Running in a New Mini ?

[pdt1066]

Picking up my new Mini Cooper Park Lane beginning of July , just wondered how other people have run their cars in ? How many miles do you run it in for and what revs do you keep it at ? Somebody told me you don't need to run in new cars ?
Appreciate your thoughts....

[Ragamuffin]

Congratulations on your choice of car My Park Lane is 2 months old now and has just over 1050 miles. I was told that for running it in I shouldn't exceed 4500 revs/keep the speed below 90mph for roughly the first 1400 miles.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I was extremly good - i didnt even do 70mph for 1200 miles

ok maybe that was a bit excessive but when it turned 1200 miles it was like someone had let go of the elastic band holding me back

[MarkW19]

For my JCW S, I was told by JCG not to go over 4000 revs for at least 1000 miles (1250 officially), but a few acceleration bursts won't hurt.

[Lawrothegreat]

Agreed just be sensible. The handbook advice is as above, the odd burst won't do any real damage and infact some believe you should push a car quite hard to begin with. I don't personally subscribe to this idea but I think pushing the engine a few times before the end of the run-in period is fine. Just be extra-sensible for the first couple of hundred miles while the clutch wears in etc.

[acidHL]

Nice choice by the way, I pick up my park lane July 5th and my friends have nominated me to drive to an airshow a couple of hours away on the 9th - so that should get some of the running in done for me

[pdt1066]

thanks for all your advice, acid i'm picking my park lane up to on July 5th !!!! counting the days !!!

[S33BBY]

I've nearly done 500 miles on my May 2006 Cooper now. It's painful having to keep the revs down. As others have said, try and drive sensibly for the first 1250 miles or so, not exceeding about 4000/4500RPM.

Also be sure to let the engine warm up before you start rev in the higher region (you should do this always, not just during break in).

[PMB]

My Cooper is now 3 months old and has 2500 on the clock. I ran it keeping the revs under 4k for about 1000 miles, but even now have not taken it to red line, but building up to it. It is returning over 40mpg at the moment, that is over 400 miles a tank!

As a minimum you should run in for 1000 miles. Obviously there is the engine, but the clutch, brakes, wheel bearings and many other moving parts need to bed in. This is important to ensure a long life.

The quandry I am at now is do I change the oil and filter?

[PurpleCooper]

I did exactly as the handbook says do not exceed 4500rpm. Was hard, but the run-in period soon passed on my MCS Checkmate. Had the engine oil changed and the filter to get rid of any debris in the engine (was not covered by TLC). Cost £80, and worth it for the piece of mind.

[acidHL]

Shame you don't use the same dealer as me then! We could have gone and done some "team" bartering for freebies!

[Mini Princess]

I ran mine in for just over 1k miles. Didn't take it above 5k revs in that time either (well apart from a couple of times). Not sure if it made any difference but I'm sure my engine appreciated a bit of TLC as opposed to ragging it from day 1.

It seems like ages when you first get it but 1k soon disappears on all those mini adventures!

[Lozzer]

I've had mine for a month and hit the 1100 mile mark already! Stuck to the 4500 cap until about 500 miles then gradually edged upto the redline (on a few occasions). Not sure if it's me but since day 1 I have run it on Super and when I hit the 1000 mile mark it felt like a different car - more responsive etc.

Keep checking the oil but have not had to top up yet. I like the idea of getting it changed to rinse out any debris.

[Lawrothegreat]

My car still feels like day one. From the outset it felt more responsive than the demonstrator I tested, but oddly after 30,000 miles I haven't felt a difference like you do with some cars as they break in and 'peak'.

I can't believe how long it takes you all to run-in your cars, I couldn't wait! 1250 miles is easily achievable in 7 days.