Hi,

I had the experience several years ago of buying a new '03 Cooper on the same day that my girlfriend at the time bought hers. (we met at the dealership)

Our cars were mechanically identical, and I tried to be very cautious about pushing the car too hard during the short break in period mentioned in the Owners Manual. However, I certainly drove more assertively around town and up and down freeway ramps than did she.

However, both she and I noticed a distinct sluggishness in overall performance in my car when we switched cars for fun one day about nine months later. (we both had about 20k on the odos)

Since I'm now without the girl and the Cooper, and am shopping for a new '07 soon, I'm wondering two things: 1) what were the components/systems that probably degraded faster, and 2) if I don't want to lose that crispness in my next car, am I doomed to drive it like a granny for the first 20k??


Thanks for your thoughts!

-Morgan

 

wonder if you just needed a fuel injector cleaning?

 

People seem to argue back and forth about the merits of a cautious break in versus a spirited break in. I have never really seen any absolute proof that either method is better.

Some cars simply come off the line stronger than others. I also think that babying it for 20k is not the solution.

 

Probably the bypass valve calibration,a very intense discussion point amoung Mini people.We noticed the same thing with 2 different 03,s we owned.

 

What does more aggressive mean? Did you exceed the rpm limits as recommended by the manufacturer, and if so are we talking gradually going higher in the rev band as mileage accumulated, or bumping 6K and beyond on a regular basis?

Regardless….of break-in, after 20K her air filter might be cleaner, plugs less worn, etc. and with all the little mechanical/electrical “glitches” in the early Minis I would think that the difference in performance would not be attributed to break-in method……….unless you really abused the thing.

 

I've been semi-agressive through break-in. Done it that way on all my cars. Never really had problems, course I have never gone over 4k during break in either, at least for a period of time.

These cars are meant to be driven and abused. :D. Also, are you using 92?

 

Hmmm.... I experienced some confusion about the break in period on my 06 MSC, that now has 1850k on it. When my MA drove it off the floor and I was getting ready to drive it back the 170 miles to my home, I asked her; "What do I need to remember for the break in period?". She replied, "just don't redline it for the first 1500k or so". Well, I didn't redline it and I read the owner's manual when I got home. Then I started reading this forum about keeping it under 4500 rpms. I wonder if it really makes that much difference.