[hennyhen]

Hello this is my first post. I am finally going to get my 325 next week. I have have had the car on order since november so I am very anxious to get it. Does anyone know the proper break in for the engine on this car? I have heard so many different things I do not know what to belive. :rocks:

[vladinecko]

welcome!

read the manual or search these forums. this question has already been asked like a million times.

the rule of thumb is, first 1250 miles don't rev up more than 4-4.5k RPMs, don't go over 100mph and avoid long cruises.

[dude007]

I don't want to go into details (you can search posts to get answers). However, this is a short summary of every article I could find (and I did spend couple of days searching).
One of better article is http://www.bmwrt.com/faq/breakin.htm

That's what I do.
Created schedule when I will "teach" engine to reach new RPM limit. I have started at 3000 rpm and progressing to 6000 rpm at the end of 1200 miles. You can be more or less aggressive, depend how you feel.

To "teach"
1. Accelerate (not fast) to new RPM and immediately decelerate about 1000 rpm. All articles claim that deceleration will clean, and lubricate engine.
2. Let engine rest (by driving it easy) 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Repeat number 1.
4. After you've done it couples of times hold new RPM longer each time you reach it.

Engine needs full throttle opening for proper break-in, but other components of the car are not ready yet to take it. So I liked solution when you do full throttle opening in high gears only (5 or 6). You don't need to reach high rpm, just need to create high pressure in the cylinders. Keep in mind, if you press accelerator bellow resistance point your car may switch gear and you will end up with higher rpm than intended.

Train your engine continuously, avoid same rpm for any prolong amount of time - if you can't change speed then change gears. Preferably do both.

It’s a result of my research and some people may agree with it and some - don’t. I’m not planning to defend my theory, but if anyone has questions I will answer them.

Hope it helps.

[ben1364]

As others have urged, read and follow recommendations in your owners' manual. Few on this list are engineers, and fewer still understand how BMW came to it's conclusions regarding engine/drivetrain breal-in recommendations. The same can be said for car salesmen, most service writers and your uncle's back fence neighbor's brother in law once removed.

[kobechrome]

I've pretty much been following the manual.

I'm at 350 miles and thus far have been easy on the brakes. I have also stayed under 4k RPM ... for the most part

I have hit 4.5k RPM about 3-4 times and 5k RPM once.

Max speed hit: 90mph

1200 miles seems so far away....

[shragon]

1200 wasn't too bad for me. i reached that in under a month. driving a lil more agressive now, but not killing it.

[billgti]

Originally Posted by ben1364

As others have urged, read and follow recommendations in your owners' manual. Few on this list are engineers, and fewer still understand how BMW came to it's conclusions regarding engine/drivetrain breal-in recommendations. The same can be said for car salesmen, most service writers and your uncle's back fence neighbor's brother in law once removed.

well said.
my thoughts exactly. never understood why people would listen to car salesmen.

[David328M-Sport]

I just drove the car normally according to traffic conditions. Nothing special at all. I varied the drives as in heavy cuburban streets, freeway, higway etc. That's all. I followed the manual's recommendation.

The enging sings beautifully almost 9,000kms later.

[dude007]

The procedure I have posted above doesn't really goes against BMW recommendation. As far as I remember in the manual they pointed out only couple of items to look for:

1. Keep rpm below 4500 for 1200 miles
2. Avoid full throttle accelerations.
3. Keep speed below 100 mph
4. Vary speed
5. Be easy on brakes and tires for first 300 miles.

All of this didn't explain enough why and what needs to be done. So, I went to other internet sources, read other recommendations from different manufactures, read how they prepare racing engines and even aircraft brake-in procedures. I wanted to know as much as possible, so I can get best performance and reliability from my car. Nothing very wrong will happen if you just drive slow first 1200 miles, but I want the best. Of course, the best for me may not be the best for you. That's why I shared my procedure but it's your car and each one of you will decide for him or her self. The only thing I recommend: do the search on this topic (if you care), read and understand different points of view, then you can choose knowledgably which one you like to follow. Ignore others, it's only you and your car.

[hennyhen]

Thanks for the info

[JamieA]

I followed the manual to the letter, but if you search the forums you will find many views expressed with varying degrees of passion.

I read them all while waiting for my car to arrive, and at the end of the day decided that the BMW engineers knew best.

The only thing guaranteed to generate more discussion is asking when to change the oil for the first time