Maybe all demo cars are doomed to have issues later on in life? When I took one out the sales actually told me to 'take it for a thrash', it had 80km on the clock....
Run in period
Is there still a run in period for new cars? What were you guys advised to do when taking delivery of your new JCW's?
21 - 40 of 40 Posts
K.i.s.s.
Things To Do:
If you have to take a spin or a drive less than 10 minutes very often, then don't.
If you do drive, don't drive at a constant speed / rpm for extended periods of time (don't use cruise control).
If you are on the highway for an extended period of time, vary your speed.
Don't hard redline any gear, especially 2nd on up.
If you do raise the revs, do so not underload.
The main thing, is you want to get all the different parts moving for a period of 1000-1500 miles. Over that period you can go deeper into the engine. At this point, I would change the oil and use the same grade/viscosity.
Common sense really.
Cheers
Things To Do:
If you have to take a spin or a drive less than 10 minutes very often, then don't.
If you do drive, don't drive at a constant speed / rpm for extended periods of time (don't use cruise control).
If you are on the highway for an extended period of time, vary your speed.
Don't hard redline any gear, especially 2nd on up.
If you do raise the revs, do so not underload.
The main thing, is you want to get all the different parts moving for a period of 1000-1500 miles. Over that period you can go deeper into the engine. At this point, I would change the oil and use the same grade/viscosity.
Common sense really.
Cheers
But you don't know which is the original viscosity...it can be 0w-20 or 0w-30
As long as its in spec any oil change !
I've done 4k miles now, and once in a while I give it some beans. I was gentle the first 1500! Is now a good time to get an impromptu oil/filter change?As long as its in spec any oil change !
I've done the same; 3k revs for 500 miles then 4k to 1000 then 4.5 k limit till the run in period according to mini is over-then gradually building up to max revs-at 2000 miles. It has now done 2000 miles and have a can of petronus syntium 3000 5 w 40 in the garage looking for a home-thinking i might change it in the next couple of weeks and then run it till next service which for us will be next Jan. Just not sure how long to leave it!
I went with...
I purchased Royal Purple motor oil. I went with the OEM viscosity and type after my "pre-flush" (I changed my oil at 1500km or so, including OEM Mini oil filter).
Once I hit the first REAL major oil change interval, I will swap to Royal Purple 0W40.
Common Sense really. You want to get the engine running in its ideal operating range for minimum 20+ minutes or so, this helps burn off moisture and unburned fuel deposits. You want to engine and the various parts to cool off after running from hot. You want to be soft on the brakes so as to temper the rotor disc and bed the pads to the rotors evenly. You want the transmission to move freely through the gears. Open and close all moving parts (windows, sunroof, rear hatch etc.) and run the aircon, hot and cold.
It's the time to explore and check out the various parts and build.
Cheers
I purchased Royal Purple motor oil. I went with the OEM viscosity and type after my "pre-flush" (I changed my oil at 1500km or so, including OEM Mini oil filter).
Once I hit the first REAL major oil change interval, I will swap to Royal Purple 0W40.
Common Sense really. You want to get the engine running in its ideal operating range for minimum 20+ minutes or so, this helps burn off moisture and unburned fuel deposits. You want to engine and the various parts to cool off after running from hot. You want to be soft on the brakes so as to temper the rotor disc and bed the pads to the rotors evenly. You want the transmission to move freely through the gears. Open and close all moving parts (windows, sunroof, rear hatch etc.) and run the aircon, hot and cold.
It's the time to explore and check out the various parts and build.
Cheers
The official response from mini U.K.:
Good afternoon Saludos
Thanks for your email about your MINI Cooper S. I?m really pleased to hear you?re happy with your purchase.
There is no break in period with MINIs nowadays as this is done in the manufacturing process so you?ll be able to drive your MINI normally.
I hope you find this information useful and if there?s anything else I can help you with, please get back in touch.
Kind Regards
Rhianna
BMW Group
United Kingdom
Rhianna Choda
Customer Support Executive
Summit ONE
Summit Avenue, Farnborough
Hampshire , GU14 0FB
Tel: +44 (0) 800 3256 000
Good afternoon Saludos
Thanks for your email about your MINI Cooper S. I?m really pleased to hear you?re happy with your purchase.
There is no break in period with MINIs nowadays as this is done in the manufacturing process so you?ll be able to drive your MINI normally.
I hope you find this information useful and if there?s anything else I can help you with, please get back in touch.
Kind Regards
Rhianna
BMW Group
United Kingdom
Rhianna Choda
Customer Support Executive
Summit ONE
Summit Avenue, Farnborough
Hampshire , GU14 0FB
Tel: +44 (0) 800 3256 000
Well that's rubbish; in that the vehicles are not run in at the factory-merely started and moved on to transport. AND that's not what the manual states either! Mmmmmm! I stuck to the handbook.
Hmm. Handbook or Customer Support Executive? 
In that case, play safe, follow the instructions for the run-in period (first 2.000km I believe) so you will know that you have done the best anyway.
You can still decide to follow Mini's exec. instructions, probably you will never know or feel of any impact, but IF (whatever the probability of that) there is some marginal damage or wear done by omitting the run-in instructions, you will never know. But the damage or wear will be there.
You can still decide to follow Mini's exec. instructions, probably you will never know or feel of any impact, but IF (whatever the probability of that) there is some marginal damage or wear done by omitting the run-in instructions, you will never know. But the damage or wear will be there.
