Hi...
This topic has pretty much run into the ground. Now that we've had pretty much everyone's viewpoint..... For those of you who are against adhering to the "recommended" break in period I have two questions.

First What qualifies you?
Second What is your argument as to why automotive manufacturers keep recommending this break in period? (What do they have to gain from doing so?)

For those of you that are still looking for the answer..... I recommend doing some research. Talk to your dealer, Talk to MINIUSA, Ask your local engine rebuild shop, Don't take my word for it.... don't take someone else's word for it. It's your car, your engine, and your investment.

Happy Motoring,
SW

 

Thought you might want an opinion of techs that tune minis as well as own the new minis and their thoughts on the so called break-in nonsense.....but of course drive as you see fit and what makes you comfy...

Below is quotes from independent tech that not only tunes minis but other cars as well....

"The power band of the MINI is in the 4200-6500 rpm range. When I first got
my MINI I was reading about all these owners not taking there engines above
4000 rpm for the first few thousand miles.

Now I have an automatic. The MINI is set up as to not allow the Driver to
hurt or break it. It has revlimiters and saftey features built in to shut
the engine down or automaticlly back off when it senses that it might get
hurt.

Back to my automatic. If you have ever driven a older chevy that had a
powerglide tranny. When the go run low on fluid they start slipping. Right
Powerslide. (I have restored 3 57 Chevys.)

Well, with the MINI Automatics there is no way you can keep it under 4000
rpm's. The auto trans is designed to place the engine in the power band and
keep it there while accelerating.

My partner got his Auto MINI first. When I rode in it for the first time, I told him
the tranny was bad. LOL. But, it was designed this way. The 5 speed and the
S are the same way. Just allowing the driver a little more control. But, not
much. I get far better performance out of my Auto than the the average driver of
the manual.

So, what the 5 and 6 speed dirvers are doing is they are applying the old
thinking of what I call the primative Manuals. From the line or stop,
they start out with the RPM's low, because we were all told from our dad's
not to race the engine from the line.

Well, those days are gone. With the modern computers, engines and
transmissions that are in the MINI's it is near impossible to break or
damage these drive trains.

So, try driving it in the power band of the MINI. This is were we will
get the most fun out of driving these little guys anyway. "

 

I don't know how much credibility this holds be here goes....I asked this same question to one of the dealers before I bought my MCS. Now mind you this dealership was in Spartenburg, SC. and he said he got it direct from a "BMW guy"
He said the each engine was benched tested at the factory and they did much more than exceed the 4,500 RPM level. Eventhought your car may only have 4-10 miles on it when you pick it up at the dealership your engine has a little more wear in tear direct from the factory. He said to keep it away from the redline for a bit and he did mention taking it easy on the brakes and tires, but said the 4,500 RMP deal was horse manure.

 

Ok.. let's see what the possible outcomes are....

Situation 1: Drove it as per the break-in directions...

Outcomes:
A: You didn't beat your MINI for the first few weeks you owned it...
B: Maybe some pesky kid in a Focus drove faster then you
C: You lost face

Situation 2: Drove it like you stole it from day 1
A: You out-paced some pesky kids in a Focus on the way home from the dealer
B: You stressed your engine before it was time
B1: No problems, your MINI can take it in stride
B2: It was way too soon, damage was caused
B2a: that's OK, the damage will not show up untill after you trade it in for a new model
B2b: You end up being one of the 'lucky' ones who has a MINI that's been in the shop for engine repair work before your first oil change...

So really, is it so hard to break in your MINI? And remember, just because a auto tech does not see the damage right away, how many times have you done something to your computer, only to end up with it crashing with regularity a few weeks later, and you have NO idea why because you have already forgot about the changes you made?

Rocketboy_X

 

Broke my MINI S in the way I plan to drive it, fast and hard. I've done so with all my "NEW" cars. No problems and no complaints.

 

>>The other, and my personal favorite, is to drive it the way you intend to.If something breaks you want it during the warrently period.
>>
>>p.s. i am 58 years old and am amazed at the number of niave questions on this and other forums. Just because it's a physically small car doesn't mean it needs to be babied.
>>

Speaking of naive.

No, he/she doesn't need to worry about accidentally overreving. But neither should you encourage someone to break it in as you please. (If you want to do it with your car--knock yourself out!)

There's a growing camp of people who believe this whole break-in thing is a marketing ploy, which is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. What could Mini gain from such a ploy? The engineers who assemble these things put the guidelines out there with the intent of getting the most longevity out of the engine.

Best Regards,

Jeff

 

I guess the true question you have to ask yourself is how long are you wanting to keep your car? If you plan on trading it in in 3-5 years, I wouldn't worry that much about it. Remember, those owners manual guidelines are created by engineers would prefer to err on the much safer side. I am elctrical engineer myself and any specs we give out are below what a component can actually handle.

