Wasn't sure where to post this but since most newbies come this way, I figured it would be appropriate.

My vehicle is on the ship as we speak and since this is my first NEW car, I want to break it in right.

So I've done some research and read some thread on NAM and they're all just opinions. Most of you are aware that two popular break-in methods are: be gentle vs. drive it like you stole it.

But mostly what I found is an argument based on their research. "I found this on this.com" and someone says "NO, that's silly I found this on that.com" etc...

So what I want to know is.

Q:How did YOU break in your MINI and how did it turn out?
Q:At how many miles did you do your first/second oil changes? type of oil?
Q:How many miles on your MINI NOW; did it give you any problems?

Thank you in advance for all your wisdom.

 

I broke my car in this way:

At 900 miles, only the second time I had gotten to drive it, I got in it at 0830 that morning and found a six inch crack on the windshield. (grew to a foot by end of day) Then I hit a pothole caused by the hurricane and damaged my tire, although there was no light on the dash to let me know. (next morning there was a small gash and a bulge right next to the wheel, which was fortunately not damaged) Since this was obviously not enough, I allowed a rock truck to get in front of me on the hwy. As I was in the process of changing lanes, a rock hit my windshield and left an actual hole like a bb gun.

All in the same day. I do not recommend my method.

Congrats on the new car!!! Enjoy!!!

 

I didn't go above 3800rpm for the first 1200 miles.... then I floored it.

 

Congrats on the new MINI!

Like you I have a 2013 JCW HT, this is my first new car, and I read the threads on break in methods. I ended up following the manual and not going over 4,500 rpm or 100 mph for the first 1,200 miles. I drove normally and typically changed gears at or before 3,000 rpm. Just to be on the safe side I promised myself not to push the Sports button or push the car over 4,000 rpm until after 2,000 miles. I hit 2,000 last week and pushed ths Sports button for the first time and revved up to 5,000 for the first time as well. No issues, but that's to be expected with my conservative approach.

I didn't change my oil, although I did think about it. I hit 2,222 miles leaving my neighborhood this morning and I have not had any problems. Thankfully so , since I've only had it for five weeks.

 

I think I'm gonna end up breaking in easy like you did. But I read that its best to cycle thru all of the RPM ranges pretty early on. I'm just not going WOT.

The drive it hard method by motoman is convincing but he's not that credible.

Some engine durability specialists do say that he's not completely wrong, but they don't think it'll make a huge difference.

So hopefully more people will share their stories...

 

Broke ours in hard, wasn't abusive but didn't bother limiting the revs or power. I've done this with all of my new cars and motorcycles (some of which I owned well over 100k) and they all ran top.

 

I broke my 2013 Cooper S similar to Darks method.
I drove it normal to moderately hard, the following list is what I've always followed.

1. Vary the RPM's (no constant RPM until fully broke in).
2. Don't let the motor get excessively hot until its fully broke in.
3. Don't lug or red line the motor.
4. Check oil level
5. Easy on the brakes for the 1st hundred miles too.

I changed my oil and filter at 150 miles and again at 1200 miles the
following oil changes will be every 5,000 miles.
Many people feel this is overkill and a waste of money but sometimes
you'd be surprised to see all the little metallic particles floating in the drained oil. I also wanted to install my magnetic drain bolt.

As for the type of oil, I'm a big believer in Mobil 1 for my vehicles and am using Mobil 1 0w 40

 

My 2012 S has 3500 miles on it. I broke it in like the dealer told me to: keep it under 4500 rpm for the first 1000 miles, but run it up to 4200 rpm each time I shift (in other words, don't lug it by shifting into higher gears too soon). The other dealer "commandment" was vary my speed on the highway (meaning don't use cruise control) for the first 1000 miles.

I was lucky in that I drove my new car all the way from Seattle back to Colorado Springs, so the first 1500 miles were on the highway. After I got 1000 miles on it I let the speed build up to 135 mph a couple of times on straight-aways. That was pushing the rpm red line pretty close but I didn't exceed it. Would it do 145 mph? Probably, but I didn't push it to find out.

I also changed the oil and filter when I got home, not because the dealer recommended it, but because I think dumping the initial oil out of the crankcase is a good idea to get rid of any metal floaters. Would the filter accomplish the same thing for me? Probably, but you never know and changing it wouldn't hurt.

I used the dealer-recommended synthetic.

I must be doing something right because I've never gotten fewer than 31 mpg. I also managed a respectable 39 mpg on the way home -- including those times when I ran it up there.

Hope this helps.

 

I followed the owners manual. Other new cars I have owned didn't have a break in period but I'm assuming MINI must recommend it for a reason.

You could take the top fuel dragster approach to break in and run it full bore the first time out but then you might end up like them doing an engine rebuild after every run.

 

Kept my 2012 JCW under 4500k the first 1000 miles then had the oil changed and quit worrying about it.

 

How are you guys so disciplined? I have a three days and 500 miles on mine, and I'm having a hard time not driving it "enthusiastically".

 

lol where did you do 135? on the I-25? that highway is infested with undercover cop cars...
Thanks for sharing, I like the sound of your method.

Yeah you're right, I'm gonna try to follow the manual closely as possible. plus, no one has spoke out about the drive it hard method and how it worked out for them so. I guess most people follow the manual.

 

Administrator, please delete this post. Thank you