[MmmmmM2]

The dealership I bought my car from said with all M cars or M tuned cars, they do not need to be broken in and you can drive them like you stole them.

But is he right? I've been doing my best to keep RPMs under 5K but it's hard. I know there is some 1,200 mile recommendation from BMW for break in, but should I follow that?

Just looking for some concise answers.

[Billfitz]

What does the manual say?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

The dealership I bought my car from said with all M cars or M tuned cars, they do not need to be broken in and you can drive them like you stole them.

But is he right? I've been doing my best to keep RPMs under 5K but it's hard. I know there is some 1,200 mile recommendation from BMW for break in, but should I follow that?

Just looking for some concise answers.

I suggest you read the User Manual. The words of "BMW", not some opinion of a guy in a dealership, or folks on forums who have every opinion possible.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

What does the manual say?

+1 Owner's manual is the source of truth in these matters.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

What does the manual say?

Yeah, ummm....That's probably a good start. I'll check it out.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

The engineers who designed, built the car & wrote the manual vs some car salesman. Why even ask the question?

[T5viggen]

This might not relate exactly to BMW, but I know of a few engine builders for other brands that have you break the engine in as you would drive it. Going to race it most of the time? Break it in at the high RPMs that it'll be at most of the time. I know that I have driven a few cars that have had a high load recorded break in procedure and they typically feel stronger at high loads.

The one thing that is NOT accounted in my personal experience is the total longevity of those motors. Since the ones that haven been broken in like that are typically run hard.

With modern day metallurgy and lubricants, I wouldn't worry about it. But I would as others mentioned change the oil at a much shorter interval for the first few thousand miles.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by T5viggen

This might not relate exactly to BMW, but I know of a few engine builders for other brands that have you break the engine in as you would drive it. Going to race it most of the time? Break it in at the high RPMs that it'll be at most of the time. I know that I have driven a few cars that have had a high load recorded break in procedure and they typically feel stronger at high loads.

The one thing that is NOT accounted in my personal experience is the total longevity of those motors. Since the ones that haven been broken in like that are typically run hard.

With modern day metallurgy and lubricants, I wouldn't worry about it. But I would as others mentioned change the oil at a much shorter interval for the first few thousand miles.

That's a great idea. At how many miles would you suggest?

[jimbobiggens]

Way back in the old days a break-in period was required for the piston rings to seal properly. Cylinder honing technology required the rings to do the final "hone". It was standard practice to change the break-in oil at 1000 miles because the rings had honed so much material off the cylinder walls and had sealed so poorly while doing this final hone the oil was dirty.

But now cylinder honing technology and piston ring materials/manufacturing methods have advanced so the rings are seated almost as soon as it is fired up.

As others have said - the manual has the knowledge you seek.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I built a sh*t load of engines over my lifetime. There is a difference for engines that will be torn down vs something you want not to look at for 100,000 miles.

Everybody gets into "mine is bigger than yours" on stuff like break-in, oil changes, octane etc.

They also tend to forget one very major point on a passenger car engine. Its not just a case of doing a break-in of an engine on a dyno you are breaking-in the whole car.

Tires, brakes, shocks, differential, transmission, alternator & right on up the line to every moving part on the car.

1200 miles is no big deal to sit out running WOT or high RPM under load its all part of growing up.

FWIW the only BMW's that need a early oil change, 1.200 miles, are the true "M" cars because of additives they use in assembly. What cause very early oil changes in the old days was the liberal use of molybdenum disulfide paste as an assembly lube. The paste would quickly plug up the oil filters cause dirty oil unfiltered oil to circulate through the nice new engine.

[AlpineX]

according to the youtube videos of BMW production, the car goes on a dyno before it leaves the factory.

I say to vary the engine speeds but keep out of WOT for the first 1k or so. Change the oil at 2k miles +/-.

[NYG]

This is one of those things that will be debated until the end of time but there's a reason why every manufacturer gives you a break in period. That being said, don't read into it too religiously either. If you go slightly over 5k or even go WOT throttle a few times during break in, you won't hurt your engine.

[MmmmmM2]

Good advice! Thanks all!

[Gen13 F36]

Like the new Acura NSX. Factory already break in the engine so....should go right ahead drive it like your stole it.

Nowadays I wonder if the factory should break in the engine before installing it. It should state on the sticker factory break in Done.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by AlpineX

according to the youtube videos of BMW production, the car goes on a dyno before it leaves the factory.

For 1200 miles?
OP, opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one, and they're all full of shit. All except for that of the BMW engineers, that is.

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

For 1200 miles? :rolleyes.

Only on a leased car lolololololololemoji
And executive demos, service loaners, etc

[BEAR-AvHistory]

BMW is running an engine spec checkout not a break-in on their dynos.

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Yeah, ummm....That's probably a good start. I'll check it out.

So what did you find the manual says to do?

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by AndDown

So what did you find the manual says to do?

I haven't looked. Been a busy week but I plan to get acclimated to the car today and will post what I find.

[pjkbrit]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

The dealership I bought my car from said with all M cars or M tuned cars, they do not need to be broken in and you can drive them like you stole them.

But is he right? I've been doing my best to keep RPMs under 5K but it's hard. I know there is some 1,200 mile recommendation from BMW for break in, but should I follow that?

Just looking for some concise answers.

I bought same car as you. I rebuild engines etc for fun. At 2000 miles I changed the oil as I own this car and intend to keep it. I was surprised how dirty the oil was. The car cost $58K. The oil and oem filter cost me $88.00. (Top quality liqui-moly in 5:30 viscosity. Timing guides and early chain wear in modern engines is way to common. Rod bearing failure in BMW engines is not unheard of either. Change it often and you won't have a worry and it'll last for ever. 10K oil changes benefits the car manufacturers way more than your car. I do 5k changes after initial run ins... never cooked an engine in 40 years.

[MmmmmM2]

Ok, looking at the manual it states for first 1,200 miles, do not exceed the maximum engine and road speed and don't go above 4,500rpms. Avoid full load or kick down under all circumstances.

Easy enough right? I've already gone past 4,500 a couple of times but I'm sure that's ok.

[Gen13 F36]

Still just wondering if BMW or other manufacturer should do the break in period at the factory ... REALLY.... come on who has time to break in drive for 1200 miles. SERIOUSLY