New M break-in - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

JamesB · 7th November 2003, 03:02

Thanks for the warm welcome. It's a pleasure to be among the owners of what I feel is the perfect combination of power, luxury, and style.

The initial break-in procedure as stated in the manual is somewhat basic; no full throttle and keep it under 5500 rpm for the first 1200 miles. On the winshield there was a sticker which also states that untill 3100 miles I should keep the max speed to 137 mph and only for short periods.....I think I can do that.

I'm thinking about a road trip in Dec. and should be past the first break-in period by then. Just wondering about long periods at one speed at that point. I've always heard negative things about road trips on new engines due to ring seating problems leading to excessive oil consumption. Any thoughts on this?

The manual states recommended engine oil is 5W-30 or 5W-40 BMW synthetic oils. Everthing I've read here suggests the recommended oil is Castrol TWS 10-W 60 synthetic. I'll be useing the Castrol TWS after break-in but I'm wondering what they put it the car at the factory. Just need to know what to top off with untill the 1200 mile service.

Thanks again, James.

BmwNut · 7th November 2003, 03:34

When breaking in the M52 (2.8L) in our 528 we were told not to keep the same freeway speed constant for more than 10 minutes. Same with my Jetta. I dont know if that translates to the S62 at all, but it seems like it circumvents the ring seating issue.
If you do go, then I would do that, or call your SA to get his answer.
Enjoy the new beast, and take some pics for all of us!

TCM · 7th November 2003, 07:18

Congratulations on the new M5. For the break-in, just vary your rpm range while driving and keep an eye on all the important fluids, etc. Use 5w-30 to top off with as this is the oil the M5 requires. The 10w-60 is for the high revving I6 engine on the M3. M coupe and roadster.

kwalls · 7th November 2003, 12:56

James
Just as there are various opinions on breaking in your car there are also various opinions on what oil to use.

While TCM said

Quote:

The 10w-60 is for the high revving I6 engine on the M3. M coupe and roadster.

BMW only recognizes one oil here in Germany for the M5 and it is the 10w-60 variety not the grade recommended in the US.

Again, when you select a brand and/or viscosity to use just be certain that it meets the owner's manual guideline. These standards mention more things than just viscosity so you may find that not everyone who makes a 5w-30 oil is compatible with your M5.

MAVERICK · 7th November 2003, 19:32

JamesB,

U.S. M5's get 5W-30 at the factory. I am glad you will be switching to the 10W-60 once past the break-in period.

Also, regarding break-in, warm the car up gently (watch the oil temp. gauge) and then drive it within the manual's guidelines but do not baby it once it is fully warmed up. Don't be afraid to hit that 5500 rpm limit daily and vary your road speed and engine rpm's constantly. Monitor the engine oil level carefully. Read the old posts about proper clutch engagement and learn to engage the clutch the M5 way to prevent burning out the clutch.

Once you are past the break-in period and you haven't babied it during said period, you don't have to worry about going on a road trip and cruising at a certain speed. It will not harm the engine.

Congratulations on your new beast!

DavidS · 8th November 2003, 21:50

Welcome onboard, James!

I second all that is said above about break-in procedures, and about the good in learning to handle the clutch in M5 style.

When you start pushing it to find the limits of the car, you will notice that the limits aren´t where you think. On warm dry roads, the car can perform amazingly. I don´t know which tires you run, but with Dunlop Sport SP9000, you hear the tires talk loud and clear to you as you approach the limit for lateral grip.

On wet or cold roads though, beware (below +7 deg C, or so it starts to show, and below +2 the lack of grip is extremely nasty). The summer tires are formulated to handle very hot wather plus huge speed. That means very hard rubber mixture in the tires, and scary lack of grip when it gets cold and wet.

Also DSC is a positive life-saver. I never run with it switched off, except when frolicing on a big snow-covered empty parking lot.

David