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      04-10-2009, 01:28 PM   #1
tim3less
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1250-3100 mile break in?

I was sort of unsure about flooring car right after break in. felt like the car would undergo a lot of stress even after the 1200 mile service so i did a little research and came up with this..... didn't really see any other thread on this so here ya go.


Quote from: Tim M of M5board.com

I've read lots of posts in this board with owners taking the car out of the dealer straight to the red-line.

You are supposed to gradually increase the rpms and road speed after the first service not go straight to full bore. It is a common mistake made by M owners. If you immediately use full power you are going to need another oil change in 2000 miles due to all the bits of metal floating around in it. The electronic dipstick measures the capacitance of the oil which changes as deposits form. It will alter the miles to oil change service based on the rate of change of capacitance.

Build up to full bore gently, and don't be in too much hurry to get there - always make sure the oil temperature gauge is in the middle before you take it much past 4,000 rpm and your engine won't go pop. It isn't fully run in until 3,000 miles - you've got another 1800 to go. You've also got to be careful of high speed runs as the rest of the drivetrain needs to bed in during this period.

By all means have the odd blast, but reserve the full 8.5k for a few hundred miles down the road. I've run in 6 M engines in the last 6 years and have contact with my regional service manager so I promise I'm not making this up.




I guess I'm going to have to drive a few more miles before I can use the 8.3k rpm...
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      04-10-2009, 03:14 PM   #2
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well..... i took my car to the homestead miami speedway the day after getting the 1200 mile service

did a full day of track time, each shift at 8000-8200 RPM. after the track day it said i had 5000 miles till my next service. since then it went back up to 12000

from my racing experience, the harder you break in an engine, the faster it goes.
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      04-10-2009, 06:18 PM   #3
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Too late for me then...got my 1200 mi service at 1400 mi and then a long nice ride back but when traffic finally broke closer to home Wheeeeeeeeee. Seriously tho everyone has their own opinion. Someone may tell you the car isnt broken in until 10k, 20k, 30k, meanwhile ill be enjoying the car for what it was meant to be.
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      04-12-2009, 02:22 AM   #4
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1200-3000 Mile break in

How many owners Followed the second part of the break in run 1200- 3000 miles?

The owner manual states eingine and road speeds can be increased gradually up to a speed of 135mph/220Kmh. Use the maximum speed only for brief intervals, eg when passing.

Any interpretations to this statement in the owners manual. Does this mean no full throttle and redline in certain gears. Do we have baby the car along for an extra 1800 miles?
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      04-12-2009, 02:39 AM   #5
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i didnt follow it but i did not abuse the car during the second break in period

Im assuming that if you followed the 1st break in period that it should be okay to push it from 1200 to 3000 miles

plus these cars are meant to be pushed not bullshit commuted from point A to B

Redlining and driving between 6000 through 8400 RPM is Awsome
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      04-12-2009, 03:10 AM   #6
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i followed the 1st break in very strictly but after that i didnt really follow it. i have about 4000+ miles now and i regularly bring it up to 7k rpm. not until red line though.
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      04-12-2009, 10:26 AM   #7
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I now have about 7500km on the car and am taking it in for a second oil change next week.

I was super diligent about varying the rpm the first 2000km and didn't get to red line until after that oil change. Never above 5500 during the initial period and mostly shifted between 3500 and 5000. More traffic dependent than anything. After about 2500 km I ran it up to red line once or twice and now its really situational. It seems there is always too much traffic to go into "full hooligan mode".

The car doesn't burn a drop of oil and there is no soot on the tailpipe. It runs great, never had an issue. I drive it about 50 50 in M mode (sport plus).

I wonder if there are any electronic safeguards built in to prevent one from running it in too hard? Like reducing power above a certain rpm?

I did notice once or twice that it seemed to have a bit of flat spot in the power over 6000 rpm in between 2500km and about 5000km but haven't experienced it since. It was almost like the clutch was slipping or something.

When I used to race motorcross we always judged how well a fresh engine was broken in by the level of goo building up on the exhaust. More was bad, less was good.
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      04-12-2009, 10:34 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dpark22 View Post
I was sort of unsure about flooring car right after break in. felt like the car would undergo a lot of stress even after the 1200 mile service so i did a little research and came up with this..... didn't really see any other thread on this so here ya go.


Quote from: Tim M of M5board.com

I've read lots of posts in this board with owners taking the car out of the dealer straight to the red-line.

