Car Run In

[Maniac]

Hi fellow enthusiasts, I'd just like to solicit your thoughts on running in a brand new car, should you "drive it like you stole it" or "baby it"?2 schools of thought, both with genuine arguments. I'm tempted to go along the lines that we should crank up the juice from day 1. With the bimmer OBC's recording driving styles, and the like, shouldn't we be getting the car used to being driven like a performance vehicle? Then again, there are dire consequences of wrecking parts of the car by not allowing them to ease into operations. Would love to hear your feedback. In the meanwhile, here are some interesting articles for your leisure reading - check out the piston pics in the 1st article:http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htmhttp://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?Breaking%20in%20a%20Diesel%20Engine

 

[astroboy]

I practice both, first 1.5k km was the soft, and the balance 500km was hard..

Aiyaa, if you really want to follow, you should not even use fully synthetic engine oil during run in.

 

[Maniac]

That's true, buddy. How many km's have you logged on your machine now? Any significant items noticed during your initial & subsequent maintenance services?
I'm thinking of investing some of my own $$ for a first oil change & perhaps a filter changeout after about 3000kms, just to clean up whatever gunk's worn in.

...only problem is that I'm not sure I can keep my foot light on the accelerator for the first 1000kms!

Any other break-in tips & tricks for sharing?

 

[Luminor]

mine is a 323i and I am about 800kms now and still a little soft but when cruising i do drop to sports mode and push to about 4500rpm max. Can't wait to cross 1000km and rev to 7k . car is still heavy in gear 1 and 2.

But i test drove the F10 523 today, its done about 3000km, the damn thing was flying in 1st and second feeling very light too.

Hope my engine will behave similarly too:rock:

 

[zhul]

Hi fellow enthusiasts, I'd just like to solicit your thoughts on running in a brand new car, should you "drive it like you stole it" or "baby it"?

2 schools of thought, both with genuine arguments. I'm tempted to go along the lines that we should crank up the juice from day 1. With the bimmer OBC's recording driving styles, and the like, shouldn't we be getting the car used to being driven like a performance vehicle?

Better to follow BMW's recommendation from the manual. It will help to make the car and the engine smoother to drive in the long run.

 

[Maniac]

mine is a 323i and I am about 800kms now and still a little soft but when cruising i do drop to sports mode and push to about 4500rpm max. Can't wait to cross 1000km and rev to 7k . car is still heavy in gear 1 and 2.

But i test drove the F10 523 today, its done about 3000km, the damn thing was flying in 1st and second feeling very light too.

Hope my engine will behave similarly too:rock:

Cool, man. Do share feedback on your machine when you finally crank her into the red zone, whether gears 1 & 2 get lighter. The F10 looks much better in person, pics don't really do it justice. Reckon any of the difference you felt could be due more to the different transmission than the engine?
If you haven't heard, the innovation days are around the corner at your nearest dealership. More opportunities to test drive other models but you gotta wangle an invite.

Better to follow BMW's recommendation from the manual. It will help to make the car and the engine smoother to drive in the long run.

The manual says be gentle, but the SA I chatted with basically said to go for it on day 1, arguing precision tolerances these days on the engine don't need much wear-in, as well as getting the OBC tuned up to driving style early.
In any case, it's hard to be able to do an apple to apple comparison, running hard vs gentle starts, unless we get a chance (and remember) to look at our pistons/seals when we overhaul many moons down the road!

Would appreciate sharing of experiences, if any, thanks!

 

[VKS]

Had my oil change at 2k, 5k and then 10k etc. Was trying to be easy on the beginning but i couldn't control myself so enjoyed the rev since early stage..so far so good and if something gonna happen hope it falls within the warranty period..

 

[Maniac]

Picked up my car yesterday, and just did 60kms on it. The manual says to keep revs below 3500 for its diesel engine, but it's darn hard to do!!!! Can't keep a light foot on the throttle lar with so much torque kick...:biggrin:

Hope I can make it through the run in period without thrashing it around too much!:20:

 

[dmi3]

my 323i is at 4500 km already .
I didnt baby it at all . just drove it normally . no excessive abuse but when i switch to sports mode i kinda loose it a bit ...

