[alpinewhite3]

So I got my car last week and I noticed it was much faster than I thought it would be so I finally got around to clocking it to 60mph.
It's a 330i Auto with only 300 miles on it and I did 5 runs at 5 different locations throughout the day and I consistently got between 6.05-6.19 all 5 times. Just for fun I did one run accelerating only to 4500rpm and got 6.96(still impressive) Either BMW's steptronic has been perfected to the point where its just as efficient as a manual(if not better) or BMW really understates both their 0-60 times and their HP numbers. Anyway, i love this car, glad I went with the 330 there is def a noticeable difference in power. When my sister had a 325 loaner and I did the same thing, I could never break 7.1.

[FutureNoizRecords]

Most european car makers list the 0-60 times higher than they actually are. Most american/japanese do the opposite.

[sdorn]

Originally Posted by agent0986

So I got my car last week and I noticed it was much faster than I thought it would be so I finally got around to clocking it to 60mph.
It's a 330i Auto with only 300 miles on it and I did 5 runs at 5 different locations throughout the day and I consistently got between 6.05-6.19 all 5 times. Just for fun I did one run accelerating only to 4500rpm and got 6.96(still impressive) Either BMW's steptronic has been perfected to the point where its just as efficient as a manual(if not better) or BMW really understates both their 0-60 times and their HP numbers. Anyway, i love this car, glad I went with the 330 there is def a noticeable difference in power. When my sister had a 325 loaner and I did the same thing, I could never break 7.1.

I hope you weren't using the speedometer in the car to get those times. It is extremely optimistic. When it says you are going 60mph, you are really only going about 56 - 57mph. You need to run the speedo up to around 64mph before you are actually doing 60mph.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by sdorn

I hope you weren't using the speedometer in the car to get those times. It is extremely optimistic. When it says you are going 60mph, you are really only going about 56 - 57mph. You need to run the speedo up to around 64mph before you are actually doing 60mph.

Nope, that was already factored in. Someone was complaining a week ago about BMW giving inaccurate speedometers so I went and tested it out. There's this sign post in my area which reads out your speed electronically and i put the cruise control at 65mph and passed by and the sign was flickering, it couldnt decide between 60mph/61mph so yeah that guy was right b/c thats a pretty noticeable error. COuld the faster acceleration times maybe have something to do with the latest software upgrade? more aggressive gearing perhaps?

[Lost Rider]

Dude, you're not supposed to give it full throttle until it's broken it, even if you don't exceed 4500 rpm!
Your trans and brakes are hardly broken it, let alone your engine.
You're timing 0-60 runs with only 300 miles on it.
Dumbass.
I hope you're leasing.

[sdorn]

Originally Posted by agent0986

Someone was complaining a week ago about BMW giving inaccurate speedometers so I went and tested it out. There's this sign post in my area which reads out your speed electronically and i put the cruise control at 65mph and passed by and the sign was flickering, it couldnt decide between 60mph/61mph so yeah that guy was right b/c thats a pretty noticeable error.

Yeah, that was me complaining.

[alpinewhite3]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Dude, you're not supposed to give it full throttle until it's broken it, even if you don't exceed 4500 rpm!
Your trans and brakes are hardly broken it, let alone your engine.
You're timing 0-60 runs with only 300 miles on it.
Dumbass.
I hope you're leasing.

Yeah, I am leasing but just out of respect for the engine and transmission I waited 200 miles rather than straight off the lot. It didnt "seem" like it needed any more time, there wasn't any hesitation or anything...it was almost as if it was patiently waiting for me...plus, some people will tell you to disregard break in period rules and push it right from the beginning if you want the most power you can get out of your engine or so i've read on this board.

[Lost Rider]

I've never heard anything that remotely suggests to disregard the break-in procedure.
The guy at the PCD almost made me swear I wouldn't drive the car hard or above 4500rpm's until 1000 miles were done.
Personally, I've felt quite a difference in the engine after 700 miles, it started to come alive.
To each his own.
Good luck.





