View Poll Results: How to brake in an engine so that you get the most out of it? (performance no.1, reliability no.2)
Don't baby it, in fact drive it like you stole it (rev it to redline in the 1st kms/reach top speed)
9.88%
Voters: 81. You may not vote on this poll
Engine brake-in...
07-17-2006, 08:50 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by UUronL' post='311756' date='Jul 17 2006, 09:23 AM
Well, allow me to offer up my experience.
I followed the manual to the letter (as I have for the past 2 german cars I purchased). My car was one of the first N52 inline 6 (petrol) engines, made in March 05 and delivered in April 05. Many many many cars that were manufactured at the same time and delivered to members on this forum required numerous additions of oil, some very early in their life.
My car has only dipped down one line on the oil gauge, and this only happened at the 1 yr. mark - about the time that oil begins to break down a bit. I think lack of oil consumption is a great indicator of the general quality of the break-in and how everything seated. Mine has done far better than most, which could be accounted for by plain old luck (getting a "well built" one), but I imagine it has more to do with how I have treated it.
I followed the manual to the letter (as I have for the past 2 german cars I purchased). My car was one of the first N52 inline 6 (petrol) engines, made in March 05 and delivered in April 05. Many many many cars that were manufactured at the same time and delivered to members on this forum required numerous additions of oil, some very early in their life.
My car has only dipped down one line on the oil gauge, and this only happened at the 1 yr. mark - about the time that oil begins to break down a bit. I think lack of oil consumption is a great indicator of the general quality of the break-in and how everything seated. Mine has done far better than most, which could be accounted for by plain old luck (getting a "well built" one), but I imagine it has more to do with how I have treated it.
07-17-2006, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='311766' date='Jul 17 2006, 07:41 PM
I can't see how this can be true. An engine / drivetrain needs to loosen up before you get peak performance and I suppose if someone really babied a BMW it might never loosen up (I have had BMW's where the gearbox still felt excessively 'tight' at 40,000 miles - even after my driving).
The running in period is more about letting all the complex components throughout the car settle in. That's why I will be trying to behave during the first 1,000 miles or so - then pushing on.
With anything mechanical - it either fails early on - or after a couple of years or so. The run in period just lets you iron out any latent defects.
The running in period is more about letting all the complex components throughout the car settle in. That's why I will be trying to behave during the first 1,000 miles or so - then pushing on.
With anything mechanical - it either fails early on - or after a couple of years or so. The run in period just lets you iron out any latent defects.
BUT...still how can anyone explain that people that broke-in their engines hard got extra performance even on dynos. I remember a felllow on this forum that stated that he broke-in hard his new mini cooper S and after that (several thousand miles) he compared his car with his friend's car wich was run in by the book (bought at the same time). The difference was clear and even by swaping drivers the difference was there.
And so many others that did the same and got unusual figures from the engine.
Are all thos facts or all of those are just lucky guys that i dunno got a better engine?! hmmm....
I don't think so. Too many that can be overlooked. That's why i started this poll.
07-17-2006, 10:02 AM
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none of the above.
the bmw delivery specialists and technicians at the ed center in munich advised me how to go top speed and still break it in properly.
the bmw delivery specialists and technicians at the ed center in munich advised me how to go top speed and still break it in properly.
07-17-2006, 10:41 AM
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There's a web site posted here back some time where it explains the theory behind a hard break-in.
Hard break-in requires experience, following carefull instruction and it could also be harzerdouss to you and others on the road. Normal soft break-in does not require any effort at all on the driver.
It's almost like discussing religion, do a google search on the topic and make your own decision.
Hard break-in requires experience, following carefull instruction and it could also be harzerdouss to you and others on the road. Normal soft break-in does not require any effort at all on the driver.
It's almost like discussing religion, do a google search on the topic and make your own decision.
07-17-2006, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by jet190rs' post='311797' date='Jul 17 2006, 09:02 PM
none of the above.
the bmw delivery specialists and technicians at the ed center in munich advised me how to go top speed and still break it in properly.
the bmw delivery specialists and technicians at the ed center in munich advised me how to go top speed and still break it in properly.
07-17-2006, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Mercy' post='311814' date='Jul 17 2006, 09:41 PM
There's a web site posted here back some time where it explains the theory behind a hard break-in.
Hard break-in requires experience, following carefull instruction and it could also be harzerdouss to you and others on the road. Normal soft break-in does not require any effort at all on the driver.
It's almost like discussing religion, do a google search on the topic and make your own decision.
Hard break-in requires experience, following carefull instruction and it could also be harzerdouss to you and others on the road. Normal soft break-in does not require any effort at all on the driver.
It's almost like discussing religion, do a google search on the topic and make your own decision.
Maybe i didn't search by the correct key words.Please share the link if you have it. I'm intrigued by what you said about hard brake-in procedure. New stuff to me...steps, hazards,experience.
I drive like that daily 
07-17-2006, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='311822' date='Jul 17 2006, 02:51 PM
I was ahead of your advice with the google search. Didn't find anything on this subject. Maybe i didn't search by the correct key words.