I dont think there is a break in period ....just drive normally ..have fun every now n then in sports mode . when it reaches 5k ...then u can probably let it rip

my 2 sense ...my car has no issues ...ur rite bout 1st and 2nd gear being a lil heavy ....thats the beauty of the paddle shift being at ur fingertips

 

[3er]

Have you checked tho odo on the test drive cars? On the Innovation Days drive, the cars are only XXX kms and they have no qualms about letting drivers flooring it. So i think its safe to just go for it. New cars have service inclusive and warranty right? Go ahead and indulge!

 

[zhul]

From my experience, new cars that I properly followed general break-in rules was better to drive well into 100k km. Engine rev was smooth from idle till red line while the ones that didn't follow break-in was just the opposite. Good fuel consumption and power also maintained into high mileages. The BMW is like a top level athlete and I believe proper break-in is crucial to maintain its character throughout its lifetime.

BMW's break-in plan is generous anyway - 150 km/h top speed :top:

 

[docrayboy]

Picked up my car yesterday, and just did 60kms on it. The manual says to keep revs below 3500 for its diesel engine, but it's darn hard to do!!!! Can't keep a light foot on the throttle lar with so much torque kick...:biggrin:

Hope I can make it through the run in period without thrashing it around too much!:20:

Brand new 320d!! Welcome to the lean, mean n green eco warriors clan, maniac bro! Go manic with the 320d torquey engine!!

 

[Maniac]

Brand new 320d!! Welcome to the lean, mean n green eco warriors clan, maniac bro! Go manic with the 320d torquey engine!!

Hey Doc, glad to be part of the group. Nursing her gently at the moment, and just about crossing the 500kms mark. Gear transitions initially felt slightly rough going from 2-3, though that's smoothened out now. Taking her out for another 100+k's ride tonite. She's a real joy ...:rock:

Other than the mechanical bits, I'm also making teeny tiny adjustments everyday to get the best fit into the bucket seats.

 

[Phelddagriff]

Speaking of the bucket seats, is it normal for the car not to retain my settings overnight, or should I speak to my dealer? Every morning, when I climb in the car I find the seats did not retain my previous setting and have gone back to the widest setting. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Maniac]

Hmmm...i don't have that problem. Not sure if the bucket sides are memorised...but if they are, then:
First thing to do is to make sure that you save the settings once you've gotten comfortable with the seat memory settings. Your fob will then remember the setting when you leave. Then, check the OBC setting to configure whether you want it to default to the memorised seat position when you click the fob to open the car, or open the door. Or you can turn off the OBC seat resetting altogether. Hope this helps - let us know whether it makes a difference.

 

[Maniac]

OK I went thru the manual, apparently lumbar support & sides are not memorised, and therefore should retain their last setting. You should go back to your SA if you're seeing it change by itself

 

[Ennui78]

While your engine may already have been run in at the factory - a popular claim by carmakers of late, there are a significant number of parts that may not have such privileges i.e suspension, transmission, the little RM1.4k motor for your windows etc etc

 

[Maniac]

Quick update, just clocked 800k's, and can feel gear shifts from 2-3 start to smoothen out. 1st gear still feels slightly heavy, esp when downshifting. Still keeping the revs low-ish, but have started to push a little harder on the throttle. Top speed to date, 135km/h - savagely fighting the urge to tekan tekan even more.
So far so good. Tires & brakes wearing in quite nicely, though still getting used to the hard RFTs and stiff M-sport suspension - aha..but taking sweeping bends with them at 90km/h is a real joy!:top:
Next step, get to 1500k's then switch to DS full time, and start driving aggressively! Hahahah!

 

[docrayboy]

Quick update, just clocked 800k's, and can feel gear shifts from 2-3 start to smoothen out. 1st gear still feels slightly heavy, esp when downshifting. Still keeping the revs low-ish, but have started to push a little harder on the throttle. Top speed to date, 135km/h - savagely fighting the urge to tekan tekan even more.
So far so good. Tires & brakes wearing in quite nicely, though still getting used to the hard RFTs and stiff M-sport suspension - aha..but taking sweeping bends with them at 90km/h is a real joy!:top:
Next step, get to 1500k's then switch to DS full time, and start driving aggressively! Hahahah!

Your car is so perfectly run in! So much restraint..... only 135km/hr...wow...you must have the patience of a monk!

 

[Maniac]

...you must have the patience of a monk!

Not at all lah doc, can't wait to get thru the break in period. Then I'll join the rempit sessions, and set the maniac inside free.
Read about the Raub trip that you guys had, hope to join the next one!:laugh: