Breaking in the 335

[zetaxi165]

Hi guys,

I have ordered a Silver (with Black leather and aluminum trim) 335i. 19" wheels, sports suspension - the works. I take delivery of it on the 18th of this month.

I have heard from a couple of people that I should not go easy on the car during the Engine break-in period (or I might actually end up losing a few hp in output).

Can someone please let me know whether I should go easy on it (like a normal car) or should I drive it like I stole it?

[BMW335i]

Hi guys,

I have ordered a Silver (with Black leather and aluminum trim) 335i. 19" wheels, sports suspension - the works. I take delivery of it on the 18th of this month.

I have heard from a couple of people that I should not go easy on the car during the Engine break-in period (or I might actually end up losing a few hp in output).

Can someone please let me know whether I should go easy on it (like a normal car) or should I drive it like I stole it?

Don't drive it like you stole it. All you need to know is vary the rpm's. Thats it.

[z4guy]

and make sure you don't push to hard until it is at operating temp

[greenie99]

and make sure you don't push to hard until it is at operating temp

BINGO* Very important. Why is there a need to break-in? Dont these cars come with keys?

[PeterC4]

BINGO* Very important. Why is there a need to break-in? Dont these cars come with keys?

LOL....break-in...don't they test these things????

[NickA325is]

I drove my car hard from day one. At first I felt bad, but then I started researching it and talking to people and it won't hurt the car at all. Like others said just wait till it's at operating temp. to go above 3k.

[Knightsport]

I drove my car hard from day one. At first I felt bad, but then I started researching it and talking to people and it won't hurt the car at all. Like others said just wait till it's at operating temp. to go above 3k.

Correct.

I've broken in all of my cars this way.

[Robert Venable]

HMM, it would seem that testing out the 155 mph speed limiter during break-in might be not be something that is popular here... I'll see my own way out.

[Knightsport]

HMM, it would seem that testing out the 155 mph speed limiter during break-in might be not be something that is popular here... I'll see my own way out.


Says who? lol

[jbass524]

After a lot of research and talking in length to a very trusted Racer friend who has had numerous Cool Cars this was my decision:
I broke my 335 in with varying accelerations to get the pressure up in the cylinders. I only did this when the engine was completely warm.

I did this from day 1 and the car feels like it's gotten faster with time. This might be my imagination.

I changed the oil and filter at 1500 miles. FYI, The dealer won't pay for this; or at least doesn't have to.

There is a very complete thread on this in this forum somewhere. Use search.

[Walked U]

I did a hard break in. Then changed oil at 1200 miles.

[branks13B]

yea hard break-ns are the way to go, ive done that with all my cars.

[docross]

HMM, it would seem that testing out the 155 mph speed limiter during break-in might be not be something that is popular here... I'll see my own way out.


you're the most qualified--what do you think?

[yakitiyak]

hi guys I've been doing a lot of reading on this site the past few days and I'm getting conflicting views.
My question is do I have an oil change done (paid by me @ 1200-1500 miles)? and then follow the BMW schedule or do I just follow the schedule. This is my first Bimmer (328 XI) and I want to get the most out of it, but not abuse it.

Also I'm assuming that its safe to drive it hard out of the box (I only have 700 miles on it)

Thanks for your opinon.

BTW as a first timer.. the machine never disappoints

[Walked U]

^ If its a hard break in, I would change the oil. And yes follow up with the scheduled oil change.

If your not driving hard then change it at 5k miles just to make sure.

[branks13B]

yea i did the hard break in on my evo and changed the oil at almost 3k miles and it was black, should have done it sooner.

[zetaxi165]

Thanks for the info guys.

I guess i will go with the varying rpms method (after engine is warmed up) as described by jbass524.

I can't wait for the car.

Was initially shopping between a corvette, a6, fx45 or a 530i. Drove the 335 out of curiosity (the new engine and all) and was stunned by how great this car is.

Placed the order 5 minutes later.

[ADAM///M]

Thanks for the info guys.

I guess i will go with the varying rpms method (after engine is warmed up) as described by jbass524.

I can't wait for the car.

Was initially shopping between a corvette, a6, fx45 or a 530i. Drove the 335 out of curiosity (the new engine and all) and was stunned by how great this car is.

Placed the order 5 minutes later.

Congrats.

Just to let you know, I will be picking my 335 up from teh dealer on February 5th and have an XEDE install/dyno appointment with Shiv on the 10th.

