Finally got my car back today with a re-manufactured motor. The service people were indicating there was nothing special I needed to do, just bring it in when the OBD says so. I would prefer this motor to last longer (25k) than the last one. Should I treat the reman as a new engine and take it easy for 1000 miles or so?

 

I would say so, and change your oil more often than the OBD tells you to. I'd do it between 5000-7500 miles rather than the 15000 MINI suggests.

 

Your motor went out at 25k?

 

25k? Please explain?

 

You say it is a re-manufactured engine not a new short block from Mini? If so the supplier where the re-manufactured engine came from should give you the break in procedure. It really depends on the type of rings and finish hone in the cylinder. You might change the engine oil at 500 miles the first time. The contaminate particles will float in suspension in the oil and be caught by the oil filter most in the first miles running. So it is always a good idea to change out the oil real early. After that you can go on a regular routine but I would keep the intervals at least to 5000 miles.
Don't baby the engine but don't push it hard either. You need to drive it normally so that the rings will seat well and you do not get a cylinder glaze which will lessen you total power and other things as well.

Enjoy your engine and Good luck with it.

 

Dealer doesn't know why, but they did it all under warranty. My theory is 18k first oil change and cheap bastard before me putting in regular gas.

My plan is to do a 500-1000 mile oil change followed by 5000 mile changes. I can do it myself. That is what I did on my WRX and it is running strong with a 100k on it now.

 

An 18k first oil change might explain it, especially if the "cheap bastard" before you really ran the engine hard.

 

yeah take it ez on the breakin, 1000 or the MINI reccomend 1200 and frequent oil changes.