1250 miles....

The MINI specifications on break in call for remaining under 4500 RPM and avoiding full throttle or prolonged steady rpm use. You are also to remain under 90mph...

1250 miles comes a lot sooner driving at 70mph than it does at 25, as far as actual elapsed time goes. Seems to me that the break in milage count doesnt make any sense. It should likely be hours of operation.

What is the difference between traffic 10-30mph in gears 1,2,3 and cruising 60-80 in gears 4,5,6? You will stay within the rev range in either case, and while annoying to others on the freeway, can vary RPM enough as well.

Which 1250 miles is the best 1250 miles?

 

According to the gurus on this site, the best break in is a "mixed" break-in. In other words, constantly varied engine speeds and "real" speeds will shake the engine around the best to get everything into its groove. Something that seems to be strongly recommended AGAINST is prolonged road trips with constant speed (both real and rev). Apparently, it's a bad idea to drive the 1250 miles straight through with your cruise control set to 70.

I can't personally confirm any of this, but it is far and away the dominant view held by most of the folks around here who command any respect. Good luck, and welcome to NAM! :smile:

 

Welcome to NAM! You picked a very contoversial subject. What did I do? I varied my highway speed during the first 1250 miles, never went over 75 mph, never revved past 4,000 rpm's, checked oil at every fill-up (used 1 quart during this), drained the oil at 1300 miles (left the filter) and refilled with Royal Purple synthetic 5w30. Plan on changing out both every 5,000 miles.

 

Most of us go easy on the MINI in the beginning and chalk up the first 300 miles keeping in mind that this is the time to break in the clutch, brakes and tires.

4500 rpm limit in whatever gear and up to highway speed of 65 mph is fine. No redline.
If it wasn't easy to do and otherwise OK then MINI/BMW wouldn't suggest it.

 

I guess I wasnt being clear.

It seems that you could follow the by the book proceedure at a range of speeds. At freeways speeds, you would approach the 1250 mile mark much sooner in terms of engine runtime, than you would puttering around in traffic. Same 1250 miles, same number of engine revolutions, less hours in use.

The only thing that would be effected differently that I can see would be tires. So, essentially, you've passed the break in mark but with potential for significantly less actual engine runtime. That is, one method would be more broken in than the other.

Just thoughts passing through my mind on the long slow road through break in. If I didnt have such a wicked class schedule, I'd be done by now.

Only 950 miles to go.....

 

>>I guess I wasnt being clear.
>>
>>It seems that you could follow the by the book proceedure at a range of speeds. At freeways speeds, you would approach the 1250 mile mark much sooner in terms of engine runtime, than you would puttering around in traffic. Same 1250 miles, same number of engine revolutions, less hours in use.
>>
>>The only thing that would be effected differently that I can see would be tires. So, essentially, you've passed the break in mark but with potential for significantly less actual engine runtime. That is, one method would be more broken in than the other.
>>
>>Just thoughts passing through my mind on the long slow road through break in. If I didnt have such a wicked class schedule, I'd be done by now.
>>
>>Only 950 miles to go.....

Yep I understand what you are saying but you are getting into some pretty complicated operating factors and variables. The MINI's computer has an algorithm that takes into account your driving style, environment, acceleration loads, etc and bases this info to recommend your maintenance intervals. My '04 MCS was broken in in mostly city driving, so the car speed and engine load was varied constantly, never revved over 3,500 and never drove it over 70MPH. 2 days ago I finished the break in period and now I am at the 1,300 mile mark (Took delivery Oct 3rd, so it took me 5 weeks to get to 1,250 miles as I have a relatively short commute to work).

I just think the 1,250 mile brake in period officially *ends* regardless of how soon you get there, whether you do it in a day or a month or even a year. I doubt this is a calculation made in "Operating hours"..hey this is not an aircraft!

 

OK, so I'm to pick up my car on Saturday and the dealer is 200 miles away. The first 30 miles or so will be in city type driving but the rest is mostly interstate. Should I just try to go different speeds the whole time and use different gears or should I plot an alternate route that stays on US routes (although I might run into a similar problem)?

 

>>OK, so I'm to pick up my car on Saturday and the dealer is 200 miles away. The first 30 miles or so will be in city type driving but the rest is mostly interstate. Should I just try to go different speeds the whole time and use different gears or should I plot an alternate route that stays on US routes (although I might run into a similar problem)?
>>
>>

I have this same problem. I'll have to drive back 2 1/2 hrs. from Jacksonville. I'm thinking I won't use the cruise, and I'll mix it up between 5th and 6th gear.

 

The first 300 miles are the most critical for break-in: tires, clutch, brakes, as well as engine and transmission. Varied loads and speeds are important to keep from shocking the components if you suddenly hammer on it, and also to reduce mechanical resonances and harmonics over the lifespan.

Interstate break-in is harsh because it's so high-speed and constant-speed. Changing gears and speeds (even if it means annoying everyone around you) will help promote longetivity. No need to take it to extreme, just a few MPH difference is enough.

 

>>I have this same problem. I'll have to drive back 2 1/2 hrs. from Jacksonville. I'm thinking I won't use the cruise, and I'll mix it up between 5th and 6th gear.
>>

I had a 4,551 mile drive back from MY dealer. Needless to say, it was broken in by the 3rd state I hit. Since I had an MC, I varied my speed between 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear. I never went over 4,000 rpm, staying mostly in the 2,500-3,750 range. More in the middle than the ends. Anytime I noticed that I was staying at one RPM range too much, I shift gears, and adjusted my speed. I never used cruise control during the break-in period.

