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So my E46 has 600 miles and I've semi-punched it once, driven moderately aggressively a handful of times...am I just asking for problems? I'd say that 90% of the time I'm driving like a grandma, but I can't seem to contain myself 10% of the time...
now...I've never personally had a new car to break in...but I do believe that if it has 600 miles on it...you do need to break it in further by driving like a grandma and keeping that shit under 3 500 rpm.
Think of the engine...and the future of the car. It's worth it.
Yeah, I know I have to break it in further...just frustrating and difficult (literally) to keep it under the recommended 5500 RPM. They also recommend not full-throttling before 1200 miles.
BTW, do any other E46 owners hear buzzing/rattling from the front speakers at high volume? My bass level is just a tad over middle, and I even have the fader towards the back a few notches...I the HK system, btw.
I was being a bit facetious with the (literally) part...I guess I need to do a testosterone-check whenever I'm at a stop-light with other cars lined up.... =P
I am very interested in this question as I will pick up my 330 ZHP in Munich this July and I am anxious to really drive it in the alsp and on the autobahn. My experience test driving was that this engine likes to/needs to rev. I test drove several different ZHPs - some with very very few miles where the dealer requested that i keep the revs under 5K - and - for the most part I did. Then I drove one that was a bit more broken in and I was given no restrictions - it was like night and day! Really truly - the car only really did shine when I could wind it out. So this is my dilema...sure I want to break the car in right - but I want to have fun with it in Europe while I'm there. I shoudl also add that with [ast cars I have tended to start opening them up at around 500 miles - not 1500 or 2500 as BMW calls for (not exactly sure what they officially proscribe) - and I fel that to teach an engine to flex a bit early on is a good thing. My experience is that my cars seem to rev better and faster then identical cars...subjective perhaps - but it does seem this way. So i am interested in the rational for why one must baby the car early on - and for how long..and just what might be considered acceptable? And what might be the consequences of pushing it too hard too early?
__________________ <span style='color:gray'>Current rides:</span>
<span style='color:red'>2004 BMW 330i Sedan - Performance Package - Imola red - Alcantara, moonroof, cold weather, Bi-Xenons, silver cube trim</span>
<span style='color:blue'>2001 Audi S4 Avant - Nogaro Blue with Alcantara seating - APR chipped, lowered and otherwise modded</span>
<span style='colorurple'>1964 1/2 Mustang Convertable - Vintage Burgundy - 289 4 barrel V8 - 51K original miles - unrestored & near mint</span>
I tend to lean towards the "flexing early" direction because it follows with the whole mantra of not keeping RPMs constant for long periods of time during the break-in period. The whole point is that you don't want the engine to get "comfortable" at only one RPM. Along that line, do you want an engine to get "comfortable" only under 5500 RPM when you plan on pushing it hard once in a while in the future?
I understand fully the need to let newly machined engine parts settle and smooth themselves out (hence not using synthetic oil during the break-in period), but with technology nowadays, I'm wondering how detrimental it really is to run it hard once in a while. Is this BMW's attempt to limit their warranty obligations? (i.e. you didn't break it in properly, so...)
breaking in a car is very important, they tell you to take it easy for a reason. drive it nice and cool at first, then gradually step it up, as the miles climb. just take it easy and dont floor it from A to B
My manual says 1200 miles is the break in period. My sales rep said 500 miles, don't go over 100, don't floor it off the line and don't use the cruise control. Vary the speeds as much as possible.
I drove streets, freeways, slow, fast (80-90), accelerated from 30 to 80 quickly a couple of times, drove during the day, at night, etc. I did bang out a couple of quick turns but 95% just took it easy as far as acceleration is concerned.
I want my car to last a long time and be reliable as possible. I heard (on this board somewhere) that some dealers deny claims based on improper break in.
It's just a short period of time to control your impulses. For the money we paid, and for reduced future costs of repairs, it seems a small price to pay.
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urple'>1964 1/2 Mustang Convertable - Vintage Burgundy - 289 4 barrel V8 - 51K original miles - unrestored & near mint</span> 
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