[Berzerker]

I found some interesting info on the do's and don't's with break-in for the S58, from someone who works in the M division's engineering. Curious to what your thoughts on this are, or is this somehow all common knowledge and I'm just dumb for not knowing?

S58 ZH8HP break-in

Do NOT exceed:

D2/S2,
5,500 RPM,
70% engine load,
Idle of more than 20 minutes

Do NOT use:

Cruise control,
Engine SP+
Launch Control

NEVER:

Load engine for first 9 seconds of runtime after 8 hours sit time,

...30 seconds if below 37F ambient temp

An explanation of what Sport+ does (spoiler: way more than just throttle response and valves opening...)

Sport+ and any of the engine dynamic settings alter characteristic maps for the entire powertrain. They are not static settings. Any of them are varying envelopes and curves for things like throttle application delta, delay, waste gate duty cycle, vanos angle augmentation, injector pulse width...list goes on. The output affects behavior like throttle(valvetronic) application delay, pedal ratio, rev hang, boost threshold, and yes responsiveness or pedal application time delta. Exhaust valves use a duty cycle map predicated on rpm and load. Way more than responsiveness. The only static engine setting ever was the S54 in the E46 M3 and that was delta and ratio only.

As for why no Sport+ during break-in:

it is the only mode where the waste gates are permitted to close entirely prior to max pedal position. At around 80% travel you achieve zero boost threshold. Do it enough in SP+ and the seals on each of your MHI TF035 monos can crack.

He also explained that due to a lack of DOT standardizations when it comes to drive modes, this isn't mentioned in the manual (they require DOT/SAE/NHTSA approval/review).

Curious to what you all think of this.

[Forzanerazzurri]

This is really good info thanks for posting. I used sp+ for the entire break in and didn't think much of it because I followed the manuals break in rules religiously. Thanks BMW.

Does the disclaimer about the cracking apply to sp+ after the break in too? I always figures more stress would be put on the drivetrain and engine mounts for sure over time but never considered this. Too bad because the car is so good in sp+.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

This is really good info thanks for posting. I used sp+ for the entire break in and didn't think much of it because I followed the manuals break in rules religiously. Thanks BMW.

Does the disclaimer about the cracking apply to sp+ after the break in too? I always figures more stress would be put on the drivetrain and engine mounts for sure over time but never considered this. Too bad because the car is so good in sp+.

Didn't get that far into the discussion but I imagine not if it's already broken in.

I agree with the part about information though. I was told none of this during delivery.

[hhkb]

What is D2/S2?

[BimmerFix]

Originally Posted by hhkb

What is D2/S2?

Trans settings

[Habber]

You’d think it would be blocked during the break in period and opened up after the break in service.

Weird that they didn’t think this through assuming what was just explained about SP+

[BeamerBoomer]

In the end it is a no-brainer. It is common sense to baby your car during break-in period, low speed, low rpm, no excessive breaking, launch control etc. This also means no Sport+, maybe even not Sports Mode (at least all not for extended period of time), no D3/S3 and everything else that stresses the engine and drivetrain. But if it is your car, be ignorant and go ahead as you like.

[hhkb]

Originally Posted by BimmerFix

Trans settings

Ahh thank you. Probably not applicable to manual transmission, I assume!

[Savsearcher]

I didn’t use sport+ at all during the break-in period, but that’s primarily because I was using that time to get acclimated to the M3 and didn’t want to get myself into trouble before I had a good feel for it. Now I use sport+ almost every time I drive it. This stuff should be in the manual.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by Habber

You’d think it would be blocked during the break in period and opened up after the break in service.

Weird that they didn’t think this through assuming what was just explained about SP+

Well going above 5500RPM isn't blocked either, so I think it's just not worth the time/effort to implement that vs just telling people "don't do it."

Originally Posted by BeamerBoomer

In the end it is a no-brainer. It is common sense to baby your car during break-in period, low speed, low rpm, no excessive breaking, launch control etc. This also means no Sport+, maybe even not Sports Mode (at least all not for extended period of time), no D3/S3 and everything else that stresses the engine and drivetrain. But if it is your car, be ignorant and go ahead as you like.

I wouldn't say that any of this is a no-brainer. You'd assume "don't push it" but what exactly does "push it" mean? Well, the manual says "not above 5500RPM, 106MPH, and no Launch Control" ok that sounds reasonable. But you'd also think it common sense that "if the manual doesn't mention it, surely it must be fine to use even during the break-in period."