I will be driving the shit out the car from the day I pick it up...making sure that I vary the rev's and let the engine slow the car down to properly seat everything. I will be getting a 91 octane and 100 octane tune and will be gunning for low 12's within the first month of ownership. Of course this is a lease car :eyecrazy

[rezacentral]

Doesn't the manual say to not drive over 4k rpm during the first 1000 miles? I don't understand why everyone has this view that they must go against a multi-billion dollar company's research and development.

If they wanted you to break it in a special way, they would have told you to. If they wanted you to change the oil earlier, they would have told you to.

The whole purpose of the included maintanance is to keep the residual value of their cars high. They've probably been through more scenarios than there are people on this board.

I haven't read anyone here give a decent reason on why someone should change the oil earlier than the recommended length.

Does anyone have any proof to back up these claims that a pre-maintanance oil change will affect the engines life-span?

[kristine's 335i]

Doesn't the manual say to not drive over 4k rpm during the first 1000 miles? I don't understand why everyone has this view that they must go against a multi-billion dollar company's research and development.

If they wanted you to break it in a special way, they would have told you to. If they wanted you to change the oil earlier, they would have told you to.

The whole purpose of the included maintanance is to keep the residual value of their cars high. They've probably been through more scenarios than there are people on this board.

I haven't read anyone here give a decent reason on why someone should change the oil earlier than the recommended length.

Does anyone have any proof to back up these claims that a pre-maintanance oil change will affect the engines life-span?

Fully agree with you.....ever stop to think that we the public has been told by the oil companies for so many years that you must change your oil every 3000 miles, whole companies depend on this mind set. I have owned three BMWs now and have done my oil changes when the car directs me to. Not that I am a moron, I just trust the company to know what is beswt for the car. You can go to europe and it is a totally different mind set about the intervals for an oil change.....and most of the european cars reflect that as well.
I have no issues other than a broken cup holder in 5 years with my BMW's.

[denton]

Doesn't the manual say to not drive over 4k rpm during the first 1000 miles? I don't understand why everyone has this view that they must go against a multi-billion dollar company's research and development.

If they wanted you to break it in a special way, they would have told you to. If they wanted you to change the oil earlier, they would have told you to.

The whole purpose of the included maintanance is to keep the residual value of their cars high. They've probably been through more scenarios than there are people on this board.

I haven't read anyone here give a decent reason on why someone should change the oil earlier than the recommended length.

Does anyone have any proof to back up these claims that a pre-maintanance oil change will affect the engines life-span?

Hi friend:


Along with R&D tho, you have to think about marketing and accounting :-)

The bean counters are thinking that to offer free maintenance for 50k miles has a cost so it's in their favor to keep fluid changes as far apart as possible.

They're also thinking new Bimmers are mostly leased so any probs will develop far down the road when the car is no longer their problem. Maybe that's short-term thinking on their part if the famous German longevity starts to slack off. OTOH maybe r&d rules.

But since I am cynical of the long-term thinking of multi-nationals, and I am planning to keep my car a long time (I'm buying not leasing) I intend to do a fluid change at 3000 miles.

If otoh you are leasing or planning to trade in in 3 years, I'd probably not worry about it.

The editors of Bimmer Magazine are also highly skeptical of the 15k oil change, btw.

Denton

[JNMACE]

I have no issues other than a broken cup holder in 5 years with my BMW's.

Broken cupholders...let me guess...E39?

Haha...bought cupholders three different times on mine.

[530transam]

so many time si have taken my car at the 3k mile marker to have the oil changed and the dealership told em "this oil is still as clear as when you put it in, you shoulda just added some, woulda saved you $75" By the way this is my 99 trans am i dont have a bimmer yet im waiting for the 335xi. so one time i waited 10,000 miles and just added 1/4 of a quart once. i told the dealership it had been 3,000 miles and they said i could have gone 3k more. But still, that car cost me close to 40 grand so i changed it every 5k with full synthetic. It now has 130,000 miles with not even a single problem ever. pretty good for the typical "no-good-aftet-100k-american-sports-car". it also has numerous performance upgrades and for the most part all parts are on about twice as much strain as intended at 600 horspepower. so in conclusion- i think its all marketing scheme as far as the 3k oil change goes but till i see solid proof im not risking the expensive cars i buy. initial oil change in my trans am was at 1000 miles paid for by the dealer

[kristine's 335i]

Broken cupholders...let me guess...E39?

Haha...bought cupholders three different times on mine.

You got it.....a friend tried to force a 20 oz bottle of coke in it, and snap she went. We pleased that it was replaced for free when I brought it in for service.:)