Picking up my PS/Blk MCS in Texas in late December, but I live in Washington state. I imagine the long roadtrip (3-4000 mi) will be a great way to break in and get used to the car, but am wondering about the first few days during the break in: Should I try to limit the number of miles per day I drive it, and should I take breaks to let the engine cool down every few hundred miles, etc.? I've read what it says in the owners manual, but it doesn't get that specific. I believe that getting immediately on the interstate for hours would not be the best thing to do... Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

Also, if anyone has route recommendations, considering it will be late December/early January as I head back northwest. I'm not terrified of the snow, but would prefer not to drive endless miles in it in the brand spankin' new car (until I get a little used to it). I'm thinking about making my way towards northwestern CA then up the coast back to WA. Anyone know of a (likely to be?) snowless winter route from Dallas to NW Cali? HA! It will probably snow FEET everywhere on Christmas this year anyway.....

Great site and forum!! Thanks any suggestions anyone may have.

 

Welcome.

In my opinion drive it like you stole it from day one if you want. There are lots of people on here that follow MINIs break in guidelines, but I say they are rubbish. Do what you will.

To answer your question, it doesnt matter how many miles you drive in a day (even if you are following the break in rules), and it wouldnt do any good to pull over and let it 'cool off' because all you would be doing is getting rid of the air flowing over the engine, so you're better off just going about your way.

Once again, in my opinion, dont listen to any of that crap in the book. It really doesnt matter how you break it in (unless you are like me and want to seal those rings), your car will be fine no matter what.

 

I bought mine in New York a year ago, and got on the freeway with 11 miles on it. Drove eight or ten hours a day for four days, varying the speeds with the natural flow of traffic/conditions, keeping it under 4500 untill I crossed the Mississippi River. After the first four days, I was in OK, and had three more shorter days to get to LA, as I stopped in NM, Sedona AZ, and Phoenix. I haven't had any trouble, in fact except for the service and the JCW kit at 12000 miles, the car's never had to go to the dealer, except for keychains and T-shirts......
Consider the coast route up through Big Sur (Highway One in CA). I haven't got there yet, but plan to next summer......good luck....Bruce in Santa Monica

 

>>Picking up my PS/Blk MCS in Texas in late December, but I live in Washington state. I imagine the long roadtrip (3-4000 mi) will be a great way to break in and get used to the car, but am wondering about the first few days during the break in: Should I try to limit the number of miles per day I drive it, and should I take

It'll be a great trip. I picked up my MC on Sept 5, 2003 from Memphis TN, and drove back to California. That alone is a 1,500 mile trip, but I didn't want to come straight across through Texas, and instead went south to Louisiana, then North through Nashville to Chicago to Iowa then South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, then across the Great Plains to Yellowstone near Montana. My original plan was to go up Washington, but fatigue cut the trip short, so we can down through Utah to Nevada and came home about a week short of our 3 week trip. We had such a blast.

Put on 4,551 miles. Just vary your speeds and keep the RPM's under 4,500. Some people think it's not necessary, but hey, if you plan on keeping your car for the longterm, why not baby it? For me, 1,500 came by my 2nd day of my trip. I actually didn't go over 5,000 rpms until after 2,000 miles just to be sure. Well I did blip it a few times, but not for long periods.

I'm now up at about 7,300 miles!

 

As far as routes go...

Probably your safest bet would be across NM and AZ (as southern as you wanna be) and then up the coast on PCH (which, trust me, is UBER fun in your MINI--I made my mummy nauseous

 

Ipro-- Congrats!!! Sounds like a cool trip!

God speed.

 

You will love it! I just returned from a Jacksonville FL to Los Angeles road trip in my MCS about two weeks ago. I can't think of a better way to bond with a new car. I had zero troubles. I will recommend a couple of items; Beef jerky, aftermarket armrest, carry a case of bottled water (you and the Mini), and get ready to answer questions at almost every fuel stop! I only spent $127 in premium fuel to cover nearly 2500 miles. Good luck, you will not forget the trip !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here are the photos........






<IMG SRC="
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/ggp.thumb.jpg">

 

My first oil change at 1300 miles...

 

Oil change in Texas..

 

wrong photo........tired. see ya

 

Mmmm..

 

&gt;&gt;As far as routes go...
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Probably your safest bet would be across NM and AZ (as southern as you wanna be) and then up the coast on PCH (which, trust me, is UBER fun in your MINI--I made my mummy nauseous ). If you go much further north, you will risk not only snow but also road closures.
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Of course, if spontaneous trip rearrangement doesn't bother you and you want to find out how the new baby handles in the snow, well then, tear it up!
__________________
Agree that this is the best route, first because you avoid the snow and second you'll get great scenery across NM, AZ and PCH (that's Pacific Coast Highway).

