Breaking the M in!

[superchargedman]

Hey Guys,

So, I know there's controversy over break-in procedures, but I was just wondering what peoples' experiences have been with trying to adhere to the break in guide.

I find that it's very easy to stay below 5500rpm, but it's difficult to avoid opening the throttle entirely up when I double clutch sometimes (heel and toeing doesn't tend to provoke it). Or, I'll mistakenly give it full throttle for a second when passing someone. I may have also opened it up entirely at highway speed for a second, too...

What do you guys think? Any ideas of how this may affect the long-term health of the car? Thanks!

[v1k0d3n]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

I find that it's very easy to stay below 5500rpm, but it's difficult to avoid opening the throttle entirely up when I double clutch sometimes (heel and toeing doesn't tend to provoke it).

wait...ah...what? are you talking about rev-matching perhaps?

[1SerieStud]

100% WOT is not the "problem"...it's when you exceed the recommended rpm limit that you are breaking the rules according to the manufacturers.

In fact, many recommend WOT (in low rpm) bursts, because WOT generates more pressure against the cylinder walls and pistons, leading to tighter/better piston rings seal.

[superchargedman]

thanks for the replies. the manual says not to go WOT, but your rationale makes sense.

[superchargedman]

Originally Posted by v1k0d3n

wait...ah...what? are you talking about rev-matching or something else perhaps?

rev-matching, yes.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

Hey Guys,

So, I know there's controversy over break-in procedures, but I was just wondering what peoples' experiences have been with trying to adhere to the break in guide.

I find that it's very easy to stay below 5500rpm, but it's difficult to avoid opening the throttle entirely up when I double clutch sometimes (heel and toeing doesn't tend to provoke it). Or, I'll mistakenly give it full throttle for a second when passing someone. I may have also opened it up entirely at highway speed for a second, too...

What do you guys think? Any ideas of how this may affect the long-term health of the car? Thanks!

There is no controversy IMO. Break it in like the engineers that build it tell you and ignore the other fools that think they know more than the engineers that built it.

2 cents.

[Dee Pee]

I'm adhering to the manual and being a good boy.

My reward will be the years of pants-poopery that I will enjoy every time I drop the hammer with the DSC off.

I figure there's no rush to open all my presents before Christmas morning. 1200 miles comes up pretty fast, anyway.

[superchargedman]

I'd like to hear the justification from the other side of the camp. I know Dan Parker was somewhere in the middle. I'm fretting a bit over those few moments I hit WOT, though they have been momentary (i.e. a throttle blip) or the one time I went WOT for a few seconds in 6th on the highway prior to discovering that WOT is discouraged.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

...prior to discovering that WOT is discouraged.

What other new car have you owned that encourages WOT during break-in?

RTFM.

[superchargedman]

see 1seriestud's post. as is the case in some of your previous posts, i'd recommend using some tact when posting.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dee Pee

I'm adhering to the manual and being a good boy.

My reward will be the years of pants-poopery that I will enjoy every time I drop the hammer with the DSC off.

I figure there's no rush to open all my presents before Christmas morning. 1200 miles comes up pretty fast, anyway.

Yup! me too.. People ask me how fast I went on the Autobahn... I reply.. well.. about 110-115 mph ... (180kph) After going over 135 mph (220-225kph) on the track in the RAIN at Leipzig.. I pretty much got my rocks off for high speed blasts taken care of.. on a car that wasn't mine! Plus I will be easily able to hit that speed or higher, the next time I go to Road Atlanta, Texas World Speedway.... etc , once my car is broken in... there will be no mercy

[superchargedman]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Yup! me too.. People ask me how fast I went on the Autobahn... I reply.. well.. about 110-115 mph ... (180kph) After going over 135 mph (220-225kph) on the track in the RAIN at Leipzig.. I pretty much got my rocks off for high speed blasts taken care of.. on a car that wasn't mine! Plus I will be easily able to hit that speed or higher, the next time I go to Road Atlanta, Texas World Speedway.... etc , once my car is broken in... there will be no mercy

sorry, i don't understand. you said you're adhering to the guidelines, but you went above the 105mph restriction at <1200miles? or, did you hit those speeds in another car?

