F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / TSBs and Service Bulletin > Opinion of this break-in method…
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-04-2015, 10:17 AM   #1
Mauricio Palacios. MD
Stark und Frei
Mauricio Palacios. MD's Avatar
Germany
48
Rep
155
Posts

Drives: BMW F32 435i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Erlangen, GERMANY

iTrader: (0)

Opinion of this break-in method…

Hello friends! What do you think about this? Thank you, very much. Good day…

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 10:49 AM   #2
adhrp
Lieutenant Colonel
adhrp's Avatar
1212
Rep
1,545
Posts

Drives: 2020 M550i (G30)/2021 X3 (G02)
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Well, that article mentions it is for motorcycles although it is applicable to all 4 cylinder engines. I broke-in my motorcycle the "hard" way and it runs just fine and has had no issues. I also broke-in my Highlander (although it is a V6) by driving how I wanted and it runs amazingly smooth as well. I also get above average gas mileage from it. For both vehicles I let the engine warm up first.

As for my 328i, I bought it preowned so I don't know how it was broken in, but being a dealer vehicle I assume it was also the "hard" way. This car also works like a champ and you can click my Fuelly for gas mileage details, which are pretty impressive.

So IME hard break-in is fine. None of these vehicles are yet over 50k miles but I do not think any issues would arise as a result of the "hard" break-in method.
__________________
2020 M550i (G30) | Carbon Black/Black Nappa | DHP | DAP | Executive | Luxury Seating | Park Asst | Ceramic Controls | Front/Rear Heated Seats | 20" 668M wheels
2021 X3 (G02) | Dark Graphite Metallic/Cognac | Premium | DAP | Front/Rear Heated Seats

Sold/Retired: 2012 328i (F30)
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2015, 11:15 AM   #3
Dog Face Pony Soldier
2006 TIME Person Of The Year
Dog Face Pony Soldier's Avatar
United_States
9720
Rep
6,445
Posts

Drives: M Sport 335i
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 335i  [9.74]
I find comfort in following the manufacturer's recommendation.
__________________
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 11:16 AM   #4
....,,,,..,,..
General
No_Country
6732
Rep
20,651
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

As long as you get then engine up to temperature, drive within limits of new tyres and brakes, then hard (but varied) run in is fine.

Variation is the key, just sitting at X thousand revs is as bad as pottleing around and taking things easy.

The other bit is if you do break it in hard, as mentioned is get an oil change, just lots of swarf and potential FOD swimming around in your oil.

The other thing with breaking it in hard is, can you handle it?
Seen plenty bikers lose it with new bikes breaking them in hard but not fully knowing the quirks of their new bike.

Also if you have an 8 AT gearbox, then you need to put it in 'manual' and use the flippers to break it in hard, normal comfort mode etc is not really enough (especially on 330d and 335d).
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 01:09 PM   #5
G30 B58
Pace Car Driver
1547
Rep
3,163
Posts

Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport
Join Date: May 2014
Location: my garage in PA

iTrader: (0)

Mauricio Palacios. MD likes to run his car hard and low on oil.

Judging by his previous posts of course.
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 01:27 PM   #6
34.50
Lieutenant
34.50's Avatar
United_States
38
Rep
596
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sport Line
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Upstate NY

iTrader: (0)

1995 called, and they want that website design back.
__________________
2013 BMW 335i xDrive Sport Line
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2015, 01:38 PM   #7
adhrp
Lieutenant Colonel
adhrp's Avatar
1212
Rep
1,545
Posts

Drives: 2020 M550i (G30)/2021 X3 (G02)
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 34.50 View Post
1995 called, and they want that website design back.
Lol. I agree, it is hideous and a pain to read.
__________________
2020 M550i (G30) | Carbon Black/Black Nappa | DHP | DAP | Executive | Luxury Seating | Park Asst | Ceramic Controls | Front/Rear Heated Seats | 20" 668M wheels
2021 X3 (G02) | Dark Graphite Metallic/Cognac | Premium | DAP | Front/Rear Heated Seats

Sold/Retired: 2012 328i (F30)
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2015, 02:31 PM   #8
GAS428
Second Lieutenant
74
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 428i grand coupe M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Santa Clarita CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauricio Palacios. MD View Post
Hello friends! What do you think about this? Thank you, very much. Good day…

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
I do not know that I agree and here is why,

This is a post I did on another site. though you might find it useful.

