THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB Are you following the 1200 mile break-in recommendations?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-01-2015, 07:56 PM   #1
ggabriele3
Private
28
Rep
53
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i Msport
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Are you following the 1200 mile break-in recommendations?

I'm about 4 days into my ownership of a 2015 228i, MSport, Track Handling Package, manual transmission:



The dealer told me, emphatically, that there was no break-in period on this car. Obviously the manual recommends keeping the engine under 4500rpm for the first 1200 miles.

What are you all doing for the break-in period? Following these directions or not?
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2015, 08:03 PM   #2
mattc1176
Private First Class
73
Rep
177
Posts

Drives: 2018 m240i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Matawan, NJ

iTrader: (0)

My dealer kinda said the same, he said on full M cars the break-in is needed, but not for other models. I've taken it easy for the first 300 miles or so but not so much now. Mine's also leased so I have less worry about long term reliability. If I bought it I'd probably think differently.
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2015, 08:05 PM   #3
mfourn20
First Lieutenant
mfourn20's Avatar
52
Rep
321
Posts

Drives: 228i M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Warwick, RI USA

iTrader: (0)

I kept it under 4500 for the most part...but I misbehaved from time to time.
Appreciate 1
      07-01-2015, 08:15 PM   #4
Thescout13
Brigadier General
Thescout13's Avatar
United_States
4944
Rep
4,976
Posts

Drives: '20 F80 M3CS, %E2%80%9818 GT3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfourn20
I kept it under 4500 for the most part...but I misbehaved from time to time.
+1
__________________
Wife's Car: 2020 X4M Competition, Alpine White on Black Alcantara and Biege
Current Car: 2018 F80 M3CS, SMB, DCT, ZEC, MPE
Recently Departed: 2020 F87 M2C, LBB, ZEC, 6MT (Euro Delivery Aug. 29, 2019, totaled by an idiot in a Camry who then ran from the scene)
Wife's Prior Car: 2018 F80 M3, Yas Marina Blue, DCT, Black 19s, Carbon Structure Anthracite Cloth/Leather Combination, Driving Assistance Package (Euro Delivery Oct. 9, 2017)
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2015, 08:20 PM   #5
Sportstick
Major General
Sportstick's Avatar
4606
Rep
5,980
Posts

Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southwest USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ggabriele3 View Post
I'm about 4 days into my ownership of a 2015 228i, MSport, Track Handling Package, manual transmission:

The dealer told me, emphatically, that there was no break-in period on this car. Obviously the manual recommends keeping the engine under 4500rpm for the first 1200 miles.

What are you all doing for the break-in period? Following these directions or not?
Our cars are mechanically twins....I bought the car and extended the warranty to 7 years, so I definitely followed the recommendations of the guys who designed and built the car! I also did a 1,000 mile oil change and the dealer specifically did not reset the service reminder, and now will follow the factory schedule as my minimum.
__________________
2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV
2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2015, 08:32 PM   #6
Supernaut
Little Deuce Coupe
Supernaut's Avatar
United_States
391
Rep
635
Posts

Drives: SO M2C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia Beach

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I assumed that BMW's engineers know a little more than BMW's sales staff, so I followed the break in recs.
__________________
ex: 2004 Thermonuclear Yellow RX-8|6MT
ex: 2015 Estoril Blue M235i |6MT|slicktop|MP exhaust - PCD
2020 Sunset Orange M2C|6MT|Black 788s
Appreciate 1
      07-01-2015, 08:41 PM   #7
ggabriele3
Private
28
Rep
53
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i Msport
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Supernaut View Post
I assumed that BMW's engineers know a little more than BMW's sales staff, so I followed the break in recs.
Oh man it was even worse than that.

I asked the dealer about the burn-in and he said there is none.
Since I have, y'know, had cars before, I pressed the issue a bit.
He went over and talked to the service guys, returned and proclaimed that "there is no official break-in period for this car."

First thing I did was check the manual, sure enough, 1200mi.
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2015, 09:27 PM   #8
Pyewacket69
Second Lieutenant
Pyewacket69's Avatar
76
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: South Carolina USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Supernaut
I assumed that BMW's engineers know a little more than BMW's sales staff, so I followed the break in recs.
That's my mantra, too.

That kind of lack of product knowledge is why I fully research any item I purchase of any $$$ significance before heading to the sales location, and I usually end up knowing far more about the product than the sales dudes.

While I don't expect a car sales associate to know 100% about each individual model, I DO feel their knowing the general information about the product line they're selling is a reasonable expectation...
Appreciate 0
      07-01-2015, 09:56 PM   #9
Transfer
Major General
Transfer's Avatar
5244
Rep
5,874
Posts

Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Issaquah, WA

iTrader: (1)

I'll drive it as hard during the first 1200 miles as I will at 12000 miles. The only engine I've worried about break-in is the S65. All my other new cars got the full beans out the door and they did fine.
Appreciate 2
B58togo805.50
      07-02-2015, 11:56 PM   #10
MartyMcFly
Enlisted Member
MartyMcFly's Avatar
8
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: Soon to be...
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

I am following the recommendation I have had the car about 3 weeks and just flipped 500 miles. I feel like it's a minor inconvenience that could perhaps save me $$$ and headaches in the long run, so why not?
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2015, 02:11 PM   #11
shane060
Second Lieutenant
89
Rep
229
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235 6spd 2011 M3 DCT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SA TX

