Break in period

Iliveforthis · 10-21-2008, 06:06 PM

this may be a noob question but any help is greatly appreciated. i've been reading all the threads about the break in period, when to shift, etc. but for the auto tran, do you still have to take it easy for a couple hundred miles, or does it not really make a difference. i dont mean like racing at 130+ mph, i just mean gunning it down to 50- or 60 every so often, then slowing down. thanks for any input .

Cooldaddygroove · 10-21-2008, 06:20 PM

BMW recommends max 4000rpms and 60mph for the first 2000kms. There are two "camps" when it comes to break in. One camp says break the vehicle in hard, the other, soft (as per BMW).

I've broken in most of my sport bikes in hard and can attest that the bike has more snap as it gets older, but for my cars, I take it easy. Mostly because I don't wanna risk a $50,000 car, and have less anxiety over a $15,000 sport bike.

Iliveforthis · 10-21-2008, 07:19 PM

hmmm k cool thanks for the input.

j128i · 10-21-2008, 08:42 PM

My CA told me I should drive at different speed, but dont drive faster than 100mph and exceed 4500rpm during break in (1000mile). Do not use cruise control if one can.

I did ED last month and took a factory tour. The tour guy insists on BMW break-in process and he mainly said it is the time for various parts to work together at different temperature. It is not for psycilogical reason but engineering.
I mentioned to him that now Volvo is no longer recommend break in since today's precise machinery is advanced enough to avoid any issue. He answered 'Yeah, maybe Volvo can do that, who is Volvo? (half way joking)'.

My car is 2008 128i Coope auto.

onastov · 10-22-2008, 03:07 AM

I am disappointed that I've noticed a trend of people not reading owner's manuals. As an engineer, I know that technical manuals can be an invaluable resource about any mechanical or electrical device.

Turn to page 98 of the manual. It contains recommendations coming directly from the BMW engineers on how to break-in the car.

To summarize, in addition to the 4500rpm and 100mph limits for the first 1200 miles, it recommends to drive at varying engine and road speeds, and avoid full throttle and transmission kick-down mode.

There are also recommendations about tires (drive cautiously first 200 miles), brakes (drive cautiously first 300 miles), and clutch (engage gently first 300 miles).

MikeVictor · 10-22-2008, 04:43 AM

Bear in mind the car is revved to redline in fourth at the factory. I believe this exceeds 4500rpm...

The tyre one is a no-brainer. New hoops have a waxxy coating that can cause you to break traction very easily and take a couple of hundred km's for it to burn off.

Tom K. · 10-22-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattyv

Bear in mind the car is revved to redline in fourth at the factory. I believe this exceeds 4500rpm...

That would mean taking every new car to 7,000 rpm and 140 mph - with a new differential, which also requires a break-in period. Do you have a source for this?
Tom

Lexington · 10-22-2008, 12:09 PM

I didn't notice the RPMs but during the factory tour in Greenville, I saw them take a Z-4 into the dyno booth and go through the gears and reach a MPH reading on the computer screen of 145.

bman6074 · 10-22-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom K.

That would mean taking every new car to 7,000 rpm and 140 mph - with a new differential, which also requires a break-in period. Do you have a source for this?
Tom

I can attest to seeing this at the plant in NC. I did a PC pick up and they showed us that they drive all new cars up 120 or further in a testing booth. Checking that all is well before releasing the car. Held it there for a about 30 seconds or more. can't remember what gear but is definitely breaks the 100mph rule
They don't allow camera's in this part of the tour so I do not have picture proof, but I am sure others who did PC pick up can attest to this.

Breville · 10-22-2008, 06:24 PM

I've had my car 3 weeks now and covered 3000k's. My dealer told me not to go above 4.5k RPMs regularly but it wasn't going to do any harm. They said the breakin period was documented to discourage people from going nuts straight from the showroom.
I've been to 6k RPMs in 1st & 2nd twice now but generally don't need to go above 4.5k RPMs as there's so much torque lower down. I am happy with the advice I got.

Tom K. · 10-23-2008, 12:45 PM

BMAN & Lexington, while I'm surprised they put that kind of stress on the drivetrain, thanks for the info.
Tom

former · 11-01-2008, 04:18 PM

Obeying the break-in is also supposed to reduce the engine's propensity to burn oil - or so I'm told. I'll find out.

I did not follow the speed part of the break-in, but have faithfully kept it beneath 4000 RPM. 3,900 RPM in the 135 manual tranny = 112 mph and sometimes one needs to go that fast on the Autobahn. :w00t: About 150 miles to go and that should be taken care of easily within the next few days during ED.

