How faithful are you with the break-in period? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Mr. BMW · 04-28-2006, 12:23 PM

So how many of you are following the break-in period? I’m a 3rd of the way through it at 420 miles and plan on taking it easy for the full 1200 miles.

JSpira · 04-28-2006, 12:24 PM

I was very careful not to exceed 4000 rpm for the first 2000 km. Fortunately, this lasted only 3.5 days and then I was able to open the car up and hit 245 km/h regularly!

vladinecko · 04-28-2006, 12:24 PM

i barely went over 3500rpms but i did take a 600 mile trip where i was cruising a lot so i guess i wasn't that good at it.

akhbhaat · 04-28-2006, 12:38 PM

I started ignoring break-in procedures once I saw the road testing protocols that these cars are subjected to before they even leave the factory.

Whatever BMW is telling people to do these days, they certainly don't pay attention to their own recommendations - at least, as far as the engines are concerned.

I still bed the brakes and go easy on the clutch, but as far as I'm concerned, the engine is good to go from day one. My well-maintained E46 (67k on the clock and counting) dynos stronger now than it did with 10,000 miles, still pulls a solid 30 mpg on the interstate and doesn't burn so much as an ounce of oil between changes, so if there was any damage to the valve seals or anything else, it's not showing after 6 years of fairly demanding use.

I doubt it really matters what you do - each engine has already been subjected to the full range of operating conditions before it's even fitted to a car.

I think where most people go wrong is not that they ignore the new-car break in, but that they don't give the engine (and engine lubricants) time to warm to operating temperature before they get on it. That's where the real damage comes from.

noflash · 04-28-2006, 12:54 PM

Except for bimmers which don't need to warm up b/c bmw says so and took away our temp gauge.

akhbhaat · 04-28-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noflash

Except for bimmers which don't need to warm up b/c bmw says so and took away our temp gauge.

I nearly choked when the salesman told me that the E90 doesn't require engine warm up because it has an electronic water pump. What the hell does a water pump have to do with the thermal expansion properties of alloys?

The best thing to have is an oil temp gauge - which the 335i does. I don't really like to push my own cars hard until they've been on the road for at least 10 minutes.

bilbarstow · 04-28-2006, 03:50 PM

I've been really good about the 1200 mi. /4000 RPM (or so ...

) concept of break-in. Not because I think it really needs it, but just in case ... although, I have been "tempted" a few times

Now that I've got 1300 mi. on it - I have to go out of town without the car for 10 days. But when I get back !

3some · 04-28-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akhbhaat

I nearly choked when the salesman told me that the E90 doesn't require engine warm up because it has an electronic water pump. What the hell does a water pump have to do with the thermal expansion properties of alloys?

The best thing to have is an oil temp gauge - which the 335i does. I don't really like to push my own cars hard until they've been on the road for at least 10 minutes.

Spot on!

Couldn't have said it better!

TENCHI · 04-28-2006, 04:08 PM

break in periods are the toughest IMO

so much temptation. And for someone like me that drives 1500 miles in about 4 months.....yikes

Ethirtynine · 04-28-2006, 04:16 PM

I've been following the break-in process for the past 500 miles

325er · 04-28-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TENCHI

break in periods are the toughest IMO

so much temptation. And for someone like me that drives 1500 miles in about 4 months.....yikes

Yup...not looking forward to it when I get my car end of May.

matt0528 · 04-28-2006, 08:36 PM

not quite red-lining it since day one. but got it there a couple times

CnoteMD · 04-28-2006, 10:18 PM

I managed to follow the break-in for the full 1200 miles. In fact, I think I may have kept it up until 1250. It turned out not to be nearly as bad as I thought. The acceleration was still very good at the 4000rpm limit. Furthermore, even at 80 mph, the rpm's are around 3000rpm in 6th gear.

Even now that I am well out of break-in, I hardly ever have the opportunity to redline the car. The opportunity presents itself maybe 3-4 times per month.

difush · 04-28-2006, 10:39 PM

I have followed the break-in porcedure till past 1200 miles. I know nowadays fro BMWs, Mercs and Audis, break-in is not really critical especially for myself which never keeps a car for more than 3 years but it never hurts to play it safe and let the engine, tires and brakes to break-in.

shimshimhada · 04-28-2006, 10:43 PM

I redlined it occasionally after a thorough warm up.

goIrish · 04-28-2006, 11:40 PM

I was good for about 300 miles or so, then started to give 'er hell. I bet they tell you 1200miles assuming that you're not going to listen to them and only do a fraction of that. If they only said 200miles, we'd all be gunning it at 50 miles. Some reverse psych I'd say......okay probably not, but at any rate....

Redguy · 04-29-2006, 07:40 AM

It's best to follow the procedure for peace of mind.

