[jiggax23]

I believe the manual says keep the car under 4500 rpm and 100mph for the first 1250 miles or so. Outside of this, is there anything else we/I should be doing to break it in properly? Can i still drive it hard as long as I keep it under these conditions? I find myself pushing the gas pedal a little harder than I need to or perhaps should be doing at times, but I make sure that i'm still within the boundaries mentioned above. Is this ok, or should i tone it down a bit? Also, i find myself hitting some corners and curves really fast at times to "test" the handling. Is this going to hurt the car and should I be toning this down? Thanks

[wannabe]

I think you shouldn't do any full throttle starts and make sure the car is properly warmed up before doing any "hard" driving. Although, I don't know how hard you can drive under 4500 rpm. You probably shouldn't be dumping the clutch either.

Make sure you keep checking your oil level to see if you are burning any. I've never owned a bimmer though, so I don't know how sound my advice is.

[kplsoleil]

Originally Posted by jiggax23

I believe the manual says keep the car under 4500 rpm and 100mph for the first 1250 miles or so. Outside of this, is there anything else we/I should be doing to break it in properly? Can i still drive it hard as long as I keep it under these conditions? I find myself pushing the gas pedal a little harder than I need to or perhaps should be doing at times, but I make sure that i'm still within the boundaries mentioned above. Is this ok, or should i tone it down a bit? Also, i find myself hitting some corners and curves really fast at times to "test" the handling. Is this going to hurt the car and should I be toning this down? Thanks

There's lots of people who don't really bevelieve in break-in you know... but tell that to a new car owner who just spent 30-40k on their new car There's no reason why you would hurt the car by testing the car's handling capabilities. You paid lots of money for the ultimate driving machine so Drive it hard!!

[vivid]

I’ve always heard that you should vary the driving when breaking in, so don't drive it hard all the time, some times carefully and some time moderately... Same goes for hyw driving, don't use cruise control keep the speed varying... With a new car you’ll put that mileage on in a few days or at most a week, not a long time for that extra security of proper break-in

[E90coupe]

My dad who is pretty clued up on cars said all this breaking in stuff is bollocks!!

Yes it did apply to cars 10 years ago, but not now. All the engines are tested before they go in th car and i think there tested to the fullest.

But obviously treat your engine right always make sure its up to temperature as you cause damage when its not!!!

[Athos]

Originally Posted by vivid

I’ve always heard that you should vary the driving when breaking in, so don't drive it hard all the time, some times carefully and some time moderately... Same goes for hyw driving, don't use cruise control keep the speed varying... With a new car you’ll put that mileage on in a few days or at most a week, not a long time for that extra security of proper break-in

I'm not an engineer or a mechanic but believe it is best to vary the engine speed so the bearings don't set in at a single speed and wear unevenly. The primary reason for the break in period is that you have a newly machined engine undergoing its first heat and mechanical stress. Metal surfaces wear more during this initial time period and tiny bits of material may be introduced into the oil supply that could wear the motor excessively. That's also why most cars require an oil change fairly soon after you get the car.

[BMWAustin]

Originally Posted by jiggax23

I believe the manual says keep the car under 4500 rpm and 100mph for the first 1250 miles or so. Outside of this, is there anything else we/I should be doing to break it in properly? Can i still drive it hard as long as I keep it under these conditions? I find myself pushing the gas pedal a little harder than I need to or perhaps should be doing at times, but I make sure that i'm still within the boundaries mentioned above. Is this ok, or should i tone it down a bit? Also, i find myself hitting some corners and curves really fast at times to "test" the handling. Is this going to hurt the car and should I be toning this down? Thanks

Do you feel the steering a little bit tighter?

[jiggax23]

Originally Posted by BMWAustin

Do you feel the steering a little bit tighter?

I haven't really noticed too much of a difference in the steering.

As for people not believing in breaking in their cars, i'm not saying you guys/girls are wrong, but if the manual says to do it, i'll do it. Just to be on the safe side. Afterall, it aint gonna hurt the car to take it lightly right?

[BMWAustin]

Originally Posted by jiggax23

I haven't really noticed too much of a difference in the steering.

As for people not believing in breaking in their cars, i'm not saying you guys/girls are wrong, but if the manual says to do it, i'll do it. Just to be on the safe side. Afterall, it aint gonna hurt the car to take it lightly right?

