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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB Are you following the 1200 mile break-in recommendations?

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      06-29-2016, 02:03 PM   #23
rainfall
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The break in procedure is not just about making the car last long. It is also about making it run smoothly.

I'm sure most of you guys know, but when the pieces are new (engine, transmission etc) the pieces fit "too tight". It's like two surfaces of rock with small imperfections. If you drag the rocks smoothly, they'll wear smoothly and fit smoothly in the long run. But if you intensely drag one piece against the other, the small pieces will wear out in bigger pieces and the points of contacts won't be that smooth.

It depends on how much you care about the gear shifts and other stuff be smooth (and up to what point). It will run fine if you don't do a perfect break in, but it will run better if you do. Perhaps this is not noticeable for most people

Sellers have this bias of saying that the engines are "bullet proof" or "broken in from factory" because they have no incentive to say otherwise. They sell test driven cars.

But think about it: how much would it cost to BMW to do the break in procedure for you? Break in only works when most of the pieces are together. We're talking about 800-1200 miles from factory,... gasoline, etc...
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      06-29-2016, 09:00 PM   #24
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You must be a perfectionist! I like that attitude.
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      07-03-2016, 06:38 AM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmer813 View Post
This is debated and will be debated forever. I broke my car in hard, doing full in-gear pulls once the car was warm.

Is this good for the car or not? Who knows. All scientific analysis I've read says it will help set the piston rings.

I'm no expert, but I know my 135i put down stupid big stock numbers on a dyno with 2k miles on it, as did a friend's 335i who did the same thing. A friend with a 435i who broke his in softly put down less than the average of what you see on the forums.

I went hard on my M235i. Also, it's a lease. Hah.
This. My previous new car (Megane RS265) I was hitting the limiter by the time it had 35km on the odo.

Next dyno day it put down the most power of any stock car and even the dyno operator came over and said "This thing has been driven hard from new hasn't it...?" Apparently he could feel the difference in how hard it pulled.

When my new M235i arrives in August, it'll be the same deal
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      07-26-2016, 06:26 PM   #26
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I need to do a break-in fluid change.
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      07-27-2016, 02:45 PM   #27
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So, based on the above, after I pick up my 230i from the Welt this fall and head to the autobahn, maybe I don't have to worry about burying it right away! That's welcome news for a Wednesday!
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      08-14-2016, 04:09 AM   #28
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Yes I am trying to follow the break-in period. For the very first full tank I was driving my car in Eco Pro 90% and maintaining revs mostly under 2000rpm. I have made occasional pulls where the revs go up to about 3500rpm. I am currently at about 800km on the odo and on my 2nd tank of gas I have driven the car in mostly comfort mode and about 25% in sport mode. With sport mode I have been revving the rpm up to about 4000rpm mark. I have not held back in comfort mode and ensured that I have been driving with shifts ranging from 1500rpm to 3500rpm steadily. I have been revving the engine up to 4000rpm mark and once made it go to 4200rpm (oops getting real close to the 4500rpm mark!). My 3rd tank of gas which I'm on right now I am revving up to about 3000rpm.

(Canadian manual suggests break-in period of up to 2000 km)

6MT RWD. Not sure what octane first tank was but 2nd and 3rd tank is octane 93.
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      08-14-2016, 08:49 PM   #29
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Nice car, mine is the same spec and color plus Harman Kardon and heated seats [manual transmission of course]. Mine won't get here for another 10-12 days but I kind of plan and riving it pretty hard from the get go. How did you get the darker grey wheels????
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      08-21-2016, 07:37 AM   #30
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Break-IN STYLE -- Don't over baby

Many new German engines uses MOS2 coated chamfered rings running in Alusil bores. A very difficult break in regime. This is why a break-in oil is used because with LL-01 oils you will never achieve true break in. They protect too well & you will have an oil burner for life (rings wont properly seat).

It is known not to over baby these engines during break-in as long as temperature does not rise above normal. Avoid constant throttle for long periods of time ~ is the main thing along with Revs below 5k.

.
.
I purchased my car with 15k miles so it is unknown as to what break-in style was used -- I do sleep at night.
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      08-23-2016, 10:06 PM   #31
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I just changed my oil for the first time at 1,400 miles with Mobil1 0W-40
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      08-23-2016, 10:41 PM   #32
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Always take it easy for the first 1000 miles. Any new car should be driven gently for the first few weeks.
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      08-24-2016, 04:57 PM   #33
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I followed the break in procedure the majority of the time, always in sport more and short shifting at 3-3.5K. After the break in period I drove some mountain roads at 4-6K and it really gives you the fizz .

Just hit 1200 miles a few weeks back and changed the oil. Sent it off for testing and plan to do it at every oil change. More so out of interest so I know if it's worth doing in future.

Will post the results once I get them.
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      09-03-2016, 04:32 PM   #34
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Some manufacturers use "break in" oil on engines delivered new and it actually a bad idea to change oil before the first regular interval

Anyone know if BMW does anything like that with the 230 or M240?

I know VW has done this in the past. particularly with diesels
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      10-06-2016, 02:43 AM   #35
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Ok, so I did the 1200 mile (2000km) break in oil change but I wasn't able to get an appointment until I had actually driven 2600km (approx 1615 miles) is it too late or am I just being paranoid for nothing?
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      10-06-2016, 05:10 AM   #36
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Ha, I have almost the same car/options. My CA said don't worry about any break in, I'm at about 600 miles for my first 10 days, I haven't driven it really hard but have run it up to 68k rpm a couple of times
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      10-06-2016, 05:38 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F1HAMMY View Post
Ha, I have almost the same car/options. My CA said don't worry about any break in, I'm at about 600 miles for my first 10 days, I haven't driven it really hard but have run it up to 68k rpm a couple of times
68k RPM? Shit I want your motor! Personally, I'm not being over hard on the motor, took it up to 5k once but otherwise staying below 4500rpm because should something happen and I need to claim the warranty for whatever reason, I don't want to be responsible for the $20k engine swap.
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      10-06-2016, 05:43 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpnh View Post
Some manufacturers use "break in" oil on engines delivered new and it actually a bad idea to change oil before the first regular interval

Anyone know if BMW does anything like that with the 230 or M240?

I know VW has done this in the past. particularly with diesels
My SA said that there's no need to do the 1200 mile oil change and to just go to 10k like BMW recommends. I don't like running oil in a brand new motor longer than 1000-1500 miles so I'm going to do it myself when I hit it, but after that I will do the normal 10k intervals that they recommend.

But to answer your question, from the sounds of it BMW uses normal oil from the start so shouldn't be a problem changing it early.
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      10-06-2016, 08:51 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe240 View Post
My SA said that there's no need to do the 1200 mile oil change and to just go to 10k like BMW recommends. I don't like running oil in a brand new motor longer than 1000-1500 miles so I'm going to do it myself when I hit it, but after that I will do the normal 10k intervals that they recommend.

But to answer your question, from the sounds of it BMW uses normal oil from the start so shouldn't be a problem changing it early.
Yep, I'll be doing a 1200 mile oil change and a drain and fill on the tranny and diff as well just for good measure
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