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      04-20-2008, 08:36 PM   #1
JBurer
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Counter opinion on break-in

I just got back from a Euro Delivery of my new 135i and wanted to provide a counter opinion on engine break-in procedure I've been reading on this forum. A number of enthusiasts have been advocating a procedure that includes a 1200 mile oil change (which BMW does not recommend) and no heavy acceleration until after this magic number. This approach made sense in the 1980's, when manufacturing techniques required the use of a specific break-in oil, but this is not the case anymore. Specifications are tight enough now for engines to leave the factory with the same synthetic oil they are designed to operate with throughout their service lives.

Advise from my Euro Delivery advisor (30 years with BMW) and stateside dealership was to warm up the engine fully, vary engine rpms, give several warm up cycles and gradually increase rpms until the engine is broken in. Wide open throttle, it was explicitly stated, is not a problem as long as it's undertaken within those guidelines.

I followed this advice while tearing through Bavaria and onto Paris and had a blast doing so. I anticipate having no problems with engine bearings, sealing rings or any other wearable parts in the engine. Tires may be a different issue, however!
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      04-20-2008, 08:44 PM   #2
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BMW changed its recommendations after it started to include maintenance... Ask any one other than BMW how often you should change oil in your car and the ans is going to be much less than the recommended BMW 15,000miles...

As to the break in period, well I'm sure its not as necessary as it was in earlier years but still why risk it?
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      04-20-2008, 10:02 PM   #3
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I had a 93 RX7 R1. Amazing car.
In my opinion: Warm it up while driving
: Vary the rpm's (easy with the MT)
: Revs will not hurt it
: Do not lug the engine
Glad you enjoyed your trip. I will make the trip at the end of June. Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and "the Ring". 16 days of driving and exploring. (Is this a southern thread?)
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      04-20-2008, 10:28 PM   #4
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valid point of view, but just exactly what do you lose or damage if you change the oil at 1200 miles? NOTHING. I'll do it for the micron sized single piece of metal swimming in there (which I have nicknamed "peace of mind").
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      04-20-2008, 10:32 PM   #5
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This seems like one of those peace of mind things... changing the oil will not hurt anything so if you are worried do it.. if you feel it is a waste then don't... I don't think I am going to lose sleep over this though..I will probably do one a little later but before the BMW recommended one...
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      04-20-2008, 10:52 PM   #6
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I have heard somewhere that the actual reason for the break in proceidure is to protect the driveline more than the engine or it's internal components. Torque out of these engines is capable of putting some strain on a brand new diff...
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      04-20-2008, 11:09 PM   #7
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When I drove my 320i off the lot years back the dealer told me to smoke the tires...They have that much faith in these motors!
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      04-21-2008, 12:42 AM   #8
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Well you can't go wrong with following what the manual says... however, I've read plenty of opinions, all from highly qualified mechanical engineers, with vastly different ideas of how to break-in a motor. But I have yet to see anything other than anecdotal evidence supporting any break-in method, including the factory-recommended method and the "drive it hard" method.

I wonder if Mythbusters can take this on??
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      04-21-2008, 06:53 AM   #9
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I have heard the Z4’s Made in Spartanburg SC are run to red line on a dyno before they leave the assembly line. Apparently you can see and here the cars run up on the dyno from the viewing platform.
I also saw a video on this forum where they had a car on a dyno at the end of the assembly line. I did not see how hard they ran it.
I still have the oil/filter changed between the recommended service intervals and follow the break in procedure.
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      04-21-2008, 06:59 AM   #10
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They do the same on a dyno in Munich factory. Simulated 0-150kmh
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      04-21-2008, 07:27 AM   #11
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OP is correct. It takes longer to burn the exhaust in that is dose to break the motor in. 400-500 miles within the guidlelines stated and the engine should be good to go. Sometimes some of the underbody coatings and muffler packings take a little longer but they have no effect on engine break in. It can take a few weeks for the car to stop smelling odd after driving.
I have neaver heard an engine builder state anything more than 500 miles for break in but I would change my oil between 500 and 1000 miles to get any metal shavings that may have come off durring break in out of the motor.
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      04-21-2008, 08:03 AM   #12
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Another thing I read/heard which is likely a complete internet type rumor is this.

They tell people to take it easy (the break in period) at first so they get used to the car before going nuts in higher performance vehicles. Thus keeping liability down for the car makers.
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      04-21-2008, 08:31 AM   #13
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I think they could really care less what you do with it as long as they have your money
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      04-21-2008, 08:46 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mprhead5 View Post
I think they could really care less what you do with it as long as they have your money

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      04-21-2008, 09:36 AM   #15
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White,
Funny story. My delivery advisor got a little dreamy-eyed and said "oh, a pure driver's car... with no technological aids" when I told him I was coming to the 135i from a RX-7. He caught himself seconds later and continued with the BMW-is-best program but it was hilarious to catch the Freudian slip.


Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteOne View Post
I had a 93 RX7 R1. Amazing car.
In my opinion: Warm it up while driving
: Vary the rpm's (easy with the MT)
: Revs will not hurt it
: Do not lug the engine
Glad you enjoyed your trip. I will make the trip at the end of June. Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and "the Ring". 16 days of driving and exploring. (Is this a southern thread?)
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      04-21-2008, 10:32 AM   #16
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Generally, I wait 500 miles for the brakes and the driveline, and that's it
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      04-21-2008, 11:12 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E82TT6 View Post
Generally, I wait 500 miles for the brakes and the driveline, and that's it
That's my plan..
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      04-21-2008, 12:44 PM   #18
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thats exactly what i did, go easy on it till 500 miles ish, then nail it. change oil at 5000k, job done!
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      04-21-2008, 12:51 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JBurer View Post

Advise from my Euro Delivery advisor (30 years with BMW) and stateside dealership was to warm up the engine fully, vary engine rpms, give several warm up cycles and gradually increase rpms until the engine is broken in. Wide open throttle, it was explicitly stated, is not a problem as long as it's undertaken within those guidelines.

I followed this advice while tearing through Bavaria and onto Paris and had a blast doing so. I anticipate having no problems with engine bearings, sealing rings or any other wearable parts in the engine. Tires may be a different issue, however!
I am sorry, but still confused. What do you mean by 'vary engine rpms, give several warm up cycles and gradually increase rpms until the engine is broken in'? Which of that would I do in the first 10 miles? The first 100? I'd like to get driving beyond the 4,500 RPM asap. When would that be and in what gear (s)? Sorry to be so thick skulled on this, but just read a number of different views. Can you be more specific on the method out on the road?
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      04-21-2008, 02:09 PM   #20
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you can run the rpms up just don't "race" the engine. varrying the rpms is important so when you are cruising on the highway don't sit at one speed for 5 minutes. thats important for the first 500 miles so that everything gets seated nice and even.
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      04-21-2008, 03:44 PM   #21
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Doesn't the "oil filter" remove the metal bits from the oil? If not, what is it for?
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      04-21-2008, 04:06 PM   #22
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I will say this: I am a mechanical engineer, a newly degreed mechanical engineer. I took the classes about bearing seating and fatigue load and much of that data is purely statistical because the equations are too complex to get data otherwise. So, I know the reason for break in period but what I would like to hear from the more seasoned car gentlemen (and ladies) are stories about something happening from not breaking in the car properly.
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