Break in Method.

[nusevad]

interesting poll results...i did a few search for BI for the 325,330and 335 and it seems more balanced in terms of hard/soft break in for those guys. I guess we future M owners will really baby our cars~

[2m3]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

interesting poll results...i did a few search for BI for the 325,330and 335 and it seems more balanced in terms of hard/soft break in for those guys. I guess we future M owners will really baby our cars~

Not the porters at BMW Service Department. They drive the cars hard right away

[Tobizach]

Originally Posted by 2m3

Not the porters at BMW Service Department. They drive the cars hard right away

Thats when the "watch em like a hawk" rule kicks in. IE whenever you go in for service.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by Tobizach

Thats when the "watch em like a hawk" rule kicks in. IE whenever you go in for service.

ill def. keep a eye on em.

Also keep in mind some valets...dropped off my 5er once at my friends building, right before i got to the front door the dude floored the car out of the lot. :mad:

[Hans Delbruck]

Follow BMW's recommended break-in unless you want to risk losing your warranty. It's a new engine guys, and you really don't want the finger pointed at YOU if BMW's little V8 gem has teething problems.

You guys would be amazed at what the ECU can track.

My buddy with a new Exige S followed break-in dutifully, then went to the dealer for his post-break-in service. Keep in mind this is a crude British-Toyota product with very few electronic systems. HOWEVER... the service department gave him a big long printout of everything the engine had experienced over the first 1000 miles.

It showed what percentage of time the engine was at full throttle, 20% throttle, 2% throttle, every amount of throttle - you get the idea. But wait, there's more -- it also recorded the same for engine rpm's and percentage of time spent at different rpms... but there's even MORE! It also recorded at what temperature both the oil AND the coolant were, while the engine was operating at those various rpm's and throttle position (IOW, they don't want you driving hard on a cold engine either -- common sense, right??) It also recorded how many clutch dumps had occured (high rpm, sudden accelleration in low gear)

It was really astounding. Lotus is watching. Warrantys could be pulled. I wouldn't doubt if BMW or any other manufacturer does the same thing. These engines aren't cheap. The break-in on our 997 GT3 was a painful 2000 miles, but we followed it religiously since that engine is about $30K to replace.

Following break-in puts the liability for future problems on the manufacturer, not on you. Just do it.

I also recommend as above... after the first 300-500 or so very gentle miles, you want to run the engine up to its max recommended rpm, then lift off and let it engine-brake down... in every gear, without going WOT, just short of it. Let the engine and trans experience a variety of conditions. And of course, always warm it up before driving hard. Oil temps at minimum of 165-170 IMO.

I would never take my car for service until after the break-in is finished. You don't know what the lot monkeys are going to do.

[nusevad]

Thanks for the info Hans, what does WOT mean?

[SunnyD]

WOT = wide open throttle.

[bullitt5897]

Wide Open Throttle

[bullitt5897]

damn you sunnyD your just too fast lol

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by JackHollywood

agreed, if we dont go hard we will never beat RS4

RS who???

[kishg]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

ill def. keep a eye on em.

Also keep in mind some valets...dropped off my 5er once at my friends building, right before i got to the front door the dude floored the car out of the lot. :mad:

i never let valets drive my cars.. for many reasons..

[Fuzzz]

Originally Posted by bimmerwithholes

sounds like bs.....BMW told me no breakin required. I break it in anyway...anyway i doubt you'll get warranty hassle for improper breakin

Do what you want, but I seriously doubt anyone with half a brain told you no break-in required on any car. Unless you bought used. Just go to a BMW dealer and look in the top right corner of any new car's windshield... the breakin instructions are right there.

Also, for people asking about the E60 M5... It had two different break-in recommendations. One for the motor, 1600 miles below 5500 rpm, and a second for the tranny, no S6 before 3000 miles. BUT, there was no dealer lock out of the features, the car would rev past 5500 and engage S6 if you wanted.

The E46 M3 breakin was just 1600 miles for the motor/tranny.

BMW does a full fluid change, engine and diff, at 1600 miles. There have been some rumors of M cars running different oil during breakin, which then gets replaced with Castrol 10-60 at the 1st service.