Me too, following the book. My steering is tight and the brake screech a lot.

[wannabe]

Why would BMW tell you to break-in the car...if they don't really mean it!! It would be ridiculously expensive to test every engine...let alone drivetrain on every car produced.

Under your logic, e90 coupe, what would be the difference between buying a demo car and a never-been-driven car? I'd rather have a never-been-driven car off the lot than a 600 mile demo car.

Trust in the manual...it knows all.

[Nu 3 in Sin City]

Originally Posted by wannabe

Why would BMW tell you to break-in the car...if they don't really mean it!! It would be ridiculously expensive to test every engine...let alone drivetrain on every car produced.

Under your logic, e90 coupe, what would be the difference between buying a demo car and a never-been-driven car? I'd rather have a never-been-driven car off the lot than a 600 mile demo car.

Trust in the manual...it knows all.

I second that...

The manufacturer knows best...afterall, they design and build the cars. When not sure, consult the manual or call BMW Customer Service.

[bozo5521]

The whole breaking in thing confuses me..I was just reading an article about the testing procedures that each car goes into after being built..And believe me, they go a "little" above 4500 rpms...

But like you say, Why would they tell you that if they didnt mean it? So, better safe than sorry I guess...

[Armen52]

What do you guys think about instant break-in? Hehe... I may need to drive my vehicle about 1300 miles the day after I pick it up from LA to Seattle. This would be over the span of two days.

I figure as long as I go easy, stay under 4500rpm, under 100mph, and vary engine speeds then I should be okay.

[LOLrance]

i think the basics for break in period is to make sure cars warmed up. vary speeds. no cruise control. definetly avoid hard breaking. dont rev too high. once in a while is ok. and after first 1000 miles get a oil change and run it hard. im not sure if this applies for bimmers since this will be my first bimmer but i will definetly do all those once i get my e90

[Steward Luk]

BMW suggests not exceeding 4500 rev in first 2000Kilo. They will not have your car oil changed before 25000 Kilo....

[Athos]

Originally Posted by Steward Luk

BMW suggests not exceeding 4500 rev in first 2000Kilo. They will not have your car oil changed before 25000 Kilo....

That seems like an awfully long time to go without changing the oil on a new car. Did you mean 2500 kilo?

[Armen52]

Nope. According to BMW your first oil change service is schedule for 15,000 miles.

So essentially, if all goes well, I shouldn't see a dealer for a year after I pick up the car. That's nuts!

[segfault]

Originally Posted by bozo5521

The whole breaking in thing confuses me..I was just reading an article about the testing procedures that each car goes into after being built..And believe me, they go a "little" above 4500 rpms...

But like you say, Why would they tell you that if they didnt mean it? So, better safe than sorry I guess...

The manual suggests no hard braking for a few hundred miles--it's less than the break-in period for the engine.

For those of you planning to change the oil sooner or more often than the computer recommends, how long are you planning on keeping the car, and how long have you typically kept cars in the past?

[Athos]

Originally Posted by Armen52

Nope. According to BMW your first oil change service is schedule for 15,000 miles.

So essentially, if all goes well, I shouldn't see a dealer for a year after I pick up the car. That's nuts!

Wow. I remember when you had to change your oil every 3000 miles on cars. I'm just getting used to the idea of a 7000 mile interval. I don't think I can handle changing oil so infrequently--it would just make me nervous.

[Armen52]

I am thrown off by it as well. Particularly for the first service. But if that's what they say... :shrug:

[wannabe]

I remember reading an article in Car & Driver about how some people return their Lexus', BMW's and Mercedes' from a 3 or 4-year lease without ever changing the oil. The dealers inspected the engines and some of the cars still had the original oil filter installed at the factory. Of course they have to replace the engines...but they were still running...amazing.

[voltron1011]

Most new cars have a special 'first oil' blend put in the engine that is imparitive for engine break-in. This oil SHOULD NOT be replace early because you will invariably affect the break-in of the motor. This should be changed when the service light comes on. Since there have been cases where pure synthetic oil prevented the engine from ever breaking in properly. This includes piston oil rings never seating properly. This would cause engines to burn excessive oil and to never perform at it's fullest.