[Miamidrivesbimmers]

On the break in period I know that the car should not be above 4500 rpm on the first 1200 miles. But can the car go on a 500 miles round trip?

[DrivenByE30]

I sure hope so... i will be making at least 4 times that much in the space of 15 days...

[stampchez]

Just vary the revs while on the highway.

[jwickers]

I would think a long trip to be better for the mechanical parts than several short trips as it would keep them in their optimal temperature rather than risking putting to much strain when they are cold ...

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by Miamidrivesbimmers

On the break in period I know that the car should not be above 4500 rpm on the first 1200 miles. But can the car go on a 500 miles round trip?

Yep, that's fine, just vary your driving and revs. If you're on the motorway for a long stretch and have time to spare, come off and have a little potter around a town perhaps and then return. Gives you a chance to get used to the Nav too! It is recommended you don't exceed 80mph also.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by jwickers

I would think a long trip to be better for the mechanical parts than several short trips as it would keep them in their optimal temperature rather than risking putting to much strain when they are cold ...

+1 - Common sense train of thought.

[KneeDragr]

I did a lot of reading up on this subject when I was frequently breaking in motorcycle engines. From the information I read, engines need heat cycles, and varying loads in order to break in properly. So they need to reach full operating temps, and be driven in changing conditions ( rpm, throttle, accelerating, engine braking ).

Also, most people were in agreement that the initial oil should be changed after the 'break in' period expires, even if thats before the first official service.

Ive always followed those procedures with cars as well, and none of my cars or bikes experienced oil usage, and my bikes usually made above normal HP when dyno'd.

[Feanor]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Also, most people were in agreement that the initial oil should be changed after the 'break in' period expires, even if thats before the first official service.

BMW break their engines in during manufacture. I understand that they run them to red hot while on the production line as this way any problems will show up on the thermal camera. I therefore think that the run-in period isn't so much for the engine as all the other moving parts that it's connected to.

I'm no expert but I imagine that many motorcycle engines have a different manufacturing process. Either way, I'm not going to worry about it unless I ever get a car that I intend on keeping for 150,000+ miles. BMW wouldn't recommend oil changes that might shorten the life of the engine in the time most people keep their cars for.

[Shuttlegoose]

^^^

So you think changing the oil after the break in period isn't a good idea?

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by Shuttlegoose

^^^

So you think changing the oil after the break in period isn't a good idea?

As long as you dont have an incompetent mechanic that will over or under fill it, it can never hurt.

But there will always be a lot of disagreement on whether it will help.

[Feanor]

Originally Posted by Shuttlegoose

^^^

So you think changing the oil after the break in period isn't a good idea?

Talk about putting words into my mouth!! Of course it's not going to do any harm - did you miss the bit where I said that I won't bother unless I get a car that I plan on keeping for 150,000+ miles? In other words, I WOULD bother if I wanted to keep the car that long; in that scenario, it would be a wise precaution, perhaps even a good idea.

I still think it's unecessary for most owners tho. These threads pop up constantly and cause people unecessary worry IMO. Changing the oil early on might help the car last 300,000 miles instead of 200,000 - I don't know. But nor do I particularly care, as I won't have the car that long, and anyway something else expensive is anyway likely to brake on the car making it uneconomical to repair long before the engine goes.

But each to his own. If you want to do it for a car you'll only keep a few years then that's up to you, I'm not saying it's a silly thing to do. All I ask is that people keep things in perspective. As I said BMW wouldn't recommend not changing the oil until 18-20k miles if leaving it that long might damage the engine in any way.

[SCBimmerKid]

This may be a dumb question, but should I put the highest grade gasoline (93 in my area) for the break in period and then switch to the the 91 that the manufacturer suggests or just run 91 all the way through? Any thoughts?

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by SCBimmerKid

This may be a dumb question, but should I put the highest grade gasoline (93 in my area) for the break in period and then switch to the the 91 that the manufacturer suggests or just run 91 all the way through? Any thoughts?

Its not going to make a difference for that period of time. Whats most important as far as gasoline goes, is the detergents your particular retailer adds. Any of the 'top tier' gasoline's should be adequate, but if your local station is not on the list, I would add a detergent like Techron or Seafoam on a regular basis, maybe once a month or e4 refils. The highest grade detergent mix is in Shell 93 octane, but their 89 and 87 grades are actually rather poor.

[Vervain]

I didn't know much about the break-in period but all that I have ever been told was that I should just keep it under 120kph (75mph) for the first 1000km (620 miles).

Can someone please tell me exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, because I just ordered a 320i and I want to do everything correctly!!
Thanks!

[Feanor]

Just keep it below 120kph and 3,000 (def no more than 4,000) rpm and drive it gently.

I think it's more the other components like the gearbox etc that need to wear in, so bear that in mind as you drive. I think it's especially important with manuals that gear changes
should be done relatively gently and slowly until the gearbox loosens up. This should help ensure smooth-feeling gear changes instead of a notchy ones.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by Anodite10

I didn't know much about the break-in period but all that I have ever been told was that I should just keep it under 120kph (75mph) for the first 1000km (620 miles).

Can someone please tell me exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, because I just ordered a 320i and I want to do everything correctly!!
Thanks!

This is from the 335 manual

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by Feanor

Just keep it below 120kph and 3,000 (def no more than 4,000) rpm and drive it gently.

I think it's more the other components like the gearbox etc that need to wear in, so bear that in mind as you drive. I think it's especially important with manuals that gear changes
should be done relatively gently and slowly until the gearbox loosens up. This should help ensure smooth-feeling gear changes instead of a notchy ones.

Originally Posted by ric124

This is from the 335 manual

Awesome, thanks guys!

[Ron Scott]

Originally Posted by ric124

This is from the 335 manual

Not understanding the advice regarding staying within the official speed limit. To a NYC/LI driver that is 55; to an AZ driver it could be 85+.

What's their engineer's advice re: actual speed?

[bcl0328]

Originally Posted by ric124

This is from the 335 manual

so i shouldn't be hitting 7k rpm at 1,600 miles?

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

Not understanding the advice regarding staying within the official speed limit. To a NYC/LI driver that is 55; to an AZ driver it could be 85+.

What's their engineer's advice re: actual speed?

They're probably trying to promote safe driving

[blindmule]

just picked up my F30 335i sport 8spd....and I can tell you keeping it under 4500 for the full break-in will be impossible. I'm trying to be somewhat gentle and not slam the throttle. But the N55 loves to rev.

Keeping under 4500 rpm means no sport, sport+, or M/S modes. And those are the reasons I bought the car in the first place.

[CE750Jockey]

I think the whole break in thing is bunk. It's subjective and rooted in old folklore. Heck, just look at the last line, "The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be increased". That's not exactly precise or specific, is it? As one poster pointed out, what the hell is the "official speed limit"? And limit to 4500 RPM? That's laughable.