I just got my 335i , How LONG IS break in period?

prcentauri · 12-23-2006, 10:14 AM

what exactly is the rationale behind the notion that a soft break in will result in an underpowered car or otherwise unacceptable outcome?

Dannys M3 · 12-23-2006, 10:57 PM

I just participated in a dyno last week. Some cars were broken in hard, some were broken in normal. All cars were within 5-10 hp. Take that for what its worth.

Jonmartin · 12-24-2006, 05:30 AM

Break in ends at the end of the dealership driveway.....

at least for me anyway

Batmobile · 01-07-2007, 10:46 AM

The salesman that sold my car told me there is no such thing as engine brake in. He said if you want to go 210 with the car as soon as you leave the dealer then there is no problem. He said all you have to becarefull for the first 2500km miles, is that you dont stay on the same gear for a long time.

When I got home I read the manual and it said to keep it under 4000rpm or 160km/h for the first 2500km. I called the salesman, and he said dont worry, you can push the car all you want, just dont stay on same gear for a long time...

Is this salesman crazy?

scottwww · 01-07-2007, 11:03 AM

I'm at only about 300 miles so far on my odometer. I'm not very good at keeping the tach under 4500 rpm. It just goes to 5000 before it feels right to shift gears (and that's without hot rodding). I'll cruise at anwywhere from 2500 to 3500 rpm (the best gas mileage is in the lower range 2000 to 2500 rpm). Am I harming my engine by not strictly keeping it under control?

This is not a leased car. If my history is any indicator, I will probably drive it for 10 years and over 100,000 miles before I sell her. I plan to have the oil changed after 1200 miles.

Hard break-in advocates should probably stick to rebuilt engines. They probably lost their opportunity for the benefits (if there really is any) for hard break-in because the car was driven a few miles before they got it, and it was dyno'd at the factory. What I have read about hard break-in (I don't claim any experience in this) is that it is important to follow the steps immediately after first engine warmup.

sflgator · 01-07-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batmobile

The salesman that sold my car told me there is no such thing as engine brake in. He said if you want to go 210 with the car as soon as you leave the dealer then there is no problem. He said all you have to becarefull for the first 2500km miles, is that you dont stay on the same gear for a long time.

When I got home I read the manual and it said to keep it under 4000rpm or 160km/h for the first 2500km. I called the salesman, and he said dont worry, you can push the car all you want, just dont stay on same gear for a long time...

Is this salesman crazy?

No. he's not crazy. Although there's A LOT of debate on break-in, many feel that BMW is taking the CYA attitude on this; hence, they tell you about "recommended" break-in for the first 1,200 mi. in the owner's manual. Upon delivery, my CA just told me to keep it under 100mph and vary the rpm for the first 500 mi.

bnj · 01-07-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prcentauri

what exactly is the rationale behind the notion that a soft break in will result in an underpowered car or otherwise unacceptable outcome?

The rationale is that having heavy accelerations and decelerations when the engine is new, the pressure pushes the piston rings towards the cylinder walls to provide better sealing or fit between them. The cylinder walls are not 100% round after torqueing the head to its place. (For this reason torqueing the head should not be tightened too much.) The momentum disappears fast as the cylinder walls have only very slight patterns in them to slightly hone / seat the piston rings. The patterns in cylinder walls get disappeared / filled in with burned oil after a couple of hundred miles.

That's the reasoning for the hard break in. The engine should be a bit more healthy and consume less oil. A healthy engine should produce a couple of more hp as well. So not a big deal.

Driver72 · 01-07-2007, 07:05 PM

Hmmm, believe the salesman or the engineers who designed and BUILT the engine. Hmmm tough call.

The rationale behind the soft break in will result in an underpowered car is simple: BMW and every other auto manufacturer has hired high school drop outs who are homeless to design, spec, build and test their engines....then hire their little sisters to write the "break in procedure" in the owner's manual just to get a laugh. LOL

I personally subscribe to the way the owner's manual and hence the brilliant engine designers/engineers intended the break in to be.
However, I am also a "youngish" adrenaline filled male who can't help himself and occasionally induldges in a brief run to redline.

bnj · 01-07-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver72

Hmmm, believe the salesman or the engineers who designed and BUILT the engine. Hmmm tough call.

