LynneEl,

You bring up a great, and hot, point of debate, about what is the best method of engine break-in and initial oil change. My decision on the method and timing of break-in was to do some exhaustive (and should i say obsessive) research into the methods. I collected many, many opinions from skilled mechanics, engine builder, manufacturers, etc, which are in the attached MS word file. Reading through them, you will see engine break-in from a variety of perspectives. What I did, and was look for the common thread across all the opinions to try and find the right way to handle the initial and very important break-in period. My objective was to do it in the best way possible as i plan own my cooper for many many years.

Here is the recipie i have been following based on my research. I am not saying i am right, this is what i felt was the best way for me to treat the car so it would give me a long life with high-performance:

* Warmup car completely
* Always vary engine RPMs during break-in
* Short bursts of hard acceleration and deceleration in 2.5K - 3.5K rpm for first 100 -200 miles, with cooling down periods of 1 - 2 mins between actions.
* After 200 miles, slowly increase RPMs by ~200 each drive, with continued bursts of acceleration and deceleration.
* Have exersized the car over its full RPM range by the end of the break in period of 1200 miles (I have not reached that yet at all), otherwise there is a danger you will not be able to get full perforamnce from the higher end RPMs after break-in.
* Change oil at 500 miles (i did my actual change at 700)

 

I'm glad you did what you are comfortable with. I have read all that information, too. And mainly what I came away with is that the advice that varies from the manufacturer's recommendation is based almost entirely on things that used to be true, but aren't any more and the "cut the ends off the ham" sort of bent. After reading what's out there, and the reasons for it, I say follow the manufacturer's recommendations.