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      01-24-2015, 10:35 AM   #1
semclane
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Breaking in?

Just picked up my 2015 M235i on Thursday from Pacific BMW in Glendale. Unlike Topcat, i'v been waiting 4 months (but then I had the M-Performance Limited Slip installed and I guess the port gets all the simple clean up and deliver cars out of the way before tackling things like that). Also unlike Topcat I drove straight back up I5 as I am suffering from a heavy cold and just wanted to get home.

Anyway I have a couple of questions. I've been reading the break in tips on this forum and when I asked the delivery "instructor" about it he said not to worry, BMW runs earn engine up to the redline after assembly, and that there is also a temporary rev limit installed theta cuts off at 4500-5000 rpm. That limit would be removed when i took the car in for its 1200 mile service. So, the questions are is that lower rev limit actually there? And, has BMW gone to providing for the 1200 mile service so its not at the whim of the dealer?
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      01-24-2015, 10:40 AM   #2
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There is no 1200 service for n55 engine and never heard of rev limiter installed by the dealer on this car.
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      01-24-2015, 10:43 AM   #3
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I pretty sure there is no limiter on the new engine that gets removed at a service.

Manual says not to exceed 4krpm for I believe 1200 miles.

Actually from what I've read on engineering papers it's the gears that also benefit from a break in period. That the metal teeth actually benefit from a casual increase in power.

Also no 1200 mile manufacturer service covered.
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      01-24-2015, 10:43 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gate7 View Post
There is no 1200 service for n55 engine and never heard of rev limiter installed by the dealer on this car.
Agreed.
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      01-24-2015, 10:56 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mvallido
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gate7 View Post
There is no 1200 service for n55 engine and never heard of rev limiter installed by the dealer on this car.
Agreed.
I also attest to this
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      01-24-2015, 11:57 AM   #6
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When I picked up my M135i, it had 4 miles on when I drove out of the showroom, I drove around town and got it warmed up nicely.

At 20 miles or so I came to some traffic lights and proceeded to launch the thing full throttle in the first 4 gears (8AT) right to the redline, didn't run it in at all.

2 years later it's been faultless!
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      01-24-2015, 12:04 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Colinv6 View Post
When I picked up my M135i, it had 4 miles on when I drove out of the showroom, I drove around town and got it warmed up nicely.

At 20 miles or so I came to some traffic lights and proceeded to launch the thing full throttle in the first 4 gears (8AT) right to the redline, didn't run it in at all.

2 years later it's been faultless!
Seems like there are three mindsets, and people swear theirs is right.

1) Slowly break in in gently, upping the rpms as you get closer to 1k miles.

2) Don't do anything special, just drive normally. i.e don't go out of your way to be either gentle, nor aggressive.

3) hit it hard from day one, drive her like you hate her.

I've always done (1), never had engine or trans problems. I'm leaning more towards (2) this time with my 228i. (3) scares me, but I have friends who do it and never seem to have problems.

In the end, I suspect it just doesn't matter any more. I've read that BMW intentionlly seats the rings in the factory by revving it up before the car even gets out the door. I dunno if this is true or not. Anyone have any verification?

