The Ultimate Break-In Weekend™

jeremydgreat · 05-04-2009, 02:48 PM

My new 135i will be here in a couple weeks. just got back from Bimmerfest '09 and I'm having a hard time waiting.

I live in Southern California and it's springtime. When my car gets here, I'm going to head out for a 650 mile break-in spanning 2 days. Like a teeny little West Coast road trip.

I've been reading up on various posts and discussions about the recommended BMW break-in period. Some say it's not really necessary. Some say you actually want a "hard" break-in so that the seals set in nice and tight. I think the majority of people (who seem to know what they're talking about) have recommended a constant variation of throttle, speed, braking, terrain, etc. Intuitively, that sounds right to me.

So here it is... my Ultimate Break-In Weekend:

I'm looking forward to seeing one of the most beautiful stretches of road in all of the US. (Well, seeing it again I mean.) Before I leave, I'll be installing the BMW Performance aluminum pedals (using the wonderful DIY article here) as well as the RR Oil Catch Can. I eventually plan on getting a JB+ or possibly a JB3, but not for the first 4 or 5k miles. I'd like the engine to set in fully before I add PSI.

On the way back, it just so happens that there's a track day happening at the Buttonwillow! I'll probably pull over to listen to the vroom-vrooms and see some awesome cars.

Anyway, let me know what you think, and feel free to use Google Maps to show us your Ultimate Break-In Weekend route.

Motor on!

~ Jeremy

slamako · 05-04-2009, 02:54 PM

Wow! Good job on the pre-planning! I hope to see pics from your break-in voyage!!
Too bad there aren't as many "great" roads here in SW Ontario/Michigan area....

Citizen Z · 05-04-2009, 02:55 PM

You suck, living less than an hour from Buttonwillow.

Papa13 · 05-04-2009, 02:56 PM

PCH is a beautiful drive. You will love it. Now as for break in. I don't listen to BMW. I listen to Porsche. They say break it in how your going to drive it. So, don't drive it harder then you normally will but also don't be a pussy

Take a bunch of pictures!!

jeremydgreat · 05-04-2009, 03:19 PM

My good friend Dave just had some recommendations for me. He said not to skip over the 17mi Road in Pebble Beach and that the 5 is so unbearably boring, I should consider the 33 before heading back to LA.

Revised map: http://bit.ly/ztWFk

Papa13 · 05-04-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremydgreat

My good friend Dave just had some recommendations for me. He said not to skip over the 17mi Road in Pebble Beach and that the 5 is so unbearably boring, I should consider the 33 before heading back to LA.

Revised map: http://bit.ly/ztWFk

Both good recommendations. The 5 is hell IMO. Just make sure to vary your rpms and you will be good regardless of what path you take.

JHZR2 · 05-04-2009, 04:00 PM

awesome!!! I hope to do that drive someday!

10000111 · 05-04-2009, 04:27 PM

I've driven the 5 north a few times through the Tejon pass to northern Cali and I can vouch, it is boring as all hell. PCH is probably one of the most beautiful drives I have ever taken (I haven't taken it past Santa Maria) and you can take the 33 which has lots of fun curves and such.

But most importantly: Good luck and have fun!

xbook · 05-04-2009, 04:29 PM

Yo jeremy,

You break in route looks great. That would be a TON of fun. My suggestion is to NOT hit HWY 5 at all man. That hwy is CRAP, and just sucks the life out of you. We just drove down hwy 5 from BC a couple of weeks ago. Oh man it was so boring. If there is anyway you can stay on 101 as long as possible.

One suggestion I have is that as you are going to be near Santa Maria, there is a CA state hwy 135 out by there. You gotta go by one of the hwy signs and get a pic of your 135 in front of a hwy 135 sign. Do it do it do it...

Also one of my favorite roads in the state is along your route. You gotta hit it. Just east of 101, south of of Paso Robles is hwy 229. It is off of hwy 58. It is one of the most fun roads I have ever driven. You are going to be near it. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT.

