[naruto16]

Hello! I just ordered an R56! And it's my first new car, so how should I run-in the engine?
I have been reading and asking my friends~ They say no more than 3k rpm under 1000km, then not pushing it past 4.5k before 3000km~
Then there are some people who say you have to run it up to the top once in a while~ Then there the saying to just run it like crazy all the time...
Also some say the most important is the first 40km, that's when the rings set in or something... so what should I do?!

Anyway~ here's my spec!
07 MCS LaserBlue/Wht, white stripes, chrome int/ext, Hi-Fi, Premium, Leatherette, woodtrim steering wheel(Free!!! factory error).
THanks guys~ greatly appreciate your help~

[FxK]

I'm no engine expert and I'm getting my first new car (R56 MC) soon myself. I read the theory about the piston rings setting and it makes sense to me. I'd be careful about pushing it all the time, though. I guess when everything is new, you want to give all the bearings some time to run in without damage, so keep the RPMs reasonably low.

So this is what I am thinking to do: The first 40km push the throttle to the floor sometimes to generate enough pressure in the cylinders to make them seal properly. But keep the RPM below, say, 3500 or 4000. So if you're getting a manual, don't shift up too late and you should be fine. If you're getting an automatic you can probably use the tiptronic (or whatever they call it in the Mini) to shift up earlier even when you're accelerating with full throttle. Then take it easy for about a thousand km to give the bearings time to settle.

[naruto16]

cool cool~ hey i just noticed that you are in Toronto too! Are you in the MINI club?
Southern Ontario MINI Club - Shut up and Motor!
we are the southern ontario mini club

[scotland67]

Could just follow manufacturer recommendation (as per in the MINI manual)...

Up to 2000km; drive at varying road and engine speeds, but do not exceed 4500rpm or 160km/h... avoiding full throttle / auto kick-down.
From 2000km; engine & road speeds can be gradually increased.

Your car, your choice... each to their own. Try not to get too hung-up on this.

I'm 450km into the run-in of my MCS (one week old), and am generally observing above but still managing to have lots of FUN !! Also, I've had 9 new cars in last 12 years, and generally the manufacturer advice is best for running-in. But it's only their recommendation, and is usually more safety-related than anything else (think about it?... lots of new parts needing bedded-in - not just engine, but tyres scrubbed, brakes at optimum, suspension, etc.).

[TallAndy]

I let the engine get warm, and drive it to the redline. 350 miles on it and its quick quick quick

Oh and I only run it on V-Power.

[FxK]

Quote: Originally Posted by naruto16 (original)

cool cool~ hey i just noticed that you are in Toronto too! Are you in the MINI club?
Southern Ontario MINI Club - Shut up and Motor!
we are the southern ontario mini club

No, I didn't know about the Club. But then, I never owned a car before, let alone a Mini.

Heck, I thought I was just getting a nice car. But it's starting to turn into a hobby if not an obsession even before I have the car.

[Wooly]

Quote: Originally Posted by TallAndy (original)

I let the engine get warm, and drive it to the redline. 350 miles on it and its quick quick quick

Oh and I only run it on V-Power.

Same here, i followed the guidlines until oh.......my second drive im up to 1200 miles now so it is run in if i would have followed it. I have to say, it feels a bit quicker. But also a bit twitchy and you can feel every bump/pothole, curve etc in the road. You do have to pay attention if you are going on a brisk drive, very different to my old cooper. Not sure how it compares to the old mcs.

[M1TCH]

Guidelines are there just to cover their **** really, its very unlikely anything is going to happen to the engine with today engineering. I cant see how there is much difference to a car between 500 miles and 1000.

Mini said to us not above 4.5k for the first 1000 miles and not over 90mph but to make sure it gets a varied rev range, and they were just guide figures. Well just mainly been making sure its pushed quite a bit to 5k in 2nd, 3rd ,4th, plenty of engine braking. Now on 600 miles and gonna start pushing it more as its well known the harder a car is pushed at the start the faster it will be later on.

[CC07ERS]

Well i never took mine over 3500 revs till i hit the 1250 miles then i let the horses go wow it scary quick, but its thirsty with the hammer down.

[KenL]

I basically kept to the instructions but I did sometimes accelerate quickly up to 4.5k revs.

After 1250 miles I upped the revs to red line over the next 150 miles or so.

[DIOJCW]

the best way to run in an engine is warm it up by driving off slowly
(dont warm it up on the spot cos it carbons up)
then get throttle happy once the car is at normal operating temperature
done this with all 5 of my new cars and nothing has ever gone wrong with them engine reliability wise. and yes i still know where they all are cos they are owned by friends and family

[mister.t]

Once or twice within 500 miles the 4.5k slipped to 5k, and after 1k miles, it was revved to 5k a little more frequently, and after 1250 miles, all hell let loose!! My god it picks up after 4.5k rpm