R56 MPG / regular fuel / premium fuel ???
#51
The MINI R56 manual, on the other hand, *does* specifically okay the use of 87 with the explicit statement that it won't affect engine longevity.
#52
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Are you both done now?
If you two can't have an intelligent conversation I'm locking this thread and putting you both on moderated posting. Meaning each post you write will need to be approved before it will show, and with almost all the staff at or on the way to MOTD posts won't be approved for about a week.
If you two can't have an intelligent conversation I'm locking this thread and putting you both on moderated posting. Meaning each post you write will need to be approved before it will show, and with almost all the staff at or on the way to MOTD posts won't be approved for about a week.
#53
Are you both done now?
If you two can't have an intelligent conversation I'm locking this thread and putting you both on moderated posting. Meaning each post you write will need to be approved before it will show, and with almost all the staff at or on the way to MOTD posts won't be approved for about a week.
If you two can't have an intelligent conversation I'm locking this thread and putting you both on moderated posting. Meaning each post you write will need to be approved before it will show, and with almost all the staff at or on the way to MOTD posts won't be approved for about a week.
My apologies to Krieg, and the forum at large. Remember, kids: arguing on the internet is like using steriods at the Olympics...even *if* you win, you're still a loser
#55
#56
I always use premium top tier brands in my Clubman, but I also put some Redline in the tank about every other fillup. I read that it is recommended along with the premium top tier brands.
I had used the premium gas from Costco in my BMW, but after finding out that they use the cheapest brand available I switched Buffy to the top tier brands, too. The cars deserve the best.
I had used the premium gas from Costco in my BMW, but after finding out that they use the cheapest brand available I switched Buffy to the top tier brands, too. The cars deserve the best.
#58
top tier
Also, as an FYI:
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Some people disagree about this, and say that it's a marketing gimmick. However, if you visit the site, there are rigorous standards that must be adhered to, as well as conspicuous absence from some refiners that you would expect to find as a part of a marketing tactic...
Just my .02
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Some people disagree about this, and say that it's a marketing gimmick. However, if you visit the site, there are rigorous standards that must be adhered to, as well as conspicuous absence from some refiners that you would expect to find as a part of a marketing tactic...
Just my .02
according to the above, most of the major name brands are "top tier". Why is 76 always much cheaper than Shell, Chevron, and Mobile?
TOP TIER Gasoline Retailers:
QuikTrip
Chevron
Texaco
MFA Oil Co
Conoco
Phillips 66
76
Entec Stations
Shell
The Somerset Refinery, Inc
Kwik Trip / Kwik Star
Aloha Petroleum
Tri-Par Oil Co.
Turkey Hill Minit Markets
Mileage Stations
Chevron Canada
Shell Canada
Petro-Canada
Sunoco Canada
#59
Also, some people will recommend "top tier" gas, while also advising you to stay away from gasoline that contains ethanol, not realizing that it's impossible to do both.
One of the requirements for "top tier" status is that your gas must have AT LEAST 8% and no more than 10% ethanol, in *all* grades (regular, mid-grade and premium), at *all* locations. It's right on the top-tier website.
One of the requirements for "top tier" status is that your gas must have AT LEAST 8% and no more than 10% ethanol, in *all* grades (regular, mid-grade and premium), at *all* locations. It's right on the top-tier website.
#60
Here we go once again on this topic of octane. The engineers who designed the Mini engine suggest using premium fuel. I pay about $2.50 more per fill up for 91 octane and really don't have a problem with that.
It's your car. Run what you like in it. If it runs good on 87, good for you. If you don't have long term effects from lower octane, that's wonderful. Me, I'll spend the extra couple bucks a week and follow the engineers advice.
It's your car. Run what you like in it. If it runs good on 87, good for you. If you don't have long term effects from lower octane, that's wonderful. Me, I'll spend the extra couple bucks a week and follow the engineers advice.
#62
#63
#66
I did a factory delivery on my BMW and when I asked about break-in and fuel requirements, the representative I talked to explained to me "follow the break-in to a T if you are going to keep the car but save your money on the premium fuel unless your going to the track".
I can honestly say I have never put premium in any of my rides, even when going to the track. One vehicle is going on 5 years now (original owner.)
I can honestly say I have never put premium in any of my rides, even when going to the track. One vehicle is going on 5 years now (original owner.)
#67
BACK ON TOPIC
First, I am NOT a gearhead. But, I am technical and this stuff isn't necessarily rocket science.
It stands to reason that pinging/knocking may only occur if the temperature/pressure in the cylinders is sufficient to cause premature fuel ignition. Clearly this can and will occur when the engine is pushed and fuel isn't "up to spec". I would submit that pre-ignition is extremely unlikely to occur under a certain sustained maximum engine rpm load.
Let's please say for discussion, that this magic # with zero effective chance of pre-ignition is 2500 rpm. Please note: if you would like to bite my head off on this, please don't do it here - I'm trying to have a discussion along certain lines, not have a detailed diatribe back to "do what the manual says" vs. other methods.
We may ALL agree that 87 fuel is somewhat "less efficient". What might be interesting for us to SHARE with each other is real-world data on fuel consumption.