Sorry to call you a dumbass, I was just horrified to see 300 miles on the car and 0-60 times in the same statement.

[akhbhaat]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Dude, you're not supposed to give it full throttle until it's broken it, even if you don't exceed 4500 rpm!
Your trans and brakes are hardly broken it, let alone your engine.
You're timing 0-60 runs with only 300 miles on it.
Dumbass.
I hope you're leasing.

So you know, your car and engine are briefly run to redline on a road test chassis dyno before it even leaves the factory.

There's some debate among engineers and mechanics regarding the true necessity of break-in with modern production tolerances. Some say that the manufacturer specified break-in period is more for the benefit of the driver (familiarization) than the mechanical implements of the car itself. Some have even said that the gentle break-in period is actually detrimental to the engine, as it doesn't allow the piston rings to seat well. Since our engines (BMW) are already run to redline before we get them, I doubt that's something we'd have to worry about. I'd think more about the clutch disc than anything else when it comes to breaking in a new car.

Here's one side of the debate for your reading pleasure:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[e90rocks]

Originally Posted by akhbhaat

So you know, your car and engine are briefly run to redline on a road test chassis dyno before it even leaves the factory.

There's some debate among engineers and mechanics regarding the true necessity of break-in with modern production tolerances. Some say that the manufacturer specified break-in period is more for the benefit of the driver (familiarization) than the mechanical implements of the car itself. Some have even said that the gentle break-in period is actually detrimental to the engine, as it doesn't allow the piston rings to seat well. Since our engines (BMW) are already run to redline before we get them, I doubt that's something we'd have to worry about. I'd think more about the clutch disc than anything else when it comes to breaking in a new car.

Here's one side of the debate for your reading pleasure:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Thanks. I feel a lot less guilty about the few times I gunned it.

[Lost Rider]

Yes I'm sure this guy has figured out how to break-in an engine better that the engineers at BMW.

If you want to ignore BMW's advice and listen to this joker with your $40,000 car then go right ahead, but be sure to give me a call, I have a great deal on a bridge for you to buy.



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[alpinewhite3]

It's really just personal preference. It's recommended because they assume you are going to keep your car for more than 150,000 miles. On my previous car, totally ignored break-in rules right off the lot...drove for 64,000 miles and not even remotely any problems. At 40,000 miles the car was actually 1/2 second quicker to 60 than it was brand new...Come on people, we're not driving model T's....these are modern engines.

[fletcher969]

I'm not stating one way or the other on the subject given I haven't done any research on same, but I know, back in the day ('70's & 80's), when we motocrossers would purchase a new motorcycle (I know...different beast), a slow break-in period was regarded as detrimental to the long-term performance characteristics of the bike. Subsequently, we'd take it easy for a week or two of daily (easy) runs (considerably shorter break in than the manufacturers were recommending), then open them up, and never let off. Except for some minor issues (which were normal for high performance two-strokers), I can recall NO problems whatsoever...

[beauderek]

Originally Posted by akhbhaat

So you know, your car and engine are briefly run to redline on a road test chassis dyno before it even leaves the factory.

There's some debate among engineers and mechanics regarding the true necessity of break-in with modern production tolerances. Some say that the manufacturer specified break-in period is more for the benefit of the driver (familiarization) than the mechanical implements of the car itself. Some have even said that the gentle break-in period is actually detrimental to the engine, as it doesn't allow the piston rings to seat well. Since our engines (BMW) are already run to redline before we get them, I doubt that's something we'd have to worry about. I'd think more about the clutch disc than anything else when it comes to breaking in a new car.

Here's one side of the debate for your reading pleasure:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

So does anybody else buy into this theory? Maybe there is something to it. Or maybe it doesn't matter either way. Your thoughts.....

[akhbhaat]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Yes I'm sure this guy has figured out how to break-in an engine better that the engineers at BMW.

If you want to ignore BMW's advice and listen to this joker with your $40,000 car then go right ahead, but be sure to give me a call, I have a great deal on a bridge for you to buy.

I'm not saying he's right - but what he says does make sense - for bikes, at least.