The rationale behind the soft break in will result in an underpowered car is simple: BMW and every other auto manufacturer has hired high school drop outs who are homeless to design, spec, build and test their engines....then hire their little sisters to write the "break in procedure" in the owner's manual just to get a laugh. LOL

I personally subscribe to the way the owner's manual and hence the brilliant engine designers/engineers intended the break in to be.
However, I am also a "youngish" adrenaline filled male who can't help himself and occasionally induldges in a brief run to redline.

LOL Prcentauri just asked the rationale... My post was that, not an advice. Nobody should listen to me as I'm not going by the book myself when it comes to e.g. activating DTC, timing of the first oil change, engine break in, or "read the manual first"... (Though I don't believe that a bunch of homeless wrote it

) What bothers me a little is that I don't know what is the exact technical rationale behind the manual suggested break in. Could someone tell me please.

ORL335i · 01-07-2007, 08:02 PM

My break in consists of not using the cruise control for 1,000 miles, trying not to exceed 5,000 RPM for the first 500 miles. After 500 miles I don't sweat it, I drive it how it will be driven, I'll definately be exploring it's limits after 500 miles.

It'll get it's first oil change and at 5,000 miles and subsequent changes at every 7,000 or so at the dealer.

I've never had a problem with doing it this way, I've never had a car that uses oil and they tend to be more responsive IMO. I've owned quite a few factory turbo cars, mostly highly modified VW's, an 06 GMC Duramax Dually and a modified stage 2 05 Subaru Legacy GT wagon that's a little quicker than a 335i.

I've owned a few NA Bimmers, most recently an 01 X5 3.0 which went well over 100k miles with no real break in procedures when it was new either - that thing never used a drop between changes.

I ordered my 335i sedan last week, BMW finally made something worth buying.

trekster · 01-07-2007, 08:40 PM

So what's the typical oil change for these cars 7,000 miles? Obviously do the first oil change between 700-1200 miles. With my current even though it's synthetic oil, I still change my oil every 3000 miles.

MichaelATL · 01-08-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxx_mina

Thats how i broke in my last engine (3SGTE) ... it works fine but you gotta do it from the first time the engine ever starts.... turn it on, gun it , let off the gas but dont clutch... go up to 5k then down to 2k then up to 6k then down to 2k then up to 7k and down to 2k.... do that for like 20 minutes, then get back , do an oil change and then do it some for for 200-300 miles...first day i got it, i took it straight to orlando 275 miles... just doing that the whole way up... i waisted soo much gas... got there did an oil change and then brought it back... but i couldnt do it this time

.... so i've been keeping it under 5k for now... i got it monday, today is wednesday and i already have 450 miles on it... i am gonna give it another 150 miles , then iam just gonna start driving it faster... and once i hit 1200, ill do the oil change... i think a soft break in can ruin a motor... i did a soft break in on my R1 and it never felt right...

Mina

that's probably the dumbest thing i've ever heard. lol.

ORL335i · 01-08-2007, 05:03 PM

BMW Oil change intervals are determined by those little service lights (green/yellow/red), typically 15,000 miles between changes if you can believe it. That's how it worked on my old X5, only when the little service lights hit the last yellow or red will the dealer change the oil free of charge which equaled about 15,000 miles on the X5.

I cut that about in half and change it every 5k to 7k miles, well within the limits of synthetic oil - my old 01 X5 3.0 had over 120,000 miles on it and never used a drop between changes. 3,000 interval between changes with synthetic is way too often IMO.

My turbo vehicles have the same change intervals.

Panoz · 01-09-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxx_mina

Thats how i broke in my last engine (3SGTE) ... it works fine but you gotta do it from the first time the engine ever starts.... turn it on, gun it , let off the gas but dont clutch... go up to 5k then down to 2k then up to 6k then down to 2k then up to 7k and down to 2k.... do that for like 20 minutes, then get back , do an oil change and then do it some for for 200-300 miles...first day i got it, i took it straight to orlando 275 miles... just doing that the whole way up... i waisted soo much gas... got there did an oil change and then brought it back... but i couldnt do it this time

.... so i've been keeping it under 5k for now... i got it monday, today is wednesday and i already have 450 miles on it... i am gonna give it another 150 miles , then iam just gonna start driving it faster... and once i hit 1200, ill do the oil change... i think a soft break in can ruin a motor... i did a soft break in on my R1 and it never felt right...

Mina

You cant be serioua!!! Who told you that? He must be definitely kidding on you

DocRoss · 01-09-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannys 335i

I just participated in a dyno last week. Some cars were broken in hard, some were broken in normal. All cars were within 5-10 hp. Take that for what its worth.

