Break-in service's effect on performance is real or myth?

chunkym2 · 12-11-2023, 03:21 AM

Hello Everyone,

My 2000km (1200miles) break-in service is due in 1000kms. I was wondering if any of you really could feel the difference in performance between pre and past service, or it is just a BMW marketing BS?
If you could describe the feeling with numbers e.g. +10-20% power, it would be most appreciated

M Division · 12-11-2023, 06:25 AM

Myth

c1pher · 12-11-2023, 06:27 AM

My CA alluded to this being real, but not sure if this is just something he was parroting or really knew. I think the difference is you’re trying to stay below rpm limits and a lot more power is on tap when you lay into it. Makes it seem like two different cars.

baj_baj · 12-11-2023, 06:35 AM

Allegedly only if you have the drivers package, they raise the speed limiter after break-in. I didn't do any top speed runs until 2000km, so I can't confirm

Carefree · 12-11-2023, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1pher

My CA alluded to this being real, but not sure if this is just something he was parroting or really knew. I think the difference is you’re trying to stay below rpm limits and a lot more power is on tap when you lay into it. Makes it seem like two different cars.

Agreed. I was very careful with the 1200 mile guideline. Recently (>1500 miles), I’ve put my foot heavy into the pedal and, damn, it feels like 2 different cars. The car is a monster. YMMV

M2compcharlie · 12-11-2023, 07:18 AM

There’s been multiple threads on this where BMW technicians have confirmed all they do is change the engine oil and filter, and diff oil.

They don’t unlock the higher top speed (if the driver’s pack is optioned), they don’t unlock ‘launch control’, they don’t unlock higher RPM within the engine.

You can do all of the above from the moment you drive off the forecourt if you want, it’s just not advised or part of the ‘running-in procedure’.

M_Power Rob · 12-11-2023, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baj_baj

Allegedly only if you have the drivers package, they raise the speed limiter after break-in. I didn't do any top speed runs until 2000km, so I can't confirm

I have trouble believing this to be true. I assume that is controlled by the ECU and that would mean the dealership would be unlocking the ECU...and that is not happening.

AZG87 · 12-11-2023, 07:41 AM

Fluid and filter change. But gives the green light on the right foot so that's the performance difference

1stM · 12-11-2023, 08:51 AM

Break-in service from BMW tech guy.

M2compcharlie · 12-11-2023, 10:52 AM

Nice video and great to see the whole process and get the explanation behind everything.

Shame you didn’t show the tech updating the car with the BMW software as he said he would explain more about this. I’m still not convinced on the power being held back in ‘run-in mode’.

Keep up the videos!

1stM · 12-11-2023, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2compcharlie

Nice video and great to see the whole process and get the explanation behind everything.

Shame you didn’t show the tech updating the car with the BMW software as he said he would explain more about this. I’m still not convinced on the power being held back in ‘run-in mode’.

Keep up the videos!

Here is another perspective from another BMW tech.

M2siast · 12-11-2023, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Division

Myth

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baj_baj

Allegedly only if you have the drivers package, they raise the speed limiter after break-in. I didn't do any top speed runs until 2000km, so I can't confirm

And this.

That's it.

Geighty7 · 12-11-2023, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baj_baj

Allegedly only if you have the drivers package, they raise the speed limiter after break-in. I didn't do any top speed runs until 2000km, so I can't confirm

Myth. M drivers package comes without 155mph limiter from factory.

M2siast · 12-11-2023, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geighty7

Myth. M drivers package comes without 155mph limiter from factory.

How do you know?

JABCAT · 12-11-2023, 01:04 PM

I can't tell you if there is anything from a performance improvement standpoint. The SA told me they finished the fluid changes and were just "finishing up the new programming" when I was waiting to pick it up. I also noticed on my paperwork they replaced the rear diff "screw plug with o-ring" though the tech in the second video said that was not necessary.

Geighty7 · 12-11-2023, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2siast

How do you know?

Because I have the M drivers package and spoke with many M-Tech’s I know around town about it, as well as inquiring to BMW N.A. Online about it via email.

The only thing they do at service is what you see in video above.

Specifics of what you order on the car are done in-factory. I did not take my BMW M2 to the same dealership I bought it from, I can imagine some dealerships not doing the “de-limiter” on accident if this were the case.

Every de-limit drivers package tune is done via software straight from SLP Mexico plant for the M2.

M2siast · 12-11-2023, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geighty7

Because I have the M drivers package and spoke with many M-Tech’s I know around town about it, as well as inquiring to BMW N.A. Online about it via email.

The only thing they do at service is what you see in video above.

Specifics of what you order on the car are done in-factory. I did not take my BMW M2 to the same dealership I bought it from, I can imagine some dealerships not doing the “de-limiter” on accident if this were the case.

Every de-limit drivers package tune is done via software straight from SLP Mexico plant for the M2.

Well, the manual states the speed restriction comes off after RiS.

