[Feanor]

Originally Posted by hyperboost

modern engines don't really need break in. the most important part of this is the piston rings.
the quickest breakin method is to put the car on the Dyno to run the car all out in one gear. then let the engine speed slow down on its own.
or find an open road and do the following.
usually in 3rd gear, from whatever lowest RPM accelerate to the highest RPM without up-shift and then let the car slow down by itself. this way it will create a lot of vacuum inside the engine. do it 6 times or more then you are good to go.
I would change the oil after 500 miles.

I've read something similar here: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

The thing is, surely the piston rings are an integral part of the engine? And so surely, if BMW break in their engines at the factory as I believe they do, the piston rings are already well sealed when your car leaves the production line?

[EuroTunerz5]

Truth= as long as you vary speed and rpm you will break in just fine...

False= you have to drive it slow for 1200 miles....

I say you enjoy the car. My father in law is BMW and Mercedes certified and he said the key is varying that speed and rpm not necessarily staying low rpm because they do break in the motor during testing.

Long story short... I'm going to DRIVE this car because I'm not keeping it for 100k miles but I also will take excellent care of the car and treat it right.

[Grumpy514]

Break in periods are for old Nancys. Drive it how you want, I wouldn't personally bring it to the strip the first day and do 20 passes to redline but theoretically you could and the car should run like it would 50k miles in.

[The X Men]

All kind of different advise here, the best thing to do is follow the owner's manual. Keep it under 4500 rpm and 100 mph for 1200 miles.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by The X Men

All kind of different advise here, the best thing to do is follow the owner's manual. Keep it under 4500 rpm and 100 mph for 1200 miles.

+1
The people who created the manual should know best! As far as I know they are the same ones who made the engine

[Feanor]

Originally Posted by The X Men

All kind of different advise here, the best thing to do is follow the owner's manual. Keep it under 4500 rpm and 100 mph for 1200 miles.

Originally Posted by ric124

+1
The people who created the manual should know best! As far as I know they are the same ones who made the engine

+2.

I daresay the manual simplifies things for the average customer but there are so many conflicting opinions out there that unless I see either convincing scientific evidence to the contrary, or opinion from someone with rock solid credentials (ie BMW engine expert) then following the manual is the way to do it.

There's far too much OPINION being stated as fact here without any references to back up the statements.

[Rebulldog]

I have a 2012 328i and the engine revs so quickly in sport mode, it would be impossible to keep it below 4,500 rpms. BTW-the transmission on this car is sick. I drove my friends 2010 M6 and the gaps in between shifts were very noticeable. The shifts in this car are seamless.

[hyperboost]

thus a thread like this is somewhat pointless.
OP doesn't even know whom to listen I bet

[svache]

So I took my car for a spin today and when the counter was at 50 miles driven.. ehmm... oops?

[PrinceBarin]

Originally Posted by svache

So I took my car for a spin today and when the counter was at 50 miles driven.. ehmm... oops?

Good lad!

[svache]

Originally Posted by PrinceBarin

Good lad!

I know, it soooo wants its pedals pushed down

[Rover]

Originally Posted by Feanor

I've read something similar here: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

The thing is, surely the piston rings are an integral part of the engine? And so surely, if BMW break in their engines at the factory as I believe they do, the piston rings are already well sealed when your car leaves the production line?

How do you know BMW breaks their engines in hard at the factory? You been there?

And who is this Moto-Man from mototune? Credentials?

Does he give a rat's patootie what happens to your car if you break it in hard?

My humble guess...the BMW engineers know as much...just maybe more...about racing and engines (F1 for instance).

In the end...follow your heart on break-in...or follow the manual.

[KevRyd]

Is there something to the notion that an early oil change may be bad? I have heard that manufactures put in a number of additives to the new engine to condition it correctly. The additives take time to absorb or do their job. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Kevin

[rich100]

I wonder how demo cars get run in, do dealers run them in first before introducing to the demo fleet? I would have thought a lot of demo cars have quite a hard initial start to life.

[RoundelM3]

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?

I had approximately 900 miles on mine when I needed to make a 500-mile round trip to Houston from San Antonio. At that point I also had the MPPK recently installed, but I used cruise control along I-10 and actually got just under 31 mpg on the way there and 30.5 on the way back.

[Pauleebe]

I'm leasing and have the warranty for the entire term of the lease, but I still want to be gentle on it for the first 500 or so.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

I'm leasing and have the warranty for the entire term of the lease, but I still want to be gentle on it for the first 500 or so.

BMW recommends 1200 miles, which is what I adhered to.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by roundel335

BMW recommends 1200 miles, which is what I adhered to.

I have an 800 mile round trip within a week of receiving it, and commute about 200 miles a week.

So after that first week and road trip, I'll probably just consider it broken in

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

I have an 800 mile round trip within a week of receiving it, and commute about 200 miles a week.

So after that first week and road trip, I'll probably just consider it broken in

Sounds like that'll work. Assuming you can keep your foot out of it for that long.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Sounds like that'll work. Assuming you can keep your foot out of it for that long.

[snowghost]

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!

RTFM. It's got it all.

[nop]

If the break in period was required, don't you think your car computer would be enforcing it? Do you think they would sell cars off the lot that has been test driven HARD (the dealer could be facing a lawsuit for letting you drive it so hard without making you aware of break in requirements). Do you think they would hide it in the manual without putting a warranty disclaimer about requiring you to follow it and having the car computer record when you violated it?

Break ins are for training drivers to drive their car slowly. If you want to follow it, go ahead. If not, have fun.