I've got 100 octane down the street from me and I think I'll give it a try for my next Italian tune-up.

 

Interesting to hear what everyone has to say about this. I have been using 93 grade for 2 and a half years, and in January was starting to have engine problems. Went through the dirty gas, engine cleaning, manifold, fuel pump, computer, and timing chain to no effect. After 6 weeks, they talked with MINI engineers from above and they said to try using 91 grade gasoline, the dealer was unable to obtain that, so they put 89 in my car. Yeah, not buying that my car is fixed, nor that 89 octane gas is ok to be puting in my car as 91 is not available.

2007 MCS

I apologize for posting in this forum, but still interesting to see what others say about the gas

 

Good point, rsvp9146. Forgot the point that you do NOT use 100LL or other aviator fuel unless you have no catalytic converter because of the lead content.

 

I only use Shell or Sunoco 93 here in PA and with my Meth Kit I have no Octane issues at all.

 

not sure how i would even know if i had an octane problem

 

Well when I bought "Lucy" I was told that 87 is "ok"...my MA was all about trying to tell me it was ok to run in the car because of the cost of 91. Here in Ks 91 is all I can get, there used to be a station that carried 93, but they quickly stopped for whatever reason. My 1st tank from the dealership I'm sure was 87 even though I asked for 91 and offered her another $10 if she would use the good stuff.

If the gas cap/owners manual says 91+ just use it. Here's my reasoning.

1. Engineers get paid more than you do for a reason, they designed the car to run on 91.
2. Is it going to break you? I mean we didnt buy Hyunda's here, we bought a MINI. The tank is a 13.2 gallon tank, so an extra .20 per gallon is an extra $2.64 cents per tank to run the right fuel. I usually fill up when the gas light comes on for under $40.

My 2003 Silverado was $80ish to fill from 1/4 tank with 87 octane. I did this once or twice a week sometimes, so spending $40 on fuel every 2 weeks is just fine with me. Hell, I deliver pizza in my MCS, so I might have to fill up once a week, but I still laugh when I do. Going from $90 a tank with the truck to under $40 with the Mini might as well make the car payment.

Oh, my Triumph Speed Triple says 91 octane as well....I HAD to run 87 in it once when I was caught out on a sunday in BFE with the only gas in town being 87 or farm deisel. The bike was pissed at me all the way home....then I just drained the tank and refilled with 91.

 

If it blew up, you'd know.

But seriously, it may give you less performance in performance demanding situations, but the knock sensor/timing retarder should make it a non-issue vs. blowing a valve/piston due to detonation.

That said, at $2/tank on a $20K car, I pay the extra $2.

 

You should only use the octane that is rated for your car. Higher octane is not better gas. It is an indicator of how mich compression it takes to detonate. Using 100 will NOT make it run better. Also 93 octane at sea level is tha same gas as 91 at 4000 feet elevation.

 

i use 93 now when 91 is not around

 

In a test run a while back, one of our posters, Matt, I think, found that "S"'s run on California 91 octane, are running with the timing retarted a bit...so unless you have an issue, IMO you should run 93 if you can get it...and this goes doubly If you have a pulley or a otherwise modded car.
A shot of octane boost to low octane gas...or maybe some 93 mixed in, and gentle driving would be called for if someone misfueled a car, and did not want to chance dammage.

 

Haha, Ive had my MCS for about 2 months now and Ive been running it on 87 until a week ago. Oops. I was still used to filling up my Dodge Ram.

It actually didn't run bad at all. But it does run better with 91! haha.

 

It's all fun and games till someone looses an eye...or in this case burns a valve, breaks a piston, or cracks a head. This has been much debated, but every mechanic I know says the difference in motor condition is apparent...gen1 mini's require 91...failure to use it is at your own risk.

 

Yeah I get that now, I read the whole thread. I was just commenting on how I had no clue before.

 

No problem!!
By the way, welcome to nam!! I missed you were just in your first postings!!
If you want, go over to 1st gear, and introduce youself, and you car!! And welcome again!! And remember...almost in almost any thread people can get kinda heated...ones like this more than others cuss it can be a $2000 mistake is done repeatedely!!
I just like folks to know if they make the descesion to save the $2 at the fill up...it may be penny-wise-pound-foolish as the old saying goes in many cases!!