This break in process is my derivation. I am an electromechanical Flight Control Engineer and had studied long life mechanical system and this is a process that I use on all my mechanical systems from my 73AMX the Garden scale locomotives I run.

Here is the foundation of my philosophy.

1 Machined metal looks like a mountain range under high powered microscope.

2 Mating Parts are like two inverted mountain ranges going in opposite direction.

3 As they pass each other they rip off their peaks that then travels to the oil filter passing other mechanical components along the way.

Key Point
The higher the force between the mountain ranges, the larger the peaks that break off tearing the metal and scoring other metal parts on its way to the oil pan.

The lower the force between the mountain ranges the smaller the peaks rip off and tend to act like lapping compound as the material travels to the oil filter

Low force Good, High force Bad.

The only was to eliminate the this process is to super finish all moving parts. http://www.remchem.com/services/ For the cost I am certain BMW did not do this.

The other theory is Carbon Hardening.

Have a 73 AMX, Valves failed when unleaded Gas burned in these engines after fresh valve jobs From Burning the higher unleaded heat. Valves that did not burn were infused with carbon from the engine combustion burn hardening them. the higher the cycles the harder the walls.

By allowing the piston rings polish (seat) to the walls under low loads and have the metal hardened by the burnt fuel carbon at combustion chamber temperatures you will generate a durable mated surface that will hold the proper film of oil on the cylinder wall.

Why Eco Mode?
Eco Mode detunes the engine to reduce the wear forces while you break it in. It will not let you over load the engine. BMW did not recommend it, but it makes sense to me since my foot loves the turbo.

Why 3,000 Miles?
That is what I did for my AMX and 30 years later it still runs like a bat out of Hell with no oil burn

Change oil after 3000 miles

The gradual load increase from BMW is a great idea after initial break in process, reason being as the engine revs higher, the connecting rod stretches placing the rings on new cylinder wall section, and the other matting surfaces improving the surface finish mating with steadily increasing loads.

With this break in process, and proper oil service, I am anticipating a hard working engine the occasionally will visit the track that will hold its power and not waste oil past 300K miles.

That is my plan.
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2015, 02:37 PM   #9
XenaBimmer
Captain
XenaBimmer's Avatar
United_States
61
Rep
702
Posts

Drives: '14 328i, '14 320i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sarasota, FL

iTrader: (0)

I usually follow the manufacturers guidelines, but don't really think it matters. For example, if you had an engine issue within the first few months, do you think the dealer would deny a warrantee claim because you didn't follow break in procedure? Assuming they could prove this with the OBD and rev counter data logging.
I've purchased numerous Porsches and BMWs from different dealerships, and they've all said the break in doesn't really matter. Some of them were very reputable as well and I'd value their opinion
__________________
2014 BMW 328i Sportline--Arctic White/Black, 8 speed
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 02:38 PM   #10
Mike_L
Banned
United_States
283
Rep
1,961
Posts

Drives: 2015 335xi GT M-Sport MPPK
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York City

iTrader: (2)

BMW says 1200 miles, not 3000. 1200 is about all I'll be able to give it. Thats 3-4 months for me. I'll be damned if I'm gonna go almost a year without beating on the motor.
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 03:23 PM   #11
Dog Face Pony Soldier
2006 TIME Person Of The Year
Dog Face Pony Soldier's Avatar
United_States
9720
Rep
6,445
Posts

Drives: M Sport 335i
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 335i  [9.74]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_L
BMW says 1200 miles, not 3000. 1200 is about all I'll be able to give it. Thats 3-4 months for me. I'll be damned if I'm gonna go almost a year without beating on the motor.
Gotta understand that! I do 1200 miles in less than 2 weeks and that was bad enough!
__________________
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 03:27 PM   #12
....,,,,..,,..
General
No_Country
6732
Rep
20,651
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GAS428 View Post
I do not know that I agree and here is why,

This is a post I did on another site. though you might find it useful.

This break in process is my derivation. I am an electromechanical Flight Control Engineer and had studied long life mechanical system and this is a process that I use on all my mechanical systems from my 73AMX the Garden scale locomotives I run.

Here is the foundation of my philosophy.

1 Machined metal looks like a mountain range under high powered microscope.

2 Mating Parts are like two inverted mountain ranges going in opposite direction.

3 As they pass each other they rip off their peaks that then travels to the oil filter passing other mechanical components along the way.

Key Point
The higher the force between the mountain ranges, the larger the peaks that break off tearing the metal and scoring other metal parts on its way to the oil pan.

