Break in period but what about test drives?
#1
11-25-2003, 03:48 PM
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Break in period but what about test drives?
I keep hearing you aren't supposed to go over 4000 rpms and other babying techniques when you first get your G. But I know that when I test drove the car I went way over 4,000 and the salesman was telling me to punch it. I mean some salesman are cool and want you to get an idea of what the car can do but what if 50 people test drive a car? What does that do to the cars so called break in period.........
#2
11-25-2003, 04:03 PM
Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
Doesn't do good - that's for sure.
But then again, those specific cars are for testing purposes only. The dealers might sell them eventually, but I would not buy one of these.
Back at the time when I was in the market for a new car, and drove a manual sedan with NAV, the NAV unit read something like 11MPG average!!! - Gave me a really good idea, as to how bad these cars are being abused....
If you don't follow the recommended break-in procedures, I don't think you will notice any decrease in performance in the short run, but on the long run, you are definitely shortening your engine's life.
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#3
11-25-2003, 05:12 PM
Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
Sorry Speed, there isn't any real data on what rough, average, and tender break-ins do (or don't do) to short- and/or long-term engine performance and eventual lifetime. Engine rebuild professionals argue all the time as to what a proper break-in is, and many don't even believe such a thing exists for modern engines. I've seen some data that suggests driving it hard from the get go is best, but no comprehensive studies have ever been performed to my knowledge.
Several threads have popped-up on this today, and the truth is still the same: nobody really knows what a "proper" break-in is, or even if there is one.
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Several threads have popped-up on this today, and the truth is still the same: nobody really knows what a "proper" break-in is, or even if there is one.
03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat
#4
11-25-2003, 05:25 PM
Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
I know what you mean when I went on a test drive I beat the living crap out of that car. The car had 400 miles on it already when I test drove it. You know it was all hard driven miles. I feel sorry for the person who gets that car. I made sure the car I got didn't have that many miles on it. I got one of the first 04 coupes in the back lot of the dealer it only had 4 miles on it when I got it. It still had the plastic covering on it. Anyways, just make sure that the car you get is not beat up.
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#5
11-25-2003, 05:50 PM
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Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
I bought the exact car I test drove, it had something like 50 miles on it, the dealer gave me a small discount because of it. I didnt care that the car was driven as it comes with full warranty and there was no scratches or nothing at all on it, perfect condition. I babied it for a couple of hunderd miles, but now thinkng about it I probably shouldnt have. Really I was just getting used to it. When I got my accord v6 coupe I drove that thing hard from mile 1. That car was so strong, it drove great for the close to 35k miles I had it. And up to the time I turned it in early it was driven hard, never a problem with the drive train/motor. I think IMHO that break in period is a thing of the past and it could actually render the engine less powerfull in the long run, but then again im no car specialist just my opinion.
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#6
11-25-2003, 06:09 PM
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Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
4-stroke engines show no sign of excessive wear whether they have been broken-in properly or not. I talked to a guy from Infiniti over the phone and he said that you can't go wrong following the break-in period but Infiniti knows that the owners are going to run this car hard as soon as they get it. Also, the true break-in period of this car is only 600 miles, not 1,200 miles (this is what the guy at Infiniti told me), and it's only so that the gears settle in and "learn" to work the way they are supposed to.
Personally, I ran my car hard a few times during the break-in period, especially after 600 miles...when I am merging onto highways, no matter what, I just couldn't help from punching it. But I always made sure to vary the rpm's.
Basically, just let the dealerships take care of the test-drive cars...it's their problem, not yours. And I wouldn't buy a test-drive vehicle for myself, but if the dealership offered a discount that a potential customer just couldn't resist, then the customer should definitely go for it.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
Personally, I ran my car hard a few times during the break-in period, especially after 600 miles...when I am merging onto highways, no matter what, I just couldn't help from punching it. But I always made sure to vary the rpm's.