Also do a search for Nacimiento Fergusson road. It is also another AMAZING road.

PM me if you want any other road trip info. I have a great .pdf from another club that lays out the roads on the CA Coast really well.

-Jason

PS sure hope you have a RADAR detector. If you don't , beg borrow or steal to get one.

10000111 · 05-04-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbook

One suggestion I have is that as you are going to be near Santa Maria, there is a CA state hwy 135 out by there. You gotta go by one of the hwy signs and get a pic of your 135 in front of a hwy 135 sign. Do it do it do it...

I didn't even think of that haha. Great idea!

xbook · 05-04-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10000111

I didn't even think of that haha. Great idea!

Here's are my pictures from doing that

jeremydgreat · 05-04-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbook

One suggestion I have is that as you are going to be near Santa Maria, there is a CA state hwy 135 out by there. You gotta go by one of the hwy signs and get a pic of your 135 in front of a hwy 135 sign. Do it do it do it...

HA! That is awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbook

PS sure hope you have a RADAR detector. If you don't , beg borrow or steal to get one.

Do RADAR detectors really work?? I can't help but think that this is one of those things that USED to work back in the day, but isn't as effective now. By the time radar waves have been detected by the sensor, I would think it's too late, eh? I guess I just never hear stories of people actually, clearly avoiding tickets because of their radar detectors.

xbook · 05-04-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremydgreat

HA! That is awesome.

Do RADAR detectors really work?? I can't help but think that this is one of those things that USED to work back in the day, but isn't as effective now. By the time radar waves have been detected by the sensor, I would think it's too late, eh? I guess I just never hear stories of people actually, clearly avoiding tickets because of their radar detectors.

I have been using one for years, I wouldn't drive without it. We just did a 3k mile roadtrip up & down the CA, OR, & WA coast. My trusty ol' Escort 8500 saved me countless times from getting popped. But, in addition to the detector you must have Situational Awareness. That is really the biggest weapon in my arsenal for avoiding a ticket. The detector just helps that awareness.

And by the way , have a FREAKING GREAT TIME!!!! You will be driving on some of the best highways our country has to offer. I can bet a ton of folk that are looking @ this thread are jealous as can be. Shit dude, if I wasn't instructing at a BMW CCA event that weekend, I'd invite myself and join ya.

stovesax08 · 05-04-2009, 05:19 PM

For a long road trip I would recommend it. The good ones still help (passport or Valentine, don't need to do that debate and it doesn't really matter-just personal preference). You are probably correct in that they don't help as much as the used to now that more and more cops are getting better radar guns-but they still help in certain situations. I've avoided one ticket for sure (got pulled over but by the time the gun registered my speed I had dropped my speed enough to not get a ticket) and I am fairly positive I've avoided at least another 4 or 5 because of it (although those are somewhat more guesswork as to whether or not I would have gotten a ticket anyway).

So long story short-for a road trip they are great to have because they decrease your chance of getting a ticket greatly if you drive intelligently, but they aren't a guarantee.

Ajumepke · 05-04-2009, 05:33 PM

Driving the 101 - be more aware as you get close to towns and cities. CHP (or local cops) like to camp in those areas. (I got popped driving up 101 about 4-5 years back doing 80)

Driving the 5 - don't go too much faster than the flow of traffic. Also - I'm super vigilant about passing freeway exits and entrants (they like to camp on the offramp entrance and you're not likely to see them until you've already passed them)

Don't have experiences with Radar/Lidar detectors. but extra help is always nice.

Government budgets have taken a hit - don't give them any excuses to give you a ticket.

jeremydgreat · 05-04-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajumepke

Driving the 101 - be more aware as you get close to towns and cities. CHP (or local cops) like to camp in those areas. (I got popped driving up 101 about 4-5 years back doing 80)

Driving the 5 - don't go too much faster than the flow of traffic. Also - I'm super vigilant about passing freeway exits and entrants (they like to camp on the offramp entrance and you're not likely to see them until you've already passed them)

Don't have experiences with Radar/Lidar detectors. but extra help is always nice.

