Early run-in service normal?
Discussion
Hello everyone,
So I took my brand new M2 Competition in to fix few little things and I thought also to have an early oil change, ~250 miles on the clock, to clean the tolerances collected so far. The dealership initially declined my request saying that they don't do it outside or the running in scheduled period but then after checking on their systems, it turns out my car is due for servicing (run-in) by July hence they will carry the work.
I do understand BMW cars are now subject to CBS (Condition Based Servicing) but would that apply to the run-in period too? How should I drive my car now? The head engineer said that now the car is "free to go" so I can start being spirited but with common sense and I can also take it onto motorways and highways but I'm not fully sold about it.
For context the car was built in February this year and delivered in March and with such a low mileage there is no way all the components are properly bedded in. What should I do? I'm puzzled because I never found myself in this situation before.
Thanks in advance for your help.
So I took my brand new M2 Competition in to fix few little things and I thought also to have an early oil change, ~250 miles on the clock, to clean the tolerances collected so far. The dealership initially declined my request saying that they don't do it outside or the running in scheduled period but then after checking on their systems, it turns out my car is due for servicing (run-in) by July hence they will carry the work.
I do understand BMW cars are now subject to CBS (Condition Based Servicing) but would that apply to the run-in period too? How should I drive my car now? The head engineer said that now the car is "free to go" so I can start being spirited but with common sense and I can also take it onto motorways and highways but I'm not fully sold about it.
For context the car was built in February this year and delivered in March and with such a low mileage there is no way all the components are properly bedded in. What should I do? I'm puzzled because I never found myself in this situation before.
Thanks in advance for your help.
I’d get an email from BMW to confirm the early service won’t affect the warranty going forward - that’ll be important when you eventually sell it.
Isn’t the oil different from factory to what’s in it now? I’d probably gradually start driving it harder and maybe do another oil change in 12 months.
Isn’t the oil different from factory to what’s in it now? I’d probably gradually start driving it harder and maybe do another oil change in 12 months.
That doesn't affect the warranty because the servicing was done when THEY decided to do it, but yes I'm already in touch with BMW HQ and UK but none of them replied to me so far so who knows... also I don't plan to sell the car to be fair but never say never.
About the oil change in 12 month that's not an option, I asked but because I'm on their servicing program they said they can't do it, which mean that the only option would be go to an independent which would not be ideal with BMW based on some post I saw online. On the fluid type there are two factions the one who says the are different, including the head engineer I spoke to and other people online who found the "part" numbers and claim they are just the same.
About the oil change in 12 month that's not an option, I asked but because I'm on their servicing program they said they can't do it, which mean that the only option would be go to an independent which would not be ideal with BMW based on some post I saw online. On the fluid type there are two factions the one who says the are different, including the head engineer I spoke to and other people online who found the "part" numbers and claim they are just the same.
That's what I was saying, when I was at the dealer and I asked them: "Am I going to see you in 1000 miles and we do another service? I'll pay..." they said they can't do it because I bought the servicing package and that for that reason I need to stick to the schedule.
I guess I have to wait for BMW to come back to me but their online contact via Twitter seem to be at a dead end now, unless they are very slow to reply.
I guess I have to wait for BMW to come back to me but their online contact via Twitter seem to be at a dead end now, unless they are very slow to reply.
_debo said:
That's what I was saying, when I was at the dealer and I asked them: "Am I going to see you in 1000 miles and we do another service? I'll pay..." they said they can't do it because I bought the servicing package and that for that reason I need to stick to the schedule.
I guess I have to wait for BMW to come back to me but their online contact via Twitter seem to be at a dead end now, unless they are very slow to reply.
Well they have NOT stuck to the schedule by servicing it way to early, I would not be happy and phone BMW UK and give them the problem, say you want written conformation that the car will be covered for the 3 years.I guess I have to wait for BMW to come back to me but their online contact via Twitter seem to be at a dead end now, unless they are very slow to reply.
_debo said:
Well it's actually discouraged by the run book during the running period and by many other people online of the various forums.
Can't speak for the M2C manual but the M2 manual simply says "do not exceed 5500 rpm and ... 106 mph... Avoid full load and kickdown".The general idea behind breaking in an engine is to avoid running it at the same throttle setting for minutes on end. With the UK's crowded roads that's rather difficult to achieve. Just drive it sensibly and you'll be fine.
A too-early RIS might well make someone wonder down the line what was behind it. Stick to 1200 miles or thereabouts and go enjoy the car!
AW10 said:
Can't speak for the M2C manual but the M2 manual simply says "do not exceed 5500 rpm and ... 106 mph... Avoid full load and kickdown".
The general idea behind breaking in an engine is to avoid running it at the same throttle setting for minutes on end. With the UK's crowded roads that's rather difficult to achieve. Just drive it sensibly and you'll be fine.
A too-early RIS might well make someone wonder down the line what was behind it. Stick to 1200 miles or thereabouts and go enjoy the car!