The lower the force between the mountain ranges the smaller the peaks rip off and tend to act like lapping compound as the material travels to the oil filter

Low force Good, High force Bad.

The only was to eliminate the this process is to super finish all moving parts. http://www.remchem.com/services/ For the cost I am certain BMW did not do this.

The other theory is Carbon Hardening.

Have a 73 AMX, Valves failed when unleaded Gas burned in these engines after fresh valve jobs From Burning the higher unleaded heat. Valves that did not burn were infused with carbon from the engine combustion burn hardening them. the higher the cycles the harder the walls.

By allowing the piston rings polish (seat) to the walls under low loads and have the metal hardened by the burnt fuel carbon at combustion chamber temperatures you will generate a durable mated surface that will hold the proper film of oil on the cylinder wall.

Why Eco Mode?
Eco Mode detunes the engine to reduce the wear forces while you break it in. It will not let you over load the engine. BMW did not recommend it, but it makes sense to me since my foot loves the turbo.

Why 3,000 Miles?
That is what I did for my AMX and 30 years later it still runs like a bat out of Hell with no oil burn

Change oil after 3000 miles

The gradual load increase from BMW is a great idea after initial break in process, reason being as the engine revs higher, the connecting rod stretches placing the rings on new cylinder wall section, and the other matting surfaces improving the surface finish mating with steadily increasing loads.

With this break in process, and proper oil service, I am anticipating a hard working engine the occasionally will visit the track that will hold its power and not waste oil past 300K miles.

That is my plan.
While not torally disagreeing just a couple of points.

You are basing the running in of a full scale engine against a toy train engine?
Even though the manufacturer recommends 1200, that will be a conservative estimate based on most critical component in engine / drive train.

The actual force remains constant within the engine, it is the speed that varies, a piston generates the same force, however it's speed varies with actual revs, that gives the increase in force / power.

Anyone driving in Eco mode (self harm mode) for 30 miles never mind 3000 miles deserves a medal.

Engines need variation of speeds and loads to bed in correctly.

The majority of all functional checks / tests of any engine have it running at various power / rpm settings.

Also the standard of modern engines are well ahead of those from 80s and earlier, where yes care had to be taken.
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 04:02 PM   #13
GAS428
Second Lieutenant
74
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 428i grand coupe M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Santa Clarita CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike_L View Post
BMW says 1200 miles, not 3000. 1200 is about all I'll be able to give it. Thats 3-4 months for me. I'll be damned if I'm gonna go almost a year without beating on the motor.
I am certain the BMW break in procedure is appropriate for the car. No arguments there.

My goal is to have the car in 25 years and 1/2Million Miles. I might not make it that long but I figured I would giver it the collage try.

Please remember this is just another opinion for you to draw your own conclusions from, based on that you want to do and what works for you.
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 04:15 PM   #14
FC4
Brigadier General
2644
Rep
3,393
Posts

Drives: Yes
Join Date: May 2014
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauricio Palacios. MD View Post
Hello friends! What do you think about this? Thank you, very much. Good day…

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Principles aligned with these are shared among all engine builders, tuners, shops, etc. Exact procedure will vary, especially considering you're not going to have one uniform break-in procedure for different types of engines for different purposes, but the ideology is agreed upon unanimously by anyone who is knowledgeable.

It's also agreed upon that keeping it "below x RPM and x MPH for x miles" as the only guideline, per any owner's manual, is the worst possible way to break an engine in. However, you won't find an auto manfucturer stray away from this. Good luck getting legal to approve outlining proper break-in in a mass-market car's owner's manual, so having something in there to appease those who think they're accomplishing something does just fine. The bit about "taking it easy" on the brakes for x miles is the best, though. Again, the liability of some dweeby putz causing an accident following brake-bedding procedure is too high.

But does it really make a difference? No...not in the least bit for mass produced cars like these.
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 04:37 PM   #15
Mauricio Palacios. MD
Stark und Frei
Mauricio Palacios. MD's Avatar
Germany
48
Rep
155
Posts

Drives: BMW F32 435i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Erlangen, GERMANY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F32 N55 View Post
Mauricio Palacios. MD likes to run his car hard and low on oil.