Basically, just let the dealerships take care of the test-drive cars...it's their problem, not yours. And I wouldn't buy a test-drive vehicle for myself, but if the dealership offered a discount that a potential customer just couldn't resist, then the customer should definitely go for it.
MrElussive
03 G35C 6MT
#7
11-25-2003, 10:26 PM
Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
I am no expert in this but I believe if you baby your car during the break it actually hurts the car. Think about this if the break in is so important why wont the manufacturers do it themselves and save later on with warranty repairs. If BMW sells M3's they cant think that the owner will not drive the sh#$ out of that car, after all you dont buy an M3 to go slow. The day I took my G out of the dealer I got on the freeway and gave it a healthy dose of REDLINE. I mean this car was made to go fast. Why elese did they put a 280HP motor in it. I think break in is bullsh#$ but thats just my opinion.
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#8
11-25-2003, 10:52 PM
#9
11-25-2003, 11:17 PM
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Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
Yeah I will usually go by the manufacturer's recommendations but it's going to be hard to not speed for 1200 miles. I agree that I will not be buying a tester car either unless they knocked off like 4 or 5 grand off the MSRP or something. Even then I would wonder what they have done to the car. You just know that employee's probably "borrow" the car on the weekend or something and drive the crap out of it............
#10
11-25-2003, 11:19 PM
Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
Mine had 9 miles on it when we test drove it. It had 28 when we got back to the dealer lot. so I figure only one other person drove it.
Like others have said there really is no definitive answer. I say run it hard, amke sure the rings are broken in good. then change the oil soon after.
Your motor already has a few hours of durability testing already don on it before it gets put into the car. I wouldn't worry too much about a few knuckleheaded test drivers before you bought it.
Jim
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Like others have said there really is no definitive answer. I say run it hard, amke sure the rings are broken in good. then change the oil soon after.
Your motor already has a few hours of durability testing already don on it before it gets put into the car. I wouldn't worry too much about a few knuckleheaded test drivers before you bought it.
Jim
'03 Sedan
Brilliant Silver/Graphite
6MT/ Premium package
Sport tuned suspension
Aerodynamic Body Kit
Navigation and Satellite Radio
#11
11-26-2003, 07:35 AM
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Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
The break in period is non-sense especially if the car is leased. Moat owners manuals also say to change the oil at 5000-7500 miles. Do you listen to that? The cars of today dont require the breakin period as the old cars did. The material used in engine building are far more superior than those of the past. I am driving my G as it should be driven.
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#12
11-26-2003, 08:08 AM
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Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
My car WAS a demo. I bought it with 2000 miles on it. I was told it was the sales managers car. The avg mpg was never reset and read 18 mpg. I have no doubt that my car was run hard.
However, my car is now VERY fast (I have beat every Z that raced me - by a significant amount) and there are no rattles.
I am happy with the purchase and would do it again.
BillR
However, my car is now VERY fast (I have beat every Z that raced me - by a significant amount) and there are no rattles.
I am happy with the purchase and would do it again.
BillR
#13
11-26-2003, 08:54 AM
#14
11-26-2003, 09:02 AM
Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
Engines are dyno'd and run to hell in the factory before they are sold in cars on the floors. If I had an Automatic I would drive it hard from the start, there is really nothing to worry about. However, when I finally get my 6-Speed I will keep the shifts under 4K rpm ONLY to break in the CLUTCH. The engine is fine the first day of ownership. 1200 suggested break in miles? Give me a break - it takes about 500-600 miles to break in a clutch.
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#15
11-26-2003, 10:34 AM
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Re: Break in period but what about test drives?
That's EXACTLY why you should ORDER a car like this...when I got mine, I had to order, as they were all pre-sold. But, heeding the advice of a very well-informed (and Playboy cover material gorgeous) BMW sales chick--"Look, we'll take this M3 out and you can destroy it...but if you decide to buy from me, we're having you're car built...NO ONE is gonna baby this thing on a test drive."
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