However, if caught out, for example, passing another car, stuff the running in period and floor it to get out of trouble!

Brunotheboxer · 04-29-2006, 07:45 AM

is the recomended break in period 1000 or 1200 miles? i thought it was only 1000. right now i have about 200 miles on her and even though it is tempting i will break her in.

CrazyDesi · 04-29-2006, 08:28 AM

Last night I was driving behind my bother (2002 330ci) when i said fuck it and floored it. He knew it was coming also so he did the same........I won I think we went from 40-120 ish =P.

My car has about 80 miles on it right now.

bavarian19 · 04-29-2006, 09:32 AM

Never went above 4k rpms... I waited until about 2k miles until I redlined, but after the 1200, I got a little more progressive in how high I would take it...

Bimmer325 · 04-30-2006, 09:56 AM

my clock now shows 1050km. last week when overtaking a truck, rpm accidentally went over 4000 but below 4500 mark and i let go the gas immediately...damn, could i have damaged the engine already i wonder...

gos · 04-30-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer325

my clock now shows 1050km. last week when overtaking a truck, rpm accidentally went over 4000 but below 4500 mark and i let go the gas immediately...damn, could i have damaged the engine already i wonder...

The engines are redlined in the factory prior to shipment.

It's more seating the brakes and breaking in the transmission these days.

View Poll Results: How faithful are you with the break-in period?
What break-in period? I’ve been hitting the redline since day one!	34	15.89%
Yes but only till 500 miles.	22	10.28%
Yes but only till 800 miles.	24	11.21%
Yes following the full 1200 miles.	100	46.73%
Yes, but I’m going a little beyond the 1200 miles before I let it scream!	34	15.89%
Voters: 214. You may not vote on this poll

04-28-2006, 12:23 PM	#1
Mr. BMW Captain Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 899 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2003 Pathfinder [0.00]	How faithful are you with the break-in period? So how many of you are following the break-in period? I’m a 3rd of the way through it at 420 miles and plan on taking it easy for the full 1200 miles.
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04-28-2006, 12:24 PM	#2
JSpira Freude am Fahren Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien Posts: 5,222 iTrader: (1)	I was very careful not to exceed 4000 rpm for the first 2000 km. Fortunately, this lasted only 3.5 days and then I was able to open the car up and hit 245 km/h regularly! __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member

04-28-2006, 12:24 PM	#3
vladinecko Brigadier General Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,892 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [4.50] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	i barely went over 3500rpms but i did take a 600 mile trip where i was cruising a lot so i guess i wasn't that good at it. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*

04-28-2006, 12:54 PM	#5
noflash Captain Caveman Drives: '06 325eyeyiyi Join Date: May 2005 Location: midwest Posts: 1,716 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Except for bimmers which don't need to warm up b/c bmw says so and took away our temp gauge. __________________ E90 325i Monaco Blue, Black Leatherette, Sport, Cold Weather, Xenon, Sat Prep, 18" BBS RGR Mods: Polorized Film for Business CD, added lumbar, rock chip on hood

04-28-2006, 12:38 PM	#4
akhbhaat Captain Drives: ///M318ti Type-R Turbo Join Date: May 2005 Location: Straddling the pond. Posts: 838 iTrader: (0)	I started ignoring break-in procedures once I saw the road testing protocols that these cars are subjected to before they even leave the factory. Whatever BMW is telling people to do these days, they certainly don't pay attention to their own recommendations - at least, as far as the engines are concerned. I still bed the brakes and go easy on the clutch, but as far as I'm concerned, the engine is good to go from day one. My well-maintained E46 (67k on the clock and counting) dynos stronger now than it did with 10,000 miles, still pulls a solid 30 mpg on the interstate and doesn't burn so much as an ounce of oil between changes, so if there was any damage to the valve seals or anything else, it's not showing after 6 years of fairly demanding use. I doubt it really matters what you do - each engine has already been subjected to the full range of operating conditions before it's even fitted to a car. I think where most people go wrong is not that they ignore the new-car break in, but that they don't give the engine (and engine lubricants) time to warm to operating temperature before they get on it. That's where the real damage comes from.