Government budgets have taken a hit - don't give them any excuses to give you a ticket.

Yeah. I haven't had a ticket in years (knock on wood) and I assure you it's not because I drive slow. I'm constantly scanning the road and watching the on/off ramps on the freeway. Just kinda second nature now.

And I hear you about the 5fwy. One of the only tickets I've received was in the scorching sun on the shoulder of the 5fwy.

The story:

**Is that a car off to the side of the road way down there? Better slow down.**
**Oh, it's a Highway Patrol car. Glad I slowed down a few miles back.**
**WTF he's behind me. Is it my tinted windows? Maybe my tags are expired? Oh shit his lights are on.**

"Hi officer. What's going on?"
"Hi sir. Do you know how fast you were going?"
"Err, maybe 70?"
"You were doing about 90 five miles back."
"Umm, how would you even know that?"
"We have an air unit on patrol."

...and sure enough, I poke my head out the window and there's a tiny white dot among the cloudless, blue sky.

"An air unit? So you mean to tell me, that it's me, you, and a plane out here in the middle of the desert?"
"Guess so. License and registration please."

I had just graduated high school. Was driving a Dodge Caravan on the way back from a road trip up California. Ah the memories.

morscode · 05-04-2009, 09:47 PM

Nothing happening @ laguna?

cagekicker · 05-04-2009, 10:53 PM

cool!

Garduna · 05-05-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremydgreat

Yeah. I haven't had a ticket in years (knock on wood) and I assure you it's not because I drive slow. I'm constantly scanning the road and watching the on/off ramps on the freeway. Just kinda second nature now.

And I hear you about the 5fwy. One of the only tickets I've received was in the scorching sun on the shoulder of the 5fwy.

The story:

**Is that a car off to the side of the road way down there? Better slow down.**
**Oh, it's a Highway Patrol car. Glad I slowed down a few miles back.**
**WTF he's behind me. Is it my tinted windows? Maybe my tags are expired? Oh shit his lights are on.**

"Hi officer. What's going on?"
"Hi sir. Do you know how fast you were going?"
"Err, maybe 70?"
"You were doing about 90 five miles back."
"Umm, how would you even know that?"
"We have an air unit on patrol."

...and sure enough, I poke my head out the window and there's a tiny white dot among the cloudless, blue sky.

"An air unit? So you mean to tell me, that it's me, you, and a plane out here in the middle of the desert?"
"Guess so. License and registration please."

I had just graduated high school. Was driving a Dodge Caravan on the way back from a road trip up California. Ah the memories.

Dude that's messed up

Live and learn right?

Looks like a nice short road trip, have fun!

AZ135 · 05-05-2009, 12:12 PM

Hwy 5 is a mistake. It is SO boring. If you do drive it, watch out for planes. They'll tag you with radar and radio ahead.

sunking420 · 05-05-2009, 01:15 PM

I was reading the story above about the "Bear in the Air". Think about the cost of running a helicopter, ie the initial cost of the bird and the fuel to fly the damn thing, and all that to catch a guy doing 90mph in the middle of nowhere, netting what, $100 for the ticket? Your government brains at work. No wonder the U.S. is broke........

tridens · 05-24-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunking420

I was reading the story above about the "Bear in the Air". Think about the cost of running a helicopter, ie the initial cost of the bird and the fuel to fly the damn thing, and all that to catch a guy doing 90mph in the middle of nowhere, netting what, $100 for the ticket? Your government brains at work. No wonder the U.S. is broke........

True, but not all elements in a value analysis have to have $ signs ... there is quite a bit of intangible value in the whole "you can't escape the law - even out here in the desert" aura that a bird in the sky provides.

