[turnsignalslol]

My G87 is my first brand new M car, so it's going to be the first time I'm going through break in. I read the manual and what people have been saying online (and the tech told me to "take it easy" lol) and am wondering if I should drive it like a grandma or feel free to drive it with a little spirit without flooring it and exceeding the 5k rev recommendation (obviously once the engine is warmed up).

The first 40ish miles of me driving from the dealer to my ppf shop was just in the lowest transmission mode, auto, and cruising on the highway, with a little bit of fluxuation in the revs when there would be slowdowns or when I would need to pass someone.

It's hard to resist just doing some pulls but I'm willing to baby the car if necessary if it needs it before it's done breaking in. Let me know what you guys did!

[aerobod]

Vary the revs and speed as much as possible and generally keep them between 1/3 and 2/3 of the rev limit (2400-4800RPM) and 1/3 to 2/3 of throttle opening when using power, or fully closed throttle if not. Manually shift to lower gears when slowing down and use engine braking as much as possible. Avoid significant idling or keeping the revs at the same amount for any period of time and don’t use cruise control.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Vary the revs and speed as much as possible and generally keep them between 1/3 and 2/3 of the rev limit (2400-4800RPM) and 1/3 to 2/3 of throttle opening when using power, or fully closed throttle if not. Manually shift to lower gears when slowing down and use engine braking as much as possible. Avoid significant idling or keeping the revs at the same amount for any period of time and don’t use cruise control.

I might be tripping but I could have sworn someone said to not use the manual mode during break in but please correct me if I'm wrong

Also I noticed this in the owners' manual on page 23, "When shifting into 5th or
6th gear, press the gearshift lever to the right." What does this even mean? I know that on the ZF8's, it will go back to auto mode if you don't shift manually for a couple of seconds, even if you use the paddle, unless you lock it into manual mode by moving the knob to the right. Is that what this is saying?

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

I might be tripping but I could have sworn someone said to not use the manual mode during break in but please correct me if I'm wrong

Also I noticed this in the owners' manual on page 23, "When shifting into 5th or
6th gear, press the gearshift lever to the right." What does this even mean? I know that on the ZF8's, it will go back to auto mode if you don't shift manually for a couple of seconds, even if you use the paddle, unless you lock it into manual mode by moving the knob to the right. Is that what this is saying?

The “press the lever to the right for 5th and 6th gear” is for a manual transmission.

Not using manual mode with the automatic won’t give optimum engine braking with good vacuum in the intake, it is good to get reverse load on the engine for optimum component break-in. The only risk of using manual mode is forgetting to shift and consequently taking the revs too high, not a problem if paying attention to the actual revs.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

My G87 is my first brand new M car, so it's going to be the first time I'm going through break in. I read the manual and what people have been saying online (and the tech told me to "take it easy" lol) and am wondering if I should drive it like a grandma or feel free to drive it with a little spirit without flooring it and exceeding the 5k rev recommendation (obviously once the engine is warmed up).

The first 40ish miles of me driving from the dealer to my ppf shop was just in the lowest transmission mode, auto, and cruising on the highway, with a little bit of fluxuation in the revs when there would be slowdowns or when I would need to pass someone.

It's hard to resist just doing some pulls but I'm willing to baby the car if necessary if it needs it before it's done breaking in. Let me know what you guys did!

From my M2 owners manual:

Engine, transmission, and axle drive

Up to 600 miles/1,000 km

Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed 5000 rpm and 106 mph/170 km/h.

Avoid full throttle or kick down under all circumstances.


From 600 miles/1,000 km to 1,200 miles/2,000 km

Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed 6000 rpm and 130 mph/210 km/h.

Avoid full load in gears 1 to 3.


At 1,200 miles/2,000 km

Have break-in service maintenance performed.

I followed the above. And pretty much followed the same for a number of new cars over the years.

There is some freedom to subject the engine to a load above granny driving level of load. Just don't go overboard. There is a caution to avoid full throttle in any gear in the 1st 600 miles and to avoid full engine load in the 1st 3 gears between 600 and 1200 miles.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

My G87 is my first brand new M car, so it's going to be the first time I'm going through break in. I read the manual and what people have been saying online (and the tech told me to "take it easy" lol) and am wondering if I should drive it like a grandma or feel free to drive it with a little spirit without flooring it and exceeding the 5k rev recommendation (obviously once the engine is warmed up).