04-28-2006, 03:50 PM	#7
bilbarstow Private Drives: 2006 330i SG 6M ZPP ZSP Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 95 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I've been really good about the 1200 mi. /4000 RPM (or so ... ) concept of break-in. Not because I think it really needs it, but just in case ... although, I have been "tempted" a few times Now that I've got 1300 mi. on it - I have to go out of town without the car for 10 days. But when I get back ! __________________ 2006 330i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Leather * 6MT * zPP * zSP * Sirius * OEM Spoiler * Fold-down Rear Seats * Lo-Jack * Pinnacle 35 FormulaOne Tint * Blackline Tails *

04-28-2006, 04:08 PM	#9
TENCHI Lieutenant Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 513 iTrader: (0)	break in periods are the toughest IMO so much temptation. And for someone like me that drives 1500 miles in about 4 months.....yikes __________________

04-28-2006, 04:16 PM	#10
Ethirtynine Lieutenant Drives: 2004 Honda S2000 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 592 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I've been following the break-in process for the past 500 miles

04-28-2006, 08:36 PM	#12
matt0528 Private First Class Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 100 iTrader: (1)	not quite red-lining it since day one. but got it there a couple times __________________ *2006 BMW 330i* // Spark. Graphite // Black Interior w/ Alum.// 15mm Spacers Sport Package // 162 18" rims // JL 12w6v2 sub // JL 500/1 amp// PMB Hyperwhite Angels

04-28-2006, 10:18 PM	#13
CnoteMD Commander in Chief Drives: 2008 BMW 535i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,035 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M5 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I managed to follow the break-in for the full 1200 miles. In fact, I think I may have kept it up until 1250. It turned out not to be nearly as bad as I thought. The acceleration was still very good at the 4000rpm limit. Furthermore, even at 80 mph, the rpm's are around 3000rpm in 6th gear. Even now that I am well out of break-in, I hardly ever have the opportunity to redline the car. The opportunity presents itself maybe 3-4 times per month. __________________ 2008 BMW 535i Space Gray, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo Trim\| Sport Automatic with Paddles \| Sport Package 2008 BMW M5 (gone, but not forgotten) Space Gray, Silverstone Merino Leather, Madeira Walnut Wood Trim \| 7speed SMG \| All options Mods: Corsa Exhaust \| RPI Ram Air Intake \| H&R Sport Springs \| Rogue Engineering 12mm spacers

04-28-2006, 10:39 PM	#14
difush Enlisted Member Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Asia Posts: 46 iTrader: (0)	I have followed the break-in porcedure till past 1200 miles. I know nowadays fro BMWs, Mercs and Audis, break-in is not really critical especially for myself which never keeps a car for more than 3 years but it never hurts to play it safe and let the engine, tires and brakes to break-in.

04-28-2006, 10:43 PM	#15
shimshimhada Brigadier General Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal Posts: 4,840 iTrader: (2)	I redlined it occasionally after a thorough warm up.

04-28-2006, 11:40 PM	#16
goIrish Enlisted Member Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 42 iTrader: (0)	I was good for about 300 miles or so, then started to give 'er hell. I bet they tell you 1200miles assuming that you're not going to listen to them and only do a fraction of that. If they only said 200miles, we'd all be gunning it at 50 miles. Some reverse psych I'd say......okay probably not, but at any rate....

04-29-2006, 07:40 AM	#17
Redguy Private First Class Drives: E90 318i ES Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 134 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 318i ES [0.00]	It's best to follow the procedure for peace of mind. However, if caught out, for example, passing another car, stuff the running in period and floor it to get out of trouble!

04-29-2006, 07:45 AM	#18
Brunotheboxer Colonel Drives: 335iS Coupe Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston/Cape Cod Posts: 2,915 iTrader: (0)	is the recomended break in period 1000 or 1200 miles? i thought it was only 1000. right now i have about 200 miles on her and even though it is tempting i will break her in.

04-29-2006, 08:28 AM	#19
CrazyDesi Custom User Title: Drives: 89 325ic, '06 330xi Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Fucken York City Posts: 60 iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 M3 [0.00] 1989 325ic [0.00]	Last night I was driving behind my bother (2002 330ci) when i said fuck it and floored it. He knew it was coming also so he did the same........I won I think we went from 40-120 ish =P. My car has about 80 miles on it right now.

04-29-2006, 09:32 AM	#20
bavarian19 General Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA Posts: 18,657 iTrader: (22)	Never went above 4k rpms... I waited until about 2k miles until I redlined, but after the 1200, I got a little more progressive in how high I would take it...

04-30-2006, 09:56 AM	#21
Bimmer325 Major Drives: 2006 E90 325i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: MY Posts: 1,167 iTrader: (1)	my clock now shows 1050km. last week when overtaking a truck, rpm accidentally went over 4000 but below 4500 mark and i let go the gas immediately...damn, could i have damaged the engine already i wonder... __________________ 325i Arctics M-Sport, Gray Leather with Alu Trim, ///M DCT Paddleshift, ///M Gear Knob, BBS LM-R 19", Michelin PS2, KW V2, H&R Anti Roll Bars, BMW Performance Air Intake System, 3D Front Lip, ACS Roof Spoiler, OEM Boot Spoiler, Osram 6000K, Brex White Ring, PIAA 6200K HID Fog, PIAA License Plate LED, BMS Powerbox

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