Looking for S4 reviews

Here's a direct link to a review on a somewhat less biased site: Edmunds.com.

Compared to $5-6 a gallon? That's pretty close to free.

-- Mike Smith

What, did you think he was quoting the price in New Zealand dollars, perhaps? ;-P

-- Mike Smith

Thanks for the links guys..... I really hope I find a nice one. Anything I should look out for ? signs of abuse ??

I will propably raise the question again here, once I get closer to an actual purchase.

wasn't this because they took out the lead in gas??

No. Lead reduction in automotive gasoline began in 1973 but it was not legally withdrawn by the EPA until 1996 although it has been in dwindling supply for some years. It is still available for off-road use.

The Motor method was developed back in the 20's and the Research method was developed in the early 40's for the octane needs of high compression aircraft engines.

They measure different "types" of motor use but are measured on the same test engine whose current design is very similar to the originals and has been in use since 1952. (Waukesha Engine)

There have been other rating methods proposed over the years. Most are derivations of the established methods or are specific to an engine's design or to specific operating conditions.

There is another interesting fuel octane measurement referred to as sensitivity. Sensitivity = RON - MON . Because the two test methods use different test conditions, especially the intake mixture temperatures and engine speeds, then a fuel that is sensitive to changes in operating conditions will have a larger difference between the two rating methods. Modern fuels typically have sensitivities around 10. The US 87 (RON+MON)/2 unleaded gasoline is recommended to have a 82+ MON, thus preventing very high sensitivity fuels [39]. Recent changes in European gasoline's has caused concern, as high sensitivity unleaded fuels have been found that fail to meet the 85 MON requirement of the EN228 European gasoline specification