[VCuomo]

The most important question is: What grade of gasoline should he use while he's breaking in his new BMW?

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I think fanatical engineers with years of experience and advanced degrees spend years and millions of dollars designing your engine. Then the engines are manufactured with tolerances to the micrometer level by insanely expensive machines in an expensive and hi-tech process designed to wring every last bit of performance and reliability out of the design. Then the engines are stress-tested, heat-tested, endurance-tested, and generally beat-to-hell-tested. After which they're weighed to the microgram and measured to the micrometer to determine wear in order to make adjustments to either the design or the manufacturing process.

But I think you should totally ignore what those engineers say about break-in and instead listen to what random people on the internet tell you, because we forum-goers have much more experience and knowledge than those engineers.

Nevermind. Cold medicine.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by aerostar

If you think every engine manufactured goes through stress, heat, and endurance tests, you are severely mistaken.

This would cost BMW millions and millions of dollars and their output of vehicles would be ridiculously low.

Are you serious about this comment? He's referring to the design and development. All this goes into consideration when mass production is implemented. And hence the recommendations in the owners manual about break in. Which should be followed .....

[aerostar]

Originally Posted by 330indy

Are you serious about this comment? He's referring to the design and development. All this goes into consideration when mass production is implemented. And hence the recommendations in the owners manual about break in. Which should be followed .....

Mis-read his post. High on cold medicine.

[ErkanTR16]

BMW added the Break In Procedure for a reason. That's why it's in the Owners Manual. For more detailed review regarding this topic, view the Manual in the iDrive System as it is explained more into detail.

[XRAVE]

I think the break in is more of a guideline and to please the people who speak a break in period.

If it was so crucial, BMW would log red lines in the first 1200 miles so they could void your warranty. I always baby it for the first 100 miles or so and then drive it like I stole it.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by aerostar

Mis-read his post. High on cold medicine.

Happens to the best of us. Hope you feel better soon.

[hollandog]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

I think the break in is more of a guideline and to please the people who speak a break in period.

If it was so crucial, BMW would log red lines in the first 1200 miles so they could void your warranty. I always baby it for the first 100 miles or so and then drive it like I stole it.

I agree. If it's crucial the manufactures will develop rev limiter in the software for the first 1200 miles.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by hollandog

I agree. If it's crucial the manufactures will develop rev limiter in the software for the first 1200 miles.

If break in wasn't important they wouldn't initiate the 1200 mile M service

[XRAVE]

Originally Posted by 330indy

If break in wasn't important they wouldn't initiate the 1200 mile M service

1200 mile service is to change out oils and unlock launch control, not because of the break in procedure. Oils pick up a lot of loose metal, especially the difs within the first 1000 miles or so. Whether or not you red line it from day 1 or follow the manual, its required. I would have to argue that there would be no noticeable difference in life span waiting until 10k miles to do the first oil change.

I believe before BMW would require 1200 mile services on all the cars but now only offer it for the M models. Whatever the reason, BMW realized it was a waste of money.

If your theory was correct, break in would not be necessary for all non m models since they don't require a 1200 mile service.

[MunchTIME]

If it voided my warranty, I would care more, but it doesn't.

If I were planning on keeping the car to 100,000+ miles, I would care more, but I won't.

My buddy bought a brand new BMW S1000rr and it had an intake restrictor plate and factory installed rev limiter for the break in. My car doesn't have those things.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

1200 mile service is to change out oils and unlock launch control, not because of the break in procedure. Oils pick up a lot of loose metal, especially the difs within the first 1000 miles or so. Whether or not you red line it from day 1 or follow the manual, its required. I would have to argue that there would be no noticeable difference in life span waiting until 10k miles to do the first oil change.

I believe before BMW would require 1200 mile services on all the cars but now only offer it for the M models. Whatever the reason, BMW realized it was a waste of money.

If your theory was correct, break in would not be necessary for all non m models since they don't require a 1200 mile service.

