[PhantomOpera]

I’ve just surpassed the 1,200 mile mark on my m50. From every mechanic I know they say the oil should be changed at this point instead of the 10,000 mile mark. They say the first 1,200 break in period is where the most metallic particles from engine break in can get into the oil supply. BMW will not cover this oil change, and I will be paying for this out of my own concern and due dilligence that 10,000 miles is still too long even with a synthetic oil. Thoughts 💭 welcomed.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by PhantomOpera

I’ve just surpassed the 1,200 mile mark on my m50. From every mechanic I know they say the oil should be changed at this point instead of the 10,000 mile mark. They say the first 1,200 break in period is where the most metallic particles from engine break in can get into the oil supply. BMW will not cover this oil change, and I will be paying for this out of my own concern and due dilligence that 10,000 miles is still too long even with a synthetic oil. Thoughts 💭 welcomed.

I do the same with every new vehicle.

[MidnightLight]

The break-in service is only prescribed for M cars.

I know some will disagree, but I think that if BMW's own engineers don't think a break-in service is essential enough to prescribe for our "regular" cars, then any benefits of doing it will be marginal (and possibly completely negligible) at best.

[PhantomOpera]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

The break-in service is only prescribed for M cars.

I know some will disagree, but I think that if BMW's own engineers don't think a break-in service is essential enough to prescribe for our "regular" cars, then any benefits of doing it will be marginal (and possibly completely negligible) at best.

Better safe then sorry. I was told this M50 has a break in period from BMW employees yet no break in oil change prescribed. Make that make sense. Any new engine will have break in wear. Common sense > bmw engineers designation of a true “M” engine.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

The break-in service is only prescribed for M cars.

I know some will disagree, but I think that if BMW's own engineers don't think a break-in service is essential enough to prescribe for our "regular" cars, then any benefits of doing it will be marginal (and possibly completely negligible) at best.

That’s because the S58 is filled with a different spec “break in oil” from factory that requires changing at 1200miles to regular spec oil. After this service the full M performance mode is also enabled, as from new it’s apparently software limited due to the initial factory filled oil spec.

The standard B58 is filled with regular spec oil from factory, and has full performance potential from the get go, with the caveat of break in guidelines for rpm etc.

I follow BMW recommendations, which varies by region even for the same engine. For my car the BMW “set interval” is 17000miles or two years, but CBS will determine if needed sooner.

Bottom line, having more frequent oil changes is great business for BMW dealerships, so if it’s needed, there’s no reason for BMW not to recommend it, particularly if it’s a chargeable service from new in many regions.

[Sportstick]

It can be hard to reverse engineer the rationale for each decision/recommendation, as ultimately, they are business decisions. Keep in mind that this oil change recommendation is brought to you by the same folks who think there is such a thing as a "lifetime" transmission fluid. The tech experts at BMWCCA have a point of view about that.

One of BMW's marketing tools is the initial "free" maintenance (actually buried in the price of the vehicle, of course) that would be disrupted by: "Free, except for the first one at 1200 miles.", or, if they included that change for all vehilces sold, it would cost the parent corporation more for each vehicle whose owner bothered to bring it in. Ultimately, this becomes a decision of the incremental warranty cost vs. early oil change cost for those who may accumulate higher mileage with marketing input for disrupting their now-clean claim for "free maintenance" for the initial years, and engineering input as to whether there is any benefit or not of fresh oil after break-in to justify BMWAG picking up the cost. Regardless of the grade of the initial oil, if the logic of small metal particulates developing after new parts are mating, now matter how precisely engineered with current technology, makes sense to you and you may have longer term plans for retaining your vehicle, fresh oil at 1200 miles would address that.

[avi66]

There is no free service included in the UK, hence customer pays full service cost from day one to maintain new car warranty.

As service intervals vary by market, BMW UK could specify more frequent services, as it isn’t footing the bill.

Had loads of BMW’s over the years, always followed BMW recommended oil change, and the only engine issue I’ve had was a failed electronic crank sensor at 80k miles.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by PhantomOpera

I’ve just surpassed the 1,200 mile mark on my m50. From every mechanic I know they say the oil should be changed at this point instead of the 10,000 mile mark. They say the first 1,200 break in period is where the most metallic particles from engine break in can get into the oil supply. BMW will not cover this oil change, and I will be paying for this out of my own concern and due dilligence that 10,000 miles is still too long even with a synthetic oil. Thoughts 💭 welcomed.

One last thought...this all relates to how we personally manage risk. I would suspect you, like me, have never had a house burn to the ground and probably never will. Yet, each year, our homeowner premium includes coverage for such a disaster. Different by amount of money involved, but conceptually, it's your risk comfort level.

[MidnightLight]

If anyone here does do a 1,200 mile break-in oil change on your G45, it'd be really useful if you report back on the condition of your oil at the change. Genuinely curious.

[JoeyO]

Speaking of break in period, if I pick up my BMW at the Performance Center in Spartanburg SC, and then drive 800 miles to my home, will that do any harm? I never really thought about the break in period. I suppose I can break the trip up into 2 days with 400 miles each, if that helps.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

Speaking of break in period, if I pick up my BMW at the Performance Center in Spartanburg SC, and then drive 800 miles to my home, will that do any harm? I never really thought about the break in period. I suppose I can break the trip up into 2 days with 400 miles each, if that helps.