Please share the link if you have it. I'm intrigued by what you said about hard brake-in procedure. New stuff to me...steps, hazards,experience. I drive like that daily
Maybe i didn't search by the correct key words.Please share the link if you have it. I'm intrigued by what you said about hard brake-in procedure. New stuff to me...steps, hazards,experience.
I drive like that daily http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
07-17-2006, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by jet190rs' post='311797' date='Jul 17 2006, 08:02 AM
none of the above.
the bmw delivery specialists and technicians at the ed center in munich advised me how to go top speed and still break it in properly.
the bmw delivery specialists and technicians at the ed center in munich advised me how to go top speed and still break it in properly.
07-17-2006, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Mercy' post='311847' date='Jul 17 2006, 10:44 PM
1. That was for bikes and even if he says it works for all 4 stroke engines, i suspect there are a few differences. I know that our cars, come with synthetic oil from the fabric. So in that case when you pick the car up from the dealer do a oil change on the spot with a non-synthetic oil? That's a bit crazy don't you think?
2. After let's say the change...warm the engine up (that's 5-10 miles gone from those most important 20 miles) and then let it run hard in 2nd,3rd an 4th gear with hard decelerations and hard accelerations again and again. Yes?
3. After those 20-30 miles kill the engine hot as it is an then what do an oil change? Still non-synthetic oil?
4. Probably after the oil change do what? The same thing till 1500miles or so when you change to synthetic oil?
5. What about top speeds? I understand that it isn't necesary to run at top speed (in the first miles) only 2nd 3rd and 4th?
This is a bit too crazy...i mean
i'm willing to consider a hard brake in but not like this. I was wondering what the dealer would think when you come by:"Hello sir, i came to pick up my car" and then after he tells you all the stuff about it you say" hey i want an oil change witht his oil" ...thinking about the dealer's face Or what come with your own mechanic to qucikly change the oil while the car hasn't been even moved ? And then after 20 miles with the exhaust running hot comming back saying " i want another oil change"....ahahahah i can't stop laughing. So what's what with this? What do you people think?
07-17-2006, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='311889' date='Jul 17 2006, 10:20 PM
Oh yeah. That was the link i was looking for. Now even if you are crazy enough to follow that brake-in method well here are a few questions:
1. That was for bikes and even if he says it works for all 4 stroke engines, i suspect there are a few differences. I know that our cars, come with synthetic oil from the fabric. So in that case when you pick the car up from the dealer do a oil change on the spot with a non-synthetic oil? That's a bit crazy don't you think?
2. After let's say the change...warm the engine up (that's 5-10 miles gone from those most important 20 miles) and then let it run hard in 2nd,3rd an 4th gear with hard decelerations and hard accelerations again and again. Yes?
3. After those 20-30 miles kill the engine hot as it is an then what do an oil change? Still non-synthetic oil?
4. Probably after the oil change do what? The same thing till 1500miles or so when you change to synthetic oil?
5. What about top speeds? I understand that it isn't necesary to run at top speed (in the first miles) only 2nd 3rd and 4th?
This is a bit too crazy...i mean i'm willing to consider a hard brake in but not like this. I was wondering what the dealer would think when you come by:"Hello sir, i came to pick up my car" and then after he tells you all the stuff about it you say" hey i want an oil change witht his oil" ...thinking about the dealer's face Or what come with your own mechanic to qucikly change the oil while the car hasn't been even moved ? And then after 20 miles with the exhaust running hot comming back saying " i want another oil change"....ahahahah i can't stop laughing.
So what's what with this? What do you people think?
1. That was for bikes and even if he says it works for all 4 stroke engines, i suspect there are a few differences. I know that our cars, come with synthetic oil from the fabric. So in that case when you pick the car up from the dealer do a oil change on the spot with a non-synthetic oil? That's a bit crazy don't you think?
2. After let's say the change...warm the engine up (that's 5-10 miles gone from those most important 20 miles) and then let it run hard in 2nd,3rd an 4th gear with hard decelerations and hard accelerations again and again. Yes?
3. After those 20-30 miles kill the engine hot as it is an then what do an oil change? Still non-synthetic oil?
4. Probably after the oil change do what? The same thing till 1500miles or so when you change to synthetic oil?
5. What about top speeds? I understand that it isn't necesary to run at top speed (in the first miles) only 2nd 3rd and 4th?
This is a bit too crazy...i mean
i'm willing to consider a hard brake in but not like this. I was wondering what the dealer would think when you come by:"Hello sir, i came to pick up my car" and then after he tells you all the stuff about it you say" hey i want an oil change witht his oil" ...thinking about the dealer's face Or what come with your own mechanic to qucikly change the oil while the car hasn't been even moved ? And then after 20 miles with the exhaust running hot comming back saying " i want another oil change"....ahahahah i can't stop laughing. So what's what with this? What do you people think?
The thing is - when you get your new bimmer it will already have 10-20 miles on the clock. Every 'new' car I have owned has had this - and AFAIK this mileage is the drive off testing and loading / unloading mileage gained as part of the delivery.
So - is it too late for every car I have owned - I doubt it. When I get my new car in Sept I will go relatively easy for the first few hundred miles then gradually let it rip. Don't know what the posted run in period is for a BMW these days - but after 500 miles or so I'll be happy enough to start kicking off.