New M owner!

[ersin]

There are different theories about breaking in an engine. Just remember that it's not only the engine that needs to be broken in. All M3 engines have apparently been taken to redline anyway. You don't have to baby the car during break-in but do heed the words in the manual as best as you can lest BMW warranty service become void. For example, from time to time when it's safe, run the car up to 5500 rpm hard, but don't go past 5500. I know this is hard to do -- I did it twice in my 2002 M3. (Once in the beginning, and another after the service department did work on the engine bearings.)

Good luck, and enjoy.

P.S. I like your other ride. I'd like to have one of those as my family vacation vehicle.

[Enzo08]

Originally Posted by RJD M3

Thanks all. I already planned on following the break in, especially since I have been monitoring this forum for a while and nothing has mentioned to the contrary. Enzo, anyone here in Chucktown meet up at all?

I have not had the opportunity to meet up with any of the other M3s. Your car turned out very nice.

[04S]

Car looks great, combination is kind of familiar as well.

On the break in you should follow the sticker/manual, and vary your engine speed regularly during the break in period. I did that an my M does not burn any oil after 6000 ks, unlike some poeple's !

[SenorFunkyPants]

The break in issue is always interesting...I broke in my last three new E46 M3s exactly to the recommendations and always felt they didn't produce the horsepower I expected. My current M3 (09my DCT M3) I bought with 4000 miles on the clock as an ex-BMW management car, so I expect it was never carefully run in and yet it absolutely flies while not using any oil whatsoever. I think the most important thing is to warm the car up carefully and avoid getting too close to the rev limiter other than that a bit of spirited driving won't hurt.
As you are already driving in manual mode the only advice I would offer is to always use the paddles to downshift into 2nd and 1st as you approach a junction...if you leave it to the gearbox software to make those downshifts shifts for you they can be a bit slow and it can catch you out.
Oh and congrats on a great car, if you love it half as much as I do mine you are in for a great ride.

[CatchM3]

May the FORCE be with you.

[arr0gant]

HUGE step up from 335i for not much more cash!! ...and Jet Black looks great!!

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by ersin

Congratulations on the car and deal. Your CA is ignorant. Either that or he's full of it. Follow the manual instead. Don't forget, after the 1200 mile service you can ease the revs up over 5500 rpm gradually. It's not fully broken in until 3000+ miles; so, you don't take it up all the way to redline until after it's fully broken in.

Follow BMW's guidelines. After 1,200 miles you can redline it, but just don't keep it there or under full power for extended periods. The instructions should be at the upper left of your windshield.

When in doubt, follow BMW's instructions.

Dave

[mj41]

Originally Posted by RJD M3

Thanks DD- I miss Seattle, I grew up there and used to track my 2000 S4 down at what used to be SIR, now Pac raceways right? As far as the break in, I was fairly aggressive on my 335, and never had any problems, but I know that it was not an M, but I will be the first to admit that the higher (not red line) revs have been reached out of pure joy.

Nice car, just picked up my new M vert at the end of February. Coming off of the 335 is an awesome experience. Just scheduled my 1200 service for next Wednesday, so I am anxious to crack the whip as well!!!