European regular (Euro 95) is roughly US 91. They might be able to use US regular (87 here, ~ Euro 91) but as there is no European equivalent, the paperwork doesn't say.
I think it is a feature of imported Euro motors
European regular (Euro 95) is roughly US 91. They might be able to use US regular (87 here, ~ Euro 91) but as there is no European equivalent, the paperwork doesn't say. |
|
91 octane required might be "required".
When I was looking at new VWs in 2003, one of the things that turned me off on some of the models was the "91 octane required" statement. But then I talked with a VW lover at work with a Passat and he said he runs regular 87 in it all the time with no issues. And that makes sense - modern control electronics adjust the timing, etc., to minimize pinging no matter the fuel. It's just that to get the best (and rated) power out of it, you need the higher octane gas. The Mini might be the same way. https://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/to-save-money-on-gas-stop-buying-premium.html Cheers, Scott. |
|
Check their "91 required" list
The Minis are on it :-) They're not going to stick their neck out and countermand the manufacturers. The key thing is the lack of certification. If you use 87 and it burns a piston, you'll end up holding the bag, even if still under warranty. In the end, compression is the source of pinging/knocking and the ECU can fiddle only so much with the ignition timing to cool things down. It can't change the compression ratio. |
|
Yeahbut, so are VW Passats. ;-)
Yes, nobody is going to recommend it in writing with all the potential liability, but... You must wash and wax 3 times next sat. Then sleep with feetfacing southwest for 3 day's. Good luck ;-) Thanks. Cheers, Scott. |
|
re Knocking.. Yess
My impression also ... unless you Are an 'explosives engineer' /also thermodynamicist: you cannot imagine what hapens when 'burning' becomes Detonation; the little mouse momentarily tears-off a small carbon-flake (firmly attached to some aluminum!), likely at that spot already? a precursor to a new 'crack' etc. tl;tl ...how Many? little-bites before Carmageddon happens--in a trice? Roll dem dice --> |