[svenska80]

I’m sure there is already a thread, but I guess I didn’t want to go digging.
Did everyone take their new M2 to the dealership for a break in service, or did you do it yourself? We change are own oil etc at home, and I wondered if I will even need to take it to the dealer for the initial break in service? Any advice would be appreciated. First BMW, first M, and I want to play my cards right TIA

[BroDoze]

You need to take it to the dealer. It’s free. They have to do the diff and oil.

You will lose CPO eligibility if you try to do it yourself.

[svenska80]

Originally Posted by BroDoze

You need to take it to the dealer. It’s free. They have to do the diff and oil.

You will lose CPO eligibility if you try to do it yourself.

Thank you for your reply!

[e92_enthusiast_1]

They also code out the RIS reminder when you take it.

[ScottyRyan2019]

Drive it like you stole it 🤓

[svenska80]

Originally Posted by ScottyRyan2019

Drive it like you stole it 🤓

lol that won’t be a problem. I’ll be non feral for the break in and then send it!

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by svenska80

I’m sure there is already a thread, but I guess I didn’t want to go digging.
Did everyone take their new M2 to the dealership for a break in service, or did you do it yourself? We change are own oil etc at home, and I wondered if I will even need to take it to the dealer for the initial break in service? Any advice would be appreciated. First BMW, first M, and I want to play my cards right TIA

For proper operation of the car during break in read the break in section in the owners manual.

As others have advised when time arrange to have the car in for its 1200 RIS (running in service). This service is free and involves engine oil/filter service and for the 6-speed cars the diff fluid service.

Also, as e91_enthusiast_1 mentions the RIS reminder is removed.

[Jett2835]

I haven't hit my break-in period yet, but I did DIY a oil & filter change recently on mine at ~500 miles just because the car has been sitting for 10 months now, so I'm just doing what I think is most conservative.

Once I hit 1,200 it will go to dealer for oil/diff fluid service.

Since it's no cost to you, no reason not to take it in for break-in service.

[kev12]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

For proper operation of the car during break in read the break in section in the owners manual.

As others have advised when time arr
ange to have the car in for its 1200 RIS (running in service). This service is free and involves engine oil/filter service and for the 6-speed cars the diff fluid service.

Also, as e91_enthusiast_1 mentions the RIS reminder is removed.

I’m pretty sure the Autos have the diff fluid changed too?

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by kev12

I’m pretty sure the Autos have the diff fluid changed too?

Yes, I referred back to the hand out I got from my dealer's service department and there is no distinction between the RIS for a manual equipped car vs. one equipped with an automatic.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by Jett2835

I haven't hit my break-in period yet, but I did DIY a oil & filter change recently on mine at ~500 miles just because the car has been sitting for 10 months now, so I'm just doing what I think is most conservative.

Once I hit 1,200 it will go to dealer for oil/diff fluid service.

Since it's no cost to you, no reason not to take it in for break-in service.

I never understood why people think they know more about a vehicle than the manufacturer. The oil you changed at 500 miles isn’t regular oil so now you’ve effectively done your engine break-in service at 500 miles, which is way before BMW requires. The break-in is so important to BMW that if you don’t follow their guidelines they can void your 4/50 warranty.

[Jett2835]

Originally Posted by robopp

I never understood why people think they know more about a vehicle than the manufacturer. The oil you changed at 500 miles isn’t regular oil so now you’ve effectively done your engine break-in service at 500 miles, which is way before BMW requires. The break-in is so important to BMW that if you don’t follow their guidelines they can void your 4/50 warranty.

I understand your perspective and your absolutely valid points.

By no means do I think I know more than BMW. I fully acknowledge their engineering and guidelines. My decision to change the oil early wasn’t based on a belief that I know better, but rather on my personal preference and comfort.

The early oil change was driven more by a time interval rather than just mileage. I simply just felt better & peace of mind having fresh oil after the car had been sitting for a while. Also understanding that factory assembly lubricants and other substances tend to make their way into the engine oil during the break-in period with it being fresh off the line. I guess you could chalk it up to my OCD or neurotic behavior.

With the rate I am putting miles on the M2, I would be lucky to hit 10,000 miles before the warranty ends. That being said, if the engine meets catastrophic failure within 10k miles due to an early break-in oil change interval before 1,200 mile break-in that requires warranty work, then I guess I'll have to face the consequences. That said, I’m fully aware that a voided warranty also means losing coverage for other non-engine related issues.

On another note, I suppose you could argue that my early oil change might impact engine performance in the later stages of the car's life. However, unless we are talking about a material difference (i.e., >10% discrepancy) in performance had I kept the break-in oil all the way to 1,200 miles, then I probably won't be too concerned.

Had I been on track to hit the 1,200-mile mark within the first 6 months of ownership, I would not have considered changing the oil early.

[what_ever]

There are no special break in fluids used from factory. As such you did not do any harm to the engine or warranty as such. Though I would not mention the fact at the break in Service to your dealership.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by robopp

I never understood why people think they know more about a vehicle than the manufacturer. The oil you changed at 500 miles isn’t regular oil so now you’ve effectively done your engine break-in service at 500 miles, which is way before BMW requires. The break-in is so important to BMW that if you don’t follow their guidelines they can void your 4/50 warranty.

