Yeah if I had used 87 or 89 it prob would detonate earlier so it would start. Basically, 91 detonates at a higher temp and I cant reach those temps. So prob need to lower gas

 

If you want top performance and drive aggressive run premium. Daily commute regular is fine. I have owned 8 BMW's and on our 3rd MINI. Run regular in all of them consistently. Traded in a 2010 Clubman S with 111k two weeks ago and ran regular in it consistently and it ran like a top. Never saw much difference in mpg between the two gas grades either.

 

My daily commute is 110 miles a day.

 

150 a day here. $4 a week never really seemed like it was worth running regular. It was designed for premium, why not run it?

Nik

 

Yea we both have one hell of a commute.
But I need to fill up at least 3x a week. I go on i95 and average from 80-90mph.
If I always use 93, it averages at almost $20 a week extra in my area.

It adds up. And if it's not really needed why waste your money?
That's basically one utility bill.

 

you guys drive really far for work. maybe try changing that and youll save money and get a prius

 

Change driving far to work? LOL
Are you an adult? Do you understand changing a real job because it's kind of a long drive is not realistic?
No thanks on the Prius. I would not be caught dead in one. Love my countryman and it's always run like a champ with absolutely no engine issues.
I usually use 89 as recommended. But have used 87 before several times as well as 93.
I notice absolutely no difference.
And it's at 125k miles already. 2012 model.

 

Yes, That is an excessive distance from work. Either switch locations or move closer. I have a real job so I understand. I would drive a Prius if it was given to me. Great MPG.
While I do not agree with your gas usage it is your prerogative

 

Again, I suppose you don't own a house or have a mortgage.
I do.
Moving because of mileage is not even close to being an option.
I would not trade in my Mini nor can I afford another car just to save on gas. I own 2 other cars, a F-250 and a Jeep CJ7, both have worse gas mileage. I have no problem using 93 if it's needed. I just want to know if it's really needed or not.

I live in a really nice place. Would never move. Unfortunately the drawback is all the large corporations are about 50 miles away.

 

Again, your assumptions are not correct. I do own a home and have a mortgage.

For me moving based off of proximity to work is important. I live in a major City so there is a lot of traffic. So, to reduce my driving time by living closer is beneficial and worth it to me. The type of work I do also allows me to do this. I am in the medical field.

If the manual states you should use 93 then use 93. I personally use 91 because thats the highest we have in california. Its just better for the motor if you understand how motors run and timing and tuning.

 

View out my back door. I'm not moving, someday I may work closer to my house, but its not in the cards yet.....

On waiting list for a Tesla, so gas won't be an issue for long.

Nik

 

I just don't know many people that will move from a house they own to save 50 miles driving a day. It's kind of out there.
Change kids school, change everything, to save mileage to work... I personally would not even consider it for a split second. I work in IT and get to work from home a lot but not all the time.
My manual says to use 89. Which is what I do most of the time. But like I said before when I use 87 or 93 to fill up several times, I felt no difference.
And I understand mechanical engineering very well. I have built many engines myself. I understand the injectors are tuned for a certain grade gas, also the computers compensate if the fuel it senses is different.
So obviously there are mixed results. Some people say NO WAY! Because the manual. Others say they have used regular for years with no issues.
I don't think there is any clear answer to this question. Besides what the manual says, without explanation.

 

My wife works for an airline and we have no desire to live close to the airport. Her commute is 100 miles and she drove the Clubman everyday. Traded it in for CM S All4.

 

I gotcha. I dont have kids or any of that so its a lot easier to move. For example I just went to australia for a month and planned to be there for a year. But got there and was like nah Im going to come back instead.

I agree there is no clear cut answer. I think the best thing to do is do what you think is right. At the end of the day you pay your bills and you drive the car. Do i think your engine is going to die because of it anytime soon? No. Do i think eventually it might make a difference. Maybe. But we just dont know

 

I'd like to know too. Is there any harm in running a couple of gallons of regular to see how it behaves? Will it knock? Can it be heard? All modern engines have knock sensors that are supposed to prevent knocking, however our 2006 Chrysler minivan has always had some level of noticeable knocking. Its doing great at 150,000 miles so far.
I've never heard the slightest knocking from my Mini, even running mid grade, but I have had stuttering under mild to moderate acceleration. I'm trying to decide if gas is the issue or if there's something else wrong with the engine. I'm trying a tank of premium and its doing fine, but its also done well with mid-grade in the past. Not sure if I've run into some bad gas or water in the gas. I figured if I run some regular and it stutters worse that proves is the grade of gas. If it doesn't seems like it was some bad gas regardless of grade or something else wrong in the engine intermittently.

 

Alright as mentioned earlier using the right octane number is all about detonation. You want a burn not an explosion. If your combustion chamber is too hot and your octane number too low. Engine damaging explosions from your spark plug in the combustion chamber. Given I don't think a normally aspirated mini engine is in danger but mostly the turbo and supercharged engines. But if you hear knocking or pinging upon acceleration usually means octane number too low. Damage is occurring. My experience. Racer looking to gain every advantage, learned about fuel. Octane number basically a number to prevent explosion instead of burn. I have a supercharged Chevy Camaro that runs 116 octane. Yes it's needed to prevent explosion in the combustion chamber. Yes it's worth it to know that I'm not going to ruin the engine due to fuel. I'm no authority but based on the minis a natural aspirated one running regular shouldn't harm the engine but why run cheap fuel its cheap just to save .20 cents I know it adds up but not worth it.