Correct method of "breaking in" a BMW

[dmboone25]

Are you buying the car? If yes--no revs over 4500 for the first 1200 miles. Vary your speeds and revs within the 4500 RPM limit.

Are you leasing? Drive it like you stole it. :biggrin:

Pretty simple.

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Vary your speeds and revs within the 4500 RPM limit.

For some cars, yes, the rev limit applies. The E46 M3 responded well to a rev-limited break-in period. But for most of BMWs engines, a rev limit is mostly unnecessary. If you vary the engine speeds, you will be fine.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by MPower

For some cars, yes, the rev limit applies. The E46 M3 responded well to a rev-limited break-in period. But for most of BMWs engines, a rev limit is mostly unnecessary. If you vary the engine speeds, you will be fine.

Well, that's just what they told me on my E92, and my dad got an M coupe this weekend--same thing.

I didn't follow those directions on my E92--like I said--I drove it like I stole it. :biggrin:

[PDZ01]

Even if you lease the car, treat it like it's your own. You may still be in love after the 3 years and want to buy it!

[AchtungF80]

So I guess all those who wanted to drive the 'ring on ED are SOL unless they want to just go for the view.

[adc]

Originally Posted by AchtungE30

So I guess all those who wanted to drive the 'ring on ED are SOL unless they want to just go for the view.

Whatever makes you say that? The miles?

During my ED, I was pushing over 2500mi when I got to the Ring. You just have to drive around Europe a bit, and make the Ring the last stop. :thumbup:

[JohnL135I]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

This hot-topic will go on forever with people's unfounded fears and opinions. The bottom line here is breaking-in the powertrain means seating the wear-surfaces. Approximately 90% of that breaking-in happens in the first 20 miles of driving. Drive it dynamically and variably in those first 20 miles and you've done the job quite well. Make sure to include WOT from idle to redline, and also engine braking from redline to idle, and some varying engine load everywhere in the middle. Alot of people will freak out saying to drive off the lot [after warming it up] with your foot to the floor, but those same people haven't a clue what the physics of the break-in procedure is like.

Enjoy,
Ryan

I agree 100%

[adc]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

This hot-topic will go on forever with people's unfounded fears and opinions. The bottom line here is breaking-in the powertrain means seating the wear-surfaces. Approximately 90% of that breaking-in happens in the first 20 miles of driving. Drive it dynamically and variably in those first 20 miles and you've done the job quite well. Make sure to include WOT from idle to redline, and also engine braking from redline to idle, and some varying engine load everywhere in the middle. Alot of people will freak out saying to drive off the lot [after warming it up] with your foot to the floor, but those same people haven't a clue what the physics of the break-in procedure is like.

Enjoy,
Ryan

Just one question - how did you come up with the exact 20 miles number?

Did someone count the average number of piston strokes over the first 20 miles and decide "X" number of strokes achieves 99% of the desired effect?

Is it different for different engines (manufacturers) or a universal constant?

I'd like to know true facts about this, otherwise it's just an opinion, as founded (or unfounded) as the others.


Playing a little devil's advocate here.

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by adc

Whatever makes you say that? The miles?

During my ED, I was pushing over 2500mi when I got to the Ring. You just have to drive around Europe a bit, and make the Ring the last stop. :thumbup:

With $95-110 US fill ups?

I'm trying to keep my travel costs low :biggrin:

[adc]

Originally Posted by AchtungE30

With $95-110 US fill ups?

I'm trying to keep my travel costs low :biggrin:

You only need 4 fill-ups (and my first one was free, courtesy of Freiman delivery as opposed to Welt). It still costs less than going say by train as long as you are not alone in the car (it was 3 in my case). And you've alreayd paid $1-1.5k for the airfare (times number of companions). You'll spend countless dollars on beer and hearty food. Another $500 for fuel is trivial.

You don't have to go alone - take your SO, kids or even 1-2 good buddies. Take advantage of the Lufthansa 2-4-1 fare, stay in local B&B's for flavor & cost and drive the hell out of the car. And at the end of the trip, treat yourself to some Ring action, I guarantee you will remember (and dream) about it for the rest of your life. :thumbup:

For example:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=212244

[pavelitto]

Talking about this whole break in periods, it is not only the engine which needs the break in period but parts like drivetrain, suspension, even tires and brakes so bare in mind that braking in car is not braking in the engine...

[rodi]

so did the community ever agree on a "protocol"? surely it's been long enough for users to chime in with their experience with this specific vehicle.

looks like Ryephile has the most forward-thinking advice in this thread (and other related topics).

[mistermojorizin]

Originally Posted by rodi

so did the community ever agree on a "protocol"? surely it's been long enough for users to chime in with their experience with this specific vehicle.

looks like Ryephile has the most forward-thinking advice in this thread (and other related topics).

it's like saying, did the world ever agree on a religion, it's been long enough

[Sansnoetic]

I'm trying to follow the "proper" break-in schedule, but it's sooo freakin hard! I'm at 605 miles now, and have full throttled it a few times (however only to about 5K RPM) and I've approached the 100 mph mark. I think I'll wait till 1K miles to really open it up...

[AchtungF80]

I took it easy shifting to 4000 or at most 4500RPM...a couple of times I had to go a little higher, like driving in Florence , but I did not really go nuts till I hit 1200.

[rodi]

Originally Posted by mistermojorizin

it's like saying, did the world ever agree on a religion, it's been long enough

almost. that one's more laughable. ;]

[chriscecc914]

I broke it in by driving it like I normally would, hard and fast

[Golden3ye]

I have had my car for 2 months now or so and only am at 800 miles. I am not sire I can wait another month to drop the hammer! I might go for it a 1k miles, can't be that bad I bet

[mdputnam]

Ok, I really really tried to follow the manuals break in instructions. But, yesterday on this long 2 lane onramp a freakin brand new Supercharged Range Rover tried to pass and cut me off where the onramp narrows to 1 lane. I just couldn't let him go through life thinking his $100,000 510hp behemoth was faster than a baby bimmer.

[Golden3ye]

Originally Posted by mdputnam

Ok, I really really tried to follow the manuals break in instructions. But, yesterday on this long 2 lane onramp a freakin brand new Supercharged Range Rover tried to pass and cut me off where the onramp narrows to 1 lane. I just couldn't let him go through life thinking his $100,000 510hp behemoth was faster than a baby bimmer.

good man

[JuuS]

Most new cars come with atleast 10-20 miles on the odometer already. You really think these were done driving Miss Daisy? The workers that load/unload the boat drive wot. About 15 workers have a few hours to load 500 cars on a boat and they move cars around from huge lots to even bigger ones.

From my point of view, they're actually doing everyone a favour.

[Boosted_N54]

ALL i know is that DO NOT down shift and never went above 3000rpm for 1000miles