As it's almost two to twelve for me, it's time to prepare me for my S' arrival. I'm not really technically educated (and that's an understatement) so I could use some tips on how to give an S a decent run in. I've been told that if you run in your car to carefully, you end up with a "lazy" engine and that's the last thing I want after reading the thread "2nd gear grunt - initially very flat":p

So, should I shift through the gears a lot, should I keep it under a certain max rpm and after how many miles can I expect the car to be ran are some of the questions I have, but all other tips regarding this matter are also welcome:)

I was wondering the same thing and I asked that question to a BMW technicianthat had been working with BMWs for the last 8 years. He commented that you should keep it under the 4200 rpm mark for 1200 miles. Apperently if you take it above that the computer in the car registers it and calibrates the engine off of that. After 1200 miles however the computer "supposedly" configures itself automatically and you will notice an increase in power. He claims that is exactly what happened with his mini. The thread is posted on minicooperonline.com
He said the service guys actually have the ability to plug into the car to know how you have been driving the car during the break in period. This is all for warrenty protection. Personally it sounds like a bunch of bunk to me however interesting.

Originally posted by Sausagefingers
Personally it sounds like a bunch of bunk to me however interesting.

I noticed that my MCS's computer estimates a lower number of miles for a tankful then it did when I first bought the car. Normally I drive it around town, and to work a couple days a week (35 miles each way, telecommuting or riding one of my motorcycles on the other days).

My mpg has been in the low 20s with this kind of driving (as well as a lot of curvy bits with friends, showing off), so 240 miles on a tank is about right. If I did all highway driving it would probably tell me to expect 300 miles on a tank.

My point is that the computer on the car is more sophisticated than we might expect. The car is way sophisticated electronically in every other respect, so why not an actual "smart car". :)

As for the break in period...for the first 1400 miles you want to make certain the rpms go no higher than 4k to give the engine a chance to break in. It's common sense that many of the mechanisms within an engine are going to develop certain "wear patterns" over time as parts rub against each other. The break in period allows these wear patterns to begin "optimally", which won't happen if the engine's being run up to the limits of its abilities.

BTW, during my break in period there were a few occasions where the rpms went above 4k, momentarily. Try not to let it happen, but don't worry about it if it does...no damage will occur if these exceptions are kept to a minimum.

I followed the recommended "no higher than 4,500 RPM for 1,200 miles" thing...also varying the engine speeds during that time. Now, I've increased my RPM limit by 500 RPM every 200 miles:

1,200-1,400 miles up to 5,000 RPM
1,400-1,600 miles up to 5,500 RPM
1,600-1,800 miles up to 6,000 RPM
1,800-2,000 miles up to 6,500 RPM
2,000 onward every freakin' shift at 6,750 !!!

Seriously, this was my formula, and the engine seems very strong and happy.

In the same vein, avoid full throttle opening, as per the manual. But again the word is avoid, so don't panic if you need to give the gas the v. occasional blast! ;)

I have just completed 2500 miles in my S after picking it up in Georgia just over a week ago.

I remained under about 4000rpm for most of the 1200 first miles - the main goal was to not invoke the supercharger boost - which would put extra stain on a virgin engine.

The supercharger comes in at approx 3-3500rpm (the supercharger boost is allowed to enter the intake manifold when the pressure in the intake manifold reaches about 700hPa - otherwise the supercharger just turns and doesn't boost pressure as it has a return pipe that 'loops' the air around - is controlled by a vacuum actuator bypass valve that opens at about 700hPa).

The 'computer' has no special software to control how the engine operates in the first xxx miles - it always operates in the same way. This would/could violate emission regs.

I was initially very diassapointed with the S's performance when I picked it up from the dealer - it seemed gutless. I had driven the S throughout its development from the first mule car, and it did not seem right.

However, I remembered the 'hot test trip' i did to Death Valley with the mini's and the car suffers hugely from high ambient air temperature.

Two things result from the high air temperature:

1) hot air = less dense air = less torque/power
2) hot air = ignition angle automatically retarded from the optimum = less power/torque

A 3rd factor I think was more to play - I belive my dealer didn't fill the tank with 93 Octane (98 UK). This would have resulted in about 7 degrees of ignition advance being retarded by the knock system.

So the initial dissapointment was probably due to the high Georgia temperature - 95F, and sat in traffic for an hour or so.

I empties the gas tank after a few hours and filled with 93 gas. The temperatures had dropped to 80F and we were in free movng traffic and the car was a different 'baby'.

One word of technical advise:

First gear can feel very 'flat' unless you dump the clutch with revs already spinning at 3000rpm+. In fact it will be slower than a Cooper from 1000rpm.

The reason for this is that the Cooper S has a lower compression ratio than the standard Cooper - so until the supercharger is actually boosting at higher revs, the cooper will actually have more torque available and thus pull away more quickley.

I reached the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC at 1300miles a few days ago. It was time to thrash the car at last - having not invoked boost as yet in anger.

