break in period details? what about on a lease?
05-16-2006, 01:57 PM
#1
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My Ride: 2001 Z3 3.0, Sports Package, Winter Package, 5-SpeedHard Top
[built: pick up in Munich on 5.17.06]
ED 2007 550i 6-speed (sapphire black/black dakota leather): sports package; active stearing, hud/nav, logic 7, cold weather package, rear heated seats, rear folding seat, power shades, comfort access, sat radio
Hello.
I'm in Prague now -- roughly 36 hours away from picking up my ED 550! Can't wait... it's been a *long* time since I've dreamed of having a 5-series; of course at the time ('98) that my love began it was an E39.
I'm curious to hear the current thinking on break-in periods. Of course, I'll ask the delivery representative. Is there true science to the concept of a break-in period? Bit of a shame while I'm in Europe to have to play it easy for starters, but I'd be happy to if there are reasonable arguements as to why it is importants.
Related question: I'm doing a 3 year lease. What are the morale and financial ramifications of this fact w.r.t. the break-in period? I could imagine an argument that says a break-in period is to benefit the life of the car in the 100k to 150k mile range; and I won't have *this* car any more at that time, so it is a non question.
Thoughts?
Cheers.
I'm in Prague now -- roughly 36 hours away from picking up my ED 550! Can't wait... it's been a *long* time since I've dreamed of having a 5-series; of course at the time ('98) that my love began it was an E39.
I'm curious to hear the current thinking on break-in periods. Of course, I'll ask the delivery representative. Is there true science to the concept of a break-in period? Bit of a shame while I'm in Europe to have to play it easy for starters, but I'd be happy to if there are reasonable arguements as to why it is importants.
Related question: I'm doing a 3 year lease. What are the morale and financial ramifications of this fact w.r.t. the break-in period? I could imagine an argument that says a break-in period is to benefit the life of the car in the 100k to 150k mile range; and I won't have *this* car any more at that time, so it is a non question.
Thoughts?
Cheers.
05-16-2006, 03:11 PM
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General suggestion is below 4,500rpm for 2,000km (1,200 miles). I also have a lease but followed the break-in rules carefully just to be nice to the next owner and in case I want to buy it after the lease.
05-16-2006, 03:16 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Best of luck with the new 550!! Personally I do think the break in requirements are probably a little conservative, if you don't push it too hard too often I'm sure you'll be OK. That said I also agree with LowOrbit - I lease my car too but I want the next owner (and who knows it may turn out to be me) to get the car in good order, so whilst I didn't religiously follow the break in recommendations I didn't go overboard!
05-16-2006, 04:06 PM
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My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
I followed the break in requirements strictly until I was in my car and a Jaguar XJR pulled next to me at a light. I remember reading somewhere in the manual that this is considered to br an exception to the break in rule and you can drive as fast and as hard as you want if someone challanges your road superiority. Needless to say I was unable to resist the temptation. I hope he enjoyed seeing my tail lights as they disappeared over the horizon while I celebrated to end of my 550's break in period.
05-16-2006, 10:22 PM
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My Ride: 2007 550i White/Black, SMG, Sports Pkg, Comfort Access, Nav, HUD, Satellite Radio, Anthracite Maple Trim
2006 X5 3.0, Black/Black, Sports Pkg, Premium Pkg, Xenon Adaptive Headlight, NAV, Rear Climate Pkg, Anthracite Trim
I have the same moral issue.. i'm leasin it too.. and its so tempting to just floor it but i feel i should break-in the car for the next owner. and what's worse i know its not going to be me.. i have a hard time keeping a car more then 3yrs. So what should i do guys 
05-16-2006, 10:36 PM
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My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
My Ride:
523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
Add ons: 123 wheels, chrome grill, K&N Hi flow filter, Eibach Pro Kit, e60.net decal and 24,000km
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2001 Nissan Xterra SE
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On a lease vehicle? Just don't break it? 
But I do restrain myself from going over the limit until some souped up Civic or Corolla come up to challenge me.
But I do restrain myself from going over the limit until some souped up Civic or Corolla come up to challenge me.
05-16-2006, 10:45 PM
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My Ride: 2007 550i White/Black, SMG, Sports Pkg, Comfort Access, Nav, HUD, Satellite Radio, Anthracite Maple Trim
2006 X5 3.0, Black/Black, Sports Pkg, Premium Pkg, Xenon Adaptive Headlight, NAV, Rear Climate Pkg, Anthracite Trim
Originally Posted by AC_S5' post='283505' date='May 16 2006, 11:36 PM
On a lease vehicle? Just don't break it?
But I do restrain myself from going over the limit until some souped up Civic or Corolla come up to challenge me.
But I do restrain myself from going over the limit until some souped up Civic or Corolla come up to challenge me.
So tempting not to break it in
05-17-2006, 05:31 AM
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My Ride: 2007 Titanium Gray 550i, with sport, nav, HUD, Logic7, sat radio, cold weather, rear side airbags, rear seat heaters, and it goes like a bat outta hell!
Originally Posted by iceman316' post='283500' date='May 16 2006, 11:22 PM
I have the same moral issue.. i'm leasin it too.. and its so tempting to just floor it but i feel i should break-in the car for the next owner. and what's worse i know its not going to be me.. i have a hard time keeping a car more then 3yrs. So what should i do guys
05-17-2006, 05:53 AM
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My Ride: '04 525i, sport package & all the other goodies included
What's The Best Way To Break-In A New Engine ??
Check out this different concept:
Run it Hard !
Why ??
Nowadays, the piston ring seal is really what the break in process is all about. Contrary to popular belief, piston rings don't seal the combustion pressure by spring tension. Ring tension is necessary only to "scrape" the oil to prevent it from entering the combustion chamber.
If you think about it, the ring exerts maybe 5-10 lbs of spring tension against the cylinder wall ...
How can such a small amount of spring tension seal against thousands of
PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) of combustion pressure ??
Of course it can't.......(go to website for full article)
Nowadays, the piston ring seal is really what the break in process is all about. Contrary to popular belief, piston rings don't seal the combustion pressure by spring tension. Ring tension is necessary only to "scrape" the oil to prevent it from entering the combustion chamber.
If you think about it, the ring exerts maybe 5-10 lbs of spring tension against the cylinder wall ...
How can such a small amount of spring tension seal against thousands of
PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) of combustion pressure ??
Of course it can't.......(go to website for full article)