That's another thing I appreciate about mini owners (hope to be one soon!) . They don't just appreciate what the machine can do, they appreciate how to care for it.

 

I tried to keep it under 4500rpm for the break in, but exceeded it a few times. I didn't know about the "no WOT" rule though, I did plenty of WOT to 4500rpm!

 

My MA told me to keep it under 45k and under 90 for the first 1250 miles. Like many of you, I don't go above 4k (except for a couple of times). My commute is non highway so I don't have the steady speed factor to worry about.

Years ago, I had an old 65 VW bug. I got the John Muir manual and in it, he offers a great little tidbit of advice. When first starting the car, let it warm up for just a moment. Not too long, just long enough to sing Mary Had A Little Lamb. It allows time for the oil to get from the bottom of the engine, through the small passageways and up to the top and lubricate everything before putting any strain on parts. I don't always sing the song but I do give my engines 15-30 seconds before taking off. Can't hurt and it doesn't take too long to do.

swizzle

 

I was told by my dealer to break in my MCS-a by going no faster than 90 MPH, with no revs over 4500 RPM, and NOT to use my cruise control during that time. I've read a lot of pros and cons on the break-in period, but wonder about my car...it runs GRRREAT, but it was driven by some people during test drives BEFORE it became "all mine" [I didn't order it beforehand; just bought it new, off the lot]. I just KNOW it was abused in some manner, and therefore I wonder if adhering to the break-in procedure 100% of the time will be that critical. Any input?

Jeff

 

I have not gotten a very understandable answer each time I have asked the question, so here it goes again: When I was breaking in my 2005 MCSa, there were points where I could have gone over an indicated 95 mph and not exceeded the 4,500 rpm threshold. I did not go over 95 mph, but I could have and still not exceeded the 4,500 rpm threshold.

So, now for the question - why the limit on exceeding 95 mph????

 

Warm up period is an interesting area of dicussion (with really not much guidance from the factory). My personal approach is to let it warm-up until the emission control system has done its initial warm-up of the catalytic converter. Depending on the outside temperature, the revs. will jump on start and then drop down to around 900 - 1,000 rpm once the catalytic converter has warmed up to be able to do its thing. That period of time for me is around 15 to 30 seconds. After the revs drop down to 900 - 1,000 rpm, then I drive off without pushing the car until the water temperature guage starts to move. Then, things are getting warmed up inside and normal driving commences.

I realize I may be a bit obsessive about my warm-up and driving approach; but, I would interested in hearing about other owners approach(es).