Z4-forum.com

ocrx8 wrote:Just checked mine - it was done at 1,172 miles, phew! I can now sleep soundly.

Babw wrote:
They leave the factory with fully synthetic oil. Not Joe Gibbs running oil, mineral oil etc.

The reason they ask for a 1200 mile running in is because they know a lot of users won't follow the instructions of varying engine speeds, not accelerating harshly etc during the running in period. This causes heat build up and although the tolerances are pretty good as most factory built engines are these days there may still be expansion causing increased wear in the early periods. The 1200 mile service is purely precautionary due to the lowest common denominator who won't follow the guidelines. If you follow the guidelines and the engine beds in well there is no need for an oil change but for the manufacturer it's simple precautionary guidance.

tomscott wrote:

VRSteve wrote:

john-e89 wrote:

Have to agree with this. What's your acceptance mileage of failure anyway? Is it ok it pops at 80k, 120k 150k? Are all the engines built to exactly the same tolerances no matter how tiny? I would think a slight difference on build would make more difference than another 1k on a running in service.

Bottom line is if it sounds ok, isn't blowing smoke and has a good service record even with the odd discrepancy then that is all you can hope for. As said there's no way of knowing how the cars been treated from new.

Just imo.

This is absolutely my point.

To dismiss a car because the running in service was at 1400 miles is stupid in the extreme. Its probably had no bearing on the engines health and how many other variables can you find that will impact the longevity of the engine but you will never know about.

Ultimately if its done within the BMW tolerance of 1200 +/- 600 then its not an issue.

Sad thing is, and I've said this before, certain idiots spread this misinformation and it makes newcomers very very wary of these cars for no good reason. Its all well and good on a Porsche forum where we all know the engines aren't built properly, but in comparison the S54 is a very reliable old lump.

Yes I am an idiot and have no idea

Im sure your contributions across the forum are very astute.

breezer wrote:This has been fun.

One question - why is it desirable to have BMW as a first owner? To me that says press car or demonstrator...and I don't know about you, but would you want a car driven sideways on the redline from cold by journos? As for demonstrators, I'm yet to find a salesman who tells me to be more careful and have had many egg me on from cold.

paulgs1000 wrote: Another interesting point here . . . . all very worrying. I guess I'll go back and read what Perry said . . . .

Babw wrote:I think the point with the bedding in/running in service is that doing it after 1200 mile of bedding in is what BMW advice, however just because the car has done 1200 miles doesn't mean it's been bedded in. I'm sure some overly protective owners may have driven 1200 miles without ever actually bedding in the engine, never getting adequate thermal expansion and the wear needed to mate the surface adequately.

They then go ahead have the oil change and drive significantly harder when the engine actually beds in which might lead to contaminated oil and they won't get this changed for another 1/2 years. I look at cars that have had the running in service at 800 miles and think was that actually enough mileage to run it in?

paulgs1000 wrote:This is a very pertinent point and something else to worry about . . . .think I'll just go back and read john-E89 . . . .

PerryGunn wrote:

paulgs1000 wrote: Another interesting point here . . . . all very worrying. I guess I'll go back and read what Perry said . . . .

I wouldn't... e's a lyin' barsteward...ya can't believe a word 'e says guv

Babw wrote:I think the point with the bedding in/running in service is that doing it after 1200 mile of bedding in is what BMW advice, however just because the car has done 1200 miles doesn't mean it's been bedded in.
I look at cars that have had the running in service at 800 miles and think was that actually enough mileage to run it in?

srhutch wrote:I wouldn't worry about it Paul, you have an ///M and like all of them they are what they are. If it's going to break its going to brake.

I just drive mine now, not very often, but after 5 years and no issues I've saved over £5k in warranty so would just take any repairs on the chin.

My DD, a 118D is going to need a new timing chain soon @ 90k, which is going to be £2k or there about. I've had it from new and driven with respect. Ok sort of know issue, but so are the thing we are talking about on here most of the time.