas mileage drop in the winter. See, around here it is still winter, temps are still in the 20's and 30's. I fill up the car once a week with gas (at the same gas station), and keep track of virtually every tank of gas. The car is driven exactly the same every week, it hasn't been on a trip for over six months. The gas mileage difference I noticed was 1-2 mpg with same driving conditions, weather, same roads, etc. As they say, YMMV
-Keith
#95
Originally Posted by FLORA BLUE
Okay, I read about the ethanol in MC & MCS. DON"T DO IT! The fuel is not compatable wit the machine, it burns too hot for the engine...ethanol is marketed mainly for the vehicles with flexfuel options. I am paraphrasing, of course. But I got the info off one of our threads...I can't find it so the thread must have gone cold and got buried....
MINIclo, if your "listening", do you remember which thread the question of Ethanol popped up on? Mick
MINIclo, if your "listening", do you remember which thread the question of Ethanol popped up on? Mick
Originally Posted by planeguy
Well...E-85 FFV's (flexibile fuel vehicles) have a sensor for the propr fuel/air ratios. If you are not very careful you will burn up your valves. Besides that, Alcohol is corrosive, any part of your fuel system that is not designed to come in contact with alcohol will degrade very quickly. You will begin to have problems after a year or two. Designed in mind means stainless steel fuel tank and tubes, and teflon coated hoses
Go to this site
http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php
If your car is not listed, It is not compatible.......The MINI is not listed!
Go to this site
http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php
If your car is not listed, It is not compatible.......The MINI is not listed!
#96
Um....
Originally Posted by planeguy
You should also be careful to make sure your "premium" is not 10% ethanol...Many of the 93 octane premiums are actually 10% ethanol....My opinion is that 5% is not alot of diffrence and if E85 will grenade an engine then 10% ethanol will too!!!
Matt
#97
#98
Originally Posted by miniT
The mini needs premium? I just got mine yesterday and they didn't tell me that. Are you sure? Note I do not have a manual yet so I can't look this up.
Back on topic ... do the math:
20,000 miles per year divided by 25mpg (your milage may vary) = 800 gallons/year
@ between 10 & 20 cents per gallon over 87 octane, that would be between
$80 an $160/year. I paid $25,000 for the car.
No-brainer
#100