[ShiraiwaRiku]

I remember a guy told me long time ago that I should not drive new vehicle too fast under 6000KM..

so I'm wondering what's the reason behind it...

and what's the maximum speed that I can drive for a new car?

[bmwexecutive]

Reference to the manual for more info but adhere to the following break-in procedure:

For the first 1,200 miles -
Do not exceed 4,500RPMs
Do not exceed 100MPH

[martieg]

Nothing bad will happen if you exceed the recommended speed and or RMP, but you will miss the opportunity to adjust to engine for optimum service life and fuel economy.

The recommendation is to avoid exceeding 4,500 RPM and 100 mph for the first 1,250 miles. Also avoid full throttle operation and use of the transmission's kick- down mode.

After 1,250 miles the engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased.

In my case the temptation was too much! I occassionally redlined it before hitting 1,250 miles, and consistently redlined it at about 1,000 miles (I was confused, I thought it was 1,000 instead of 1,250 miles).

Good luck!

[Josh49]

Another important note that I learned was that for break-in, try to vary your RPM as much as possible. Do not use cruise control or maintain one speed for a long period of time...

[Barrie]

Originally Posted by Josh49

Another important note that I learned was that for break-in, try to vary your RPM as much as possible. Do not use cruise control or maintain one speed for a long period of time...

Agreed, this is always important during the runing-in period.

[Snowman811]

I've been taking it "easy" during the breakin and I'm at ~900 miles or so. No full throttle, but plenty of 1/2 and 3/4 throttle. Some double clutching (I've got a 6sp man), but not above 4k rpms. Usually driving <4,500 rpms, but a handfull of times up to 5,500 to 6k on a freeway entrance ramp.

I can feel the stick gettign smoother, not as notchy in the shifting. The engine is sounding/feeling ever so slightly rougher as the breakin continues. Emphasis on slightly here - still very silky compared to other cars I've driven. I'll probably change the oil on my own after ~1,500 miles and be sensative to the difference in engine feel - see if gets back to satin & silk in higher rpms.

It seems to have a bit more power and pull from 3k to 5k as the breakin continues. Very nice indeed. Clutch feels solid, brakes are dialed in. Its really coming to me now. What a sweet ride!!

[cntlaw]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Reference to the manual for more info but adhere to the following break-in procedure:

For the first 1,200 miles -
Do not exceed 4,500RPMs
Do not exceed 100MPH

I agree and I don't want to know why and ask why.
Under 1200 miles, I will t:-
- avoid engine braking
- absolute no hard braking
- avoid floor / hard kick-down
Under 3000 miles, I will also:-
- not hit the red line but do 6000 occasionally for short periods
- not exceed 100mph

Conclusions:-

8 cars in last 10 yrs, I never encountered engine breakdown, transmission issues nor brake issues.

I still don't want to know why and ask why. Just do it.

[mwilli]

You know I have purchased a ton of cars and I feel that this info is a bit of a misnomer (they dyno test each engine before it is purchased all the way up to redline), when I got my first 325i I redlined it the day I got it. I set the expectations of that engine earlier and that car was extremely quick for a 325i.

I babied my 330i ZHP and I felt that I didnt get the maxmimum out of the engine once the breakin period was over. My new car gets here in 12 days and I am not sure how I am going to breakin this one if at all.

[BMWagain]

Lots of people i know and talked with say cars that is careful driven in the beginning is not as fast as the cars being driving with full throttle and seen the red line often.
They just go better without the oversensitive care.
Engines today don´t need to brake in. What can happen? There is warranty. And after two years we buy another.The same applies to heavy trucks. I am a truckdriver myself and have experienced driving rigs that the first owner cuddled to much with was really lazy. And engines that had gone hard and pulled heavy loads run beautifully strong.

[mwilli]

Originally Posted by BMWagain

Lots of people i know and talked with say cars that is careful driven in the beginning is not as fast as the cars being driving with full throttle and seen the red line often.
They just go better without the oversensitive care.
Engines today don´t need to brake in. What can happen? There is warranty. And after two years we buy another.The same applies to heavy trucks. I am a truckdriver myself and have experienced driving rigs that the first owner cuddled to much with was really lazy. And engines that had gone hard and pulled heavy loads run beautifully strong.

