I was told by my MA not to go over 95mph or over 4500rpm during the break-in period. How detrimental is it if you go over 4500rpm (up to around 5000rpm) a couple times? Ive never had to break-in a car and keeping it below 4500rpm is hard!

 

I've asked this question with previous cars. The answer was, "no big thing". Actually, under normal driving, most people don't go over 4,500 rpm anyway. The last two new car dealers I dealt with said that, more important than limiting the rpm is to drive at varying speeds. For instance, don't use cruise control much for the first thousand miles or so.

 

Why not follow the advice of the engineering staff that built the car?? I intend to, then change the oil at 1250 miles. 95 mph and 4500 rpm is not that unreasonable a limit to bear!! Surely... Ken is right, most normal driving will never see 4500 rpms. Just drive normal, varying speeds is good, preferably with around town driving.

 

Not using cruise is going to be a problem for me, at least for the first 200+ miles, as that's the drive back from the dealer to get home.

BMW generally recommends this same procedure for all their cars.

Avoiding high RPMs in the break-in period is mainly to avoid heat build up in critical places to allow the pistons and rings and walls (and other close-tolerance surfaces) to wear in properly. If you get localized heat build-up, the wearing-in (the engine is polishing itself on the inside) will be uneven.

Some folks recommend only running it for 15 minutes at a time in the first 100 miles. Some folks even recommend changing oil and filter after the first 500/1000 miles but that's not generally a manufacturer's recommendation.

Heck, new tires even need a break-in period, maybe 50 miles or so -- that means avoiding heavy cornering.

Basically, drive it like a Buick for a while.

 

 

I have a long drive from the dealer as well. Drive at different speeds, even occasionaly get off the interstate so you have some stop and go involved. Don't use the cruise for any real length of time, other than give your foot a rest and stretch your leg.

 

I'm in my R56's run-in period at the moment and i've found no need to go anywhere near 4,500rpm.. There is so much torque that you take off like a rocket from 2,500rpm and I can have so much fun between 2,500 - 3,500rpm there doesn't seem to be any need to go any higher in the revs until it's run-in

 

Ther are so many theories about new car break in that you can take your pick. I have usually done the moderate approach while others say beat them from the start. With the Mini I stayed under 4500 rpm for the duration of the 1200 miles and the car has treated me kindly in return .