I am about to pick up my new '06 MINI and was wondering how best to break it in. I plan to do some mods and wonder if there was an amount of time I should wait prior to doing so. It would be great to hear from Peter from M7 and Randy from Webb Motorsports.

 

Read the manual whn you get it, it's covered.

 

There is also a whole bunch of postings about this subject on NAM. Try using the search function - it really can be helpful. With Search, you can get information immediately, rather than hoping someone will re-post.

 

Take 3 weeks and drive to Maine for lobster, then FL for some gator, and then through Texas for some tex-mex before heading home and picking up all the mail ordert modifications you have ordered.

Be sure to pack some pepto, and never drive over 4K rpms throughout your trip.

 

Which are better, Apple or Intel/Windows computers?


Probably a simpler question to ask.


The manual says stay below 4500 RPM for the first 1250 miles IIRC. Some racing guys will tell you to stomp on it hard from the get go and run those revs high as that will make more power. Who is right? Nobody knows.

 

Lots of people know. Lots of other people just choose to believe otherwise. In the end, you'll never do wrong by following the book. You may do wrong, however, doing it your own way. Lots of people talk big but when thier own engine is on the line...do it by the book anyway.

 

I found this website an interesting read. It seems many other people share this belief.

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

It's more of the "ride it hard from the get go" tactic. And explains why that will benefit the engine, specifically the rings seating the proper way.

 

I didnt follow the book. "walked the walk" I guess. No problems. Kept it "by the book" for 200 miles, then changed the oil at 200miles, 500miles, and 1000miles.

Here is a link in which Mike Cooper (the current owner of JCW) says there is no reason for a 1000 mile break ins on modern cars, and states a 200 mile break in for his JCW cars is sufficent. Its worth waiting 10 min to hear Mike Cooper say that 1000mi break ins were a thing of the past

http://www.tv1.de/b2b/cms/_vm300/46...l?tv1_storeVS=1

Edit: Here is a good link https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ighlight=break
to a discussion here on the board.


To each his own. Good luck

 

I ordered a pulley for my upcoming 06 MCS. It was recommended by Webb Motorspors that I not install the pulley until after the break in period. Don't worry though. I learned with my first MCS that the break in period goes by quickly. Taking it to all your friends houses to show, going to the store just cause and tons of other reasons for you to drive the MINI.

 

duh...apple!

We just went through our 1250 miles of 4500 RPMs...it's a little hard, and it may have swung past the 4500 mark once or twice. But, it's over now!

I have to say that the MCSa is NOT happy shifting at 4500. In *average* driving it seems to prefer 5000-6000.

YMMV...

-jac