another break in post

[boother]

just curious how strictly you guys ACTUALLY follow this. I have 340 miles on my car and must admit have put on the sport mode and jumped of the line several times. Bounced off the rev limiter once. Am I really damaging the car? As a whole I have been driving very conservatively.

What would happen if you completely disregarded the break in period? Am I good if I drive very strict from 340 miles till 1200 miles? Or has the damage been done if any?

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by boother

just curious how strictly you guys ACTUALLY follow this. I have 340 miles on my car and must admit have put on the sport mode and jumped of the line several times. Bounced off the rev limiter once. Am I really damaging the car? As a whole I have been driving very conservatively.

What would happen if you completely disregarded the break in period? Am I good if I drive very strict from 340 miles till 1200 miles? Or has the damage been done if any?

I wouldn't worry about it as long as your engine wasn't cold. Just don't do it repeatedly/often.

The real key, and this can't really be fudged, is at the very least abide by the warning track on the tachometer. Better yet allow the engine to come up to operating temperature (based on the oil temperature) before starting any shenanigans.

[boother]

can you explain a little more about the warning track

[Green///Hell]

He means follow the warmup process at least stay off the yellow and red zone right from a cold start until its past 8k mark And try not to jump the limiter too often, that might look bad plus it only makes you slower

I drove it like I stole it from day one, no problems and doesn't burn as much oil as others complain about.

[boother]

how would it look bad?

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by Green///Hell

He means follow the warmup process at least stay off the yellow and red zone right from a cold start until its past 8k mark And try not to jump the limiter too often, that might look bad plus it only makes you slower

I drove it like I stole it from day one, no problems and doesn't burn as much oil as others complain about.

+1

Babying it too much doesn't help seat the rings.

[Green///Hell]

When you run your file at 1,200 mile service they'll mention the fact you went to 8.4k and possibly beyond if you're bouncing on the limiter regularly
Depends on the dealer, but BMW has been trying to cut some money lately

Back in 08' when I had my service done, they mentioned I went past redline a bunch of times but they weren't too upset about it. Happens to a lot of people, so you should be fine in the end

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by boother

how would it look bad?

Someone might think you were abusing the motor if you repeatedly bounced off the rev limiter.

[boother]

awww gotcha. I only bounced off once, but have done some a few hard digs off the line a few times is sport mode, I floor it from time to time too but never let the rpms get that high when I do. Thnx for the info, sounds like im fine. Ill be more careful the remaining 800 miles

[immiketoo]

Ah yes the age old debate. It really depends on your dealer and how much they like you since they have the final say regarding any warranty claims. When I picked up my car in Munich, I asked this question of the delivery specialist and the dealer in Heidelberg that did my 1200 mile service. Both agreed it was very important, but when I told the service guy I was going to the Nurburgring, he smiled and said "Your car was built for that place!" I'm sure you didn't hurt it unless you over reved by downshifting so don't worry about it.

[boother]

I did over rev by down shifting a few times, but I have the DCT. Im assuming its not as bad as over reving with a 6MT. Right? or am wrong...

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by boother

I did over rev by down shifting a few times, but I have the DCT. Im assuming its not as bad as over reving with a 6MT. Right? or am wrong...

By over rev, you mean over 5500 RPM, right? DCT control software prevents an actual over rev.

i tried to money shift during my intial break in period but couldnt do it with a DCT. damn computers

[boother]

Originally Posted by calintexas

By over rev, you mean over 5500 RPM, right? DCT control software prevents an actual over rev.

correct.

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by calintexas

By over rev, you mean over 5500 RPM, right? DCT control software prevents an actual over rev.

Originally Posted by boother

correct.

You are fine then.

[immiketoo]

^^^ What he said. A 6MT can grenade if you mechanically force the engine over 8500 RPM, but 5500 is cake for this car, even in the breakin period.

[needspeed]

I bounced my car off the rev limiter a few times during break-in and also ran it a few times up to red line after warm up. The car will not let you over rev anyway since when it is cold it lowers the red line.

The dealer said nothing at my 1200 mile service and my engine burns less oil than many report here. My experience at least......Steve

[cawest19]

Originally Posted by Green///Hell

He means follow the warmup process at least stay off the yellow and red zone right from a cold start until its past 8k mark And try not to jump the limiter too often, that might look bad plus it only makes you slower

I drove it like I stole it from day one, no problems and doesn't burn as much oil as others complain about.

I just have to say, I think the warmup process on our cars is the coolest darn thing!

[///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by cawest19

I just have to say, I think the warmup process on our cars is the coolest darn thing!

Maybe, but isn't what happens when the warmup process is complete even cooler?

[Drew1204]

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Drew1204

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

BS

I think some people around here would spend the entire 1200 miles at 3000 rpm or less IF BMW told them to never drive at less than 4000. What possesses one to pay this much for a car just to ignore the guidance by the engineers that designed it?

Of course, this is such a tired BS topic. Doesn't anyone ever to a search and read the thousands of boring discussions on this issue that make the same lame comments over and over?

Do whatever you want, you bought it, but don't cry around here if something happens to your engine. If you're bouncing it off the rev limiter during break-in you're not just getting a bit frisky, you're abusing it intentionally.

I propose we start a "sticky" where owners smarter than BMW can post their VIN number and let everyone know that they opted NOT to follow the break-in procedures. Given perfect knowledge that the owner ignored the break-in procedure would you buy their used car? Not me. This attitude is why I'd NEVER buy a used M car.


To the OP,
The engine isn't a living being. It isn't going to heal from the first 400 miles of abuse if you're good for the last 800. I sincerely hope you're okay. I really don't think these engines are fragile as some think. My point is WHY would you take the chance and ignore the guidance? What were you thinking?
By the way, I'm unsure what M site I read it on, but BMW initially denied warranty service on an over rev'd engine that failed during break-in recently. Eventually they opted to fix it as a good will gesture after a major fight. These engines getting f'd up early in life isn't always a hypothetical discussion.

[RichB]

Originally Posted by BigHat

...What possesses one to pay this much for a car just to ignore the guidance by the engineers that designed it?...

Is it the same thought process for those who change the oil more frequently than the recommended 15K?? There are nearly as many opinions regarding break-in process and maintenance as there are with religion or politics. My opinion is correct. Just ask me.