The first 40ish miles of me driving from the dealer to my ppf shop was just in the lowest transmission mode, auto, and cruising on the highway, with a little bit of fluxuation in the revs when there would be slowdowns or when I would need to pass someone.

It's hard to resist just doing some pulls but I'm willing to baby the car if necessary if it needs it before it's done breaking in. Let me know what you guys did!

Don't stress over it and drive it normal, preferably in city traffic, not highway but either is fine. I would not overstress the engine regularly - do not go into red-line and do not rev it too high while cold. Make sure it is (always) properly warmed up before putting too much on it.

With my F87, I picked it up in DC and first day (two actually) drove it 1250 miles to Dallas. All highways. Varied the speed a little bit (65-95), occasionally, shifted from 6th to 5th (MT) on HWY speeds. When arrived to Dallas, had my break in service the very next day at 1250 miles.

With my G80 (and F80s), it was all in city-traffic, no stress, normal driving, shifting, braking. no traffic lights showing off, no red-line on the HWY ramp... a few spirited runs at 5000-5500 but nothing crazy. And yes, used all -- Sport, Spot+ modes

[two_three_two]

i recall back in the day the debate between "soft" break in and "hard" break in for B8 S4s. in the long term, the folks who drove like grannies during break in never going above 4k RPM ended up with oil burning issues and those who did hard break ins typically did not. i try to keep this in mind and let the car run up to 6k when fully warm now that i am at almost 800 miles. as someone else said driving like you have your MIL in the car for the whole break in period probably will do more harm than good long term

[1stM]

Here is how to run in the M drivetrain.

[tylerdurdem]

Tried to keep it below 6k, didn't always succeed, I'm not worried about it, you probably shouldn't be overly worried either. No LC, no top speed runs, no track days, otherwise just drive it with a little mechanical empathy and enjoy.

[Geighty7]

Don’t overthink it, but don’t redline or WOT (especially first 600 miles).

Get some great heat cycles going, driving in random RPM’s and don’t cruise on highways at constant speeds for long periods. Drop a gear here or there to vary the engine output.

You can use manual mode- try and stay away from Sport+ for first 600 miles as you’ll probably want to punch it.

Summary: No kickdowns, no launch control, no redlines (5000 first 600, 6000 last 600), drive at varying speeds and RPM’s, don’t cruise in 1 speed for over an hour, have fun.

Don’t be afraid to drive spirited within parameters. You don’t need to drive like a grandma, you won’t break the thing unless you really try.

[turnsignalslol]

Thanks for the advice guys, will definitely be following once I pick up my car tomorrow from the PPF shop

[Geighty7]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

Thanks for the advice guys, will definitely be following once I pick up my car tomorrow from the PPF shop

Enjoy! Get those 1200 in then you’ll really enjoy.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by Geighty7

Enjoy! Get those 1200 in then you’ll really enjoy.

Also can I use sport+ during break in too? Or should I keep it in efficient the whole time

[apez]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

Also can I use sport+ during break in too? Or should I keep it in efficient the whole time

This engine setting changes only throttle response and allows valves to open. Personally I like Sport for the increased noise and linear throttle mapping.

I have the MT, but you might want to be cautious with the transmission modes as it will definitely rev higher and hold gear in different settings. Not a bad thing, but might make it easy to exceed 5k/6k. Someone with a AT might have more input.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by apez

This engine setting changes only throttle response and allows valves to open. Personally I like Sport for the increased noise and linear throttle mapping.

I have the MT, but you might want to be cautious with the transmission modes as it will definitely rev higher and hold gear in different settings. Not a bad thing, but might make it easy to exceed 5k/6k. Someone with a AT might have more input.

It also makes the car burble, wondering if that’s okay during break in. I know it’s not like the gunshot burbles that tunes give and I know those are not good for your turbo but I doubt the shitty baby burbles the S58 makes would do any harm?

