Break In Oil Analysis

[MRSSIIM3]

Hello,

So I finally want to put this "soft break in" vs "hard break in" argument to rest. I took delivery of my 2013 e92 m3 last wednesday and am getting my break in service done tomorrow. I am going to have them save some oil for me so that I can send it into blackstone labs for testing. Then, we can see what is actually in this break-in oil of ours.

[motortrend]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

Hello,

So I finally want to put this "soft break in" vs "hard break in" argument to rest. I took delivery of my 2013 e92 m3 last wednesday and am getting my break in service done tomorrow. I am going to have them save some oil for me so that I can send it into blackstone labs for testing. Then, we can see what is actually in this break-in oil of ours.

Sweet, what do you expect to find?

[MRSSIIM3]

Originally Posted by motortrend

Sweet, what do you expect to find?

no idea to be honest. looking to see if theres significant engine deposits in the oil or if the break in period is BS

[Fsarc]

Did the same thing on mine at 1180 miles. Here are the comments from Blackstone regarding my sample:

"Don't be alarmed by the high metals and silicon present in this sample. Since your BMW is new, these metals are a result of the break-in process. Expect metals to linger for two or maybe three more oil changes as all that extra material washes out of your engine. Universal averages show typical wear for the BMW 4.0L engine after about 4,300 miles on the oil. Your engine should look like that or better soon. The viscosity was low for 10W/60 - in the 5W/30 range, and a trace of fuel is not concerning. Check back next oil change to see improvements."

High metals were copper and lead.

[MRSSIIM3]

Originally Posted by Fsarc

Did the same thing on mine at 1180 miles. Here are the comments from Blackstone regarding my sample:

"Don't be alarmed by the high metals and silicon present in this sample. Since your BMW is new, these metals are a result of the break-in process. Expect metals to linger for two or maybe three more oil changes as all that extra material washes out of your engine. Universal averages show typical wear for the BMW 4.0L engine after about 4,300 miles on the oil. Your engine should look like that or better soon. The viscosity was low for 10W/60 - in the 5W/30 range, and a trace of fuel is not concerning. Check back next oil change to see improvements."

hmm this is interesting. how did you break your car in? did you drive it hard or did you follow the break in procedure?

[Fsarc]

Followed the break in procedure. Glad I did with the viscosity in the 5W-30 range. My thinking was the same as yours and I also wanted a baseline from the initial oil to compare to future samples. My last report was excellent. Metals and silicon were right where they should be.

[MRSSIIM3]

Originally Posted by Fsarc

Followed the break in procedure. Glad I did with the viscosity in the 5W-30 range. My thinking was the same as yours and I also wanted a baseline from the initial oil to compare to future samples. My last report was excellent. Metals and silicon were right where they should be.

sweet, im glad i followed it then. did you start to drive it harder right after the break in or was it gradual? what mileage was your last report at? just curious to see how long it actually takes for the break in to be finished and for everything to be as it should be

[Vic311]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

Hello,

So I finally want to put this "soft break in" vs "hard break in" argument to rest. I took delivery of my 2013 e92 m3 last wednesday and am getting my break in service done tomorrow. I am going to have them save some oil for me so that I can send it into blackstone labs for testing. Then, we can see what is actually in this break-in oil of ours.

So you put 1200 miles on in 5 days??..A su salud

[MRSSIIM3]

Originally Posted by Vic311

So you put 1200 miles on in 5 days??..A su salud

yes hahaha. the longer i go without being broken in and staying under 4.5k, the less likely i am to follow the procedure. so i had to crank it out

[Fsarc]

Originally Posted by MRSSIIM3

sweet, im glad i followed it then. did you start to drive it harder right after the break in or was it gradual? what mileage was your last report at? just curious to see how long it actually takes for the break in to be finished and for everything to be as it should be

Fairly gradual for about another 200 miles and then let her rip. By my third oil analysis everything was looking good, although my last sample only had 4335 miles on it. Here are the comments:

"Nice improvement in wear. The oil was changed after last sample, and this oil was run just 4,335 miles, so we expected to see a nice drop like this. Hopefully iron and the other metals stay close to averages from now on.
Insolubles read at an incredible 0.0%. That's a rare find in used samples, so your oil filtration set-up is truly excellent. Insolubles are mainly oil oxidation and blow-by. The viscosity of this oil was in the 10W/60 range and should be fine for your BMW. No coolant or moisture was present. Great report at 10,581 miles!"