Then we'll see what happens if the weather holds and traffic clears up a bit. :smile:

10-21-2008, 06:06 PM	#1
Iliveforthis The Ice Cream Man 7 Rep 101 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Break in period this may be a noob question but any help is greatly appreciated. i've been reading all the threads about the break in period, when to shift, etc. but for the auto tran, do you still have to take it easy for a couple hundred miles, or does it not really make a difference. i dont mean like racing at 130+ mph, i just mean gunning it down to 50- or 60 every so often, then slowing down. thanks for any input .
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10-21-2008, 06:20 PM	#2
Cooldaddygroove First Lieutenant 12 Rep 308 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2008 iTrader: (0)	BMW recommends max 4000rpms and 60mph for the first 2000kms. There are two "camps" when it comes to break in. One camp says break the vehicle in hard, the other, soft (as per BMW). I've broken in most of my sport bikes in hard and can attest that the bike has more snap as it gets older, but for my cars, I take it easy. Mostly because I don't wanna risk a $50,000 car, and have less anxiety over a $15,000 sport bike.
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10-21-2008, 07:19 PM	#3
Iliveforthis The Ice Cream Man 7 Rep 101 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	hmmm k cool thanks for the input.
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10-21-2008, 08:42 PM	#4
j128i Private 1 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 08 128i Coupe AW/Black Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NH iTrader: (0)	My CA told me I should drive at different speed, but dont drive faster than 100mph and exceed 4500rpm during break in (1000mile). Do not use cruise control if one can. I did ED last month and took a factory tour. The tour guy insists on BMW break-in process and he mainly said it is the time for various parts to work together at different temperature. It is not for psycilogical reason but engineering. I mentioned to him that now Volvo is no longer recommend break in since today's precise machinery is advanced enough to avoid any issue. He answered 'Yeah, maybe Volvo can do that, who is Volvo? (half way joking)'. My car is 2008 128i Coope auto.
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10-22-2008, 03:07 AM	#5
onastov Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	I am disappointed that I've noticed a trend of people not reading owner's manuals. As an engineer, I know that technical manuals can be an invaluable resource about any mechanical or electrical device. Turn to page 98 of the manual. It contains recommendations coming directly from the BMW engineers on how to break-in the car. To summarize, in addition to the 4500rpm and 100mph limits for the first 1200 miles, it recommends to drive at varying engine and road speeds, and avoid full throttle and transmission kick-down mode. There are also recommendations about tires (drive cautiously first 200 miles), brakes (drive cautiously first 300 miles), and clutch (engage gently first 300 miles). __________________ 135i Convertible Cashmere Silver Metallic, Taupe Leatherette, High Gloss Black Trim, Moonlight Black Top, STEPTRONIC, iPod, HD radio, Through Loading System.
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10-22-2008, 04:43 AM	#6
MikeVictor Brigadier General 210 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	Bear in mind the car is revved to redline in fourth at the factory. I believe this exceeds 4500rpm... The tyre one is a no-brainer. New hoops have a waxxy coating that can cause you to break traction very easily and take a couple of hundred km's for it to burn off.
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10-22-2008, 12:09 PM	#8
Lexington Lieutenant 53 Rep 404 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Blue Water Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	I didn't notice the RPMs but during the factory tour in Greenville, I saw them take a Z-4 into the dyno booth and go through the gears and reach a MPH reading on the computer screen of 145.
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10-22-2008, 06:24 PM	#10
Breville Scum in the sun 30 Rep 938 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe TiAg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Syndey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	I've had my car 3 weeks now and covered 3000k's. My dealer told me not to go above 4.5k RPMs regularly but it wasn't going to do any harm. They said the breakin period was documented to discourage people from going nuts straight from the showroom. I've been to 6k RPMs in 1st & 2nd twice now but generally don't need to go above 4.5k RPMs as there's so much torque lower down. I am happy with the advice I got. __________________ One should love animals. They are so tasty.
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10-23-2008, 12:45 PM	#11
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	BMAN & Lexington, while I'm surprised they put that kind of stress on the drivetrain, thanks for the info. Tom
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11-01-2008, 04:18 PM	#12
former Practical Idealist 9 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Greater Los Angeles Area iTrader: (0)	Obeying the break-in is also supposed to reduce the engine's propensity to burn oil - or so I'm told. I'll find out. I did not follow the speed part of the break-in, but have faithfully kept it beneath 4000 RPM. 3,900 RPM in the 135 manual tranny = 112 mph and sometimes one needs to go that fast on the Autobahn. :w00t: About 150 miles to go and that should be taken care of easily within the next few days during ED. Then we'll see what happens if the weather holds and traffic clears up a bit. :smile:
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