You are supposed to gradually increase the rpms and road speed after the first service not go straight to full bore. It is a common mistake made by M owners. If you immediately use full power you are going to need another oil change in 2000 miles due to all the bits of metal floating around in it. The electronic dipstick measures the capacitance of the oil which changes as deposits form. It will alter the miles to oil change service based on the rate of change of capacitance.

Build up to full bore gently, and don't be in too much hurry to get there - always make sure the oil temperature gauge is in the middle before you take it much past 4,000 rpm and your engine won't go pop. It isn't fully run in until 3,000 miles - you've got another 1800 to go. You've also got to be careful of high speed runs as the rest of the drivetrain needs to bed in during this period.

By all means have the odd blast, but reserve the full 8.5k for a few hundred miles down the road. I've run in 6 M engines in the last 6 years and have contact with my regional service manager so I promise I'm not making this up.




I guess I'm going to have to drive a few more miles before I can use the 8.3k rpm...
i don't think we have an oil temperature gauge? the one in the middle is the coolant temperature. i just wait until the computer gives me an oil level reading since the manual states that i won't get a reading until the engine is at a normal temperature..
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      04-12-2009, 03:37 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trier Germany View Post
How many owners Followed the second part of the break in run 1200- 3000 miles?

The owner manual states eingine and road speeds can be increased gradually up to a speed of 135mph/220Kmh. Use the maximum speed only for brief intervals, eg when passing.

Any interpretations to this statement in the owners manual. Does this mean no full throttle and redline in certain gears. Do we have baby the car along for an extra 1800 miles?
i followed it to the tee.
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      04-12-2009, 05:04 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skim View Post
i don't think we have an oil temperature gauge? the one in the middle is the coolant temperature.
That's an oil temperature gauge on the M models - see page 12 of the owner's manual or just look at the little symbol of the oil can on the gauge.

Mike
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      04-12-2009, 05:19 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdernst View Post
That's an oil temperature gauge on the M models - see page 12 of the owner's manual or just look at the little symbol of the oil can on the gauge.

Mike
you are right. my bad
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      01-10-2012, 12:20 AM   #12
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So no one knows if WOT are ok after 1200miles? This sucks, I'm getting my car back tomorrow from the 1200mile service and I don't know if I can WOT it.
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      01-10-2012, 12:41 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfly_M3
So no one knows if WOT are ok after 1200miles? This sucks, I'm getting my car back tomorrow from the 1200mile service and I don't know if I can WOT it.
Just have a good read of your manual and decide for yourself. It recommends building revs and speed gradually after the first service. That's what I'll be doing. Despite the fact I normally take the run it in hard - goes harder approach.
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      01-10-2012, 03:02 AM   #14
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I followed the initial breakin to the letter, but with some advice from I read on the forum. I kept it off the autobann for the first 1200 miles, had alot of engine braking and never let the motor cruise at one type of RPM. It was kinda a big PITA, I didnt mind it, but my wife did not like it. I had the oil change done at 1200 miles, and gave it some good WOT runs from 3 and 4th gear. All the way to 3k I continued to follow the manual, which really only says you are not supposed to cruise above 135 MPH, and to gradually increase your top speed. After 3k, I have taken it almost hit the speed limiter a few times, and have done a hand full of WOT blasts. Oil just changed at 5k miles and sent a sample to blackstone.

Honestly, if you don't abuse your car, let everything warm up you will be fine and follow the first 1200 miles break in procedure you will be fine. If you are in the states I don't see how 1200-3000 mile break in even applies unless you are taking your car to the track. Over here, I had to watch myself and make sure I staying below the recommended speed.
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      01-10-2012, 03:38 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfly_M3 View Post
So no one knows if WOT are ok after 1200miles? This sucks, I'm getting my car back tomorrow from the 1200mile service and I don't know if I can WOT it.
The manual says nothing about limiting WOT. Only for the first 1200 miles does it say "do not depress accelerator all the way". If you read the manual the only guidance for the 1200-3000 miles break in, is to gradual increase speed. It even says top speed is ok for brief over taking maneuvers. So unless you are going to be blasting at 155 MPH, WOT is fine. Just make sure the car is all warmed up.
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      01-10-2012, 09:52 AM   #16
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"Tim M of M5board.com" says

Well if Tim M of M5board.com says that how you do it then you better stick with that.
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