p.s. I bet there are over a thousand posts on this topic here on BimmerPost. Search if you want to see thousands and thousands of random people's opinions ;-)
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      01-24-2015, 12:11 PM   #8
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When I picked up my car at the welt I was told by bmw don't go over 100 mph for 1000 miles, and I signed a piece of paper indicating that and indicating the 1200 mile service. So I will be taking that paper to the dealer and getting service done.
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      01-24-2015, 12:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smitty16s View Post
When I picked up my car at the welt I was told by bmw don't go over 100 mph for 1000 miles, and I signed a piece of paper indicating that and indicating the 1200 mile service. So I will be taking that paper to the dealer and getting service done.
Let us know the outcome of your 1200 mile service.
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      01-24-2015, 01:17 PM   #10
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I've got 343 miles on mine
  • Easier braking first 300 miles
  • Nothing over 4500 rpm's till 1200 miles.
These two rules have served me well over 6 new bmw's...
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Last edited by midwest 340xi 6sp; 01-25-2015 at 10:40 AM..
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      01-24-2015, 01:40 PM   #11
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Just did a little "test" running it up to the redline in first gear. No artificial redline so I'll just keep it below 4500 for the rest of the 1200 mile period. I'll take it to my local independent BMW shop at that point for an oil and filter change and see if they can change the diff fluid by sucking the old oil out through the fill hole. While Pacific BMW might be one of the dealers who does a 1200 mile service, I don't suspect that my local dealer would do it for a car purchased somewhere else.
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      01-24-2015, 01:48 PM   #12
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It's not just the engine your breaking in don't forget the brakes
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      01-24-2015, 01:49 PM   #13
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I wouldn't change rear diff fluid so soon unless you have good info otherwise.
Why not use drain hole in diff- is there not a drain hole? But yes always remove fill hole first.
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      01-24-2015, 04:30 PM   #14
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I am continually fascinated with those who love to tout if not brag about not following the engineers recco's on break-in. Amazing...whether it works for you or not, there is [as stated above very well, and I wish to repeat] there is a LOT more than just engines being red-lined and driven like they are stolen out the lot. The entire drive train, diffs, and brakes are needing time and miles to mate up.

I also have had a lot of new Bimmers, and going by the book...so to speak...has always fared well. When done as recco'd??, well the power just comes on and keeps coming on later. Love it. But this is just one voice.
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      01-25-2015, 12:07 AM   #15
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I've had around 20 to 25 cars over the years and the 'decent' car manuf almost all pre 'drive in' their vehicles these days.

Regardless of this when it comes to performance cars this is my current personal preference -

1. First 150 to 300km drive a bit more carefully, wearing in brakes and moving parts
2. Next few hundred km drive normally until you feel the car is ready to be pushed more and more,
3. After this drive as you wish to drive, be sure to push it also though... it is a performance car and made for it... otherwise why buy it?
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      01-25-2015, 12:15 AM   #16
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Just do what the manufacture says would you want to pay out on a warranty claim if the car is not run for a period and has not be adhered to.

Only BMW staff can advise the correct method.
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      01-25-2015, 01:14 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by semclane View Post
Just did a little "test" running it up to the redline in first gear. No artificial redline so I'll just keep it below 4500 for the rest of the 1200 mile period. I'll take it to my local independent BMW shop at that point for an oil and filter change and see if they can change the diff fluid by sucking the old oil out through the fill hole. While Pacific BMW might be one of the dealers who does a 1200 mile service, I don't suspect that my local dealer would do it for a car purchased somewhere else.
Sucking oil out of fill hole? First time I heard of such thing. Do they have a special vacuum that does this?
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      01-25-2015, 01:27 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mvallido View Post
Sucking oil out of fill hole? First time I heard of such thing. Do they have a special vacuum that does this?
Agree, he will loose his warranty as diffs are sealed by BMW and car should be serviced by his dealer or any other BMW dealer but not none certified dealers.
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      01-25-2015, 01:56 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi View Post
Just do what the manufacture says would you want to pay out on a warranty claim if the car is not run for a period and has not be adhered to.

Only BMW staff can advise the correct method.
Agreed, as mentioned just my personal preference.

Anything goes wrong BMW motorplan covers it... only if you mod will they cancel it and make you pay...
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      01-25-2015, 02:29 AM   #20
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But only if the mod caused the problem. They can't void your warranty simply because you modded the car.
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      01-25-2015, 02:43 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com View Post
But only if the mod caused the problem. They can't void your warranty simply because you modded the car.
They void the entire warranty and motorplan here if they pick up any performance enhancing mod...
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      01-25-2015, 03:03 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1-BMW-35i View Post
They void the entire warranty and motorplan here if they pick up any performance enhancing mod...
Agree warranty will be void and I don't blame BMW. I buy all BMW products and get BMW to install, it's then covered by BMW for 5 years.
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