When you are travelling, intentionally hit small towns along the way. Not only is it fun to see peoples reactions to your MINI, but you'll get some city driving in there, and will be forced to vary your speed.

Hit gas stations, or rest stops, anywhere that allows you to keep varying the engine speed.

After passing the 1,500 mile mark, I gradually adjusted my speed and RPM hits. By 2,500 - 3,000 miles I was pretty much in the 5,000-5,500 rpm most of the time. =)

Now 2 months later, 7,300 miles, I fly at 6,000 rpm. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

 

Well, what better way of telling people how long to break-in their engine than with their odometer! It's right there, it's easy to spot and there is really no need to complicate things further. If your driving your car through the city most of the time, sure it might take longer engine-operating-hours to get to the 1250 mile mark (compared to travelling over 60 avg let's say), I suppose the question is.. do those extra hours negatively affect ANYTHING? I don't see a conflict, so that's another way to look at it, right?


>>The MINI's computer has an algorithm that takes into account your driving style, environment, acceleration loads, etc and bases this info to recommend your maintenance intervals.

Ahhh those lame maintanence intervals, they mean nothing!

 

Collin,
What I was getting at with my post (I guess?) was that city break in is better than highway break-in. Unless of course you have Chicago style highways, in which you're actually using your brakes and shifting gears moreso than in the city!

For those of you with long drives home from the dealer, here's what you need to do:

1) Go get yourself a nice NEW atlas. (Nothing worse than an old atlas that sends you down a road that doesn't exist anymore!)

2) Determine your starting and ending points.

3) Look for the twistiest, turniest, most elevation changing, most tree/river/old town filled route that you can find.

4) If you're travelling less than 1500 miles, then follow only the aforementioned twisty crazy route. If you're traveling more than 1500 miles, then after your initial 1500, just get back on the highway and kick it into overdrive to get yourself the rest of the way home!

 

I am currently trying to break-in my new MCS. The problem is that I have a 50 mile round trip to work every day. How much do I need to vary my speed and rpms by to make sure I am varying enough for break-in? Everyone say to vary it, but is just a few miles per hour and a few rpms or do I need to vary it drastically? Also, how often to I need to vary it (every 5 min., 10 min., 2 min. etc.). I know there is a lot of controversy around this, but any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

>>I am currently trying to break-in my new MCS. The problem is that I have a 50 mile round trip to work every day. How much do I need to vary my speed and rpms by to make sure I am varying enough for break-in? Everyone say to vary it, but is just a few miles per hour and a few rpms or do I need to vary it drastically? Also, how often to I need to vary it (every 5 min., 10 min., 2 min. etc.). I know there is a lot of controversy around this, but any advice would be appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks!!!

I forgot to mention that my daily commute is all highway driving.
Thanks.

 

I drove 1800 miles back to Denver from New York immediately after purchasing the car. I varied RPM (not exceeding 4500) and speed (generally betweeen 60 and 85 using 4th,5th,and 6th). It was totally possible to stay within the break-in guidelines, although i'm sure the other people on the interstate wondered what the hell I was doing passing them at 80 only to slow to 60 later on.

Dave

 

I whooped the snot out of mine right out of the dealership parking lot.

I was banging gears and the rev limiter just as soon as she got up to full operating temp, within 5 miles.

Over 2000 miles and one oil change later and shes running great. I'll do a leak down on her this weekend and see whats up.

Anyone know what the factory reccomends as an exceptable leakdown on this motor? Im sure it shouldnt be over 4% or so depending on ring gap.

I'll let ya know.

 

If your engine is warm, you shouldn't have to worry about anything. I think the whole break-in theory is more of an old school mentality from older cars

 

You're right, it doesnt make any sense. As soon as I came outta the dealer for the first time I floored it and chirped going into second, that's how I drove it, and basically still do on occassion. Thanks for enlightening me Punisher (read all those breakin threads).

Read this.

 

Interesting article, Bk_MCS. Now I'm thoroughly confused.

I guess I'll just floor it and peel out as I pull out of the dealer's parking lot. It's under warranty, right?

 

>>You're right, it doesnt make any sense. As soon as I came outta the dealer for the first time I floored it and chirped going into second, that's how I drove it, and basically still do on occassion. Thanks for enlightening me Punisher (read all those breakin threads).
>>
>>Read this.

I fear that Motoman has had too many of these...

 

>>>>You're right, it doesnt make any sense. As soon as I came outta the dealer for the first time I floored it and chirped going into second, that's how I drove it, and basically still do on occassion. Thanks for enlightening me Punisher (read all those breakin threads).
>>>>
>>>>Read this.
>>
>>I fear that Motoman has had too many of these...
>>


Agreed 2 Minis. Add to that a couple of Tequilas.

 

Seriously, though, what do you think about his argument about ring seal?

 

I read it, it made sense, he supported his claims, so I happily thrashed my baby after pick up. I woulda been bored had I been forced to subdue my right foot and keep him under 4500, much funner the way I did it.

 

>>Seriously, though, what do you think about his argument about ring seal?
>>
I think when you talk synthetics v. regular
motor oil it is apples and oranges.
I think some of his points are valid. But
we are running synthetics. Do I never exceed
the rec. RPM for breakin on my MINI? Of course.
But don't beat it if you want to keep it.

 

You think all those people who lease cars and know they'll only have them for three years actually put them through a 1000 mile break-in ??