The parkway is a 45mph limit (!!) with twisty turns through great scenery - there were no cops or rangers for the 200 miles we drove it!

The car was great. Once it is boosting, the car pulls willingly in 3rd 4th or 5th gears (even 6th but i didn't want to strain the engine too much).

The chassis was amazing, sticking the car around twitsing curves without drama, roll or tyre squeel. Corners were poised, and the re-application of the gas pedal brought on the immediate wine of the supercharger and a glut of torque.

Especially fun were uphill twisty stretches where the car still had ample acceleration and torque to make the passenger grin and scream! In fact it didn't seem like the car knew it was going uphill.

This is where the car excels - in gear acceleration and charging around twisty roads.

I passed plenty of normal 4cyl/6cyl cars stuggling up hills - the S just breezed pass as if it were a V8.

So in summary - the supercharger wine makes you grin and there is abunch of willing torque available in every gear.

Forgot to say I did a 0-60+ blast and you should be aware of a few things:

1) ASC will reduce torque if it detects your wheels spinning even slighlty - the torque is reduced by spark retard and closing the throttle - thus all that airflow you just built up will be lost, and the car will 'hang' for a few seconds.

2) switch off ASC - I 'chirupped the tires during a fast 1st to 2nd gear change and the ABS must have read that as wheel slippage and reduced the torque for a good few seconds - not fun!

3) switch off ASC if you want to have some fun!

Allright, thanks for all the tips everyone:)

Bet my car will even be better ran in than Pablo Montoya's S now:p ;)

Hi Foxcasper,

You lucky *** driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in your S, that would be so cool, I drove it in 2000 with 3 friends, it took us a couple of days but was awesome, it's really quiet and there's so much to see,

We did the drive in a brand new Pontiac 3.8V6 Grand Prix that we hired from Enterprise (dont know why they trusted us with it as we were all 21 at the time and were the first to hire the car!)

We drove down to the Outer Banks from New York to meet my brother who was working as a lifeguard in Kill Devil Hills (10 mins from where the Wright Brothers first flight memorial is) then down to Cherokee Indian reservation, where we drove the Parkway right to the end on the way to Washington DC.

Glad you enjoyed the drive, that would be a dream come true for me! :D

Andy

Thanks foxcasper, I needed that to keep the visualisations going in my tormented Cooper S-less head :)
Oh why is there so much demand for this S-uper Car... October delivery is a burden

To ensure that your vehicle provides maximum economy throughout a long service life, we request that you comply with the following break-in procedures for the engine, tires, brake system and clutch (if applicable):

Engine

Up to 1200 miles: Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle and engine speed during these initial miles while remembering to avoid engine speeds in excess of 4500 rpm and/or vehicle speeds of over 95 mph. Absolutely, avoid using the full-throttle or kickdown position for the accelerator. Once you have driven 1200 miles both the engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased.

Tires

Due to technical factors associated with their manufacture, tires do not achieve their full traction potential until after an initial break-in period. We therefore ask you to drive with extra care during the first 200 miles.

Brake System

Approximately 300 miles must be driven before the brake pads and rotors achieve the optimum pad-surface and wear patterns required for trouble-free operation and an extended service life.

Clutch

Roughly 300 miles must be driven before the clutch starts to operate at optimum efficiency. Remember to engage the clutch carefully during this initial period.

After the break-in period has completed; go ahead and enter that rally race you wanted to get in.

LET'S MOTOR.

James Frost
MINI Division
Customer Relations

Originally posted by lmogilev

Engine

Up to 1200 miles: Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle and engine speed during these initial miles while remembering to avoid engine speeds in excess of 4500 rpm and/or vehicle speeds of over 95 mph. Absolutely, avoid using the full-throttle or kickdown position for the accelerator. Once you have driven 1200 miles both the engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased.


James Frost
MINI Division
Customer Relations

Do all these apply to all Minis (both MC & MCS)? Anyway, I'll pick up my car next week and since this will be my daily driver and most of my weekday driving to work will be within the city and most highway driving will only be on weekends, do you see any harm will be done to engine (during the run-in period) with this driving pattern? I'm sure I won't rev the engine too high and I'll vary speed and revs because of stop 'n go traffic.

Cheers...

Originally posted by Ronster


Do all these apply to all Minis (both MC & MCS)? Anyway, I'll pick up my car next week and since this will be my daily driver and most of my weekday driving to work will be within the city and most highway driving will only be on weekends, do you see any harm will be done to engine (during the run-in period) with this driving pattern? I'm sure I won't rev the engine too high and I'll vary speed and revs because of stop 'n go traffic.

Cheers...

Of the break in miles, try and find a balance between city driving where you never get out of 3rd or 4th, and highway driving in 5th or 6th. Don't do all city driving or all highway driving, in other words.

Varying the speed means getting up to higher speeds and gears too. Just watch the RPMs.