And, like I said, your engine is DYNO TESTED AT FULL THROTTLE BEFORE IT LEAVES THE FACTORY! With this in mind, don't you think "BMW's advice" is a bit contradictory? Or do you blindly listen to everything you hear and/or read? Remember: this is the same company telling you that it's ok to go 15,000 miles on the same paper oil filter, 100,000 miles on a set of spark plugs (mine - OEM NGK platinum - were still usable but pretty badly burnt by 53k - they'd undoubtedly be spent by 70k or 80k at the latest), and that you never have to change your transmission fluid.

I don't think taking a certain approach to breaking in your car by the time you get it is going to make a damn bit of difference one way or another. I ignored the break-in rules with my 323i (though I was careful to re-bed the brake pads, just in case, and take it easy on the clutch for 500 miles) and it was dynoing stronger (which is at least due in part to the long term break process which all engines go through) at 60k than it was at 25k with absolutely no signs of compression loss or vacuum leak. Take that for what it's worth. Six years later, it's still running fine today, starts up without any hesitation, and purrs like it did the day it was new.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I've never heard anything that remotely suggests to disregard the break-in procedure.
The guy at the PCD almost made me swear I wouldn't drive the car hard or above 4500rpm's until 1000 miles were done.
Personally, I've felt quite a difference in the engine after 700 miles, it started to come alive.
To each his own.
Good luck.





Sorry to call you a dumbass, I was just horrified to see 300 miles on the car and 0-60 times in the same statement.

ChiTown,

With all due respect, its hardly a disaster if someone does this. There's really no definitive proof of it being either bad or good. If it were THAT big of a deal, the manufacturer would build-in a limiter for this.

Come on....you were horrified? Sheesh...

[3aficionado]

Originally Posted by akhbhaat

Here's one side of the debate for your reading pleasure:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I've read this and it seems to fit more for certain engines (racing motorbikes in particular) than a general rule for all engine types.

The thing that scared me about this guys suggestions was:

3 more words on break- in:
NO SYNTHETIC OIL !!

Use Valvoline, Halvoline, or similar 10 w 40 Petroleum Car Oil for at least 2 full days of hard racing or 1,500 miles of street riding / driving. After that use your favorite brand of oil.

Give me a break.

He also noted, “There's a very small window of opportunity to get the rings to seal really well ... the first 20 miles !!”. If this guy is right the chances are the dyno at BMW and a couple miles off the lot are all we have to properly seal the rings.

I guess I'm one of those people who would rather error on the side of caution after spending $40K+ on a car. So the boring factory recommended break-in is for me.

[BMW F22]

here's something that I've been pondering : BMW recommends break-in periods of UP TO 1200 miles. Does this mean we can just take it easy for ONLY 500 miles so that the brakes and rotors are broken-in???

[Armen52]

Gawd how did this thread get owned by the break-in discussion. If it wasn't for the break-in debate I bet we'd see a 30% reduction in the number of posts on every car related forum.

To the OP, BMW specifically gives the Steptronic a very aggressive first gear so that it doesn't fall as far behind in acceleration as it would have normally.

I'm also interested in how you're timing this stuff, stopwatch? Are you doing it or is someone else in the car? Shouldn't your eyes be on the road?

[3aficionado]

Doesn't iDrive have a timer function like some of its competitors? Maybe thats what he used.

[no1sportz]

Originally Posted by 3aficionado

Doesn't iDrive have a timer function like some of its competitors? Maybe thats what he used.

Actually yes, iDrive does have some sort of stopwatch mode.

[no1sportz]

I think some of you guys are worrying too much about how you break in your Bimmer rather than getting out there and driving in and having fun! I generally don't floor my cars/motorcycles when they are brand new but I surely don't baby them either. I also disregard the myth about running petroleum to break in the engine in. I use synthetics in all my engines from day 1. I also never drive the BMWs 15000 miles without a filter change...have you ever looked at those filters after 15K? Nasty. Break em in how you feel is best and keep the oil clean, synthetic and happy...and your car will be happy too!