I agree completely see my post above.

[mwilli]

Screw it, when I get my car in 12 days, I am going to drop the hammer on it, and go. Thats what BMW's were built for, In 2 years I am going to buy a new M3 anyway.

[BMWagain]

Originally Posted by mwilli

Screw it, when I get my car in 12 days, I am going to drop the hammer on it, and go. Thats what BMW's were built for, In 2 years I am going to buy a new M3 anyway.

Goforit.
If a car couldn´t handle my driving i would return it immidiately. No such thing has never happened with my other new cars. They were great maschines.

[dejav0o]

There was a Motortrend article a few months back that wrote about doing the complete opposite. Basic summary is that most modern engines don't need to be broken in any more. In fact if you drive it hard during break in period, you will end up getting more hp out of the engine than if you babied it.

Not sure how much you want to invest in that article, but there seems to be a pretty good following to that advice among other car forums and they seem to swear by it.

But I went and followed the break-in period...

[cntlaw]

the critical components really needs going thru some breakin in discipline are the transmission system

[ShiraiwaRiku]

Originally Posted by mwilli

Screw it, when I get my car in 12 days, I am going to drop the hammer on it, and go. Thats what BMW's were built for, In 2 years I am going to buy a new M3 anyway.

wow.. you are rich

[MIKEYMIKE]

Don't be a sissy! Give her some gas!

[NoMods]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Reference to the manual for more info but adhere to the following break-in procedure:

For the first 1,200 miles -
Do not exceed 4,500RPMs
Do not exceed 100MPH

unfortunately i broke both rules the 3rd day! there was NO WAY i was letting a POS camry beat me on the highway!

[Darrel Revok]

I was trying to follow the rules, but the "no braking hard" one went out the window today when some jackass decided (from a stop) to cut across 2 lanes of a parkway 5 car lenths in front of me. Brought it from 45-0 in less distance. :mad:

[ShiraiwaRiku]

Originally Posted by armoredsaint

unfortunately i broke both rules the 3rd day! there was NO WAY i was letting a POS camry beat me on the highway!

have some respect for other people...

no matter it's a Enzo Ferrarri or it's a Toyota Corolla, they are both driveable cars..

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by Darrel Revok

I was trying to follow the rules, but the "no braking hard" one went out the window today when some jackass decided (from a stop) to cut across 2 lanes of a parkway 5 car lenths in front of me. Brought it from 45-0 in less distance. :mad:

do the bedding procedure for the pads and rotors and you should be fine

[BMWagain]

I now have 3300 kilometers on it. Don´t feel that it pulls stronger yet.Dealer say it must have 7000 km before engine let go.

Be good all!

[TahoeOG]

i believe in the break in period buy my break in is a little different. My old e46 325i def had better responce and i felt really quicker than others, others would notice as well. What i do is:

0-500miles = 3500rpm to 4000sometimes
500-1000miles= 4500 to 5000 sometimes when needed.
1000-1500miles= up to 6000rpm
1500 => Could red line when needed. No need to red line all the time.

That is what i do with my car, and it handles great. My car is at 480 miles now, and before i touch the 4000rpm level, my car feels as if it's ready to kick it up a notch! Soon i will. I'm happy!!! So far no start up problems, or anything. My e46 NEVER game me a problem.

As for keeping it under 100mph, i do untill i have reached 1200 miles. That's when i will touch 100mph. Again sometimes and i keep that at the minimal. After 1500miles whatever goes!

As for oil changes. I've always waited for the regular 15000 miles oil change bmw askes. All though i feel they might be a bit long, they know best. What I plan to do is change my oild myself at the 7000 mile. That way it will get rid of all the break in if any. The next will be as schedualed at 15000. So after that, if i find no problems, i will keep it at the 15000 miles interval.

Good luck breaking the car in. Mine's giving me NO problem "knock on wood" so far, and i hope to keep it that way.