Originally Posted by Savsearcher

I didn’t use sport+ at all during the break-in period, but that’s primarily because I was using that time to get acclimated to the M3 and didn’t want to get myself into trouble before I had a good feel for it. Now I use sport+ almost every time I drive it. This stuff should be in the manual.

I agree, but I did mention a quip about their reasoning of why this isn't in the manual. That part specifically was a bit confusing to me though, I didn't get far enough into the conversation with them to go in-depth of the DOT limitations of that kind of thing.

[SsixHiMod]

Been following what the manual says but inadvertently went over 5k RPM before I hit 500 miles. I've also been toggling all the settings on and off including Sport+ in short spurts. But I don't think I'm gonna worry about having used Sport+ a handful of times or even briefly pushing over 5k RPM. If something breaks and it's because of something not specified on the manual...warranty claim...

[harperium]

This is good info, and not just as it relates to Break In. I would love knowing what exactly all the engine and trans modes do. It'd be nice if BMW would put this info in the Owner's Manual. We aren't driving Toyota Corollas.

[Habber]

Just sold my 23’ before break in service. Drove it every day in SP+ but under 5k RPM.

Is that babied???? Who knows. If it was such an issue, they’d mention it in the manual (driving with SP+). Not sure they did.

[Forzanerazzurri]

Turbos are what 6k? Oh well. I think that makes me want to go for a rip right now.

[TopJimmy]

So…I finished break in in one week. The way I do it is going out on the highways at night for a 200 mile session. I start out in Sport+ D3 and drive EASY (dash console gauges up so I see no boost). This way the revs don’t go above 4K. Then on the highway after things are warmed up I start doing “vacuum pulls” where you ease up to 3K at about 80MPH and then coast allowing the revs to come down to 2K, then repeat for a half hour. Then I take revs to 4K and do vacuum pulls down to 3K (or down to 2K if nobody is behind me). After 2 hours I have a long dinner break and let the car cool, and then do the same on the way home. I’m told by my engine builder this is how you seat the rings really well.

At the break-in service I asked for the oil filter pleats so I could pull them open and inspect, and there were only a few (maybe 5) flecks of aluminum. That’s very good for a break-in.

[kgelfen360]

Good info. I been driving it like normal car pretty much. I think once or twice I slightly went over 5500 rpm for like 1 or 2 seconds. This other info about Sport+ is interesting. But I have been using cruise control on free way… I thought it was very gentle on the car why not?

They don’t even talk about in the video:

https://youtu.be/mJQ8o-aRYKM

[Chapter2099]

Can someone define for me engine load so I understand better in these terms of OP is saying? I googled it so I get the concept of engine load, but what does it mean to apply it here and “not exceed 70%”?

Or not to load the engine for first 9 seconds of runtime?

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by Chapter2099

Can someone define for me engine load so I understand better in these terms of OP is saying? I googled it so I get the concept of engine load, but what does it mean to apply it here and “not exceed 70%”?

Or not to load the engine for first 9 seconds of runtime?

Translation = Do not exceed 4,900RPM (7000 redline X 0.7 [70%] = 4,900)

…and…

When you start your car don’t touch the gas pedal (load) for the first 9 seconds.

…so if I read German correctly…

I can start the car, wait till 10 seconds, and then peg RPMs at 4900 for 1300 miles... NOT!

[TopJimmy]

kgelfen360 the no-cruise thing is because they want the RPMs varying over the break-in, not constant RPM like cruise would be using.

Load question answered right above for Chapter. Limit to under 4,900 during break in.

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

kgelfen360 the no-cruise thing is because they want the RPMs varying over the break-in, not constant RPM like cruise would be using.

Load question answered right above for Chapter. Limit to under 4,900 during break in.

That sounds reasonable but even without cruise control if I am holding 70 mph. It’s gonna basically same RPMs.
I guess I need to avoid freeways.

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

That sounds reasonable but even without cruise control if I am holding 70 mph. It’s gonna basically same RPMs.
I guess I need to avoid freeways.

That’s why I go driving late at night, to vary the speed and RPMs, without the bother of traffic.

[Chapter2099]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

Translation = Fo not exceed 4,900RPM (7000 redline X 0.7 [70%] = 4,900)

…and…

When you start your car don’t touch the gas pedal (load) for the first 9 seconds.

…so if I read German correctly…

I can start the car, wait till 10 seconds, and then peg RPMs at 4900 for 1300 miles... NOT!

Appreciate you, brother!! Thanks for the translation. Makes sense!