Judging by his previous posts of course.
Haha… I did the break-in process in the way that the manufacturer indicates. 2000 km or 1200 miles. RPM range variation, not over 4000-4500 (in petrol engines), let the engine warm properly (and cool-down too for turbo care purposes)… About the engine oil… I know that the engine oil quality, correct viscosity and, of course, the correct oil level are the most important facts about it. That was my concern trying to take the engine oil level the closer to the max mark, without overfilling it… And about driving my car hard (after the stipulated break-in period), well… Of course I like to enjoy all my cars. Life is too short. Warm hug…

Last edited by Mauricio Palacios. MD; 01-04-2015 at 04:49 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-04-2015, 05:57 PM   #16
GAS428
Second Lieutenant
74
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 428i grand coupe M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Santa Clarita CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brigand View Post
While not torally disagreeing just a couple of points.

You are basing the running in of a full scale engine against a toy train engine?
Even though the manufacturer recommends 1200, that will be a conservative estimate based on most critical component in engine / drive train.

The actual force remains constant within the engine, it is the speed that varies, a piston generates the same force, however it's speed varies with actual revs, that gives the increase in force / power.

Anyone driving in Eco mode (self harm mode) for 30 miles never mind 3000 miles deserves a medal.

Engines need variation of speeds and loads to bed in correctly.

The majority of all functional checks / tests of any engine have it running at various power / rpm settings.

Also the standard of modern engines are well ahead of those from 80s and earlier, where yes care had to be taken.

Thank you for your comments. I greatly appreciate new information.

One thought, I always considered load to be how much pressure the combustion chamber is exposed to which is equivalent to torque.

2000 rpm at full throttle I consider a high load in particular since the hydraulic wedge may be at its weakest point.

I also agree that the higher revolutions after the brake in period are crucial to accommodate connection stretch allowing the rings to mate to the new cylinder walls. and BMW had it right by saying to gradually increase the power and I assume the RPMs.

the materials and engine processes have changed over they years, but I have not had the luxury of getting the BMW chief engine engineer into a pub for a few hours to get the data to make informed decisions.

I researched this engine and have found it to be a marvel of engineering but it is the details I do not have access to. One of the best articles I found about the new BMW 4 cylinder also the foundation of the 6 cylinder is in the link below.

http://www.kilometermagazine.com/art...20_Engine.html

One thing I did forget to mention. Disable the engine start and stop feature. I am researching how to permanently disable it to save the turbo.
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 06:09 PM   #17
GAS428
Second Lieutenant
74
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 428i grand coupe M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Santa Clarita CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brigand View Post
While not torally disagreeing just a couple of points.

You are basing the running in of a full scale engine against a toy train engine?
Even though the manufacturer recommends 1200, that will be a conservative estimate based on most critical component in engine / drive train.

The actual force remains constant within the engine, it is the speed that varies, a piston generates the same force, however it's speed varies with actual revs, that gives the increase in force / power.

Anyone driving in Eco mode (self harm mode) for 30 miles never mind 3000 miles deserves a medal.

Engines need variation of speeds and loads to bed in correctly.

The majority of all functional checks / tests of any engine have it running at various power / rpm settings.

Also the standard of modern engines are well ahead of those from 80s and earlier, where yes care had to be taken.
I agree Eco mode will be torture equivalent only to waterboarding. I got the picture after watching the most entertaining Top Gear "esk" 435 review explained in vivid detail the BMW Schizophrenia Control in the video below.

Appreciate 0
      01-04-2015, 06:15 PM   #18
chiefneil
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
772
Rep
1,503
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GAS428 View Post
This break in process is my derivation. I am an electromechanical Flight Control Engineer and had studied long life mechanical system and this is a process that I use on all my mechanical systems from my 73AMX the Garden scale locomotives I run.
As a flight control engineer you might be interested in this article on how to break in an aircraft engine.

http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/1849...l?redirected=1
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 06:40 PM   #19
GAS428
Second Lieutenant
74
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 428i grand coupe M Sport
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Santa Clarita CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefneil View Post
As a flight control engineer you might be interested in this article on how to break in an aircraft engine.

http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/1849...l?redirected=1
Thank you I appreciate it.

Being in the Military you might enjoy the videos of some of my work,

Look up
DAGR Missile
APKWS
Appreciate 1
      01-04-2015, 09:12 PM   #20
Mauricio Palacios. MD
Stark und Frei
Mauricio Palacios. MD's Avatar
Germany
48
Rep
155
Posts

Drives: BMW F32 435i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Erlangen, GERMANY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefneil View Post
As a flight control engineer you might be interested in this article on how to break in an aircraft engine.

http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/1849...l?redirected=1

Thanks a lot! That is a very interesting article about the break-in process in airplanes and I think many recommendations should be applied to our engines…
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:20 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST