Correct break in procedure, finished at 3100 miles / 5000 km - Page 2

swest2507 · 20th January 2006, 02:07

On M cars the break in line is crap. All M engines are pre-broken in (and have had the oil changed after running) before they are installed in the cars. For the first 500 miles you should take it easy to let the clutchs and brakes seat properly. Other than that I've had conversations with a factory engineer, and several techs, his comment was "to drive the piss out of it" and that was from brand new with 60 miles.

Digi · 20th January 2006, 03:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by swest2507

On M cars the break in line is crap. All M engines are pre-broken in (and have had the oil changed after running) before they are installed in the cars. For the first 500 miles you should take it easy to let the clutchs and brakes seat properly. Other than that I've had conversations with a factory engineer, and several techs, his comment was "to drive the piss out of it" and that was from brand new with 60 miles.

Don't do the 1200 mile service either. The engine, tranny, and diff are already broken in and it is a waste of time to change fluids for no reason.

Pleaaze, think about following the break in procedures. There is a reason. I am sure it reduces warranty claims, so this means the car should be broken in for it to operate properly without breaking down. If you don't care about the car, don't worry about it.

Gustav · 20th January 2006, 18:35

I beleive BMW have created the break in procedure and service steps because it will be good for the car.

tmacsilverm5 · 21st January 2006, 01:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

I beleive BMW have created the break in procedure and service steps because it will be good for the car.

I'm all for following the break-in period but I'm sure BMW is realistic about what they expect from E60 owners. Let's be honest, could anybody go 3,100 miles without hitting that little M button. I know I couldn't. ;>)

MRichmond · 21st January 2006, 01:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmacsilverm5

I'm all for following the break-in period but I'm sure BMW is realistic about what they expect from E60 owners. Let's be honest, could anybody go 3,100 miles without hitting that little M button. I know I couldn't. ;>)

There is no reason not to hit the M button, just make sure that it is not programmed to trigger settings that the break in procedure recommends be avoided. After 1,200 miles, it is not terribly difficult to abide by the guidelines. The first 1,200 miles require scrupulous attention to avoid letting the revs exceed 5,500.

Scooby M Cinco · 21st January 2006, 06:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKRocks

As an experiment, and based on what I've read--this is what I did when I got my Beast today (6 miles on the odometer). Took it down 280 South, hit triple digits and 7K on the RPM. Downshift pretty hard, coasted in 3rd (55mph) and then floored it to triple digits (did this 3 times coming back up 280 North). I also had all of the settings on max.

The experiment? I heard/read that the engines need to be driven very hard in the first 100 miles to set it right. On my 996TT, I followed the break in, and I needed a quart of oil every 500 miles (now about every 1,000 miles--I'm at 25,000).

We'll see if this blows up the Beast's engine or if this actually works as suggested. If this sounds totally stupid, let me know!

What I find interesting is that there seems to be at least two schools of thought. I have read the break-in parameters but this thought that the motor needs some early stress comes up frequently. Does anyone know the answer to this riddle? They obviously both cannot be correct.

4rotor · 21st January 2006, 16:51

What I think is interesting, is if you watch the Fifth Gear - Tiff Needel video on the M5. The car was given to them from BMW (UK?) to test, he must have revved the nuts off it. And it only had 1450miles on the clock (pretty sure you can see that in the video).

I think 3100 miles is far too many miles for running in - really over the top!

I guess we'll all start to see how our cars are hanging together in a couple of years time, there have already been a few transmission failures on the board. Not sure if there have been any engine failures as yet?

rsteele · 22nd January 2006, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKRocks

...If this sounds totally stupid, let me know!

I've heard that sort of logic before, and it's not too hard to locate some support:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

However, do I trust the young guy depicted on this web site (what, maybe 30 years old) who's done this to 300 engine's so far "without a problem," whatever that means, or do I go with the much more extensive experience of a performance car company like BMW?

I want to drive my expensive V-10 engine 100,000 or more miles. I'll go with BMW on this one, and break-in the car by the book.

If we are to judge by anecdotal comparisons, my E39 M5 was broken in gently, and it burned very little oil.

Richard

mcw331 · 24th January 2006, 23:37

Its by the book for me too. It may be overly conservative but I'd rather over do it than underdo it.

trippstadt · 27th January 2006, 22:19

Well, a few times during the first 1000 miles (not many), my M5's automatic program didn't switch gears until almost 7000 RPM. This has happened probably only 4 or 5 times during the first 1000 miles. What risk do you really think I have of having done something bad to the engine?