[Steward Luk]

The E46 also recommended oil change in every 25000Kilo as the E90 does...I really just needed the service one time one year for my ex-E46...

[timzerofive]

My last car also had a "recommended" first oil change at 15,000, however, after some people on that car's forum called the manufacturer directly, they indicated that recommendation is IF you drive your car very mildly, otherwise, they do not recommend waiting for more than 10K miles. However, the first change shouldn't be 3000 miles, it should be around 5000+ due to the "first blend oil" someone just mentioned.

On another note, I went to Irvine BMW to test drive again over the weekend, and the sales there actually told me no break in is required. In fact I should drive it just as I would drive it regularly because the first 300 miles, the ECU will program how the car reacts based on your driving habits.

Now do you guys think this is wise? Again, with my last car's experience, the ECU also suppose to "learn" your habits, but it could be reset if you unplug the battery for about 30 min. So I think I would break in the car normally for the first couple of thousand miles, then once its properly broken in, I'll reset the ECU and allow it to learn my habits again. Unless on BMW this can't be "un-learned".

[roburado]

Let me muddy the waters more. This may seem heretical, but here's someone who doesn't agree with breaking in a car in the way that manufacturers recommend.

Break-in Obsolete?

[Armen52]

Damn I hate this topic. There are just so many opinions and messages coming from the manufacturer, experts and so-called experts I just don't know which is right anymore.

I think I will just drive my E90 as if there were no break-in period and see what happens. I am dizzy from reading all the opinions.

[Nathan]

Just drive it and enjoy it. I didn't break in my E46 or my X5 and didn't have any issues. I was careful, but i did redline many times during the first 1200 miles.

[Armen52]

Originally Posted by ncoutinho

Just drive it and enjoy it. I didn't break in my E46 or my X5 and didn't have any issues. I was careful, but i did redline many times during the first 1200 miles.

Yeah I'm over the whole thing. I'm not going to abuse the car because well, its my car. But I am just going to drive it normally.

I'm also going to try to vary engine speeds as much as I can on the long drive I'll be taking the day after I pick it up, from LA up to Seattle.

[bozo5521]

I drove my '04 E46 like I was walking on glass for like 2000 miles..I dont think I went over 3 grand, let alone 4 grand...the car adapts to the way you drive and when they test these thing right out off the assemble line, they go way over 4000 rpm's...

With my X5, I push the thing as far as it will go...screw it....

[voltron1011]

This is so funny because this thread is going in the same direction as the one I started several weeks ago. :rocks:

[mduchesne]

Yeah...I agree with the direction this topic is heading towards. Im doing European Delivery and will definitely not be keeping this bad boy under 4 grand and 90 MPH. Im going to be on the frickin Autobahn. Who in their right mind can not give in to the temptation of just flooring it through Germany? I hope you guys are right about not having to break it in properly. =).

[bozo5521]

HAHA!! Dejavu, huh?! What thread was that?

[- Paul -]

My dealer said that as long as I dont stamp on the brakes from 150mph then all should be OK. He said not to bother with the breaking in stuff!!

I do though - I cant bear the thought of me causing harm to my E90!

[volsfan0911]

I currently drive a 2004 V-6 Accord. Manual states that normal service interval is 7,500 miles (severe duty 3,750 miles). After reading a ton of used oil analysis reports from Honda owners, I did the following and sleep very well . The factory fill is Castrol conventional apparently loaded up with a lot of moly ("special break in additive"). I followed the manual - varied revs, didn't redline it (actually, didn't break 4,000 if I could help it), easy on the brakes and drove like my grandmother for the first 1,000 miles. Frequent downshifts manually into 3rd to help with engine braking, etc. After that, I kicked the bitch in the ass like I meant it and basically just drove it as hard as I do now . Had stealership change to factory oil at 3,750. Drove it to 7,500 and then switched to Amsoil XL 5W-20(synthetic). Changed again with Amsoil at 15,000 and had my oil analyzed - came back perfect except for the usual Honda V-6 copper level (those things puke copper when new). Runs like a champ at 20K now and I get 29+ mpg driving like a bat out of hell on the highway. $0.02, YMMV.

[Armen52]

If Honda can use a special blend from the factory if they need it, I'm sure BMW is doing the same. I will just trust the BMW engineers rather than some motorcycle repair guy.

