[Dr Fatpuss]

so i finally got my ride. the car drives way better than i was anticipating. i read the manual and i could not find any break in proceedures. does this mean i can just drive it like i normally would? i just put a very easy 150 miles on her and the brakes feel like they are properly bedded in now. should i let her rip or what? still havnt messed with the modes i have been leaving it in default comfort. How did you guys go about this process or is there even a process?

[Killramos]

It is in your iDrive search too but:

Do not exceed 4000 RPM's for 2000 km, then you can gradually start building the RPMs up to 7000.

DO not kick down your transmission ( not really a problem i a manual) but still dont downshift your car hard up to above 4000 RPM.

Do not exceed 140 km/hr.

Avoid driving for to long of periods at 1 engine speed. Basically city driving is best for this and don't break your car in on a 2000 km road trip across the country driving at 1 speed.

Your brakes should be fine now. You can use sport mode but it makes it easier to go above 4000 so...

This has been beat to death in other threads so i recommend searching.

Some people will disagree with BMW which is what i have listed above and say take your car to the track and beat it in. Your choice whether you beleive people on an internet forum or BMW,

[Killramos]

Oh look what i just found under the section labelled "break in"

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=926883

[Dr Fatpuss]

well guys you know what? the search tool is crap. i put in: "break in" and did not see that thread pop up. Thank you for the link.

[Killramos]

Originally Posted by Dr Fatpuss

well guys you know what? the search tool is crap. i put in: "break in" and did not see that thread pop up. Thank you for the link.

Make sure you check the time period you are searching. That is usually the issue.

[Dr Fatpuss]

thank you for the tip and understanding. Cant wait to put this beast in sport mode lol. you can go fast as hell without exceeding 4k rpm car is great.

[F22santiago]

Originally Posted by Dr Fatpuss

so i finally got my ride. the car drives way better than i was anticipating. i read the manual and i could not find any break in proceedures. does this mean i can just drive it like i normally would? i just put a very easy 150 miles on her and the brakes feel like they are properly bedded in now. should i let her rip or what? still havnt messed with the modes i have been leaving it in default comfort. How did you guys go about this process or is there even a process?

I work at bmw and have discussed this so many times with people from bmw na as well as technicians. Its all bullshit. Lawyers write that.

[Dr Fatpuss]

Originally Posted by F22santiago

I work at bmw and have discussed this so many times with people from bmw na as well as technicians. Its all bullshit. Lawyers write that.

that is what i figured. with all my bikes and cars so far i always bed the brakes and clutch in for maybe 200 miles then let it rip. never had an issue in the past but since i just dropped 50 grand i thought i would ask.

[IDBMW]

In 2005 I went to the BMW plant in South Carolina to a driving school and got to tour the manufacturing line where they built the Z4. They would take the cars off the production line, put it on a dyno looking thing, start it and instantly run it to redline. There is your break in! But I still follow the break in the manufacture recommends for some reason.

[alz0rz]

Exactly.. every car and engine are stress tested by the factory to speeds you would only see on the straight on a track.. and people are worried about break-in! Pshhh...

[dwvcfii]

For what it's worth, back in 1998 when I took delivery of my E36 I asked the lead tech in the shop whether I should baby it for the first 1200 miles (the official break-in time back then). His words?

"It was already broken in at the factory. It was designed to be driven. Just drive it."

I have over 250K on the engine now and it's never consumed measureable oil between changes.

[foamie]

New in the forum and waiting for a recently ordered m235i which has not been allocated yet, so kinda lurking doing research (for mods & pointers from the experience of others).
I'm older now but very much an auto enthusiast that did lots of driver schools, track events and autocrossing but have mellowed a little now

Interesting topic... this break-in stuff, since some people don't seem to think that it is important. Metallurgy, machining, oil quality, tolerances have all been improved to a very high level that these reasons to break-in an engine are cast in doubt.
Let us keep in-mind that there is still a lot of assembly done by humans and no matter how small the difference is, it still exist. There is still some "seating" of parts that has to happen and some metal/debris no matter how little is still shed.

Not trying to change anybody's mind since a 1200 mile "break-in" is like being with the fairer sex that wants it NOW (no rubbers and daddy is a cop) but whose 18th birthday is next week.... would you risk it?