Two days versus one won’t matter. Don’t use speed control. Vary your speed as you drive to promote oil circulation.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Two days versus one won’t matter. Don’t use speed control. Vary your speed as you drive to promote oil circulation.

+1. Avoid using cruise control and vary your speed is good advice to follow.

[14Down]

We have done two Performance Center Deliveries with return trips back to Florida. No harm from trips. Just follow manual recommendations (vary speeds and limit RPMs and top speed).

[cth6]

New engines make metal as a part of the ring to cylinder seating. Over the years with improved honing processes and synthetic oil modifiers this seating or bedding is minimal at best. The M cars, like aircraft engines, use mineral oil with no modifier/additives to encourage the bedding and wear. You really want to push the engines to increase the cylinder head pressure to ensure the rings are fully engaged in the piston ring to seat properly. Adding wear inhibiters pretty much stops the bedding as the cylinder walls become too slick to allow the softer rings to wear. This is why the 1200 mile/25 hour oil change is important.

Let's also look at the oil system in most vehicles. Oil is sucked through a screen at the bottom of the pan, though the filter into the oil pump then distributed through the engine. Large chunks of anything are too heavy and will either get blocked by the inlet screen or just sit on the bottom of the pan. All of the smaller material will get caught in the filter. Yes there will be some particles, usually sub 20 microns that will make it past the filter and stay in solution. There is a ton of debate on the long term impact of 20 micron particles on the life of an engine.

If it makes you feel better change the oil as often as early and often as you want. Our cars use synthetic oils with wear inhibitors from day 0. This prevents the wearing of the cylinder rings because of how slick it is. Changing your oil when hot "should" keep the sub 20 micron particles in suspension and drain out of the pan. Those larger particles will not magically flow out of the pan when you do an oil change. They will just sit there unless you have a magnet that they will stick to. If you have ever pulled an oil pan, you will see how much stuff just sits on the bottom of any oil pan no matter how often you have changed it.

A data point. I drove my N55 like I stole it from day 1. I change my oil when the drive system tells me to. I have done a compression test and bore scoped the cylinders at 90k. They look like new still. I bomb tested the spark plugs and they were as strong as the new ones that I replaced them with. The only issue on the ignition side was one bad coil at the back of the engine that could have been caused by heat or by the accidental drop off of my tool cart.

[PhantomOpera]

Originally Posted by cth6

New engines make metal as a part of the ring to cylinder seating. Over the years with improved honing processes and synthetic oil modifiers this seating or bedding is minimal at best. The M cars, like aircraft engines, use mineral oil with no modifier/additives to encourage the bedding and wear. You really want to push the engines to increase the cylinder head pressure to ensure the rings are fully engaged in the piston ring to seat properly. Adding wear inhibiters pretty much stops the bedding as the cylinder walls become too slick to allow the softer rings to wear. This is why the 1200 mile/25 hour oil change is important.

Let's also look at the oil system in most vehicles. Oil is sucked through a screen at the bottom of the pan, though the filter into the oil pump then distributed through the engine. Large chunks of anything are too heavy and will either get blocked by the inlet screen or just sit on the bottom of the pan. All of the smaller material will get caught in the filter. Yes there will be some particles, usually sub 20 microns that will make it past the filter and stay in solution. There is a ton of debate on the long term impact of 20 micron particles on the life of an engine.

If it makes you feel better change the oil as often as early and often as you want. Our cars use synthetic oils with wear inhibitors from day 0. This prevents the wearing of the cylinder rings because of how slick it is. Changing your oil when hot "should" keep the sub 20 micron particles in suspension and drain out of the pan. Those larger particles will not [...]

Thankyou for this. Another bad thing about the 10k interval of oil changes is the case of my previous m40i. At 6k miles I got an add oil notification. Checked the oil n it stated to add a quart. Hope this m50 doesn’t burn oil.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

Speaking of break in period, if I pick up my BMW at the Performance Center in Spartanburg SC, and then drive 800 miles to my home, will that do any harm? I never really thought about the break in period. I suppose I can break the trip up into 2 days with 400 miles each, if that helps.

You will be fine. No need to vary speeds. You can use cruise control but keep it under 100mph and 4,500 RPM.

[JoeyO]

Thanks for the responses about driving home. I never use cruise control and I do like to vary my speed on the highway. The car might be able to handle 800 miles in one day, but my human body might not, so I might stop half-way overnight anyway. I thought the engine might enjoy a break also :-)

[RobM2]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

Thanks for the responses about driving home. I never use cruise control and I do like to vary my speed on the highway. The car might be able to handle 800 miles in one day, but my human body might not, so I might stop half-way overnight anyway. I thought the engine might enjoy a break also :-)

There's a million theories on break ins but it seems reasonable to me to think getting in multiple heat/cooling cycles is ideal for letting the disparate parts set well together, so this is probably best for the car.