[apez]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

It also makes the car burble, wondering if that’s okay during break in. I know it’s not like the gunshot burbles that tunes give and I know those are not good for your turbo but I doubt the shitty baby burbles the S58 makes would do any harm?

I think that is just because the valves are open, but I can't verify.

[turnsignalslol]

Just drove the car from the shop in manual mode and noticed that it’s really jerky when upshifting, especially in lower gears. Is this normal? Was driving with sport+ engine and pretty light throttle.

Edit: Just toned down the drivelogic to S1 or S2 and no more jerkiness lol

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Just follow aerobod’s advice and enjoy your car.
It’s ok to go over the recommended 6k RPM every once in a while.
Don’t worry too much, but definitely do not drive like a grandma as it’ll do more harm than good.

I just got my car back today and took all the advice into account, the most annoying thing to me is just having to randomly downshift on the highway while cruising to get the rpms to jump around a bit. I make long trips quite frequently so this is going to be quite bothersome but it's all worth it to have my car in tip top shape before break in

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

I just got my car back today and took all the advice into account, the most annoying thing to me is just having to randomly downshift on the highway while cruising to get the rpms to jump around a bit. I make long trips quite frequently so this is going to be quite bothersome but it's all worth it to have my car in tip top shape before break in

Just have to keep with the program for the break-in distance! My wife tolerated me changing gear at least once per km on two 600km trips where most of the break-in was done, together with the speed changing by 20 to 40km/h over that same distance when the gap to other cars was sufficient. Basically avoiding having the throttle in the same position for more than a few seconds, with lots of closed throttle deceleration as well.

[turnsignalslol]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Just have to keep with the program for the break-in distance! My wife tolerated me changing gear at least once per km on two 600km trips where most of the break-in was done, together with the speed changing by 20 to 40km/h over that same distance when the gap to other cars was sufficient. Basically avoiding having the throttle in the same position for more than a few seconds, with lots of closed throttle deceleration as well.

I drove 100 miles on the freeway today, and basically what I did the whole time was cruise for a little bit in 7th at like 2300 rpms (80mph), then I’d get off the throttle let it decelerate, then downshift to 6th around 3k rpms or even 5th at 4k rpms when I got bored. I’d then lightly use throttle to bring the rpms up then up shift back to seventh. Rinse and repeat. Is that how I’m supposed to check off the “varying revs” during break in? Please lmk if I’m doing something wrong

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

I just got my car back today and took all the advice into account, the most annoying thing to me is just having to randomly downshift on the highway while cruising to get the rpms to jump around a bit. I make long trips quite frequently so this is going to be quite bothersome but it's all worth it to have my car in tip top shape before break in

Mid April of this year picked up my M2 and had a 200+ mile drive home. 6-speed. At some places on the freeway I could lift off the gas pedal and let the car slow down then bring the car back up to speed while leaving the transmission in 6th gear. Other times I down shifted to vary the engine RPMs. No biggie.

I had practice: Picked up my new 2023 MINI JCW mid March of this year and drove it home 873 miles. 6-speed. Did the slow the car by coasting then accelerate up to speed or downshifted to vary engine RPMs at highway speed. Kind of interesting how the engine perked up as the miles rolled past 500 and up.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

I drove 100 miles on the freeway today, and basically what I did the whole time was cruise for a little bit in 7th at like 2300 rpms (80mph), then I’d get off the throttle let it decelerate, then downshift to 6th around 3k rpms or even 5th at 4k rpms when I got bored. I’d then lightly use throttle to bring the rpms up then up shift back to seventh. Rinse and repeat. Is that how I’m supposed to check off the “varying revs” during break in? Please lmk if I’m doing something wrong

I’ve tended to be more aggressive with my break-ins on new vehicles, but it is more difficult on the G87 to follow my regime due to the power the car has. I try to keep the throttle at between 1/3 and 2/3 unless it is fully closed during deceleration (besides varying the revs in the 2400 to 4800RPM range as much as possible)

Probably not a detectable difference from doing a more gentle break-in, but the 20 or so new cars I have applied this technique to have all had good power outputs for their specs with no significant oil consumption.