Breaking-in (Running-in) / Suggestions for travel home

[tonjohn]

I live in Dallas but I ordered my MCS from RoadshowMini in Memphis TN. My MCS is a brand spanking new EB/B, black bonnet stripes, aero kit w/ driving lights, all three packages, Lapis blue interior, HK sound, 6 disc changer...basically everything but NAV,

My question is this...how should I get my MCS back to Texas? Would it be ok to drive back or would it be a pain in the ass b/c its during its breakin period?
Or would it be better to tow it back??

Thanks!

[BruceK]

The question you asked about breaking-in (UK term = running-in) an engine has been a hotly debated subject on MINI2 for some time. So has the "drive my new MINI home from a distant dealer" question.

By all means, go pick it up in person, inspect it thoroughly, and have a great road trip driving it back home. The good news is that you'll break it in in no time.

Specifically, to answer your question about long miles on the highway from dealer to home I had the same issues when I picked up my MINI in New York and drove it home to Texas. During the break-in period, about every 5 minutes I shifted from 4th to 5th for five minutes, then to 6th for 5 minutes and back down again. Since the gearing is so tall on the Cooper S it's easy to follow that and still maintain freeway speeds. And it's also important to vary vehicle speed as well.

To see other opinions on breaking the engine in (by the book or not), do a Search for "break-in" or "running-in" and you'll find lots (and lots) of threads on the subject.

Here are some of those threads:


http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...=break+running

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...=break+running

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...light=breaking

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=21252

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by tonjohn
I live in Dallas but I ordered my MCS from RoadshowMini in Memphis TN. My MCS is a brand spanking new EB/B, black bonnet stripes, aero kit w/ driving lights, all three packages, Lapis blue interior, HK sound, 6 disc changer...basically everything but NAV,

My question is this...how should I get my MCS back to Texas? Would it be ok to drive back or would it be a pain in the ass b/c its during its breakin period?
Or would it be better to tow it back??

Thanks!

The easy way would be to stay off the Interstates (no I-40 or I-30). It'll probably add a couple of hours to your trip, but it'll be fun (motoring is always fun!).

Chip H.

[edlfrey]

Quote:

Originally posted by tonjohn

My question is this...how should I get my MCS back to Texas?

Drive it back!

Stay off the Interstate, don't keep it at a constant speed or RPM for extended periods of time (no cruise control), and don't exceed 4500RPM. Other than these nos, drive it like you would normaly drive.

I added one other thing to my 600 mile trip home; I stopped about once an hour and shut the car down, took a break and then started it back up to speed again; going through all the gears at a brisk acceleration but <4500RPM.

[Yeagy]

I drove my MC back ~900+ miles from indianapolis (to dallas). Took it like a champ and now after 1 month it has 3000 miles on it and not a single problem. I would say "drive it home" because you have to break it in for 1200 miles anyways, so why not get them out of the way
-yeagy