Plus, "air unit" can also just mean a Cessna 152

05-04-2009, 02:48 PM	#1
jeremydgreat Captain 76 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA (Carlsbad to be exact) iTrader: (1)	The Ultimate Break-In Weekend™ My new 135i will be here in a couple weeks. just got back from Bimmerfest '09 and I'm having a hard time waiting. I live in Southern California and it's springtime. When my car gets here, I'm going to head out for a 650 mile break-in spanning 2 days. Like a teeny little West Coast road trip. I've been reading up on various posts and discussions about the recommended BMW break-in period. Some say it's not really necessary. Some say you actually want a "hard" break-in so that the seals set in nice and tight. I think the majority of people (who seem to know what they're talking about) have recommended a constant variation of throttle, speed, braking, terrain, etc. Intuitively, that sounds right to me. So here it is... my Ultimate Break-In Weekend: I'm looking forward to seeing one of the most beautiful stretches of road in all of the US. (Well, seeing it again I mean.) Before I leave, I'll be installing the BMW Performance aluminum pedals (using the wonderful DIY article here) as well as the RR Oil Catch Can. I eventually plan on getting a JB+ or possibly a JB3, but not for the first 4 or 5k miles. I'd like the engine to set in fully before I add PSI. On the way back, it just so happens that there's a track day happening at the Buttonwillow! I'll probably pull over to listen to the vroom-vrooms and see some awesome cars. Anyway, let me know what you think, and feel free to use Google Maps to show us your Ultimate Break-In Weekend route. Motor on! ~ Jeremy __________________ 135i // M-Sports Package // RR Oil Catch Can // Black Kidneys // iCarbon Hood // Alum Pedals // KW v2 Coilovers // Vorshlag Camber Plates // Hotchkis Sway Bar // Wheel Studs. Best mod ever? Tires. 255's in front, 275's in back.
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05-04-2009, 02:54 PM	#2
slamako Metal cutter 15 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 135i 08 6MT Sed Red Met. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario Canada iTrader: (0)	Wow! Good job on the pre-planning! I hope to see pics from your break-in voyage!! Too bad there aren't as many "great" roads here in SW Ontario/Michigan area....
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05-04-2009, 02:55 PM	#3
Citizen Z Alpine Master 111 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: '08 135i AW Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (1)	You suck, living less than an hour from Buttonwillow. __________________ Alpine White with Taupe Leather 135i, Sports Package, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, iPod Adapter Fastness: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252727
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05-04-2009, 02:56 PM	#4
Papa13 Go Gators! 90 Rep 1,621 Posts Drives: e82 / e90 / e53 / e46 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa / SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	PCH is a beautiful drive. You will love it. Now as for break in. I don't listen to BMW. I listen to Porsche. They say break it in how your going to drive it. So, don't drive it harder then you normally will but also don't be a pussy Take a bunch of pictures!! __________________ e90 M-Tech 330i JB/Terra / e82 n54 135i AW/CR 420rwhp 444rwtq - RIP e53 X5 4.8is M///BLUE/M///SUEDE - 357whp 369wtq - The Snow Beast! n54 135i JB/CR JB4 FBO - Tc Kline D/A Coils - 11.5 @ 122mph 1/4 mile 18' Blue/Black SEL Premium R-Line 4 Motion Tiguan - Mods on order
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05-04-2009, 03:19 PM	#5
jeremydgreat Captain 76 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA (Carlsbad to be exact) iTrader: (1)	My good friend Dave just had some recommendations for me. He said not to skip over the 17mi Road in Pebble Beach and that the 5 is so unbearably boring, I should consider the 33 before heading back to LA. Revised map: http://bit.ly/ztWFk __________________ 135i // M-Sports Package // RR Oil Catch Can // Black Kidneys // iCarbon Hood // Alum Pedals // KW v2 Coilovers // Vorshlag Camber Plates // Hotchkis Sway Bar // Wheel Studs. Best mod ever? Tires. 255's in front, 275's in back.
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05-04-2009, 04:00 PM	#7
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	awesome!!! I hope to do that drive someday!
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05-04-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
10000111 Future 135i Owner 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: Montego Blue 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal, USA iTrader: (0)	I've driven the 5 north a few times through the Tejon pass to northern Cali and I can vouch, it is boring as all hell. PCH is probably one of the most beautiful drives I have ever taken (I haven't taken it past Santa Maria) and you can take the 33 which has lots of fun curves and such. But most importantly: Good luck and have fun!
