I just got my MCS and My MA told me that 87 was absolutely fine for my car and that they had actually gotten a memo on this issue that the manuals refer to the top tier gas for other countries where gas is not so great. I asked him before I left and he again said the Mini's do fine with the lower tier gasoline. He says that is all he puts in both of his Mini's. I do not care about the cost. I am nervous because he said they actually did "Better" with the lower tier based on the memo the had gotten from Mini..... Anyone?

 

Use the Search button up top!

or try

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=137818

 

I would have asked to S@@ the "Memo"...and ask whether or not a Supplemental Page is being distributed.

I for one was told the Upper Tier and 91 or Higher Octane. So far I've only been able to find 92 and a Corner Shell Station so that's where I'm fueling.

Do the research and keep us informed on your findings.

 

Read your manual. Whatever that says do.

 

Manual says 91. But at the very least, don't go below 89. The difference between a tank of 91 vs 87 is like $4. Insurance if you ask me.

 

I don't fill up with anything but 93.

 

Fill up with only 93 octane (premium/super gasoline).

 

My MA emphasized premium grades of gasoline. I use 93 Octane and the car runs beautifully.

CROC 411

 

It's actually less then that. I think them most I ever put into my car was 13 gallons which means I paid $2.60 more buy choosing premium over regular. Why anyone would think they are saving a bunch of money by only running regular is beyond me, $2.60 is like not eating a hamburger for lunch on the day you fill up.

 

i alwasy put the BEST gas in my car... cos there only a couple of dollars difference and i fill mine car every 1.5 week..

 

BlackS, Ask your MA if you can get a copy of said memo, for your piece of mind. Then scan it in and post it here. I'd like to see it.

BTW, I use premium all the time.

 

I think that people need to get over the initial price premium of 91+ octane fuel over 87. Yes, it costs more... but guess what? You get more MPG out of the higher octane fuel! This means that there is no possible reason not to use the higher octane. Your MINI is more efficient with it.

 

In a turbo charged "performance" oriented car you should try to run 91 to 93 octane. Although, you could run a lower octane since the ECU will retard the timing you will give up performance and efficiency.

As others have stated, the cost savings for a 13 gallon car are minimal at best. If the only option is 91 go with that and avoid "octane boosters" they will do nothing more than foul your plugs.

 

Here's your win-win solution.

Find a gas station you like. For me, I choose BP. I've never had any problems with them, even though they're not "top tier".

Once you've found the gas station, apply for their co-branded gas card. BP has a Chase Visa, which gives 5% rebates on all BP purchases, 10% on the first 6 months.

Premium is about 4.09/gal here currently. Regular about 3.89. Can you guess the benefit to using the BP card at the pump? Heck, for the first 6 months, you're going to be paying LESS than the regular price. If you're going to get fuel anyway, why not benefit from it? Just set the money aside every time you fill up and don't run a balance on it.

And another pro tip if some of you might have some bad credit history like myself... don't take the automated system's "no" for an answer. There are phone numbers for all of these banks called "recon" numbers. It stands for Reconsideration, you can do a google search and find the numbers easily. Basically there's someone on the line that will listen to your situation and can override the automated system. I went from "No" to a 1000$ credit line in 12.5 minutes. Just don't be stupid with the card. Use it to take care of your MINI.

 

Just a point of clarification: The octane lavel (87, 91 etc.) is not the same as "tier level." The octane level measures resistance to detonation upon compression while the "top tier" is a certification of sorts for gas that has certain detergent additives. Top Tier gas comes in several octanes.

Edit: Re-reading your post it looks like your MA may not have understood this!

 

The manual and fuel cap say 91 octane. Which is what MINI will refer to when they deny a warranty claim for piston damage from fuel detonation due to low grade fuel (and they will test fuel every time they suspect anything).
If you can get a copy of the "memo" and see that it does apply to MINIs with US warranty - go ahead and use 87. It'll buy you another Starbucks every two fill-ups. Personally, the peace of mind is worth brewing my own. But be sure you keep that memo with your owner's manual (and another copy safe at home).

 

HAHA!! No need, MINI will give it to you on paper that can't be photocopied and self-destructs.

 

I will go with what you all think and do. I am just sharing what I was told. Makes me no difference.

 

In the winter I think regular might help the car start and run better.

 

Directly from the manual:



Specifically note the section labeled "Required fuel". 91 is not REQUIRED, but it is recommended. The lower fuel will not void your warranty, and may not reduce engine life (per the manual), but you will not get full use out of your MINI's high performance engine. Literally, your mileage may vary.

 

I only put 93 in our '08, Shell (or other Top Tier in a pinch) only.

 

wbarnhill - that's not what my manual says. I'll look at it tonight to be sure, but they must have changed the spec in '08. A lot of automakers use "premium recommended" especially when fuel costs get outrageous.

 

Before you decide once and for all to put the lower-priced gas (lower octane) in your car, do this. Put 87 octane in for one fill-up, and keep track of your mileage and the price per gallon. Then put 93 octane gas in for one fill-up, and keep track of your mileage and the price per gallon. I'll bet you'll find that with the lower octane gas, your mileage (mpg) goes down. And if you compute what it costs you per mile to drive, I'll bet you'll discover that it's actually cheaper on a per mile basis to use the higher priced gas. That's what I have found every single time with my '03 MC. So wherever I am, I always use the 93 octane gas now, always.

 

Can't do that reliably with one fill up...two many variables that will have bigger impacts on your MPG (Traffic, number of red lights, road conditions, driving mood, etc...)

 

Really weird cause I was just having this conversation with a friend last night, he has a Audi A3. Luckily he isn't putting low grade in, only mid. His justification was that he never drives fast and is willing to split the difference between cost and mileage.

Me, I have to have the extra performance and I really like the better fuel economy. It's strange, I can drive like a complete nut or very conservatively and my mileage really doesn't change.

I just checked my manual at lunch and it says the same things as wbarnhill's, recommended but not required. I take that recommended a little more seriously though and always use 93. As for tier, I use a mid tier I would guess, Raceway. There are always a lot of people there and the price is usually pretty cheap. It doesn't have all the cleaners and such but the gas is always fresh. I won't even put the super cheap stuff in my Rodeo and the higher priced stuff hasn't yielded better millage or performance.