I stand by what I said earlier in this thread, I'm easy on my cars anyway so it's not a problem for me, but "breaking in" is a reality imo...and anyone who takes a brand new car and drives it like they stole it immediately is foolish! But, I don't believe in staying under a particular rpm for a certain number of miles either. Just drive sensibly and don't abuse you new MINI!Well that's rubbish; in that the vehicles are not run in at the factory-merely started and moved on to transport. AND that's not what the manual states either! Mmmmmm! I stuck to the handbook.
Despite this belief, I must say that my dealer MA took me for a wild ride in a new JCW while I was waiting on my new JCW on order in 2015 and he was driving very aggressively with the paddles...I loved it! ;-) I am certain that car is fine these days as these engines are built with tight tolerances & while not officially "run in" at the factory maybe, the break in period in the manual is probably very conservative, and maybe not necessary? Just use good judgement & take care of your baby & it will take care of you!
I had a very similar experience with my dealer and after a sane break in period I drive it hard and the mini seems to handle it without any issues. It is an extremely well built little beast and a tough one too! I purchase performance cars because I love performance driving and I expect them to be built to withstand the rigors of performance.I stand by what I said earlier in this thread, I'm easy on my cars anyway so it's not a problem for me, but "breaking in" is a reality imo...and anyone who takes a brand new car and drives it like they stole it immediately is foolish! But, I don't believe in staying under a particular rpm for a certain number of miles either. Just drive sensibly and don't abuse you new MINI!
Despite this belief, I must say that my dealer MA took me for a wild ride in a new JCW while I was waiting on my new JCW on order in 2015 and he was driving very aggressively with the paddles...I loved it! ;-) I am certain that car is fine these days as these engines are built with tight tolerances & while not officially "run in" at the factory maybe, the break in period in the manual is probably very conservative, and maybe not necessary? Just use good judgement & take care of your baby & it will take care of you!
For the first 2-300 miles I think the tires and brakes need to be used with caution. I was mostly easy for about 1000 miles with the engine, that was certainly enough for break in.
I suppose by the 'old meaning' of running in these cars don't-as said manufacturing tolerances are so good that bits of metal don't wear off and go floating around ! Hence cars these days don't need a special abrasive running in oil with a change after a few hundred miles- etc etc. But the manual still says for 1400 miles (off top of head roughly) don't go above 4500 rpm or use full throttle . Friction materials eg clutch need t to be in and likewise gentle braking for a bout 200 miles etc etc.
Gone are the times when austin rover banned the use of fully synthetic oil in an engine that was running in!!! (as it never would!).
Now motor bikes-they're still in the dark ages-first service (after running in) usually around 500 miles and most still don't have self adjusting tappets-GRRRRR!
Gone are the times when austin rover banned the use of fully synthetic oil in an engine that was running in!!! (as it never would!).
Now motor bikes-they're still in the dark ages-first service (after running in) usually around 500 miles and most still don't have self adjusting tappets-GRRRRR!
The official response from mini U.K.:
Good afternoon Saludos
Thanks for your email about your MINI Cooper S. I?m really pleased to hear you?re happy with your purchase.
There is no break in period with MINIs nowadays as this is done in the manufacturing process so you?ll be able to drive your MINI normally.
I hope you find this information useful and if there?s anything else I can help you with, please get back in touch.
Kind Regards
Rhianna
BMW Group
United Kingdom
Rhianna Choda
Customer Support Executive
Summit ONE
Summit Avenue, Farnborough
Hampshire , GU14 0FB
Tel: +44 (0) 800 3256 000
What more can I say, straight from the horses mouth
Jeremy not at the assembly factory but at the engine built facility is where the bedding in takes place...Well that's rubbish; in that the vehicles are not run in at the factory-merely started and moved on to transport. AND that's not what the manual states either! Mmmmmm! I stuck to the handbook.
No they come on pallets no oil no coolant no wiring -well actually some wiring but it's tie wrapped and bagged to the engine itself etc. Its all done on the assembly line. Def not run . in. They grab the odd one off the line to run on a dyno ie spot check.
What the customer advisor means is they're made so well they don't need running in as such-just as the book says-keep it below 4500 revs for the first 1500 miles-and really that's hardly running it in! Well over uk speed limits in top.
Anyone who reckons they don't need running in ought to have experienced our f54-the gearbox was initially VERY notchy-2000 miles in and it has become one of the best changes i have ever experienced full stop and certainly the best mini ever. Our duster has come good at about 15,000 miles-now that is quite some time-but you can tell!
What the customer advisor means is they're made so well they don't need running in as such-just as the book says-keep it below 4500 revs for the first 1500 miles-and really that's hardly running it in! Well over uk speed limits in top.
Anyone who reckons they don't need running in ought to have experienced our f54-the gearbox was initially VERY notchy-2000 miles in and it has become one of the best changes i have ever experienced full stop and certainly the best mini ever. Our duster has come good at about 15,000 miles-now that is quite some time-but you can tell!
My dealer told me its better to drive normally for the first 2000 km. I did over revved by mistake when my gearbox was in sport mode I wanted to hear how the rev matching works from 3 to 1 gear when driving to the traffic lights but then pulling of the green light I forgot that it switched to manual and revved up to red line until I realized and switched back to D... I hope its no biggie as the car was warmed up. Anyways every now and then I try to give it a little kick a) to let it work properly (being a JCW... notnormal philosophy etc) and b) to hear the exhaust pops and crackles from the open valve direct flaw exhaust especially when I am in the tunnel
My JCW is on the ship at Southampton I was driving around in my S this morning and tried to emulate the break-in regimen and it nearly killed me. 4500 RPM? Oh the humanity.
I am dreading this pending break-in. It's a freaking JCW! Go Fast! NOT
I am dreading this pending break-in. It's a freaking JCW! Go Fast! NOT
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