Harder skewed more towards the 5-10 hp gain? Just interested.

scottwww · 01-09-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panoz

You cant be serioua!!! Who told you that? He must be definitely kidding on you

It's been a couple months since I read through the website, but see this web:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ado

I'm guessing alot of you don't know how to break in your car

Here are the Break In Secrets: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Drive it like you stole it

I think it has very little application to new BMW cars since you cannot follow the process described here. It looked to me that it needed to be freshly built. The dyno testing and the little driving that would take place between the factory and your home would go against the hard break-in script. And the hard break-in described on this website is for motorcyle racing engines.

I think a better question than whether to do a hard break-in is how soft should the break-in be? I haven't been able to just baby this baby along. She's a hot babe! And ready to go!

jase700 · 01-14-2007, 12:29 AM

I actually just got back from the two day performance driving school in South Carolina (awesome by the way).

Asked one of the instructors this exact question.

"only M cars need to be broken in" he said. He also said that you do not need to change the oil after 1200 miles.

We got to drive all the big M cars and in each one of them there is a "break in" sticker on the upper left of the windshield that says exactly what you should and shouldn't do until 1200 miles.

scottwww · 01-14-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase700

I actually just got back from the two day performance driving school in South Carolina (awesome by the way).

Asked one of the instructors this exact question.

"only M cars need to be broken in" he said. He also said that you do not need to change the oil after 1200 miles.

We got to drive all the big M cars and in each one of them there is a "break in" sticker on the upper left of the windshield that says exactly what you should and shouldn't do until 1200 miles.

It's off topic, but what did you think of the cars you drove and how did the 335i stack up?

335Black · 01-15-2007, 02:22 PM

Do you guys read your owners manual?
THe cars will tell you when its time for a service, typically somewhere between 10 and 15k just depending on how you driver the car.
Yes you can get your dealership to give you an oil service at anytime but warranty will only pay for one when the service indicator says or if you have been over a year since your last one.
I just went over my 1500 mile mark and I am going to change the oil in the car, I have to pay for it. Only the M cars require the 1200 mile service.
Way too much time spent on this topic in too many threads.