BK-MCS: I think your advice is quite irresponsible about breaking in the car, driving like you stole it. There's a reason why ALL car manufacturers recommend breaking in do's and don't(s). One of the best reason I can think of is to allow the metal moving parts to mate properly without overstressing them from high heat buildup. This is not to say that one can't drive 80mph (one will probably not exceed the upper limit recommendation of 4500 rpm on 6th gear). If one wants to let it rip to over 100 mph, only do so at one's own risk (with an eye on the rear view mirror for you-know-who) and only after the break-in period of about 1200 miles

Anyone who follows BK-MCS' driving style can expect to trash a good machine in 2-3 years. Or, at the least, have major repair work done for mistreating their fine pony.

 

Better safe than sorry. Thats what I would say in this case.

 

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;As far as routes go...
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Probably your safest bet would be across NM and AZ (as southern as you wanna be) and then up the coast on PCH (which, trust me, is UBER fun in your MINI--I made my mummy nauseous ). If you go much further north, you will risk not only snow but also road closures.
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Of course, if spontaneous trip rearrangement doesn't bother you and you want to find out how the new baby handles in the snow, well then, tear it up!
&gt;&gt;__________________
&gt;&gt;Agree that this is the best route, first because you avoid the snow and second you'll get great scenery across NM, AZ and PCH (that's Pacific Coast Highway).
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;BK-MCS: I think your advice is quite irresponsible about breaking in the car, driving like you stole it. There's a reason why ALL car manufacturers recommend breaking in do's and don't(s). One of the best reason I can think of is to allow the metal moving parts to mate properly without overstressing them from high heat buildup. This is not to say that one can't drive 80mph (one will probably not exceed the upper limit recommendation of 4500 rpm on 6th gear). If one wants to let it rip to over 100 mph, only do so at one's own risk (with an eye on the rear view mirror for you-know-who) and only after the break-in period of about 1200 miles
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;Anyone who follows BK-MCS' driving style can expect to trash a good machine in 2-3 years. Or, at the least, have major repair work done for mistreating their fine pony.


I agree!

 

My wife and I drove from Miami to Seattle two years ago during Dec. On the way, we went to TX to visit some friends. Because we were in a Uhaul towing a car, we tried to avoid any possible snow. Uhual truck doesn't ecactly have best traction control (if you know what I mean). :smile:

I've also driven other routes from WA to TX during November. I picked the shortest route from WA: I-90 to I-82 to I-84 (OR, ID, UT) to I-80 (CO) to I-25 to NM64 to TX287.
That was a total nightmare. I hit snow as soon as I got into OR. :smile:

 

I just drove my car 2.5 hrs on the highway right after I picked it up this Saturday. In order to mix up the revs, I used both 5th and 6th gear. At 4000 rpm in 5th I was going about 75, so speed wasn't a problem. As long as you keep varying engine speed between 3000 and the low 4000 range, you'll be good. No need to pull over and let it cool down.

As for your route, I'd go Alamo, Roswell NM (Area 51

 

Thanks for all the great replies! I'm getting too excited just thinking about it! I'll definitely be hitting up PCH &amp; Roswell. The rest, well.. we'll just have to see where the road takes us...

Thanks for the tip on what to avoid davecsumini! (I'll just hope for no snowstorm in Texas!)

Seems that the vast majority of people follow and recommend the manufacturer's break-in for longevity's sake instead of the more controversial method BK-MCS suggests. I've read about this method before, but it sounds rather extreme &amp; would likely void the warranty if they discovered it. (Aren't you supposed to break it in with petroleum oil if you're going to do it that way??) To me it sounds like it would be more suitable for a racer or tuner who'd be routinely tearing down the engine anyway. I believe I'll be leaving the synthetic oil in there and driving it nicely from the get-go.

 

&gt;&gt;Thanks for the tip on what to avoid davecsumini! (I'll just hope for no snowstorm in Texas!)
&gt;&gt;

You're welcome! Snowstorm isn't common in TX, but that was my luck. Where are you picking up your MINI? Dallas? Houston? San Antonio? Where are you from in WA? I recently ived in Issaquah for 2 years.

 

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Thanks for the tip on what to avoid davecsumini! (I'll just hope for no snowstorm in Texas!)
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt;You're welcome! Snowstorm isn't common in TX, but that was my luck. Where are you picking up your MINI? Dallas? Houston? San Antonio? Where are you from in WA? I recently ived in Issaquah for 2 years.
&gt;&gt;

It will be the Dallas area I'm picking up from, and Seattle is where I'll be ending up again, so not that far off from Issaquah.

I hear that ice storms are the more common thing to watch for in the southwest, rather than snow. I'll just see if I can avoid all that nasty stuff &amp; have a dry run to the coast. I can deal with days of cold rain on the coast, no problem and will like it in the MINI a LOT! I get giddy just thinking about it.