After 250 miles I drove my '05 MCS as I do on a daily basis, taking it to redline a few times a day.

At 16,300 miles it still runs as great as the day I bought it. Has anyone else not done the 1250 break in with no problems?

-Jake

 

I'd think that improper break-in would show up like a crappy battery: on the back end, not the front. Maybe your Mini will go to the scrap yard after 180k miles, not 220K. Who knows.

 

I agree that it is the long term where this will show up. You're engine is more likely to need valves or rings or something much sooner than someone who observes break in. Of course, if you're only planning to keep the car for a few years it may not matter (to you). . . .

 

This is a heavily debated topic... how to properly break in a vehicle. I personally do not subscribe to the factory "take it real easy" break in procedures. There is a methodology to getting a good seal on your rings (Google "Break in Secrets Motoman"), which I adhere to on every new vehicle I buy. I believe it's why with my very average minimal mods I put 185 hp and 165 ft lb to the ground.

 

Link here:

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


JP

 

Oh, no! Here we go again.

 

new engines don't need to be broken in like the older engines. The tolerances are so tight it don't mater. Every once in a while I sneek in a 5k shift MMmmm 500 miles done. 750 more to go :P

 

I didn't mean this as a reason to beat the dead horse. This is simply the start of a thread to document the condition of my engine for the life of my car.

 

I think we can agree that there are 2 schools of thought on engine break-in: follow the manufacturer's recommendation or don't. Unfortunately, in order to prove anything one way or the other would take a statistically significant # of cars driven in the same atmospheric conditions, over the same roads over a long period of time to see if there was a real difference. Unfortunately, that ain't gonna happen so it's an individual choice whether you break in slowly or quickly.

 

Everybody is wrong!

 

There is no such thing as an absolute rule.

Everything I say is a lie.

 

Many people don't want to here that. Anecdotal evidence is much more satisfying because it fits their position.

 

With regard to engine longevity... you're right. It would take lots of testing to support things one way or another. I think a harder break in accounts for why every one of my vehicles is always a strong runner when compared to it's soft break-in brethren. Time will tell for longevity for my own cars... in the meantime, I'll enjoy the extra ponies. Isn't that what most of us are after?

 

Motoman's break in procedure is fine if you built the motor and it has ZERO minutes on it. MINI's are well past the magical first 15 minutes once they get to your dealer. Motoman claims that all engine dammage is done in the first critical 15 minutes.

Plus there is the hastle if you don't follow MINI USA's instruction and warrentied repairs / maintenance.

 

Deleted duplicate.

 

Again, I don't want to break anybody's huevos here, but is there any actual data to prove that there is an actual horsepower improvement?

There's a great saying in my business, "The plural of anecdote is not data".

 

and to further stir the pot, does anybody know exactly what the first run procedure is at the engine plant? if this ring seating has to be done right off the bat, is it done right at the factory at first run?

 

What hassle(s) are you revering to?

This also works in reverse. For some reason folks mainly like to believe the conservative version and parrot it. There are no absolutes. Observations, conclusions & probabilities as prescribed by "experts".

A lot of us would do better to stick to: "It's my observation... or my understanding that..."

Yeah, and if you've got full synth in the engine how's that gonna happen? Which brings up another question... who's to say what's in the engine during test/run-in?

From what I've read on the subject the components most critical to correct break-in are the cams (or cam, in the case of our MINIs) and piston rings/bores. Aside from these items the rest of the engine components aren't supposed to require much, if any break-in.

Quite ironically MINI doesn't mention much about proper clutch break-in or brake/pad wear-in, certainly not to the degree we hear about the engine. These components are VERY easy to damage, if abused. This contrast in emphasis is notable.

 

That throws more meat into the stew pot. Remember that 02-06 engines are built in Brazil and then on a boat to England. Who knows how long they run in Brazil? I am 100% certain that they are run longer than 15 minutes before they arrive at the dealer. If this is true then all MINIs are past the "Critical 15 minutes" that Motoman suggests is the time when all ring wear/dammage occurs.

I am not trying to say that Motoman's process is not of value. I would follow it on a rebuilt engine. But a brand new MINI, It is too late for the Motoman process.

On a further note, I hit 1250 miles last night and finally was able to explore the upper RPM range of MIB. All I can say is, "WOW!"

 

[quote=DrDiff] I am 100% certain that they are run longer than 15 minutes before they arrive at the dealer. [quote]

If this is true I hope people don't think these our cars are being driven without hitting close to redline. I know if I was the guy moving cars around I'd want to see how fast they can go.

 

Imagine British longshoremen driving our new cars onto the boat. FOr some reason I can hear screeching tires and 6k rpm.

 

I thought the same thing while I was waiting for my MCS to arrive.

This could all be a moot point if MINI just did a bench break in for the MCS!!!