Pump gas... which is the best octane?

Discussion in 'MINI' started by Forkboy, Feb 7, 2012.

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  1. Forkboy

    Forkboy New Member

    Jan 19, 2012
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    Greetings and salutations ... being fairly new to the world of minis I have to pose a question:

    My owners manual for my 2006 r53 states the the car should be run on 91 octane fuel. My question is do they mean 91 octane at sea level? Because I live out here in western Colorado at almost 5200ft. If my high school education served me right the higher you go in elevation the lower your octane rating. At my local stations here the highest octane fuel you can get is 91 where as at sea level you can get 93. So with that being said can I get away with running mid-grade fuel at my altitude? (Basically my 89 octane fuel is equal to 91 octane at sea level. )

    I have run some experiments and seem to get almost the same fuel mileage (+.4 MPG with premium compared to mid-grade)
     
  2. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

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  3. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    I only use Shell 93.....:D

    Hmmmmmmm..... Interesting.....
    So buy the 89 octane locally.... Put it in neutral, coast down the Rockies to sea level.... Magic...... start enjoying your instant 93 octane gas purchased at 89 octane prices.....:D
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    MINI specifies highest octane available for best performance, either 91 or 93. With a mid grade octane you are leaving performance potential on the table. When you give the go pedal a swift push to the floor when using the mid grade you are not realizing the full potential. The ECU is going to try and adjust to the octane level with timing changes in order to protect the engine. All in all you will have a smoother running MINI with the 91 octane available locally.

    The cost difference is very small when you look at it. Often the price differential is only about 10 cents/gal. On a full tanks that's $1.30. Assuming a fill per week that's only $67.60 annually. Is it worth the risk there might be an issue and the slight loss in performance to save 68 bucks?
     
  5. Forkboy

    Forkboy New Member

    Jan 19, 2012
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    OK... thanks for all the great info. I was always under the assumption that the "premium " fuel is the best. As for the fuel mileage the car will try to compensate for the lower octane makes sense. And for the extra 10¢ cost would be worth it since it seems that most fuel stations put more additives in their fuel... at least I think. If I can find a station. That doesn't add a bunch of ethanol to their fuel it would be all the better. I do see a difference in winter blend to summer blend fuels out here in Colorado.
    thanks again for all the great info, I'll keep on using premium and keep my mini happy!
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Only 93 Shell or Sunoco for me plus a nice shot of VP M1 Meth.

    Octane rating high ! :biggrin5:

    FYI At the lower end of the Dragon the HD station sells 103 octane race fuel. :Thumbsup:

    103 + Meth = FUN
     
  7. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper New Member

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    Gas Price difference

    Here in Florida the difference in regular gas prices and 93 octane is 40 cents. But I totally agree with you in using the best, cause you "get what you pay for"!:wink:
     
  8. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut: At sea level in San Diego, the highest(commonly available) octane that my son can get is 91 octane but then my son says that Californians are always so high that they think that they are in the mountains.:lol::lol::lol::lol:

    Jason
     
  9. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

    Jun 24, 2009
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    +1 Here :Thumbsup:
     
  10. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I use the best I can get. Baring that I run 91. If I find myself low on gas & only carp gas is available I'll put a gallon in to get me to the good stuff.
     
  11. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    I use Marathon 93 unless i can't find it and then it's Shell 93. I avoid BP like the plague.
     
  12. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

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    It really kills me when people in my area try and cheap out and use 87 or 89.... REALLY????? If you don't want a sports car don't buy one!!!!!

    :mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2:
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I have to say I've run many tanks of BP through my MINI. No plague has decended on my MINI. Your mileage & resulting plague may vary. :wink:

    Hey Mark if you are in Aruba what are you doing here? Best get to the beach & take in the scenery. :ihih:
     
  14. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    ^^^ Hey Chuck....
    I have tools.... We could take Mark's Coupé out for a spin while he's away.....:D
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I'd be up for that. What are friends for anyway? :smilewinkgrin:
     
  16. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    I look forward to next month when I move to Texas and I get to have 93 octane. I usually fill-up with Chevron (Texaco) or Arco (BP) and ALWAYS 91 octane. No noticeable difference between the brands here in CA or NV.
     
  17. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Outside of the major metro areas you will find mostly 91 when in TX.

    Just a heads up.
     
  18. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    Interesting. Heading through West TX Hill Country it was all 93. I'm gonna guess the 91 shows up closer to the East and Gulf Coast?
     
  19. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    On drives from Dallas that took me to Amarillo or Lubbock it was always 91. This may have changed. It has been a few years since I visited those areas.

    Along the interstates 93 was a non issue, it was the little towns that were one major routes but not interstate roads.
     
  20. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

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    93 93 93! :biggrin5:
     

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