12-23-2006, 10:14 AM	#23
prcentauri Private First Class 7 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC, Michigan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 BMW E46 (SOLD) [0.00] 2007 BMW E90 (SOLD) [0.00] 2010 BMW E90 (SOLD) [0.00] 2013 BMW E92 is [2.00]	what exactly is the rationale behind the notion that a soft break in will result in an underpowered car or otherwise unacceptable outcome? __________________
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12-23-2006, 10:57 PM	#24
Dannys M3 Captain 73 Rep 732 Posts Drives: Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 M3 [10.00]	I just participated in a dyno last week. Some cars were broken in hard, some were broken in normal. All cars were within 5-10 hp. Take that for what its worth.
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12-24-2006, 05:30 AM	#25
Jonmartin Banned 124 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angles (818) iTrader: (1)	Break in ends at the end of the dealership driveway..... at least for me anyway
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01-07-2007, 10:46 AM	#26
Batmobile First Lieutenant 52 Rep 383 Posts Drives: F30 335i m performance edition Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Brake in Period The salesman that sold my car told me there is no such thing as engine brake in. He said if you want to go 210 with the car as soon as you leave the dealer then there is no problem. He said all you have to becarefull for the first 2500km miles, is that you dont stay on the same gear for a long time. When I got home I read the manual and it said to keep it under 4000rpm or 160km/h for the first 2500km. I called the salesman, and he said dont worry, you can push the car all you want, just dont stay on same gear for a long time... Is this salesman crazy?
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01-07-2007, 11:03 AM	#27
scottwww Brigadier General 547 Rep 4,760 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i, 15 Infiniti Q60S Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I'm at only about 300 miles so far on my odometer. I'm not very good at keeping the tach under 4500 rpm. It just goes to 5000 before it feels right to shift gears (and that's without hot rodding). I'll cruise at anwywhere from 2500 to 3500 rpm (the best gas mileage is in the lower range 2000 to 2500 rpm). Am I harming my engine by not strictly keeping it under control? This is not a leased car. If my history is any indicator, I will probably drive it for 10 years and over 100,000 miles before I sell her. I plan to have the oil changed after 1200 miles. Hard break-in advocates should probably stick to rebuilt engines. They probably lost their opportunity for the benefits (if there really is any) for hard break-in because the car was driven a few miles before they got it, and it was dyno'd at the factory. What I have read about hard break-in (I don't claim any experience in this) is that it is important to follow the steps immediately after first engine warmup. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i E92, Montego Blue on Cream Beige, MT, ZSP, ZPP, CA, PDC, CWP and Style 188 for winter Last edited by scottwww; 01-07-2007 at 09:20 PM..
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01-07-2007, 07:05 PM	#30
Driver72 Brigadier General 351 Rep 4,484 Posts Drives: 335i - to new owners now. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Hmmm, believe the salesman or the engineers who designed and BUILT the engine. Hmmm tough call. The rationale behind the soft break in will result in an underpowered car is simple: BMW and every other auto manufacturer has hired high school drop outs who are homeless to design, spec, build and test their engines....then hire their little sisters to write the "break in procedure" in the owner's manual just to get a laugh. LOL I personally subscribe to the way the owner's manual and hence the brilliant engine designers/engineers intended the break in to be. However, I am also a "youngish" adrenaline filled male who can't help himself and occasionally induldges in a brief run to redline.
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01-07-2007, 08:02 PM	#32
ORL335i New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	My break in consists of not using the cruise control for 1,000 miles, trying not to exceed 5,000 RPM for the first 500 miles. After 500 miles I don't sweat it, I drive it how it will be driven, I'll definately be exploring it's limits after 500 miles. It'll get it's first oil change and at 5,000 miles and subsequent changes at every 7,000 or so at the dealer. I've never had a problem with doing it this way, I've never had a car that uses oil and they tend to be more responsive IMO. I've owned quite a few factory turbo cars, mostly highly modified VW's, an 06 GMC Duramax Dually and a modified stage 2 05 Subaru Legacy GT wagon that's a little quicker than a 335i. I've owned a few NA Bimmers, most recently an 01 X5 3.0 which went well over 100k miles with no real break in procedures when it was new either - that thing never used a drop between changes. I ordered my 335i sedan last week, BMW finally made something worth buying.
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01-07-2007, 08:40 PM	#33
trekster LV2XLR8 4 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Cadillac CTS-V Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Downey,CA iTrader: (0)	So what's the typical oil change for these cars 7,000 miles? Obviously do the first oil change between 700-1200 miles. With my current even though it's synthetic oil, I still change my oil every 3000 miles. __________________ Ordered on 1/2/07 Montego Blue BMW 335i Coupe Black W/Dakota Leather Interior/Gray Poplar Wood Trim Steptronic,Paddles,Premium,Sports,A.Steering, Comfort, Heated Seats,Shade,PDC,Navi. ETA:12 Weeks
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01-08-2007, 05:03 PM	#35
ORL335i New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	BMW Oil change intervals are determined by those little service lights (green/yellow/red), typically 15,000 miles between changes if you can believe it. That's how it worked on my old X5, only when the little service lights hit the last yellow or red will the dealer change the oil free of charge which equaled about 15,000 miles on the X5. I cut that about in half and change it every 5k to 7k miles, well within the limits of synthetic oil - my old 01 X5 3.0 had over 120,000 miles on it and never used a drop between changes. 3,000 interval between changes with synthetic is way too often IMO. My turbo vehicles have the same change intervals.
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01-14-2007, 12:29 AM	#39
jase700 New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2007 335i (coming soon) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Washington DC Area iTrader: (0)	I actually just got back from the two day performance driving school in South Carolina (awesome by the way). Asked one of the instructors this exact question. "only M cars need to be broken in" he said. He also said that you do not need to change the oil after 1200 miles. We got to drive all the big M cars and in each one of them there is a "break in" sticker on the upper left of the windshield that says exactly what you should and shouldn't do until 1200 miles.
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01-15-2007, 02:22 PM	#41
335Black 335Black 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2007 335 Sedan Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Jax, FL iTrader: (0)	Do you guys read your owners manual? THe cars will tell you when its time for a service, typically somewhere between 10 and 15k just depending on how you driver the car. Yes you can get your dealership to give you an oil service at anytime but warranty will only pay for one when the service indicator says or if you have been over a year since your last one. I just went over my 1500 mile mark and I am going to change the oil in the car, I have to pay for it. Only the M cars require the 1200 mile service. Way too much time spent on this topic in too many threads.
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