Steve,

You're right. There are lots of reasons for an engine to sputter or balk, and octane rating shouldn't be among them. I agree that if you stick to a well-known brand of gas (I use Amoco almost exclusively) the 87 octane (is that mid-grade?...I really don't pay attention!) shouldn't make a difference. I guess my point is that when I fill it up with premium, there is typically very little difference in price between it and the midgrade. Even at a nickel difference, that's $1 total for a complete fill-up. Just doesn't seem like it's worth the buck. I bought the car because of its performance, so why not treat it like its recommended?

Now, I said that a while back and someone stated that since they drove about 1K per week or some such thing, the savings are appreciable. No arguement there. I drive more like 1K a month.

I am definitely going to Nivos when I change over, along with the stiffer sway bar, My price at Volvo ($150 + bushings) for a bar is not any different than the IPD (although not as thick), but of course IPD doesn't make them for the later model years. I'll let you know what happens, but it might not be real soon. Too many house projects going on.
--
John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 94K