[Elvind]

Hi

It might say in the manual, but how long should you "break in" the Mini?

Should you drive at a speed no higher than Z?
Should you not exceed X rpm for Y miles?

Can you ignore "breaking in" the car, or will it seriously damage something?

What are your experiences and what have you read?
Thank you for all replies, even telling me it's a stupid question

[fred3]

manufacturer's instructions. No more than, I think, 4500rpm and no faster than 85mph for the first 1250 miles. Now while it's true you may not damage it if you exceed those why take the chance? Do you suppose they set those limits just for the fun of it?

[Elvind]

Thank you for the reply. No I don't think they set the limits just for fun, but maybe someone knows they put up a much larger number than neccessary? Oh well, never mind.

85mph = 136kph (I think). That's fast, so it will be no problem.
4500rpm could be a bit tougher to stay below, but will try

[NobbyS]

Got my 05 JCW MCS a couple of weeks ago,and boy do I need self restraint to keep it below 4500rpm

Anyway my dealer told me no more than 150Km/h and 4500 rpm. Suggest that you sort of adhere to that.

Happy Running In!!!

[SupeRub]

Breakin Smakin.

I purchased my Cooper about 2.5 years ago, and drove it pretty hard from the start.

Now I am just about to turn over 60,000 km and have not had any mechanical troubles (famous Last words). I know a few others how have done the same with both coopers and S' and not had any problems.

I think it is really a personal choice.

I know a lot of people do follow the break in procedure and probably less don't.

hth

rub

[Elvind]

As I thought, people do this differently. I will probably try something in the middle which is stay below 85Mph / 140Kph and only go above 4500rpm when I want to impress my friends

[dougwc]

While it does take some significant personal restraint, 1,250 is not that many miles. For me, without taking an extended trip, I can do 1,250 miles in about 2 and half weeks. I think it is well worth worth it to be conservative on this. Plus, the on board computer tracks your driving behavior, primarily for the purpose of determining service intervals. Understanding that your driving behaviors are being tracked, hmm, think maybe if you have problems later on, BMW may blame you for not breaking it in properly???

[bimini]

i think if it was that rigid then they would have put a rev limiter in...

i took it easy for the first few 100, explored more of the rev range in the next few hundred, by the the 1250 came around i was generally driving it like i stole it.

i've never run in a car to manufacturers spec, the only car i've done that on is my blueprinted a series lump and even then the recommendation was for a few 100 miles.

there's plenty of evidence that points to running in not making an iota's difference to engine wear, that said however, i think the idea is that if someting breaks sub 4500, it will do less damage than at 7000 and things are more likely to let go early on....a lot of manufacturers actually recommend bulding up the revs limit slowly as well so that when you cross the mark you are already using the full rev range.

[badboyzbadboyz]

Quote: Originally Posted by dougwc

... Plus, the on board computer tracks your driving behavior, primarily for the purpose of determining service intervals. Understanding that your driving behaviors are being tracked, hmm, think maybe if you have problems later on, BMW may blame you for not breaking it in properly???

No manufacturer can do that. The break in recommendations are just that, recommended - not must do's or else ...

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by bimini

i think if it was that rigid then they would have put a rev limiter in...

i took it easy for the first few 100, explored more of the rev range in the next few hundred, by the the 1250 came around i was generally driving it like i stole it.

i've never run in a car to manufacturers spec, the only car i've done that on is my blueprinted a series lump and even then the recommendation was for a few 100 miles.

there's plenty of evidence that points to running in not making an iota's difference to engine wear, that said however, i think the idea is that if someting breaks sub 4500, it will do less damage than at 7000 and things are more likely to let go early on....a lot of manufacturers actually recommend bulding up the revs limit slowly as well so that when you cross the mark you are already using the full rev range.

Nothing wrong with that run in....the car only needs a few heat cycles and to be opened up gently for the first thousand miles tops. But the real damage is done in the first hundred miles where the engines is tightest of all. Excessive heat buildup can cause the pistons to expand more than normal and wear the block much faster than normal. Then in the future when the engine is looser the piston never reach anywhere near that temperture and the engine compressions is less equaling less HP for your money. But since its full synthetic free flowing oil when cold and I doubt many people are going to drive out the show room and sit on the rev limiter for the next 10 minutes the damage is very much limited.

[LisaA]

I picked up my cooper two weeks ago and asked the dealer about running in the engine and he told me that there was no need because the engine was 'pre-conditioned' at the factory and does about 1,000 miles before it's transported? However I did check in the manual and have been following the manual's recommendations. Has anyone else been told this, and why would the dealer and manual's recommendations differ so much?

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by LisaA

I picked up my cooper two weeks ago and asked the dealer about running in the engine and he told me that there was no need because the engine was 'pre-conditioned' at the factory and does about 1,000 miles before it's transported? However I did check in the manual and have been following the manual's recommendations. Has anyone else been told this, and why would the dealer and manual's recommendations differ so much?

Might be work asking the dealer (Scotthalls maybe) how on earth they can run so many engines a 1,000 miles before being transported?

Welcome Lisa! Dont forget to sign up to South Coast New Mini http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34881

And since your really local we've got a mini run on the 19th and if you fancy a drink down town on the 26th.

[dougwc]

I guess I just suffer from paranoia. I just seems easier sith such an investement to err' on the safe side. I broke my JCW MCS in the full 1,250 miles. Kept my RPM's below 4,500 and my speed below 85mph. Now I am past that break in period, and having a blast. Totally addicted the sound of the super charger. I have never had so much fun driving!