After taking delivery in June, I scheduled my 1200 mile service 10 days ago for next Wednesday. A friend invited me up to Saratoga (300m RT) for dinner, early golf, and a day at the races last Friday. I couldn't resist taking the M, even though it would bust the 1200 mile mark. Not to worry about long highway streches during breakin-I made sure to vary the speed and shift often, just to play around. Given the 1200mile does not include an oil change, I hope 1500 proper miles won't be a problem. Although this car is leased, I intend to buy it, so I am trying to do everything by the book.
After 1500 miles words cannot express my satisfaction with this car. Amazing performance, and I have only had it over 4000 rpm twice for short bursts. Entrance and exit ramps are my new best friends. Where it really shines is on the upper Taconic, a long, hilly, moderately twisty parkway. Also my wife is really getting into it. She did not come on the trip with me, but remarked the other day how she loves how it goes around corners.
Every car, motorcycle and boat I have ever owned has had its own best cruising speed, that speed where the vehicle is in tune with the road, is running smoothly without strain, fuel economy is good, and it feels great.
The M found its best speed at 3000 rpm, just below 90mph in 6th. The car felt like it would run all day. While the V1 is in, that Lidatek unit better get here soon. Once my 1200 mile checkup is done I am heading back up.
After reading through all the prior posts about breakin, I concur most with one that said the transmission breaks in also. While I am sure part of it is my getting to know the car, there is a noticealbe smoothing out in the shifts after 8-900 miles. First mod will prob be a short shifter.
So far my oil level hasn't dropped a millimeter. BTW, does anyone else have trouble reading the dipstick in sunlight? Maybe my eyes are going, but with clean oil and bright light it is tough to read that little red plastic tip.
Thanks to all the detail tips here and from autopia, my initial waxing was Pinnacle Souveran, preceded by the cleansing lotion. I just gave it a wash today, and went over with some Pinnacle Quick Detail, and it looks (and smells!) great. I am impressed with Souvern look and ease of use, but concerned about longevity. This is not a problem in the spring, summer and fall, but I am concerned about keeping wax on in the winter. My garage is not heated, nor anywhere the size of Barts or Gregs (insert picture of green monster here), and while last winter in NY was mild, you can't count on that every year.
To address this, I used Klasse All in One, and sealant glaze on the minivan (beige) to test how it will hold up. The shine is great, but I can see how this wax is not as deep as the Pinnacle. This perception may be due only to the flat beige paint on the minivan. Sometime this fall I will try both side by side on the M hood for a more exact comparison. I know there will some depth giveup for longevity, but Sterling Grey should not lose as much as a darker color. My plan is to user Souveran until cold weather arrives, then switch to the the Klasse and hope it holds up until the tulips pop out. The car is not a daily driver, but is our second car and driven regularly.
To be continued...
Kevin
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