So, my real question is under light engine load for a R56, what real world measurements do we actually have as to fuel consumption for 87 vs 89 vs 91?
PLEASE specify your year, make, model, Transmission, and color (I'm planning to skew the results in favor of Pure Silver).
I'd like to collect this info and see if there are any interesting trends in the data.
Jeff
It stands to reason that pinging/knocking may only occur if the temperature/pressure in the cylinders is sufficient to cause premature fuel ignition. Clearly this can and will occur when the engine is pushed and fuel isn't "up to spec". I would submit that pre-ignition is extremely unlikely to occur under a certain sustained maximum engine rpm load.
Let's please say for discussion, that this magic # with zero effective chance of pre-ignition is 2500 rpm. Please note: if you would like to bite my head off on this, please don't do it here - I'm trying to have a discussion along certain lines, not have a detailed diatribe back to "do what the manual says" vs. other methods.
We may ALL agree that 87 fuel is somewhat "less efficient". What might be interesting for us to SHARE with each other is real-world data on fuel consumption.
So, my real question is under light engine load for a R56, what real world measurements do we actually have as to fuel consumption for 87 vs 89 vs 91?
PLEASE specify your year, make, model, Transmission, and color (I'm planning to skew the results in favor of Pure Silver).
I'd like to collect this info and see if there are any interesting trends in the data.
Jeff
Last edited by jkling17; 05-06-2008 at 12:36 PM.
#68
#69
#70
#71
finally some personal experience
Thanks for your response. I bought my Mini in July 2008 and have been wondering what would happen if I used less than premium grade gas. I'm sick of reading these sanctimonious posts by people who always use premium gas and lecture on about it. Even more insufferable is their obsession with buying gasoline only from certain outlets. I don't know if there is really much difference between the different brands of gas. My friends who work in oil refineries don't think so. I do know that I have more important things to do in my life than worry about which brand of gas to use.
I want to hear from more MINI owners who are using 87 or 89 octane. Here in TX the premium is 93; they don't sell 91. I only get around 32 mgp using 93 octane fuel. I drive a Copper, not sport model.
I want to hear from more MINI owners who are using 87 or 89 octane. Here in TX the premium is 93; they don't sell 91. I only get around 32 mgp using 93 octane fuel. I drive a Copper, not sport model.
I think I've made my point. I'm still waiting on the mountians of data you have that proves that an engine with properly functioning detonation controls will blast itself into oblivion if run on lower than recommended octane fuels.
The cars I listed were all new, owned by me up to the stated miles, and driven about 90% of the time on either 87 or 89 octane. No, they weren't torn down to evaluate engine damage. There was no need too. There were no symptoms to suggest engine damage. SURELY, with all the horribly nasty and catastrophic consequenses of running low octane (as you suggest) all of those engines would have VAPORIZED by, oh say, 25K... right?
The cars I listed were all new, owned by me up to the stated miles, and driven about 90% of the time on either 87 or 89 octane. No, they weren't torn down to evaluate engine damage. There was no need too. There were no symptoms to suggest engine damage. SURELY, with all the horribly nasty and catastrophic consequenses of running low octane (as you suggest) all of those engines would have VAPORIZED by, oh say, 25K... right?
#72
#73
I drive a Cooper as well. I used regular once so far, but I think I'm going to try it next time, since I'm getting good mpgs with the CITGO premium I've been using. The time I used it I seemed to get a few less mpgs, but it was a different brand. It also seemed a little less peppy, sort of a slow start, which you would expect if the spark was retarded. It's all so subjective though. I thought one tank of premium at a convenience store out of my normal area got low mileage, but that could be because of the ethanol. It also did seem to be less peppy, so who knows what I got. The regular I'm going to try is ~22cents less than high test, so it doesn't really amount to that much $3+ or so per tank.
#74
No I drive a manual. It does get better with pure highway driving, but not by much. With a 13 gallon tank, the car gets refilled after a mix of city and highway driving so I've never been able to measure strictly highway mpg. I think the best I've calculated is around 34 or 35 mgp.
I've been a little disappointed given the 40 mpg they advertised last year. The EPA or some gov't agency has forced all the car manufacturers to post more realistic MPG ratings. Have you noticed how now MINI advertises 37/28/32 for the MC standard transmission?
After driving a Chevy Prizm (same engine as Toyota Corolla), I do confess to enjoying the acceleration of MINI engine. Perhaps my mileage would improve with more patient driving on my part . But I am getting MINI's currently advertised 32 combined mpg. I prefer my more peppy MINI engine over the more fuel efficient of my old Prizm.
I've been a little disappointed given the 40 mpg they advertised last year. The EPA or some gov't agency has forced all the car manufacturers to post more realistic MPG ratings. Have you noticed how now MINI advertises 37/28/32 for the MC standard transmission?
After driving a Chevy Prizm (same engine as Toyota Corolla), I do confess to enjoying the acceleration of MINI engine. Perhaps my mileage would improve with more patient driving on my part . But I am getting MINI's currently advertised 32 combined mpg. I prefer my more peppy MINI engine over the more fuel efficient of my old Prizm.