And no, I don't mean if you dogged it or not. I've read the threads on thrashing the engine versus following the recommended procedures. My question pertains to your (daily) driving during the first 1200 miles.

Specifically, my daily commute is about 70 miles roundtrip, of which 75% or so is highway. I have read that one should vary the RPMs and speed during the break-in period without long stretches of constant engine speed. If I play around with my speed on the highway, I will probably get run over, or at least have to deal with a few finger salutes. I guess I could watch the tach and downshift every so often.

I am anticipating a mid-October delivery, and I'm looking for feedback on what others who also have a long(ish) highway commute have done during their break-in.

Thanks in advance - Chuck

 

A few months ago I was in Viriginia and I remember everyone drove pretty quick, then would slow down whenever there was something to gawk at, then speed back up. I think driving on those crowded highways you'll be just fine.

I like your order, sounds like a nice combo! Good luck with the MINI.

 

Well I took delivery of my MCS on July 21, 2008. Immediately after picking it up and driving off the lot that night at 6pm (it had 16km's when I got it), I began to drive it, and racked up an impressive 200km's in the first night!! Right now, I'm sitting at 6745km's (4189miles). I have been driving it day in and day out, and I love it to death! I broke it in trying to follow factory procedure as close as I could. That being DO NOT REV ENGINE OVER 4000RPM for the FIRST 2000KM's (1200miles) AND DO NOT EXCEED 160KMH (100MPH). I varied my engine speed during this time, went on short drives on the highway, and did varying speeds in the city. I tried to follow the above procedure as close as possible, and I think I did well. I was through the breakin period in all but 2 weeks. The car runs real smooth, and has loads of power on tap, it always feels like it wants to go!

I hope you enjoy your's as much as I have mine!

 

i live close to work and in the city, so i'm at about 30 mph at the most. I did go out onto the highway quite a bit so that I could get more speed.

Maybe try driving on the highway in various gears to create the "feel" that you're driving at different speeds.

definitely don't feel too reluctant to punch the gas from time to time.

 

the car will be OK. You don't have to be obsessive.

 

r56mini, so true...

Just warm up the engine and be prudent for the break in period.

 

Just a note. I took delivery of my R53 in Germany. I was advised to not go over a specific RPM (4500, I think). I understand that here in the US they say not to go over a certain RPM and not to go over a certain speed.

I forget what the RPM was, but in 6th gear and on the autobahn, it was just fine. I had no complaints about the break-in period. She sailed along just fine!

 

Manual says not to exceed 4500 RPM or 100 MPH for the first 1200 miles. Go easy on the brakes for (if I recall correctly) 600 miles.

 

3000-3500 RPMs, and not over 80 first 1200 miles

 

Thanks, all. I guess I was just a bit concerned about how driving 25 miles twice a day at a (somewhat) constant RPM would seat the rings in the cylinders. I guess I will just keep an eye on the tach, and vary things a bit during break-in. Should be able to complete the break-in within two weeks or so. I plan to keep this car for a long time as my daily commuter, and as such I will hope for about 200K miles. I just don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

 

Other than driving it a bit more agressively than normal, I've been driving normally. I make sure to give the engine plenty of time to warm up (by driving lightly, not idling) before some more spirited driving. I don't think I've quite hit redline, but I've gotten close a bunch of times. Fastest I recall seeing on the speedo was 86.

If you're worried about driving at the same speed, you can do a bit to combat that. Sometimes I'll drop back a bit to give me some space in front, then get on it.

 

I drove as recommended in the user manual, but besides that I frequently took the "long way" to and from work, which took me into a very twisty group of roads forcing a great deal of speed variation. And, it was a lot of fun! My normal commute is mostly mountain highway driving but does not introduce a lot of RPM variation, so I drove the twisties instead.

 

That's what I did too, and for the same reason

Traffic is heavy enough for the majority of our commute that the varied RPM came pretty easy. For the rest of the time, I'd change gears and vary my speed from 2-3mph under the limit and then back up to the flow of traffic.

If it gets too boring, you can always hop off the freeway and take an exit or two on side-roads.

 

Right after picking up my mini I will be on a 6 or 7 hour drive home, all highway... any reason to think this could be a much to serious trip for a brand new ride with 10k or less on it?

 

Plenty of others have done the same. Just be sure to vary the speed and torque and you'll be fine.

 

I used the hard beak in method because the argument sounded logical and because I'm impatient. Also changed the oil+filter after the first 1000km. I have 40,000 km on it now. Runs great, engine has lots of power and does not burn oil. I DO get the cold start noise everyone is talking about though (but that didn't show up until months later, in the winter). Still, I wonder if there is a connection.
Does anyone get the cold start noise that broke the engine in by the book?

 

been driving as I normally would, freeway + city. I haven't given it all it has (meaning bringing the RPM's to near redline) yet I have hit 5,000 rpm's about 3 or 4 times. I am at 875miles (2 month old car). Yet because of an oil leak and incorrect wheel alignment I've brought it back to the dealer ....and have asked them to change the oil. They said they would because they'd have to drain it to remove all the parts to fix the leak on my brand new Mini.

So, my break in is including an oil change at 875 miles.

 

I let it warm up, then did a few 2nd and 3rd gear pulls up to the redline. Break in done, and no worrying. Changed oil shortly after. Car now is very strong, and doesn't burn a drop of oil.

One thing to note, even though you're bringing it up to the redline, it is important to not abuse the car or drive it agressively. Yes there is a difference. This will ensure that your tires, brakes, clutch, tranny and other non motor parts get broke in slowly as they should be. For the motor though, definitely do it hard.

Then again, you said you didn't want to hear that sort of response, but I had to anyway.

 

I drained all the oil then ran the engine at 5000rpm for 5mins.

Then I filled the oil and ran the engine at 5000rpm for 4mins.

Then I drained the oil again then ran the engine at 6000rpm for 1min

Then I finally refilled the oil. This was the first thing I did when I took my car home.





















Nope, I didn't do any of that. I just followed the owners manual.

 

I vary the speed on the freeway by downshifting. Remember it's the engine rpm speed not the actual speed you are traveling at. I just made sure not to exceed 5000rpm when I dropped a gear or went up a gear. It was a pain but I regularly commute back and forth from L.A. to San Jose (400mile each way) so I had no choice.

I did go through the 1200miles in about 2 weeks however :D

 

I'm at 1112 mile today. I probably won't drive any crazier than I did during the break-in period but at least I know I can if I want to.

 

Broke in my r53 by the book and 79000 miles with no problems.

 

First 1,000 miles vary RPM's and go any speed you want...just switch gears a lot.

 

kept mine under 80mph, varied the speed/gearing, took it over 4000 on a few occasions, and no cruise control.

 

My question would be what about all the cars that get test driven?

I am sure the cars on the lot do not see this kind of attention to break-in period...

I know when I test drove a few different minis that I was well over 4500 RPM and 100 mph a couple times...