I broke in my 330i carefully and changed oil at 1200.
I follow Mike Miller's regimen on maintenance on all my vehicles.
M or not

[1987E30M3]

Drive it like this

[insanecoder]

Look obviously BMW doing break-in service for the mass-market cars like the 3-series means they would be shelling out tons of $$$
Use yer brain.. the ramifications are likely long-term.. after the 4 YR warranty.. they dont care then.
They can just make more on those robotic assembly lines as long as you shell out more $$$
The laws of physics havent been changed. Sure manufacturing tolerances have improved but variances will always be there.. theres alot of mating moving parts why do you think the S55 is broken in and the others are not? What S55 manufacture tolerances suck? What a 3series owner dont punish their cars? I punish all my cars.. and will baby them on maintenance.

Rule: if you care about long-term ownership of yer car, err on the side of caution.. break-in your car 1000-1200mi.. yea I know its too much hassle and $$$ lol
If you dont , drive it like you stole it.. big reason I'd never buy a used BMW

about as crazy as "lifetime" transmission oil

[thenagaraja]

As an automotive engineer working for mass volume and premium manufacturers in their R&D department for the last 10 years and now working into the quality and warranty world and , TRUST ME, you should follow some break in procedure.

For Petrols:
Max 4500rpm and no full load for the first 1500 miles
Max 4500rpm with full load between 1500 and 2000 miles
Max 5000rpm until 3000 miles
Past 3000 miles JUST ENJOY and give it mechanical sympathy (i.e. no hard accels while everything is cold etc).

For diesels, knock off 1500rpm OFF the above points


We used a 50 hour break in procedure and with the average customer running at 30mph = 30*50 = 1500 miles surprise surprise!

We ran this on engine and vehicle dynos and in a tight 2-4 year development plan, its not time you want to waste so by all those concerned IT WAS NEEDED.

Dont think by doing a very narrow band of RPMs like sitting at 70mph/2000rpm for these miles will cut it, you need wide rpm range, wide fuelling range and temperature range to get the bedding in process we are looking to get.

It is true, you could drive it like you stole it, and they will probably have to reimburse you but:
1. Would you get the same exact spec car again
2. Have to run a break in procedure this time
3. Prove you have an issue related to the break in
4. Deal wit the wait of any of the above
5. Whats a couple of months between years of happy usage


End of the day you have to consider:
very short term inconvenience,
oil consumption
fuel consumption
odd behaviour (hesitation etc)
and financial repercussions of any of the above

Thanks,
Istiaque

[SDH]

Originally Posted by thenagaraja

As an automotive engineer working for mass volume and premium manufacturers in their R&D department for the last 10 years and now working into the quality and warranty world and , TRUST ME, you should follow some break in procedure.

For Petrols:
Max 4500rpm and no full load for the first 1500 miles
Max 4500rpm with full load between 1500 and 2000 miles
Max 5000rpm until 3000 miles
Past 3000 miles JUST ENJOY and give it mechanical sympathy (i.e. no hard accels while everything is cold etc).

For diesels, knock off 1500rpm OFF the above points


We used a 50 hour break in procedure and with the average customer running at 30mph = 30*50 = 1500 miles surprise surprise!

We ran this on engine and vehicle dynos and in a tight 2-4 year development plan, its not time you want to waste so by all those concerned IT WAS NEEDED.

Dont think by doing a very narrow band of RPMs like sitting at 70mph/2000rpm for these miles will cut it, you need wide rpm range, wide fuelling range and temperature range to get the bedding in process we are looking to get.

It is true, you could drive it like you stole it, and they will probably have to reimburse you but:
1. Would you get the same exact spec car again
2. Have to run a break in procedure this time
3. Prove you have an issue related to the break in
4. Deal wit the wait of any of the above
5. Whats a couple of months between years of happy usage


End of the day you have to consider:
very short term inconvenience,
oil consumption
fuel consumption
odd behaviour (hesitation etc)
and financial repercussions of any of the above

Thanks,
Istiaque

Im an engineer so can't help but ask and be curious...

I'm interested why different loads, revs, speed etc are required as opposed to constant speeds. Could you give me an insight how this all works please?

That is if it's possible without writing a book sized response

[Hachima]

Originally Posted by SDH

Im an engineer so can't help but ask and be curious...

I'm interested why different loads, revs, speed etc are required as opposed to constant speeds. Could you give me an insight how this all works please?

That is if it's possible without writing a book sized response

http://occonline.occ.cccd.edu/online...In%20Right.pdf is written for aviation engine break in but it is a nice quick recap on some of the technical details for the break in and what actually happens.

[kenwelch]

Great reading and support for proper break-in.
Thanks for your post.