[silverado]

I see no reason why we should wonder what to do beyond what the manual says. Personally, I would put very little stock in what a salesman says, especially compared to the manual!

I say that unless you have a real NEED to not follow the break-in process, you should follow it.

Also, the thing the salesman said about the ECU being set in the first 300 miles only is crap. The settings must be adaptive and change as driving changes over time.

[romeo26]

when i get my car iam probally drive the car like i stole it for the first 100 miles and then do what they said in the manule.

[batmanwagon]

So adding more fuel to the debate: the manufacturers of airplane engines *all* recommend that during the first 50 flight hours after installing an overhauled or new engine to keep the power at 75% or greater (unless landing or taxiing) and the mixture full rich (to aid in cooling). In other words: flog it as hard as you can, but at a constant rate.

I broke in my current car (VW GTI VR6) by varying the speed and revving it to redline after the first 100-200 miles of driving. I've had absolutely no problems with the engine at all, and am planning on doing the same with my 330i when it arrives.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by batmanwagon

So adding more fuel to the debate: the manufacturers of airplane engines *all* recommend that during the first 50 flight hours after installing an overhauled or new engine to keep the power at 75% or greater (unless landing or taxiing) and the mixture full rich (to aid in cooling). In other words: flog it as hard as you can, but at a constant rate.

I broke in my current car (VW GTI VR6) by varying the speed and revving it to redline after the first 100-200 miles of driving. I've had absolutely no problems with the engine at all, and am planning on doing the same with my 330i when it arrives.

So, following your logic, airlines and pilots ignore the manufacturers' recommendations and make up their own rules for breaking the engines in?

[Amil]

Originally Posted by kplsoleil

There's lots of people who don't really bevelieve in break-in you know... but tell that to a new car owner who just spent 30-40k on their new car There's no reason why you would hurt the car by testing the car's handling capabilities. You paid lots of money for the ultimate driving machine so Drive it hard!!

i just paid 45k cash for my car and i dont believe in break ins...just dont think it should be abused for the first 1250 miles

[Amil]

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

My dealer said that as long as I dont stamp on the brakes from 150mph then all should be OK. He said not to bother with the breaking in stuff!!

I do though - I cant bear the thought of me causing harm to my E90!

actually hard braking is very good for ur car when u first get it ....

[Arby 330]

I just got my car yesterday, and let me tell you i drove it like i stole it.... car is amazing i love it. im not sure what is better for the car, but im sure ill take it a lil easier now that the the whole "lets see what this baby can do" mentality has left me. i still dont plan on keeping her under 4500 rpm's, but i wont redline it every single time i accelerate... thats for sure.
RB

[batmanwagon]

Originally Posted by silverado

So, following your logic, airlines and pilots ignore the manufacturers' recommendations and make up their own rules for breaking the engines in?

Well no :-) (and although I didn't mention it previously, I was referring to reciprocating engines, not turbines). My point was more that reciprocating aircraft engines typically operate continuously at 75% or more of their maximum rated power, while car engines typically operate continuously at about 20% of their maximum rated power. Failure in an aircraft engine while in flight is generally a little more concerning to the pilot than failure of a car engine while driving (apart from the economics of the problem). This in turn means that aircraft engine manufacturers have a lot invested in making sure that their break-in procedures are correct. At the same time, they are designed for a different purpose than a car engine, so what's good for them may not be good for a car engine.

What is known is that following the manufacturer's recommendation doesn't seem to destroy the engine. At the same time, there is a good body of evidence that shows that a break-in technique of running the engine hard is also not going to destroy the engine.

[ogrady]

Originally Posted by Arby 330

I just got my car yesterday, and let me tell you i drove it like i stole it.... car is amazing i love it. im not sure what is better for the car, but im sure ill take it a lil easier now that the the whole "lets see what this baby can do" mentality has left me. i still dont plan on keeping her under 4500 rpm's, but i wont redline it every single time i accelerate... thats for sure.
RB

Nice! I think everyone should do what they want regarding break-in. Just go with what makes you most comfortable... some can't stand not driving their cars hard from the second they drive it off the lot and some can't stand the thought of revving their engines high until the very minute they hit the recommended break-in mileage.