Road Trip

[chompino]

Well, I just finalized my flight plans to pick up my car next weekend! :happyanim: The only thing I am concerned about is the long drive home, so I guess this is more of a break-in question. Do you think it will be okay driving roughly 800 miles the day after i get it? Anything else I should keep in mind other than varying my speed, rpm, etc? I just got my flash drive in so I'm already loading it up with lots of music. lol

[skierman64]

I think you have the right idea, vary the RPM, I'd occasionally run in 5th for short periods of time to run in a different RPM band for a while.

And don't forget to take pics of the road trip to share with us.

[man02195]

Well, I just finalized my flight plans to pick up my car next weekend! :happyanim: The only thing I am concerned about is the long drive home, so I guess this is more of a break-in question. Do you think it will be okay driving roughly 800 miles the day after i get it? Anything else I should keep in mind other than varying my speed, rpm, etc? I just got my flash drive in so I'm already loading it up with lots of music. lol

If it was me, I'd stop every couple of hours, let things cool while I get gas/food/pee/take a picture, then get back on the road again. Running on the highway, even varying speeds, won't allow the engine temperatures to rise/fall enough to let the new parts break-in.

[chompino]

Yep, that's a good suggestion. I'll probably stop and take short breaks along the way. I'm planning on spreading the trip into two days, so that should give me some extra time. Should I bring an extra quart of oil or anything? Don't worry, I'll take tons of pics and document the whole trip!!! :D

[man02195]

Yep, that's a good suggestion. I'll probably stop and take short breaks along the way. I'm planning on spreading the trip into two days, so that should give me some extra time. Should I bring an extra quart of oil or anything? Don't worry, I'll take tons of pics and document the whole trip!!! :D

Definitely oil, is the break-in oil different? probably wouldn't hurt to put the normal oil in if it's less than a quart. The digital oil readout looks cool in the instrument panel. Stay away from dump trucks, concrete trucks, etc.

[Epacy]

Yes, good luck protecting your baby on 800 miles of treacherous interstate.
A documented trip would definately be cool!
Have fun spending some quality time with your new ride.

[ybbiz34]

Well, I just finalized my flight plans to pick up my car next weekend! :happyanim: The only thing I am concerned about is the long drive home, so I guess this is more of a break-in question. Do you think it will be okay driving roughly 800 miles the day after i get it? Anything else I should keep in mind other than varying my speed, rpm, etc? I just got my flash drive in so I'm already loading it up with lots of music. lol

800 miles? Dang son. :burnrubbe

[drvai]

Taking breaks is a great idea, and taking an extra day is an even better one.
Enjoy the ride and take a lot of photos.

About the oil: ask the dealership. I don't think you will be needing it, but it's better to be prepared.

[NavNurs]

I am in the same boat for 1100 miles! Anyone else know of tactics other than varying speed/rpm and occasional cooling periods?....... South...?

[GregW / Oregon]

Well, I just finalized my flight plans to pick up my car next weekend! :happyanim: The only thing I am concerned about is the long drive home, so I guess this is more of a break-in question. Do you think it will be okay driving roughly 800 miles the day after i get it? Anything else I should keep in mind other than varying my speed, rpm, etc? I just got my flash drive in so I'm already loading it up with lots of music. lol
Take a few side trips of the interstate for varying the conditions and just for fun.

[Epacy]

Take a few side trips of the interstate for varying the conditions and just for fun.

Solid idea.

[GregW / Oregon]

Solid idea.
Thanks--I thought of that because when I got my E46, I took a trip to southern Oregon (~300 miles ea. way). Went about 100 on the freeway, then cut over to the coast and took Hwy 1 along the ocean. Stayed at a great place on the Rogue River. Great trip. Also got up to 30 MPG because I was taking it easy.

[par4bmw]

You will be the first US owner to post a "long" term review :D

[monsta]

get a camera holder and mount it to the headrest and snap some videos, definitely hit some twisties don't just slab it all the way, much better/easier to vary RPM's on twisties then on interstates, btw were are you picking it up from? Do you have any map programs? I say devise a route that has very little interstate (unless its unavoidable) and have some real fun, plus some of these roads are less crowded then highways. .02

[rvacha]

800 miles? Dang son. :burnrubbe

Easy!

[devo]

If it was me, I'd stop every couple of hours, let things cool while I get gas/food/pee/take a picture, then get back on the road again. Running on the highway, even varying speeds, won't allow the engine temperatures to rise/fall enough to let the new parts break-in.

I have heard that today's engine do not need to heat cycle. One of the worse things for any engine, especially during break in, is cold starts, even if the engine is not that cold. Obviously the engine has to be shut off sometime, but in a perfect world the best way to break in a new engine is without shutting it off for 1200 miles, therefore eliminating the minimal oil starvation. Varying load and revs will offer alternate engine temps.

[chompino]

Yes, good luck protecting your baby on 800 miles of treacherous interstate.
A documented trip would definately be cool!
Have fun spending some quality time with your new ride.

Yeah, i'm hoping the clear bra helps with road hazards and whatnot. I'm just worried about running into snow on the way back. I've been spoiled in California and haven't seen snow in years. lol. I'll make sure and write up a good review when I get back!

[chompino]

I have heard that today's engine do not need to heat cycle. One of the worse things for any engine, especially during break in, is cold starts, even if the engine is not that cold. Obviously the engine has to be shut off sometime, but in a perfect world the best way to break in a new engine is without shutting it off for 1200 miles, therefore eliminating the minimal oil starvation. Varying load and revs will offer alternate engine temps.

Hmm, that is an interesting perspective. I hope for my sake that it is true. :) In any case, i'll definitely try to range the load and revs.

[asaulo1]

Dang... that will be soo cool.... where are you picking it up from? I was thinking of doing the same thing but fortunately I was able to find a "stealership" that gave me an early allocation. it's still a couple of hours away so it's still going to be a good drive.

[chompino]

Dang... that will be soo cool.... where are you picking it up from? I was thinking of doing the same thing but fortunately I was able to find a "stealership" that gave me an early allocation. it's still a couple of hours away so it's still going to be a good drive.

Initially i was just going to ship it, but then I thought that it would be fun to drive it home and spend some time behind the wheel. I'm picking it up in New Mexico and then driving back to LA.

[rick berry]

I plan on picking mine up at the PC. Then head across rural southern Tennessee , across Arkansas ,then down to the house. Will be broken in then.
I going to try and keep off Interstate highways as much as I can.

[rldzhao]

well get some painter tape to cover the front or you will be seeing your first chips after your first drive

[BMWCali]

I am in the same boat for 1100 miles! Anyone else know of tactics other than varying speed/rpm and occasional cooling periods?....... South...?

800 miles? 1,100 miles? Come on guys. I'm doing 2,000 miles when I take European Delivery! :burnrubbe

[chompino]

Well, I just pulled into town from the long drive home with my brand new M3!!! It was an adventurous journey and I couldn't have chosen a better car for the ride! I have absolutely no regrets. :) I'm super tired so the write up will have to come later, but here are a couple of pics for now.

Side note: If anybody knows a good detailer around LA hit me up. It definitely needs it! Haha.