As is my habit with new vehicles I had my M2 in for an early (out of CBS) oil/filter service at around 600 miles. Dealer did the work. 'course, I paid for it. I asked the CBS system/the running in service clock (so to speak) not be reset/disabled.

Then at 1200 (1204) miles I had the car in for its 1200 mile break in service.

Service department did not object to the early service. The service department did not say anything about it invalidating the warranty.

As for the break in oil being different... I failed to have a sample of the "break in" oil and virgin oil analyzed, so I don't know if there are any differences. BMW does not prohibit early oil/filter service which suggests there is nothing magical about the oil the engine is filled with when it leaves the factory.

But I did have the break in oil analyzed from my 2024 BMW 230ix at 600 miles along with a virgin sample of the oil the engine was refilled with.

A couple of differences:

Break in oil:
Molybdenum: 504 (ppm)!
Zinc: 848 (ppm)
Magnesium: 11 (ppm)

Viscosity at 100C: 7.373

I've not listed them but wear metal content was present which given the circumstances was to be expected.


Refill oil:
Molybdenum: 68 (ppm)
Zinc: 903 (ppm)
Magnesium: 882 (ppm)

Viscosity at 100C: 8.577

Moly is an anti-wear additive. This can be increased by the use of SWPECO 502 Oil Improver which contains micronized moly. (Porsche techs recommended this additive be used in engines in cars that were not driven very much.)

I am not familiar with any oil additive -- at least over the counter -- that one can buy to increase the magnesium content of engine oil so the lower magnesium content suggests the break in oil was a custom blend. Magnesium has some detergent function -- I believe it gloms on to particles to increase their chances of being captured by the filter -- but it is also abrasive. And can also lead to some gelling/sludge forming. Would appear the low magnesium content was more a concern about the risk of wear rather than its detergent benefit. Sort of makes sense. New engine with "tight" fits and more sensitive to anything even remotely abrasive in the oil.

The high temperature viscosity difference is worth noting. In 600 miles the viscosity index went from 8.577 to 7.373. 'course, this assumes the break in oil started with the same viscosity as the refill oil. But I can't see why the factory would use an oil with a lower high temperature viscosity in a new engine which can experience -- at least locally -- elevated operating temperature due to the increased levels of friction of the new engine.

[Carefree]

I’ve followed BMW recommendations for all my cars.

I figure they know more about their cars than me.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by what_ever

There are no special break in fluids used from factory. As such you did not do any harm to the engine or warranty as such. Though I would not mention the fact at the break in Service to your dealership.

This poster analyzed the break in oil and the data says otherwise:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=14101989

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

For proper operation of the car during break in read the break in section in the owners manual.

As others have advised when time arrange to have the car in for its 1200 RIS (running in service). This service is free and involves engine oil/filter service and for the 6-speed cars the diff fluid service.

Also, as e91_enthusiast_1 mentions the RIS reminder is removed.

Autos get the diff service as well.

[JMcLellan]

I followed all the rules for the first 600 miles, then for the next 600 miles. Rolled into the dealership with exactly 1200 on the odometer and got the break in service. I didn't know it was complimentary so that was a nice surprise. Immediately after break in service I shaved some significant life off of my rear tires.

[garageoverflow]

I feel like the forums/groups for all enthusiast cars are similar in that you'll have such a wide range of owners.

The people that keep the car stock forever and want a track record of every oil change and how much air went into the tires. These people probably take it to the dealer for the paper trail and will say that the BMW engineers know best on everything. Why would you replace an air filter, don't you know the BMW engineers spent 13,000 hours testing?

The people that buy the car to mod to hell/race/track or just enjoy as an extreme enthusiast trying to break records or have a fun weekend toy with a million HP. Swap turbos week 1, destroy a rear diff and upgrade, etc... These people likely don't even want BMW to touch their car.

I'm guessing we have the entire range in here.

If you are worried about something breaking and the dealer denying your warranty claim, I'd just take it to the dealer (at least for the initial break in process, or you have had the car a while and are ok with the risk)

[BroDoze]

Isn't it well-known fact that the M car's engine and diff oil ARE indeed a special break-in oil specifically needing a full 1,200 miles to "do their thing" Seat rings properly that otherwise may not properly seal if "normal" oil replaces it too early.
Diff was also a special viscosity oil if I recall.

[what_ever]

The Alpina B3 has an S58 engine and Alpina does not require a break in service after 1200miles. Technical documentation of the s58 only states a normal oil change to be done and does not give any indication on special liquids used for break in. If special breakin fluids would be used you would expect this information to be given to the service guys or not?

See attached page 60:

https://bmwtechinfo.bmwgroup.com/tec...8%20Engine.pdf

The oil analysis only shows that the oil used at factory was not the same as the one used later by the dealership after break in. BMW just requests to use oil with the specific certification but not a dedicated oil as such.

In any case I believe an oil change after the required break in miles
does make sense in any case.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by henrysa

What are some of the DIY maintenance tasks an owner could potentially handle during the break-in period instead of taking it to the dealer?






geometry dash breeze

The only things that were done at my M2's 1200 mile service and its CBS service at one year (and 7200 miles) that I could do at home was the checking/setting the tire inflation pressures and the topping up of the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

As is my SOP I do check/set/adjust if necessary the tire inflation pressures.

I only used the windshield washer system a time or two and the fluid level was barely down from full.

I saw no point in doing these services myself. Both the 1200 mile break in service and the 1 year (7200 miles) CBS service were free.