[1mGator]

Originally Posted by nachob

There is no controversy IMO. Break it in like the engineers that build it tell you and ignore the other fools that think they know more than the engineers that built it.

2 cents.

+1 .... for me, kept to rpm max but had bursts of WOT (could not resist) ... car is fine!

[superchargedman]

Originally Posted by 1mGator

+1 .... for me, kept to rpm max but had bursts of WOT (could not resist) ... car is fine!

so, we're in the same boat. how many miles do you have now? i'm at 350km's.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

sorry, i don't understand. you said you're adhering to the guidelines, but you went above the 105mph restriction at <1200miles? or, did you hit those speeds in another car?

I actually was WELL under 5500 rpms... but mostly because my delivery agent said keep it under 4K... I think he saw my huge smile and figured I needed EXTRA restraint. To be honest.. I wasn't sure of the exact max recommended top speed... so if I fractured it by 5-10 mph... (in 5th or 6th gear for a short time on the Autobahn.. ) I'll live. And I did exceed his 4K recommendation as well.. ... going to 4500 rpms a few times, with a max of 5K when I downshifted once and passed a car in some twisty bits..

Originally Posted by superchargedman

so, we're in the same boat. how many miles do you have now? i'm at 350km's.

I put just under 760 miles on the car during my Euro delivery.

[superchargedman]

i was given similar incorrect info from the dealer to keep it <4500. it's hard to hold back. they're only guidelines. did you ever hit wot on the track?

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

i was given similar incorrect info from the dealer to keep it <4500. it's hard to hold back. they're only guidelines. did you ever hit wot on the track?

With the test car at Leipzig..? Absolutely! I gave it no quarter.
I think I hit WOT once in second gear, following Dackel in my own car.. but I still was shifting up well below 5K.

[Papethova]

I think people are worrying way too much. You arent going to damage the thing bc you hit WOT for 2 seconds or went to 5550 RPMs or drove 111MPH.

FWIW I was told at the Welt that after 500-600kms I could exceed 105MPH. I was also told the RPM limit should be 5500.

My 135 was broken in at redline with WOT starting as early as mile 5. That doesnt mean I drove it at excessive speeds and max RPMs all the time, I just didnt hold back. I have NEVER had an issue with it. It doesnt burn oil, its never been in the shop, I didnt even have the fuel pump or injector problem most N54 owners complained about. 3.5 years later the thing runs smooth and pulls strong.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

see 1seriestud's post. as is the case in some of your previous posts, i'd recommend using some tact when posting.

As per BMW...

Up to 2000Kms
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed an engine speed of 5,500 rpm and a road speed of 170km/h.

Do not depress the accelerator all the way.

If you want to listen to the forum on best practices, be my guest.

[superchargedman]

thanks, guys. i'm glad there are others who give in to their impulses sometimes.

[SNOOPY11]

Originally Posted by Papethova

I think people are worrying way too much. You arent going to damage the thing bc you hit WOT for 2 seconds or went to 5550 RPMs or drove 111MPH.

FWIW I was told at the Welt that after 500-600kms I could exceed 105MPH. I was also told the RPM limit should be 5500.

My 135 was broken in at redline with WOT starting as early as mile 5. That doesnt mean I drove it at excessive speeds and max RPMs all the time, I just didnt hold back. I have NEVER had an issue with it. It doesnt burn oil, its never been in the shop, I didnt even have the fuel pump or injector problem most N54 owners complained about. 3.5 years later the thing runs smooth and pulls strong.

A- While at Leipzig.. did they mention anything regarding motor break-in and testing prior to install?

[Twinsturbo]

My dealer told me that the engines are tested in factory and its mostly the transmission and the differential that needs to be taking care of in the beginning! I have followed the instructions in the manual all the way and i am having my brake in service done the 5oct. I'm sure it will be nice to go wot!