Breaking in period - such sad times...

[Eepers]

So, I know you're not supposed to really shovel around in a new car of any type, but I'd like to hear from some of you about your breaking in experiences with new MINIs before mine comes in.

Sadly, my BMW Z4 is 4 years old and has only 7000 miles on it... so someone saying "you shouldn't enjoy your car for the first 5000 miles" is really dampening my fun, that's a long time to wait before kicking the back around once in a while on a windy road :)

[09mcs]

I just got my cooper S on monday, i have about 220 mi. Its good to wait about 300 before you get a little fun with it, but im gonna wait 1000 before i let her out of the cage :-)

good to see you on the forums lee

Thanks

Frank Destasio

[Eepers]

Oh hey Frank! Frank sold me my MINI over at FLOW. Fancy meeting you here :)

[09mcs]

i know, glad to see you on here. did you go onto the owners lounge and set up an account to keep tabs on your mini? just go to MINIUSA.com and click the links to the owners lounge. then enter in your production number i gave you.

Frank

[FTGT101]

Check out this food for thought when breaking in a motor.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[oznogonzo]

Check out this food for thought when breaking in a motor.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I would never... NEVER do what this guy is saying. There is a huge difference between car & motorcycle engines. The lengthy break in period is still just as functional today as it was 30 years ago. There is no reason to go full throttle on a new car engine. Just cruise though a few tanks of gas then change the oil... After that you will be set.

I built quite a few hi-perf engines (chevy, ford, vw) over the last 20 years, and never had an issue after breaking them in via typical measures.

[FTGT101]

I would never... NEVER do what this guy is saying. There is a huge difference between car & motorcycle engines. The lengthy break in period is still just as functional today as it was 30 years ago. There is no reason to go full throttle on a new car engine. Just cruise though a few tanks of gas then change the oil... After that you will be set.

I built quite a few hi-perf engines (chevy, ford, vw) over the last 20 years, and never had an issue after breaking them in via typical measures.

I am not saying you should, but I do know a few that swear by this method. Most of the engines I have had rebuilt I have kept to the old standard with a few tweaks of my own such as changing the oil. Like the opening said food for thought! There are always more than one way of doing things and it is kind of interesting if you read it all the way through. Even if you totally disagree.

[MidnightDave]

We could debate this, like Domestic v. Foreign or Chevy v. Ford. Everybody speaks from their own experience. I'll just say modern engines are much more durable than their predecessors and everybody should drive they way they feel comfortable, for the duration they believe to be appropriate.

Sign me,

-The Contrarian Barbarian with the Lead Foot

[Eepers]

The guy's explanation kind of makes sense, and the photos are pretty impressive, but admittedly I'm no gear head so I wouldn't know exactly where his method falls apart.

My other issue is I have to drive a ways off to pick up my car when it comes in, so it's going to get some highway driving right off the bat unless I go down then and have it shipped to raleigh or something, bleh.

So, even if I wanted to try this guy's method I'd have to pretty much drive around like a jackass in an area unfamiliar to me, and then swing in for an oil change somewhere after 20 miles... not sure about the logistics of that whole process, haha.

SO, what exactly are the negative posibilities for an engine that isn't broken in properly? Has anyone seen recent cars with problems related to that? The Car Talk guys had a blurb suggesting the mileage suggestions in manuals are really just out of someone's random thoughts, and some companies like Porsche don't even tell people to break them in. Is this all an antiquated notion?

[09mcs]

There is alot to be said for following the book on how to break in a motor. Im waiting a little on mine. but on the other hand, our 07 s demo has 1700mi on it. from mile 2 when we got it has had the crap beat out of it by customers wanting to see what the car can do. and there is nothing wrong with the car. doesnt make and weird sounds or anything. I think it all comes down to personal pref.

[simplygriff]

I've always heard fluctuate speeds for the first 1000-1200 miles. Don't go too slow, don't go too fast but change it up. http://www.simplygriff.com/Images/Emoticons/shrug03.gif
-G

[MINI Rog]

I'm with Griff and those miles go by real fast too, so the break-in period won't be long.

[BlimeyCabrio]

...those miles go by real fast too, so the break-in period won't be long.

Especially if you can figure out how to schedule some multi-hundred-mile business trips during that period... like I did...:cool:

[09mcs]

i gave into my car today. i put a home made intake on it like the alta one thats comming out soon and i took some people from work for a ride. ran it full 1st-3rd. car feels great. cant wait to do it some more when i get some more miles on it.

[Eepers]

Define "home made intake" will ya? :)