do i need to run-in (break-in) my new cooper s engine?

[bo nydal]

I get my new cooper s next week. I have been told I will have to run it in I thought the days of running in periods were long gone !!! what are the pros and cons of ignoring the run in?. what have you people done? thanks BO.

[Vasco]

that's a good question, since i'm getting mine inthe next 2 weeks and also have that doubt, specially in terms of rpms, cold motoring etc.

Cooper s DS/W, H/K, everything but no nav, no sunroof.

[Cape Cod MINI]

Debateable subject that's been kicked around for quite a while. Some say do it by the book, other's say drive it like you stole it from day one. Here's a place to start:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...ght=running+in
Also try a search for "engine break in" or "engine running in" that may help.

[Bilbo Baggins]

bo nydal and Vasco,

Basically, if you plan to keep the car for the long run follow the factory recs.

If you do not plan to keep it for more than a year or two, drive it like you stole it and let the next sucker worry about it.

[KenL]

Although no expert I suggest following the manufacturers instructions in order to get the best long term performance out of your car.

[linux78]

My dealer told me to just drive it. He said that he used to tell people to break it in but then one of the mechanics overheard him and asked "Why are you telling them that?" So according to a MINI mechanic, you don't need to. I'd imagine with the synthetic oils and the computerized machining of the engine you get more of an exact fit than you used to.

Do what you want but I haven't been doing any breaking in.
-Chris

[Peter-Man]

I agree with Master of Puppets on this one. Here's a reply I posted to a similar thread that Tee-Roy started recently:

I just picked up my S on 1/24 and I'm at 500 miles or so. A few thoughts:
1) I could be wrong, but I believe that the owner's manual states the break-in period is 1,250 miles- during which time the revs should be kept under 4,500 and full throttle should be avoided (I don't recall anything about limiting vehicle speed to 85 MPH). In either case (whether it's a 1,500 mile or 1,250 mile break-in), that is neither here nor there. The question is- should we wait to have all-out fun? I say yes, it couldn't hurt. After a few hundred miles of "taking it easy" the clutch and brakes will have been broken-in properly, as well as the tires.
2) I had a '97 Integra Type R, back when it was new. The local speed shop guru (a knowledgeable and sincere dude that I really trusted, and still do) advised this break-in procedure: Start at a reasonable self-imposed redline (let's say 4,000 RPM) and increase that redline by 1,500 RPM every 1,000 miles (roughly). That tested my patience, as the real redline was around 8,500 RPM and I was 22. But I SWEAR by this break-in procedure. When the speed shop owner later drove the car, he was impressed by how it pulled harder than the other R's in our fold- even though I was the only one that got it with AC installed (against his advice). With both of us in the car, we chirped the soft-compund summer performance tires on all four upshifts.
Since then, I've employed the same break-in technique to my six-speed' 99 TA Miata, and I'm now doing the same with the S. Granted, I'll never know what the difference would've been if I'd just driven hard from the get-go, but I feel that an extended and gradual break-in just makes sense- and couldn't hurt. At the same time, the car SHOULD be driven hard; just watch the revs.
3) Even if you were to follow the factory advised 4,500 RPM limit for the first 1,250 miles, does that mean that you should leap right to redline at 1,251 miles? In my opinion, that just doesn't make sense. Whichever mileage guideline you follow, I think the key is the GRADUAL increase of limits (throttle, engine speed, braking, handling, etc).
That's how I see it. Any thoughts?

[Yex]

I've had this discussion with my dealer and they claimed the car needed 1,000 miles at no more than 4,500rpm to run it in properly. I asked if I needed to bring the car back after the 1,000 miles for an oil change and they said "No, just every 10,000 miles as per the TLC arrangement"

I know how to bed brakes in using structured stops from 30-70 mph on a clear road and will be doing this in my MCS. But, if the car does not need an oil change until 10,000 miles why does it need a running in period ????? My last two Scoobies had the oil changed after 1,000 miles as this was mineral oil designed to line the engine components from the factory and then be switched to fully synthetic after this.

I think I'll do a bit of both and drive the car as I want but be gentle with it for the first few weeks until other components (suspension, brakes, tyres etc) are working as they should.

Yex

[James Haigh]

I started showing mine some serious action from about 800 miles. Loosened up beautifully from about 2500!!

[Yex]

Quote:

I started showing mine some serious action from about 800 miles. Loosened up beautifully from about 2500!!

Sounds like a good excuse to rack up the miles then !!

Yex

[bo nydal]

THANKS for the replies all. im getting my new car on saturday (15 feb) cant wait!!!!!!!!! thanks again!!!!!

[sjbartnik]

If I were you I would follow the break-in recommendations outlined in the owner's manual. I think I'd trust the advice of the team of engineers that designed and built the car over one MINI mechanic

Bottom line is do what you want, but don't expect MINI to guarantee the engine if you don't break it in according to their recommendations. You can't have it both ways.

[friedduck]

Quote:

Originally posted by linux78
My dealer told me to just drive it. He said that he used to tell people to break it in but then one of the mechanics overheard him and asked "Why are you telling them that?" So according to a MINI mechanic, you don't need to.

Avoid that dealer like the plague for service. It's one thing to explain both sides & let the customer make up his/her mind, but for a wrench to pretend he's an engineer or a tuner & give his opinion as the gospel is a sign of poor judgment.

I've heard both sides, and formed my own opinion based upon the experience of the people I've spoken with. The best advice I can give you is to do the same.

Happy motoring!

Jeff

[Fly2crawl]

it's in the owners manual

[911ETR]

An Italian that I know that owns a Ferrarri dealer told me "how ever you break it in is the way your car will be"

For example: If you are really nice the car will be conservative. If you drive the **** out of it the car it will have more power.

He stated that every Ferrari he sells he does not recommend any brake in period.

He also stated that driving the pee out of the car during this time would not do anything to the car. He just said make sure you have oil and coolant and most importantly make sure its up to temp. I followed these words and the car now has 3500 miles on it and runs beautiful