Recently a local gas station has added 91 octane ethanol free gas. I have been running Sunoco 93 octane, with 10% ethanol, in my GP since new. I still think the 93 octane is the best choice so that the OBC does not retard the timing but thought I would start this thread to see if anyone thinks different. Thanks, Steve
my cms all4 gets much better fuel mileage without ethanol i run 91 ethanol free mobil i would recommend trying the ethanol free fuel scott
:cornut: The Mobile station where I fuel up with 93 octane has a sticker on all the gasoline pumps that states MAY contain up to 10% ethanol. Apparently ethanol is used more in the summer and less in the winter as per the station attendants. I also remember a some what recent post concerning altitude above sea level and octane levels. The higher the altitude, the lower the octane level that can be used if memory serves me correctly. At only 300ft ASL here in Sherman, Tx, I'm stuck with 93 octane. On another note how ever, what ever my baby(08 R56 MCS/JCWm)needs performance and longevity wise, she gets, especially since she's an '08 Prince N14 mildly problematical carbon build up type engine. I hope that this helps. Jason
the mobil station i use has a sticker on the premium that states "no ethanol" they also advertise on their street sigh for alcohol free premium scott
I have a buddy Roger in CIMC who compiled this little white paper on Ethanol blends for his local MINI club. You may not agree with his position on everything but it's a nice piece of work and definitely worth reading... https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5vARx6WMX4SbXY3U2w5QjhZU1k
Not sure how much it effects you gen2 guys, but on a gen1 car (pretuned, prejcw injectors) it was like night and day.... I can only suspect that since ethonol has les btu's per given volume, more fuel is needed...so lower mpgs are common, and beyond that, most gen cars, especially modded ones, are running at about the limit of duration on the injectors....so just adding 1 or 2% fuel needed on the longterm fuel trims in the computer (more volume based upon need to keep the mixture as needed), the computer might be more likely to have to retard timing due to less fuel getting injected to prevent detonation....once i got my jcw380's installed mine ran better, and then even better after a tune. All things equel, i would avoid ethonol on a gen1...newer cars may have been factory tuned with the understanding e-10 was common in the us....heck i remember back in late 2005 when gas stations switched from mtbe(made from natrual gas, also an "oxygenate ") to e10..quite a change ...and not for the better.
Ethanol contains less energy, and can be used to raise the octane of cheaper/poorer quality hydrocarbons (heptane) owing to it's 108 octane rating (IIRC). It's also hygroscopic. 10% ethanol fuel definitely results in poorer fuel economy - I noticed a big difference in my Ford Escort back when Louisiana first switched over. At least 2mpg difference per tank (~5% decrease).
i see 2-4 less mpg in my 1997 gmc sonoma v6 but my 2012 cms all4 is at least 6 mpg less with E10! the cm runs smoother, especially when cold with no ethanol fuel scott
Sunoco or Shell 93 with ethanol here. But then again I also have a Meth kit running 99.97% pure VP M1 Meth. Plus 101 octaine race fuel is running $6.95 a gallon, so I will save that full tank of race fuel for the Dragon.:devil::devil::devil::devil::ihih::ihih:
You're lucky you're somewhere you can get ethanol-free fuel. I can't seem to find any in central texas
In Oklahoma it is law to post it on the pump. It's pretty clear here knowing if it is an ethanol station or not. Plus the posted prices generally speak of the gas type before even pulling in. It's a nice thing to have. The 100% gas stations usually clearly advertise with a banner or something to catch your attention.
I think you are supposed to post it here too, but some places don't... I think they are too lazy. Funny thing is my husband now gets his gas at the "corn stations". His car is set up to run a mix of 93 and E85. His car world refers to it as "E47". Damn corn lovers :lol:
Corn Fuel still just sounds funny to me. Why cant we make fuel for cars out of a usless food like Turnips. You know big fat Turnips. :lol:
check out this web site Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada click on the "maps" button there are stations in texas that sell E0, ethanol free gas scott
Thanks for all the replys to this thread. I do realize that fuel that does not contain ethanol is the best choice given that the octane is the same. I still am not sure if 93 octane with 10% ethanol has less of a chance to pull timing than 91 octane pure gas. Thanks, Steve
Yes - but Texas is a very large state, and there aren't any stations on that map near Austin. There is one off of 71 after La Grange heading toward Houston, but that would be a special trip for when I'm driving to Louisiana.
sorry, you only said central texas, but it is a great resource if you are on a road trip i have to go 21 miles 1 way to get E0 ethanol free mobil gas, but it is well worth it scott