"VernMan@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
" <wernergr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:bp9b2450n5qjm422a6hnueul9tefg01b60@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Sat, 10 May 2008 08:25:06 +0100, hsg@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 10 May 2008 00:15:50 -0600, Bow Wow <Bow@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>
>>>I was planning on taking my soon to take possession X5 on a trip which
>>>will consist mostly of highway driving of about 3000mile drive and
>>>been told that that's not such a good idea because you don't want to
>>>drive a brand new car on the highway for any extended amount if you
>>>can help before the car's properly broken in.
>>
>>So you're spending thousands of $$$$$ on a new BMW car and you think it
>>might
>>break down? Shame on you!
>>>
>>>The seals, rings and the machine just needs to set in properly, which
>>>happens during the break in period and before that, I was told you
>>>should avoid any long highway trip.
>>
>>Basically this is already done unless the factory robots are made in
China
>>and
>>speak Burmese or something! Modern engineering is not infallible but it
is
>>dammed good. I took delivery of my new 730d SE car and drove it from the
>>UK to
>>Alicante in Spain and back only putting fuel in it. Running - in is a
>>thing of
>>the past. You do not drive for 3000 miles with your foot on the floor at
>>breakneck speeds. You drive on a fairly flat surface at speeds around
the
>>60 -
>>80 mph mark. Varying the speed occasionally might be useful as when the
>>engine
>>is on the overrun the bores get cooled by extra crankcase vacuum and
inlet
>>vacuum draws cooler air into the engine - not much as it did when
>>machining
>>tolerances were measured in fractions of an inch instead of fractions of
a
>>millimeter.
>>>
>>>What do you guys think? If this was your car, would you do it or put
>>>off the trip until after the car's broken in properly? Thanks.
>>
>>Drive sedately, not too much load for the first 200 miles and vary the
>>driving
>>style occasionally and - take a list of BMW phone numbers for dealers
>>en-route
>>incase you need to call the service guys out - remember its still under
>>warranty
>>and they should collect if all goes pear shape.
>>
>>Hugh
>
> If the OP is in the US, he is referring to putting it on the highway
> on cruise control for hours on end at the same speed. That's not the
> same thing as you driving from the UK to Alicante, unless they just
> built a straight highway right across the channel into Spain.
> Your last piece of advice is good. If his car is brand new he should
> drive variable speed/style initially, but I suggest he talks to his
> dealer and/or read the manual to find out howmany miles he needs to do
> that. When I broke mine in I took it past 200 miles before considering
> it broken-in.
And BMW recommends a 1200 mile break-in during which 4,500 rpm and 100 mph
should not be exceeded. Since as Vern & Hugh said, you should vary your
speed and throttle load, maybe the first leg of your trip can be done on
back roads - much more interesting that way as well.
Enjoy your new X5.
Tom K.
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