[Harry@Piekarnia]

I take delivery of the first Mini to be sold in Poland on the 12th of May.

It's a British Racing Green Cooper with Pepper pack, AC, DSC, airbags, alarm, xenon+washers, heated seats jets and mirrors, PDC, silver interior, sports seats, 6 CD changer and Harman/Kardon. (Speced to resell quickly in November when I order a new one to be delivered next april).

My question is what should I know about running the car in? Where can I find more information about what I should and should not do? This is the first car that I've ever bought which is less than 15 years old! Now I'm sick of relying in classic cars so I'm getting a new classic!

Er, um, Help?

Harry

[brett]

I was told that the Mini's are already run in!! Soon as I left the dealers, I've flogged it!! bit over 1 year later it is perfect, not one mechanical problem ( touch wood?)
So don't worry!! Also It feels a lot more lively than the dealers I drove while mine was being serviced.

[KenL]

Congrats Harry. Your car will receive lots of admiration.

For running in keep below 4500rpm and less than 95mph for the first 1250miles (2000km ?). Also avoid using full throttle. Build up gently from there.

Ken.

[KenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by brett
I was told that the Mini's are already run in!! Soon as I left the dealers, I've flogged it!! bit over 1 year later it is perfect, not one mechanical problem ( touch wood?)
So don't worry!! Also It feels a lot more lively than the dealers I drove while mine was being serviced.

The dealer was talking cr*p. The manual details the run in procedure.

Whether you can damage the car or not is anyones guess but why risk it. Seems worthwhile to me to go easy on the car to get the best life and reliability from it.

[BRGreenie]

Wow!
First in Poland - welcome in !

Good choice of colour by the way ( your car's sister - ie mine - is coming to me on 27th May )

I remeber working in a garage years ago - you could always tell the cars that had been run in properly, they were smoother , quieter etc. Some salesmen at the garage thrashed the demonstrators from day one - by 6 months old you could tell which were which just by hearing them start up.

Oh by the way it was a Chysler garage and the cars were Hillman Avengers...

[minimarkcs]

In 1988 I had the pleasure of running in my now 15year old BMW 325i(E30). Even back then people were discussing if a motor needs to be run in or not. I decided to take it easy for the first 2000kms. and have never regretted it. I realise that engines, gearboxes ect. are now manufactured to a much higher standard but I would still say that a little holding back of the horses at the beginning can not harm. Once this period is over then give her hell ! My Beamer now has 280000kms. on the clock and is still going strong despite a heavy amount of Tuning (246ps) and a good beasting every day. (30kms. to work, German Autobahn, normally covered in about 10mins.) Much more importantly, NEVER EVER kick her backside until the oil has reached full operating temperature, such treatment can & will kill an engine in no time at all. Apart from that, anyone in Poland fancy a 325 ? Have heard that one can get a good price for older motors from Germany. ( I'm not talking about the illegal insurance fraud type deal that goes on a lot. )Have a good price for part-x from BMW but would rather see her kept running for a few years more as they will either A) Scrap her and sell bits individually or B) Do a few bits and bobs and resell her for an extortionate rate with 6mnths guarantee !! Otherwise congrats on beinng the first Polish owner and I wish you many years of fun.

[MrWhoa]

Well I'll ad my two cents. I didnt even think you had to run in cars anymore, and when I asked the dealer, he told me "No, just keep it under 100 for the first 1000 miles"... I then commenced a 750 mile road trip that encompased a few WOT's and alot of constant 85mps via cruise control... I would have followed the run in procedure to the letter had I known about it... I pray that the love of my automotive life has not been damaged by this.

ok, sorry, what is a WOT? ( I get the idea, but what exactly does it stand for?)

-Andrew

[intrigue182]

I *think* WOT = Wide Open Throttle.

rock on,

Joe

[RUKnight]

Everyone will have a different procedure for breaking in the car. The best thing to do is probably to follow the manufactorers instructions. In my opinion the first oil change should be done when the manufactoer recommends it and not early. The reason that was originally done was for metals in the oil and filter at the time. With a modern engine they are usually run in at the factory and the oil is more then likely changed their to get rid of any metals present. So to sum it up follow the manufactoers procedure for break in and for oil changes
Mike

[BruceK]

If you do a Search for "running in" and/or "breaking in" you'll find LOTS of threads (and opinions) on this subject.

My thoughts are it's best to follow the guidelines of the vehicle manufacturer not the clueless dealers.

[Spy Car]

Congratulations Harry.

Boy are you going to get a lot of attention! Please keep us informed of the reaction to the car in Warsaw.

As far as oil changes go I did my first one at 1200 miles. This is NOT what BMW recommends. But if there are metal particles left over from manufacturing, I do not want to take a risk to the engine for the price of an oil change.

Like you I think the car is a "new classic" and I want to keep it a long time. If I'm going to err, it will be on the side of conservatism. I expect to do at least two more oil change before the first required service. This is a minority view and may be overkill. I guess we will find out in 20 years.

[MrWhoa]

Pensacola has some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and was actually the first settlement in America but it got wiped out by a hurricane. Imagine beaches with snow white sand, great beach bars, and LOTS of honey's in thong bikini's.... *SIGH*