...and it's finally here. Picked it up today. It's awesome.

One question: what's the story with 'break in' periods? I've heard rumors of 1200 miles, and that you shouldn't use the sport button in that period? But the dealer today told me that was rubbish, but to just not redline on day one.

Thoughts?

 

Well break in is very controversial today. People tend to still live in what worked in the past due to technology at the time. The history of breaking in a new car is part of the body of knowledge that was refered to as conventional wisdom. It’s not necessarily wise, and the technology of building a modern automobile has evolved to the point where a lot of “wisdom” is obsolete.

Check this out. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

Also, very nice MINI. Good luck with it.

 

The manual outlines the approved method. The manual doesn't care about the sport button, and its irrelevant. The manual says 1200 miles not over 4.5k or 100mph, and vary the speed (so don't use cruise control) and avoid full throttle.

Another theory says you need to seat the rings so need a few full throttle runs within the first few miles. It doesn't have to go over 4.5k, but the engine should be properly warm first.

 

Best thing to do... Let it fully warm up (oil too).. before you open it up.. This is key for the life of the turbo seals.. This is not for the break in.. But the life of the vehicle.

As for the break in.. Follow the manual. Remember tires and brakes get broken in as well..

 

Most modern car engines are broken in at the factory, before assembly. Therefore the old tradition of breaking in a new car doesn't apply anymore.

 

Think about all the car magazines and reviewers. We all have seen how they beat the crap out of these cars and you never read of any mechanical issues. They will have typical problems, but nothing related to how they beat the car. Magazines like Road and Track, Car and Driver, Automobile etc.. all keep some of there test cars for 10's of thousands of miles with no mechanical issues related to be beating the crap out of a new engine. Just saying.

 

Nice Countryman!!!! As for breakin, its your car, so do what you want with/to it. Having said that, I broke mine in with a lot of rush hour driving, varying the RPMs, not going above 4k and no hard throttling....those were some long 1200 miles.

I dont buy the notion that the engines are "factory broken-in". Tolerances in machining and assembly are better now, but engines still need a period of time for all the parts to get used to working together to form the best seals and seats they can. This translates to better power and efficiency in the longrun.

 

I can't wait to have my CM JCW!


It looks freaking awesome! Enjoy the ride, I'm jealous!

 

That is absolutely wrong. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.