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 M3  [0.00]
I followed my break in for the most part minus a few occasions I ran it to like 6k or went into aggressive driving for a second or two ;D just hit my 1200 miles and am having my fluids changed (oil) and (M-LSD) fluids and my car has been running solid!
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2015, 04:36 PM   #12
DanG
Major General
DanG's Avatar
United_States
10447
Rep
6,878
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [7.68]
I followed the break-in recommendation. The engines are not broken in at the factory.
Appreciate 0
      07-19-2015, 04:47 PM   #13
overcoil
Major General
3069
Rep
5,577
Posts

Drives: M235i 6spd
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

I have over 8K miles on my 235 and followed the break-in for 1200 and then some. Even now my engine feels tight on a cold start. For the first five miles on a cold start I won't go over 3500-4000 rpm, actually 1800rpm for first two or three miles. Once engine is hot you can sense it's more willing to rev.
Same with the tires, even with summertime temps, I need about ten miles before I have some confidence in cornering grip. But when it all comes up to temp - the car is manic.
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2015, 10:54 PM   #14
Ruhnie
Private First Class
Ruhnie's Avatar
32
Rep
167
Posts

Drives: 2015 m235i 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Dallas

iTrader: (0)

I just purchased a "used" dealer vehicle with 200 miles on it. Obviously I can assume it was not driven with the break-in period in mind. Should I even bother following it now, will it lower any potential risk in the future doing so?
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2015, 08:17 PM   #15
ralawren
First Lieutenant
United_States
77
Rep
310
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i MSport w/Trk Pkg
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wake Forest, NC

iTrader: (0)

During my test drive the Sales rep asked that I keep it under 4500 RPM. But that was a new car with only 20 miles on it. If you bought a loaner I agree it probably was not broken in properly. If you are going to keep it under warranty don't worry about it.

I purchased new and plan on keeping it for 5 years so followed the break in until 1200 miles. Now I am running the engine upto 6k
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2015, 10:05 AM   #16
racerstf
Private
26
Rep
67
Posts

Drives: M235i
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Anaheim

iTrader: (0)

Picked up my M235i from the welt 9/17... Reached 1200 miles 9/26. I followed the break in. Will be increasing RPM and speed gradually and will be fully broken in once I reach the the unrestricted autobahn and Nurburgring I plan on keeping this car a very long time a tracking it a lot!
Appreciate 0
      11-22-2015, 12:09 PM   #17
rich8566
Major
rich8566's Avatar
United_States
609
Rep
1,124
Posts

Drives: M2 + Z-4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW M235i  [0.00]
Yes. Did euro delivery and did an oil change at 1000 miles.
__________________
Current: 2017 ///M2 manual 2004 E85 Z-4 manual
Appreciate 0
      01-09-2016, 03:18 AM   #18
Legal Bill
Second Lieutenant
Legal Bill's Avatar
58
Rep
204
Posts

Drives: 2006 330i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Canton, MA

iTrader: (0)

I just ordered my car and have not seen the manual. Does it give specific instructions on how to drive the car during the first 1200 miles, etc, or just to keep it under 4500? I ask because it is good practice to vary the RPMs during the break-in of any internal combustion engine. While that may sound like unnecessary information, think about highway cruising speeds. It is not unusual to cruise at the same engine rpm range for hours at a time.
Appreciate 0
      01-14-2016, 06:44 PM   #19
Tpeterson
Lieutenant
Tpeterson's Avatar
United_States
157
Rep
580
Posts

Drives: 228i MSport/THP/MT/
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Eagan Mn

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Legal Bill View Post
I just ordered my car and have not seen the manual. Does it give specific instructions on how to drive the car during the first 1200 miles, etc, or just to keep it under 4500? I ask because it is good practice to vary the RPMs during the break-in of any internal combustion engine. While that may sound like unnecessary information, think about highway cruising speeds. It is not unusual to cruise at the same engine rpm range for hours at a time.
Yes ,I remember specific instructions: no WOT,vary speeds, easy on the clutch ,if it has one,easy on the brakes and tires.My manual is in the car which is under a
cover so I'm not going to check it. The manual is available on line at BMWUSA.com, .http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/dgh.aspx

Last edited by Tpeterson; 01-15-2016 at 09:24 AM.. Reason: more info
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2016, 04:30 PM   #20
reala
Private First Class
24
Rep
106
Posts

Drives: 16' MG M235i xDrive
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Earth

iTrader: (0)

I'm no longer following baby break-in. I don't believe that. I just drive normally I would from day 1. Only thing I do more is more engine breaking to get the ring sit properly.
Never had a problem. Also baby break-in resulted in worse oil consumption issue on my previous cars.
Appreciate 0
      06-25-2016, 05:16 PM   #21
Vortexginge
Private
Australia
15
Rep
49
Posts

Drives: M235i & VW Scirocco R
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Queensland

iTrader: (0)

A few years ago when I picked up my new VW Scirocco R i asked the service manager about running in and he said no just go for it.he also mentioned that all the cars he had that were loan cars and thrashed from the start he had no problems with.This advice doesn't really seem brand specific !! Hard call what to do with your pride and joy!
Appreciate 0
      06-26-2016, 01:26 PM   #22
bimmer813
Second Lieutenant
United_States
79
Rep
244
Posts

Drives: 2023 M4, 2024 X5 M60
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Tampa, FL

iTrader: (0)

This is debated and will be debated forever. I broke my car in hard, doing full in-gear pulls once the car was warm.

Is this good for the car or not? Who knows. All scientific analysis I've read says it will help set the piston rings.

I'm no expert, but I know my 135i put down stupid big stock numbers on a dyno with 2k miles on it, as did a friend's 335i who did the same thing. A friend with a 435i who broke his in softly put down less than the average of what you see on the forums.

I went hard on my M235i. Also, it's a lease. Hah.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:34 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST