How important/how concerned does one have to be about following break in procedure?

Itogliano · 08-06-2021, 01:55 PM

I am going to be trading in/selling my car in about a year and will be looking at either a new M2 or maybe a used M3, depending on specs/conditions I can find.

If I go the route of the M2, I know I will have no issue following the break in procedure. My question applies when buying a used car, if I am looking at a used M3 with low miles, am I really going to believe that the previous owner followed all the proper procedures? What, if any, are indications that someone did not break the engine in? Is it something that could be seen in a PPI? Assuming the worst, let's say the original owner bought the car as a weekend toy and drove it as such from the very beginning, put 5000 miles on it and traded it in, does that set the tone for some major problems down the road? etc. etc.

Am I way overthinking is and it's not as big a concern as I'm making it out to be, or my concerns (at least somewhat) warranted? I understand there are always risks when buying used, I'd just like to mitigate them as much as possible.

Billfitz · 08-06-2021, 02:17 PM

Cars don't have the break in requirements today that they did 25 years ago, so that's not a concern. I would want to see the service records.

thejeremyman9 · 08-06-2021, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Cars don't have the break in requirements today that they did 25 years ago, so that's not a concern. I would want to see the service records.

Yeah, IIRC, new M cars still suggests a 1200(?) mile oil change after moderate driving a "break in" period. No such suggestion for non-M cars, BTW. Just check for good service records.

Itogliano · 08-06-2021, 02:56 PM

I was really hoping you would say avoid them haha. There's a 2018 M3CS with about 13000 miles on the ODO near me that just went up for sale that's very tempting...

F32Fleet · 08-12-2021, 09:13 AM

You're at the mercy of the seller.

I wouldn't worry about break in but instead whether the vehicle was modded to hell and run into the ground.

Itogliano · 08-12-2021, 10:36 AM

I like how you signature perfectly harmonizes with your advice.

But yeah, I can see where you're coming from. As far as mods go, there's nothing blatantly obvious from the photos, of which there are numerous. That's not to say the original owner didn't reset everything to stock before trading in... The seller themselves though are very reputable. They are one of the premier luxury and exotic car dealers in the areas. We actually bought a DB11 from just over a year ago so I would just reach out to the salesman I know.

Unfortunately I can't really justify a CS at the moment. I'd need something a bit more daily drivable. Still tempting though...I've been checking the listing daily.

montr · 08-12-2021, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Cars don't have the break in requirements today that they did 25 years ago, so that's not a concern. I would want to see the service records.

My BMW 2010 e90 335d is less than 25 years old and it has a break-in procedure. I said not to exceed 93mph for the first 1200 miles.

Billfitz · 08-12-2021, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montr

not to exceed 93mph for the first 1200 miles.

Oh, the horror, the horror...
BTW, 2010 was 11 years ago. Going back to the 90s synthetic lubricants weren't used to the extent that they are today, and many engines had components that were initially much tighter than today, relying on some initial wear for them to come into spec. The resulting metal micro particles that ended up in the oil was one reason why it was normal to change the oil after only a thousand miles or so. They also used specially formulated break in oil that needed to be changed after the break in period.

F32Fleet · 08-15-2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Quote:

Originally Posted by montr

not to exceed 93mph for the first 1200 miles.

Oh, the horror, the horror...
BTW, 2010 was 11 years ago. Going back to the 90s synthetic lubricants weren't used to the extent that they are today, and many engines had components that were initially much tighter than today, relying on some initial wear for them to come into spec. The resulting metal micro particles that ended up in the oil was one reason why it was normal to change the oil after only a thousand miles or so. They also used specially formulated break in oil that needed to be changed after the break in period.

M cars have always had a break-in service at around 1k miles.

Billfitz · 08-15-2021, 02:21 PM

As have all my cars, whether recommended or not, if only because old habits die hard, and forty bucks isn't exactly going to break my bank.

08-06-2021, 01:55 PM	#1
Itogliano Private First Class 103 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 435i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: PNW iTrader: (0)	How important/how concerned does one have to be about following break in procedure? I am going to be trading in/selling my car in about a year and will be looking at either a new M2 or maybe a used M3, depending on specs/conditions I can find. If I go the route of the M2, I know I will have no issue following the break in procedure. My question applies when buying a used car, if I am looking at a used M3 with low miles, am I really going to believe that the previous owner followed all the proper procedures? What, if any, are indications that someone did not break the engine in? Is it something that could be seen in a PPI? Assuming the worst, let's say the original owner bought the car as a weekend toy and drove it as such from the very beginning, put 5000 miles on it and traded it in, does that set the tone for some major problems down the road? etc. etc. Am I way overthinking is and it's not as big a concern as I'm making it out to be, or my concerns (at least somewhat) warranted? I understand there are always risks when buying used, I'd just like to mitigate them as much as possible.
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08-06-2021, 02:17 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Cars don't have the break in requirements today that they did 25 years ago, so that's not a concern. I would want to see the service records.
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08-06-2021, 02:56 PM	#4
Itogliano Private First Class 103 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 435i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: PNW iTrader: (0)	I was really hoping you would say avoid them haha. There's a 2018 M3CS with about 13000 miles on the ODO near me that just went up for sale that's very tempting...
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08-12-2021, 09:13 AM	#5
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3566 Rep 10,346 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	You're at the mercy of the seller. I wouldn't worry about break in but instead whether the vehicle was modded to hell and run into the ground. __________________ "Drive more, worry less. " 435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line
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08-12-2021, 10:36 AM	#6
Itogliano Private First Class 103 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 435i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: PNW iTrader: (0)	I like how you signature perfectly harmonizes with your advice. But yeah, I can see where you're coming from. As far as mods go, there's nothing blatantly obvious from the photos, of which there are numerous. That's not to say the original owner didn't reset everything to stock before trading in... The seller themselves though are very reputable. They are one of the premier luxury and exotic car dealers in the areas. We actually bought a DB11 from just over a year ago so I would just reach out to the salesman I know. Unfortunately I can't really justify a CS at the moment. I'd need something a bit more daily drivable. Still tempting though...I've been checking the listing daily.
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08-15-2021, 02:21 PM	#10
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8216 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	As have all my cars, whether recommended or not, if only because old habits die hard, and forty bucks isn't exactly going to break my bank.
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