[Soon ExAudi Guy]

What's the break-in period on the 550? Does it differ on the 535? Is anyone breaking in their car differently than what is recommended?

[ibimmer954]

Well, at about the 850 mile mark I got it to about 86 mph in 3rd gear (6MT) trying to pass someone quickly. That *had* to have been over the "supported" 4500 rpm mark, but I wasn't really paying attention. My opinion: Just drive the car.

[raleedy]

Yeah, never mind what the manufacturer recommends. Why would that matter?

[flyinbrian]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Yeah, never mind what the manufacturer recommends. Why would that matter?

Yea, why would a manufacturer recommend you take it easy on a car under warranty. I bet they wish they could increase the break in period way beyond what they state but then people would question it. Vary the RPM and heat cycle the engine a few times and the thing should be good to go. Just saying.

[SkipSauls]

A few years ago I asked a friend, a master Porsche mechanic, about the break-in period on Porsches, etc. He said that there really isn't a good reason to "take it easy" on the car as recommended by the manufacturers, and that they're already broken-in at the factory. The real "reason" for the break-in is to ensure that innocent Americans who've never driven a high-performance car don't kill themselves in the first few miles, which would be a PR nightmare. Over the 1000 mile or whatever period the drivers will get used to the sharper steering, braking, etc. and will likely be "testing" the car by going over the artificially low limits. They'll learn how to handle the car, and will be reasonably well prepared the first time they really open it up.

Note that I'm not suggesting that everyone thrash new cars, but these things aren't going to "break" if you go over the RPM limits. They will easily handle far more than most people will ever be able to dish out, even on the track. It would be far better if BMW would require or offer a "break-in" service at 1500 miles or so to change the oil and check things over than to try to get people to baby the cars.

[ddd269]

Totally agree with the Porsche guy. The manual says to go easy because they want you to get acclimated to the new car. It's a liability/legal issue and not because the car needs to be taken easy.

Babying a car is not recommended on a mechanical point of view. And yes there are conflicting point of view on this even among proffesionals. I for one don't take it easy when new.

Yes these cars are broken in (what ever the minimum is) from the factory and are built with very close tolerances but it helps to expand the piston rings fully to wear evenly along the cylinder walls. The only way to "fully" expand the rings is to accelerate pretty hard... Smoothly. I'm not talking about making your car downshift 2~3 gears type of acceleration while driving, but do it smoothly from stand still. Once the car start rolling, do full throttle runs. The most important thing is to do it after the car is fully warmed up... Not just the motor but the tranny and brakes too. I would change oil after about 300~500 miles. The oil should be pretty contaminated.

There are informations about this "taboo" break-in method. Do some search online. I use this method on all my vehicles (cars, motorcycles) and haven't had any problems whatsoever.

Good luck and enjoy your new car.

[d-rive]

Wow, a lot of mechanics around here.
The car is like a woman, you must prepare the car to obtain the best results. Look at the break-in period like to a prelude And then, you'll be the happiest man on Earth )

[ddd269]

Originally Posted by d-rive

Wow, a lot of mechanics around here.
The car is like a woman, you must prepare the car to obtain the best results. Look at the break-in period like to a prelude And then, you'll be the happiest man on Earth )

What if you're a girl driver? What then?

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by ddd269

What if you're a girl driver? What then?

Put it in Sport + and go for it.

[tk005x]

Originally Posted by ddd269

Not just the motor but the tranny and brakes too. I would change oil after about 300~500 miles. The oil should be pretty contaminated.

I know M models have an oil change required at around 1,200 miles or whatever it is. Do non M models have that service as part of the maintenance plan as well?

[ibimmer954]

Originally Posted by tk005x

I know M models have an oil change required at around 1,200 miles or whatever it is. Do non M models have that service as part of the maintenance plan as well?

No. The first scheduled maintenance is at the one year point or when the computer says you need it (around 15K miles).

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

"Drive it as you will" was the school I came from. I find it very puzzling that these days, manufacturers bring you back for an oil change 5, 8 or sometimes 10,000 kms for an oil change. I would think there's good reason to change the oil after 1,000 or 2,000 kms TOPS.

Has anyone brought their vehicle in for an early oil change?

[ddd269]

Originally Posted by Soon ExAudi Guy

"Drive it as you will" was the school I came from. I find it very puzzling that these days, manufacturers bring you back for an oil change 5, 8 or sometimes 10,000 kms for an oil change. I would think there's good reason to change the oil after 1,000 or 2,000 kms TOPS.

Has anyone brought their vehicle in for an early oil change?

I'm about to go get an oil change at 1500 km, so I asked my service advisor. He said I would have to pay for the "unscheduled" maintenance because it's not covered under the maintenance plan. I have to cough up about $150,000 Chilean Pesos (US$270) if I want it done. I have to look it up in the manual but he said 0-40 oil is the recommended oil.

Not a crazy amount to spend but would like to have seen it as a standard schedule.

[xrayyou]

After I picked up my 911 GT3, I asked the Porsche master technician at my dealership the same question. His response ... "drive it like you stole it".

[d-rive]

911GT3 is not a "normal" 5 series bimmer

[Keto]

If you drive low miles they'll change the oil yearly for free, even if the service indicator doesn't say it's time yet. Beats the ~$150 it is for changing the M...