I know questions like these have been done to death, but:

I just traded in my '03 Cooper, which I purchased new, for a new MCS, on which I've put about 450 miles. I've kept to city driving while waiting for the invisible bra to be applied. It was a couple of days ago, so I took it on the highway today for the first time. Now, I've been careful about revs, etc., since it's breaking-in, but, being still new to the 6-speed gearbox, and never having driven past 4th gear, today I was practicing and, by mistake (obviously) intended to shift from 4th to 5th but by mistake downshifted from 4th to 3rd, with the revs surging to 5k. Of course the manual says to keep it below 4500 revs during the first 1200 miles, and I've never even been near that. Until today. My (paranoid) question is, do I have anything to be concerned about? The car seems fine, made no scary noises or anything, other than the engine surging from a little over 3K to 5K. Am I o.k.? (Yes, I know, don't make a habit of doing this).

I've driven a MINI for over 7 years and I feel like an idiot.

Thanks,

paddy

 

It will be fine.. I use to work for a new car dealer years ago and the salesmen ran the crap out of cars.Never saw any bad come from it.I now it makes you sick tho.

 

Thanks, lathedog, I think you understand how I feel. I was just, "geez, I've had the car a week and I've already hurt it!" I'm taking it out for it's first lengthy run tomorrow and I hope I won't dwell on this. As I said, it seems fine and I'm sure it is, but, you know, I can't help being angry with myself. I'm normally extremely careful about these things, and I'm just kicking myself. MINI's are special, and I try to treat them as such.

 

If it was absolutely imperative that you keep it below 4500 rpm, they would probably program it so that it wouldn't let you (the Ford GT500 limits boost pressure for a while, for instance). MINI doesn't want a ton of warranty claims, if avoidable. It's just a basic guideline. Tons of cars go over 4500rpm before 1200 miles. For instance, all the MINIs I test drove before buying one.

 

Appreciate the reassurance. I tend to be ultra-conservative about these things, now especially as I intend to keep MINI for awhile, and I just don't want to screw anything up. I feel like a bit of a dummy, and, being neurotic, I worry these things to death. She's my new baby and I don't want to do anything to hurt her. But, thankfully, she seems unperturbed. As I said, I do try to be careful about these things and it was inadvertent. It's just, you know, it's new and everything...I don't want to do anything stupid (which is difficult for me).

Thanks.

 

As the others have said, don't worry about it, it's going to be fine. During my break-in period I had the engine RPMs up to 5k a few times, mostly because the acceleration in 2nd and 3rd was so addicting. No harm, no foul. Don't beat yourself up either. It's a MINI, you're supposed to have fun!

 

silouhette88 and all others who have been kind enough to respond,

Thank you. I used to be a regular on this forum, but have been away for awhile. Your kindness is much appreciated, and goes a long way toward making me feel a little less like an idiot. MINI's are special, and the people who drive them are as well.

Thanks for you insterest and support. You guys (and girls) are great. One of the things I most value about the whole experience is that, when you get a MINI, you're not just acquiring a car, but a community.

Thanks again.

 

NO PROBLEMO, I am the twist it hard from the start type, I know I touched 6000 a good number of times under 500 miles and by a 1000 miles was running to redline with regularity, I also know that my justa is one fast mother, break em in fast and they will quick. This is old school thinking but I've had more than 30 cars in my 73 years and they all ran quicker than the average bear.

 

Once again, thank you all for making me feel less stupid and less worried than I was a few hours ago.

You guys rock.

patrick

 

Bought my 2009 JCW new. Drove it like I stole it since day one. You will be just fine.

I am careful about the the break in period for the brakes though. its one thing to go fast its another when you NEED to stop.