The M2C manual is identical, that procedure applies to all the M models as far I know... I'll try to stick to the runbook program as much as I can then, it just annoys me that I can't go on highways for that reason... I better hurry up and crack on with those miles The general idea behind breaking in an engine is to avoid running it at the same throttle setting for minutes on end. With the UK's crowded roads that's rather difficult to achieve. Just drive it sensibly and you'll be fine.
A too-early RIS might well make someone wonder down the line what was behind it. Stick to 1200 miles or thereabouts and go enjoy the car!
_debo said:
Hello everyone,
So I took my brand new M2 Competition in to fix few little things and I thought also to have an early oil change, ~250 miles on the clock, to clean the tolerances collected so far. The dealership initially declined my request saying that they don't do it outside or the running in scheduled period but then after checking on their systems, it turns out my car is due for servicing (run-in) by July hence they will carry the work.
I do understand BMW cars are now subject to CBS (Condition Based Servicing) but would that apply to the run-in period too? How should I drive my car now? The head engineer said that now the car is "free to go" so I can start being spirited but with common sense and I can also take it onto motorways and highways but I'm not fully sold about it.
For context the car was built in February this year and delivered in March and with such a low mileage there is no way all the components are properly bedded in. What should I do? I'm puzzled because I never found myself in this situation before.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Why would you want to do the RIS before it’s due? 250 miles is way too early. The RIS is mileage based. CBS has a time based element, but in the UK BMW appears to have it set to 2 years after build date (the US appears to be 12 months, but they’re used to engines that rely on work hardening of the cam and followers).So I took my brand new M2 Competition in to fix few little things and I thought also to have an early oil change, ~250 miles on the clock, to clean the tolerances collected so far. The dealership initially declined my request saying that they don't do it outside or the running in scheduled period but then after checking on their systems, it turns out my car is due for servicing (run-in) by July hence they will carry the work.
I do understand BMW cars are now subject to CBS (Condition Based Servicing) but would that apply to the run-in period too? How should I drive my car now? The head engineer said that now the car is "free to go" so I can start being spirited but with common sense and I can also take it onto motorways and highways but I'm not fully sold about it.
For context the car was built in February this year and delivered in March and with such a low mileage there is no way all the components are properly bedded in. What should I do? I'm puzzled because I never found myself in this situation before.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Also, what do you mean by cleaning the tolerances collected so far? Something may have got lost in translation...
ftypical said:
Why would you want to do the RIS before it’s due? 250 miles is way too early. The RIS is mileage based. CBS has a time based element, but in the UK BMW appears to have it set to 2 years after build date (the US appears to be 12 months, but they’re used to engines that rely on work hardening of the cam and followers).
Also, what do you mean by cleaning the tolerances collected so far? Something may have got lost in translation...
I didn’t want to do the RIS early, what I wanted to do was simply change the engine oil, preventively, earlier, the reason being that the “imprecision” of machinery make it so that metal tolerances are created in the engine and usually carried around by the engine oil. So, there is a “urban recommendation” to change the oil around 100/200 miles to make sure the rest of the run in is done without those tolerances going around.Also, what do you mean by cleaning the tolerances collected so far? Something may have got lost in translation...
Source: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/engine-break-in...
The early RIS was completely a BMW decision based on their system and parameters not something I wanted to do. Their system said the RIS was due on July and so they did it.
I hope that clarifies.
_debo said:
So, there is a “urban recommendation” to change the oil around 100/200 miles to make sure the rest of the run in is done without those tolerances going around.
Source: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/engine-break-in...
What a load of crap.Source: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/engine-break-in...
Do what it says in the manual - something along the lines of "no more than half throttle or half revs, no labouring, no cruise control" for the first 1200 miles. Then take it in for the RIS.
The extra "tolerances" as you call it are part of the running in process - the oil that circulates in those 1200 miles may well have a few bits in it but those bits will HELP the running in process.
To use a (possibly crap) analogy;
If you are sanding a surface you don't start with 2000 grit sand paper do you? You start with something more aggressive like a 40 grit, then gradually use less and less aggressive papers. Otherwise you'd be there for days and days and days.
Similarly, the contaminants you pick up in the first few miles are the grit that helps the engine bed in properly.
Once those running in miles are done, gently, you don't want those contaminants in there any more because they would continue to wear away bores and rings and various other bits, hence the need for a running in service which includes changing the oil and filter.
Sorry but i'd suggest that by having the RIS done at 250 miles your engine isn't even close to properly run in, and it's now got a low friction synthetic oil instead of the running in oil, which means it'll take LONGER for the components to bed in properly. And you'll definitely want to get the oil changed again sometime in the next few thousand miles.
I'm sorry but that "urban recommendation" is bad advice.
Well "urban" recommendation apart, I'm screwed anyway because BMW officially performed the running in service and in person they told me I can't have another one at 1200 miles.
About the oils in the car though it would seem it's a myth that there is a different type of oil in the car from factory so I should be good for that, here an official response from BMW
About the oils in the car though it would seem it's a myth that there is a different type of oil in the car from factory so I should be good for that, here an official response from BMW
Edited by _debo on Monday 8th July 13:45
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