[adam_cheney]

We've just had our Mini Cooper delivered yesterday, and tomorrow we set off for a trip to Wales with the bikes on top. When we spoke to the dealer, he said that no running-in would be required, as the engine was "pre-run-in" before being installed into the car. When pushed, he said that it was advisable to keep below 5000 revs for the first 1500 miles. I've just read something in another thread about keeping to below 4500 revs for the first 1250 miles.

This is my first new car, so i've never had to face this question before. What exactly is the perscription? Does it matter much if the revs slip over the 4500 (or 5000) limit? What will happen if we don't run it in carefully?

Cheers - Adam...

[Hat]

the owners manual does indeed recommend keeping the revs below 4500 for the first 1250 miles, varying the engine speed on longer journeys & never apllying full throttle during this run in period.

What will happen if we don't run it in carefully?- not much to be honest. its just a case of taking it easy for the first 1000 miles or so (why 1250? not a clue!) to allow stuff to bed in.

enjoy your trip!

[KenL]

Welcome to MINI2 and congrats on your car

Now onto your question:

Why do dealers tell people this crap?

The running in instructions recommended by MINI are in the manual and you'd expect dealers to tell customers MINI's recommendations.

Keep to less than 4500rpm and avoid full throttle for the first 1250miles then you can gradually increase the revs.

Also avoid driving a long distance at the same engine speed. On the m'way vary your speed and maybe change down into 4th now and again.

[adam_cheney]

Thanks for that! I hadn't checked the manual - as I said, first new car, so I assumed the dealer was telling the truth.

I'll follow those tips. A significant (maybe more than is strictly necessary) part of our trip to Wales, coming down from Edinburgh, will be on twisty roads , so that will help with varying the revs. I may also have to take a diversion on the way home from work tonight to help get those initial miles on the clock!

Oh, and my apologies - I should have RTFM...

[ogopogo]

What kind of bike rack is it? The Mont Blanc or the Yakima?

Have fun with the cool bikes!


ogo

[KenL]

Edinburgh eh!

Where did you get your MINI then?

Check out www.newminiscotland.co.uk

Cheers,
Ken.

[adam_cheney]

To ogopogo - bike racks: Are the Mont Blanc and Yakima bike racks offered with the mini? We're not using either - we've got a couple of the Thule Velovise Pro racks mounted on the MINI standard roof bars. These are fork-mount racks with a disk-brake modification.

To Ken - dealer: Dunedin in Seafield; not for any other reason than that we live in Leith, so it was the closest.

Cheers all - Adam...

[crippsacars]

with running in the important thing is not to labour the engine-correct running in will give you a smoother and more esponsive engine long term - just treat it with repsect and you'll be fine.