We know no software update/change is done, but that's not a requirement for the condition to be true. So you're saying you didn't test it yourself? Without testing it there's no disproving it. The manual is explicit about it.

I tend to trust that information to be true, and believe the car would only go over 260km/h after the RiS.

Geighty7 · 12-11-2023, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2siast

Well, the manual states the speed restriction comes off after RiS.

We know no software update/change is done, but that's not a requirement for the condition to be true. So you're saying you didn't test it yourself? Without testing it there's no disproving it. The manual is explicit about it.

I tend to trust that information to be true, and believe the car would only go over 260km/h after the RiS.

No, I didn’t try to hit 177mph and test it.

Geighty7 · 12-11-2023, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

Common sense...I dont see any way the limiter can be modified/removed other than within the ECU. To do that, the ECU would need to be unlocked. The dealerships are not unlocking all of the cars' ECUs.

Lets put it another way...to those with the full carbon package, is there any paperwork or notification that you received stating you had to bring the car in to allow a limited to be "released" so you can go above the stated 155?

Agreed to this. And no, I did not get any notification on my car which has the M Drivers Package.

M2siast · 12-11-2023, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geighty7

No, I didn’t try to hit 177mph and test it.

I wish I had tested it before my RiS. But come to think of it, my 280km/h limit could be a myth even today, haven't found the space to test it yet lol

CadolinaRipr · 12-11-2023, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stM

Break-in service from BMW tech guy.

According to this (which is questionable) at ~9:30 there is PDI (delivery mode) and then "running in mode" for M cars that is in fact restricted. And then unrestricted after run-in mode. That is contradictory to what I understand to be true. Odd.

c1pher · 12-11-2023, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geighty7

Agreed to this. And no, I did not get any notification on my car which has the M Drivers Package.

Me either. They could be ripping me off but at least I finally got the track package invitation.

12-11-2023, 03:21 AM	#1
chunkym2 Registered 7 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW G87 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Hungary iTrader: (0)	Break-in service's effect on performance is real or myth? Hello Everyone, My 2000km (1200miles) break-in service is due in 1000kms. I was wondering if any of you really could feel the difference in performance between pre and past service, or it is just a BMW marketing BS? If you could describe the feeling with numbers e.g. +10-20% power, it would be most appreciated
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12-11-2023, 06:25 AM	#2
M Division Captain 1198 Rep 636 Posts Drives: G87 M2, G42 M24, X6, R34 GTR Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Myth
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12-11-2023, 06:27 AM	#3
c1pher Primo Generalissimo 4672 Rep 4,023 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DC area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Porsche 911 Ca ... [10.00] 2023 BMW M2 [9.00] 2023 Porsche Macan GTS [10.00] 2022 Ford F-250 Tremor [8.50]	My CA alluded to this being real, but not sure if this is just something he was parroting or really knew. I think the difference is you’re trying to stay below rpm limits and a lot more power is on tap when you lay into it. Makes it seem like two different cars.
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12-11-2023, 06:35 AM	#4
baj_baj Private 183 Rep 72 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Munich iTrader: (0)	Allegedly only if you have the drivers package, they raise the speed limiter after break-in. I didn't do any top speed runs until 2000km, so I can't confirm
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12-11-2023, 07:18 AM	#6
M2compcharlie Enlisted Member 56 Rep 31 Posts Drives: BMW M2 H Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	There’s been multiple threads on this where BMW technicians have confirmed all they do is change the engine oil and filter, and diff oil. They don’t unlock the higher top speed (if the driver’s pack is optioned), they don’t unlock ‘launch control’, they don’t unlock higher RPM within the engine. You can do all of the above from the moment you drive off the forecourt if you want, it’s just not advised or part of the ‘running-in procedure’.
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12-11-2023, 07:41 AM	#8
AZG87 Captain 966 Rep 843 Posts Drives: G87, 2018 Mustang GT traded in Join Date: May 2023 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Fluid and filter change. But gives the green light on the right foot so that's the performance difference
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12-11-2023, 08:51 AM	#9
1stM Second Lieutenant 380 Rep 260 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Break-in service from BMW tech guy.
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12-11-2023, 10:52 AM	#10
M2compcharlie Enlisted Member 56 Rep 31 Posts Drives: BMW M2 H Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Nice video and great to see the whole process and get the explanation behind everything. Shame you didn’t show the tech updating the car with the BMW software as he said he would explain more about this. I’m still not convinced on the power being held back in ‘run-in mode’. Keep up the videos!
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12-11-2023, 01:04 PM	#15
JABCAT Professor 2252 Rep 1,816 Posts Drives: '23 M2 & '22 X3 M Competition Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Prosper, TX/Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I can't tell you if there is anything from a performance improvement standpoint. The SA told me they finished the fluid changes and were just "finishing up the new programming" when I was waiting to pick it up. I also noticed on my paperwork they replaced the rear diff "screw plug with o-ring" though the tech in the second video said that was not necessary.
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