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05-04-2009, 04:29 PM	#9
xbook Lieutenant Colonel 131 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: '14 EBII M235i & '06 R53 GP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northridge, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MINI Cooper S GP [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] 2008 E82 [0.00]	Yo jeremy, You break in route looks great. That would be a TON of fun. My suggestion is to NOT hit HWY 5 at all man. That hwy is CRAP, and just sucks the life out of you. We just drove down hwy 5 from BC a couple of weeks ago. Oh man it was so boring. If there is anyway you can stay on 101 as long as possible. One suggestion I have is that as you are going to be near Santa Maria, there is a CA state hwy 135 out by there. You gotta go by one of the hwy signs and get a pic of your 135 in front of a hwy 135 sign. Do it do it do it... Also one of my favorite roads in the state is along your route. You gotta hit it. Just east of 101, south of of Paso Robles is hwy 229. It is off of hwy 58. It is one of the most fun roads I have ever driven. You are going to be near it. YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT. Also do a search for Nacimiento Fergusson road. It is also another AMAZING road. PM me if you want any other road trip info. I have a great .pdf from another club that lays out the roads on the CA Coast really well. -Jason PS sure hope you have a RADAR detector. If you don't , beg borrow or steal to get one. __________________
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05-04-2009, 05:19 PM	#14
stovesax08 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 269 Posts Drives: 135i, X5 45e Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	For a long road trip I would recommend it. The good ones still help (passport or Valentine, don't need to do that debate and it doesn't really matter-just personal preference). You are probably correct in that they don't help as much as the used to now that more and more cops are getting better radar guns-but they still help in certain situations. I've avoided one ticket for sure (got pulled over but by the time the gun registered my speed I had dropped my speed enough to not get a ticket) and I am fairly positive I've avoided at least another 4 or 5 because of it (although those are somewhat more guesswork as to whether or not I would have gotten a ticket anyway). So long story short-for a road trip they are great to have because they decrease your chance of getting a ticket greatly if you drive intelligently, but they aren't a guarantee. __________________ 135i Coupe-Manual, Montego, Lemon, HG Black, sport, premium, CA, HiFi, Ipod/USB, heated seats
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05-04-2009, 05:33 PM	#15
Ajumepke First Lieutenant 46 Rep 332 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Driving the 101 - be more aware as you get close to towns and cities. CHP (or local cops) like to camp in those areas. (I got popped driving up 101 about 4-5 years back doing 80) Driving the 5 - don't go too much faster than the flow of traffic. Also - I'm super vigilant about passing freeway exits and entrants (they like to camp on the offramp entrance and you're not likely to see them until you've already passed them) Don't have experiences with Radar/Lidar detectors. but extra help is always nice. Government budgets have taken a hit - don't give them any excuses to give you a ticket.
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05-04-2009, 09:47 PM	#17
morscode Got Boost? 52 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 19 x3 m40i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 818 iTrader: (3)	Nothing happening @ laguna?
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05-04-2009, 10:53 PM	#18
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	cool! __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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05-05-2009, 12:12 PM	#20
AZ135 REALTOR 23 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2010 Jag XF Supercharged Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1)	Hwy 5 is a mistake. It is SO boring. If you do drive it, watch out for planes. They'll tag you with radar and radio ahead.
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05-05-2009, 01:15 PM	#21
sunking420 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 334 Posts Drives: '08 SGM 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Flagler Beach, Florida iTrader: (0)	I was reading the story above about the "Bear in the Air". Think about the cost of running a helicopter, ie the initial cost of the bird and the fuel to fly the damn thing, and all that to catch a guy doing 90mph in the middle of nowhere, netting what, $100 for the ticket? Your government brains at work. No wonder the U.S. is broke........
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