Engine Break in

[joe black]

When the BMW Performance Center in SC gets in new M5's, M6's. M3's etc., it has them go through the standard recommended break in - not above 4500K RPM, varying speeds, not above 105 mph for 1200 miles - pretty much without exception. FYI

[kleinf]

why don't the dealerships put 1200 miles on their demo cars before allowing them to be used as demos for the public and then tell you it easy on the car.

[d1ez3]

Originally Posted by kleinf

why don't the dealerships put 1200 miles on their demo cars before allowing them to be used as demos for the public and then tell you it easy on the car.

do you realize how much work that would be

[scs]

aggressive break in will yield a higher output simply because the rings won't have a chance to wear on the leading edges. sharper edges on piston rings make more compression and a create a tighter seal. on the flip side, aggressive break in doesn't allow the other mechanical parts within the engine and rest of the car to hone/mesh in as nicely which may or may not have adverse effects on longevity. part of any new car or motorcycle break in is to ensure all parts are safely worked in (breaks, bearings, transmission, suspension, etc). if bmw gave the green light to flog the cars off the lot, i'm sure there would be added warranty claims.

[stefan]

There's been lots of new topics on this.. so I thought I'd post a page out of the owner's manual. You can't argue with manufacturer's recommendation!

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by stefan

You can't argue with manufacturer's recommendation!

Doesn't seem to stop folks from trying, nonethless!

One interesting thing from the manual you posted. While many who are trying to follow BMW's break-in recommendations are planning multiple trips to 7,000 RPM immediately upon hitting 1,200 miles, the manual clearly states that revs are to be gradually increased above 4,500 after 1,200 miles.

Personally, I'm using a 5,000 RPM limit now that I'm at 1,000 miles and will go to 6,000 from 1,200 up to about 1,400. Breaking in previous BMWs with that method has yielded smooth running motors with no oil consumption between changes.

Of course, YMMV!
Tom

[Bizall]

I will opt for the "hard" break in myself. I've used it on previous engines and worked great for me. I will be hitting the dragstrip on the 6th of June. I will make sure at least 500 miles on all components before though.

[YearOneOfThe1]

after 400 miles.... i was redlining.... y? because im a menace to society. im young, filipino, and i just dont give a fuuck.

[PA135i]

My CA told me the factory does an engine break-in. He said take it easy the first 500 miles. After that you can drive it the way you normally would.

I'm ignoring that advice and following the owners manual.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by kleinf

why don't the dealerships put 1200 miles on their demo cars before allowing them to be used as demos for the public and then tell you it easy on the car.

Which is why I'd be more leery of buying demonstrators than I am of buying ex-rental cars from Enterprise. Especially for cars with sporting intentions.

[looking]

Ok guys - how did you break in your 1?

I've always been gentle during the break in period but, I've been more and more convinced with the "hard" break in method - what do you guys think?

[thurst0509]

Mine was broken in on the German Alpine Road and the Autobahn. Put almost 1300 miles on it in Germany so it should be perfectly broken in by the time it gets home to me. :biggrin:

[looking]

^^
did you take it easy, drive it like normal, or push it a bit?

[jkp1187]

I've been wondering about the best way to break-in the engine.

This website was recommended by a friend. I don't know how true it is, though. Opinions?

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[imported_mega]

seating the rings does require load, if you take it too easy you risk glazing

this is really evident in dirt bikes, where most of my mechanic background has came from, there the tolerances are tight, and if it's messed up you know right away

[looking]

^^^

I have a few friends that are very mechanical and build their own engine for their cars (for racing) and they say to break it in hard also. while I trust them 100% I still have doubt - but that's base on my preconceived notions and really leaning toward breaking it in hard

[backtoreality15]

I've been following break-in procedures (under 4500RPM & under 100MPH) for the most part. I've had varied RPMs (driving it both D & DS modes.) Also, after I got to 600 miles, I give it a good punch here and there to 6000RPMs. Some people say to baby the car during break-in, others say to break-in it aggresively. I mixed both of these philosophies.

[1speedbike]

I drive like I normally drive. Keep it mostly under 4500 rpm, have gone to 110 once (by accident! haha), but I'm not afraid to punch it. Only thing I do differently is let it warm up for a bit before I get going. I know lots of people say break it in hard, others say do it softly, and I've never been sure who to believe. So, I just vary my rpms, use the slapstick mode on the step, floor it when I want to, but keep it reasonable most of the time.

[arrutled]

I just kept it under 100 mph for the first 1000 miles, well most of the time because its easy to overshoot on the autobahn. then cranked the hell out of it up to top speeds. never paid much attention to rpms because after a few days the car really begs you to floor it so good luck with that!!!! your gonna hear both sides of the story though. I havent heard of anyones cars falling apart because of driving it hard though and some will say you will get better performance later if you do, so thats my $.02

[thurst0509]

Originally Posted by excel

^^
did you take it easy, drive it like normal, or push it a bit?

I drove normally for the most part, except I was careful to keep the RPM's under control at all times. I kept the RPMs under 4500 until the very end of the trip, but cruised regularly at 100-120 on the Autobahn. Once pushed it up to the speed governor which kicked in at an indicated 160 on the speedo... :biggrin:

Honestly, I have a feeling that proper break-in may not be quite as important as obsessive car geeks like us tend to sometimes think. But most instructions say it's best to simply vary the RPM's as much as possible, slowly increasing the load as you go along, without ever redlining flogging the engine too badly until the break-in period has passed. So according to that criteria I think a few sessions of spirited-but-controlled driving offer ideal conditions.

[Severious]

I would say to my friends, "do what the manufacturer says...."

However, after having it for a full day....Its impossible to do it....

Warm the oil up before driving hard, but for the love of all that's good and holy, you MUST feel the stream of power that's on command to truly have a grasp of what your buying...

If only for a few seconds... :biggrin:

[Dr_Jones]

ive kept her below 5k since birth but did bury the gas today on the way home from work @ 920 miles. Its all downhill from here.