I had a '96 Z28 6-speed manual with 285hp and I was redlining it after 400 miles even though the book stated 1k miles as break-in (I had a couple of 94 or 95 Mustang GT's I had to teach a lesson). Had it for 6 years/ 70k miles and it was in the shop only TWICE for warranty work. Once for a minor oil leak and the other was for a rattling parking brake handle. Both of which were extremly minor and were covered under warranty. At 66k miles I had the car dynoed and it was still putting the same "at wheel" horspower as it was from about 1k miles. Now if an American car engine producing 285 hp can handle being redlined that early, I would highly assume a German engine can handle it was well.

 

"An oil leak in 70k Miles...."
This is a good example of why you should break an engine in right.

Also.... for those that are looking to get out of the car in 2-3 years.... remember the condition of the car effects resale value.

I think friedduck said it best....

Happy Motoring,
SW

 

"An oil leak in 70k Miles...."
This is a good example of why you should break an engine in right.

sfiveten:

That is a VERY minor problem and has nothing to do with break-in. It was simply a worn out gasket. And the oil leak was like one DROP every other day. My car still ran fine. I just wanted to get fixed while it was under the extended warranty (and it was getting my garage dirty) . The dyno test and MPG are the true tests of how healthy your engine is running. I seem to have read about someone on this forum ALREADY having an oil leak with their Mini. You're tying to tell me that was becuase of break in?

 

Honestly, I don't care how anyone else does it. What I have a problem with is people telling someone who doesn't know (the original poster) to break it in any way they want.

I've talked to engineers about it, and read very good descriptions about the process, pros and cons, etc., but what cemented my opinion on the subject was an article by a well-known engine tuner who described how they broke engines in, contrasted that with mfgrs. specs, and essentially described what to expect from each method.

You *can* break it in either way. You can actually get more power sooner out of your car if you choose an agressive break-in ritual, but it comes with a cost. Your car will need a re-build sooner than if you follow the mfgrs. recommendations.

So that's a long way of saying, most people should follow what Mini says, because most people are more concerned with having their car last than getting 1-2 more hp and having to rebuild sooner.

And the previous poster was right. The manufacturer's tolerances are really very good these days. Break-in is much less important than ten years ago.

Happy motoring!

Jeff

 

>>There's a growing camp of people who believe this whole break-in thing is a marketing ploy, which is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. What could Mini gain from such a ploy?

What, you didn't buy your MINI so you could slowly break it in? Now that mine's out of the break-in period, i'm looking to trade it in for a new one!!

(Man, how did that marking ploy red herring slip past me? I must be getting slower in my old age...)

Rocketboy_X

 

Hi,

Just moved on up to an "S" ! Noticed that on start up in mornings black smoke.

At 1700 km now, runs great after warming up but a bit rough on start up. Oil seems a bit low.

Has that been your exeprience?

Mini on!

 

>>the breakin schtik is all nonsense...you won't hurt your engine...lol The tech advisor I had at mini laughed when I asked him about the breakin....it's all part of the marketing...certainly working here....cheers

Someone mentioned about not breaking in their Honda. When I bought my Civic Si, I was told not to worry about it. There was some laughter. When I had my engine replaced in my Miata (I did break it in just to be safe). I'll try to follow procedure with the Mini, but it happens.

 

>
>>
>>p.s. i am 58 years old and am amazed at the number of niave questions on this and other forums. Just because it's a physically small car doesn't mean it needs to be babied.
>>

You had to know that SOMEBODY was going to comment on this. Let it be me.

People can't know everything about everything. For example, I know little about cooking or engines. I ask questions not because I'm naive, but because it's not where I have focused my training, education or time. Now, ask me about things in my chosen field, and I can answer almost anything. Does that mean, then, that an accountant should roll his eyes at financial questions? Should an MD roll her eyes at a medical question? People ask questions here (in a car forum) because they figure somebody reading just might have an educated answer about cars.

There are no dumb questions IMO.
:smile:

 

>>>
>>>>
>>>>p.s. i am 58 years old and am amazed at the number of niave questions on this and other forums. Just because it's a physically small car doesn't mean it needs to be babied.
>>>>
>>
>>You had to know that SOMEBODY was going to comment on this. Let it be me.
>>
>>People can't know everything about everything. For example, I know little about cooking or engines. I ask questions not because I'm naive, but because it's not where I have focused my training, education or time. Now, ask me about things in my chosen field, and I can answer almost anything. Does that mean, then, that an accountant should roll his eyes at financial questions? Should an MD roll her eyes at a medical question? People ask questions here (in a car forum) because they figure somebody reading just might have an educated answer about cars.
>>
>>There are no dumb questions IMO.
>> :smile:

AMEN ! I totally agree! I may sound stupid to you here on this car forum! But I'm sure that if I had to come to your office as your telecommunications consultant, you'd be asking me some pretty stupid questions about data transfer, voice, voice over IP, frame relay, ATM questions, etc... !


and for the question about break in. . . In all the cars I've bought brand new, it's the manual 5 speeds that I was instructed how to break it in. For the Auto tranny cars, I was just told to drive it the normal way I drive all the time.

No matter what, when I get my MINI I'll try to do as instructed and OOPS if I make a mistake once!