Running in procedure

[gavinsan]

Hi guys was told by a dealer today that if the car is not strictly run in according to the manufacturer's guidance the engine compression won't be as good and will affect the performance.

I always read and thought if you warm the car up properly running it hard early on was supposed to give better performance. My previous car nissan Gtr is driven round a track at the factory before going out to dealers and customers to make sure everything is working correctly.

Any views or experience ?

[Carl L]

Some say hard break-in others go by the book and go easy until the 1,200 mile service. I'm in the latter group as a) BMW/M recommends it and b) I buy rather than lease. Either way, there's nothing proven as to what delivers more power in the long run.

Remember, the break-in is not totally for the engine; it is for the transmission, diff and brakes.

[DrtyJrze]

Originally Posted by Carl L

Some say hard break-in others go by the book and go easy until the 1,200 mile service. I'm in the latter group as a) BMW/M recommends it and b) I buy rather than lease. Either way, there's nothing proven as to what delivers more power in the long run.

Remember, the break-in is not totally for the engine; it is for the transmission, diff and brakes.

That all sounds good in theory, but unless you took and maintained possession of your vehicle from when the odometer read "0" you have no idea how it was driven by the MANY people who handled it before you took final possession at your dealer.

You're being naive if you think break in procedures were adhered to through the entire delivery process.

[Theonem3]

After it leaves the factory the car is put in transport mode till it gets to the dealer,after that how the dealer personel drive it is anybodys guess.
Im the one that delivers BMW from Greer Sc or from Brunswick Ga port or from Port Huenime in Ca so we can never over rev,or over drive is goes to
about 45 mph.
It is a delight to drive all the Bmw models before even the Dealers gets their hands on them ,especially the new models like the new X4 or the new x5 or the new x6 Diesel not available in US and some w r hand steering wheel.
I deliver the MBenz, Toyota ,Honda All the Audi models including the Awsome Audi RS7.,what a Car.
I have a Fun Job and get paid a lot for doing It.

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by DrtyJrze

That all sounds good in theory, but unless you took and maintained possession of your vehicle from when the odometer read "0" you have no idea how it was driven by the MANY people who handled it before you took final possession at your dealer.

You're being naive if you think break in procedures were adhered to through the entire delivery process.

Not sure if you're being deliberately obtuse but you missed my point entirely. I could give two shits if the car was redlined as I've done it myself a few of times. What I was clearly saying is I don't track my cars, or drive them hard with regularity, until the first service. The OP asked for people with experience and I told him what I do.

Theonem3- thanks for chiming in. That's interesting info. I'd heard of a limiter until the arrived at the dealers but figured it was just a rumor.

[Hoopumpers]

Your dealer is wrong. Is this the service mgr or sales guy?

[utsteve98]

There are other threads on this, and as a mechanical engineer myself, follow what the engineers from BMW tell you to do. The designed the car so they know best. I don't have the specific details, but I remember a few (those who recall, correct me if I'm wrong): No hard acceleration, keep rpms below 4,500 until ~900 miles, then can go up to 5,500 until 1200 mile service, no hard breaking first 300-500 miles (depends on CCBs or steal). No constant speed (vary your throttle on the highway), and from the engineers with regards to a 6MT "For God's sake, Never grind any of your gears early on!" Be extra careful with shifting.

[gavinsan]

Originally Posted by utsteve98

There are other threads on this, and as a mechanical engineer myself, follow what the engineers from BMW tell you to do. The designed the car so they know best. I don't have the specific details, but I remember a few (those who recall, correct me if I'm wrong): No hard acceleration, keep rpms below 4,500 until ~900 miles, then can go up to 5,500 until 1200 mile service, no hard breaking first 300-500 miles (depends on CCBs or steal). No constant speed (vary your throttle on the highway), and from the engineers with regards to a 6MT "For God's sake, Never grind any of your gears early on!" Be extra careful with shifting.

Thanks this is helpful.

[gavinsan]

Originally Posted by Carl L

Some say hard break-in others go by the book and go easy until the 1,200 mile service. I'm in the latter group as a) BMW/M recommends it and b) I buy rather than lease. Either way, there's nothing proven as to what delivers more power in the long run.

Remember, the break-in is not totally for the engine; it is for the transmission, diff and brakes.

Thanks for the advice

[shortseller]

Gee wiz guys, it's only 1200 miles not 12,000! Sounds like good advise just to listen to BMW and play it safe up to 1200 miles, then of course ... "unleash the hounds"(or should that be ponies)!

[Andrew115]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Gee wiz guys, it's only 1200 miles not 12,000! Sounds like good advise just to listen to BMW and play it safe up to 1200 miles, then of course ... "unleash the hounds"(or should that be ponies)!

I agree but will say my first 1200 miles felt like 12k

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by Andrew115

I agree but will say my first 1200 miles felt like 12k

Just ready to hit 700 miles myself, agreed! Those next 500 seem like miles away.

[Andrew115]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Just ready to hit 700 miles myself, agreed! Those next 500 seem like miles away.

I am a little over 2k now. First 1200 tool me two wks. The next 1000 has taken me a month.