F80 M3 / F82 M4 Break-In, Engine Oil, Launch Control Tidbits from Owners Manual

[ftedd]

Love the warm up lights!! Even the analogue disk on my '11 M3 was cool but these will be sick. One function I miss in my M5.

[curehead]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

There you go, found it here.

Just a small question regarding the display. If you go with the standard suspension, ie not adaptive, does it always show sport next to the suspension picture or does it only show the other two settings, ie rev on sport, steering on sport+ for example?

[TeutonicFlight]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Oh nice, south! Excellent information.

The new Launch Control process is very much welcomed.

Cool data shared

[PABrian]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Thanks CAM3. Here's perhaps a better link:

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...indicator.html

I remember seeing this page but quickly forgot about it, so I didn't make the connection with the description of the feature when it was posted above. Unlike the shift lights, it's a small arrow/number, so the two features have different focuses. And I suspect it does not display while in Sport+ engine mode.

So, in the end, this function does nothing to confirm nor refute the presence of the shift light feature in cars with the 6MT. However it is clear they are indeed separate features and that the text in the spec sheet as shown in ProbyOne's post above is only talking about shift indicator, not the lights.

Minor confirmation on that point, in current BMWs with manual transmissions, that shift indicator is only present in modes below Sport, so when in Sport and Sport+, it disappears. Even when in Comfort mode, I feel as though it suggests up-shifts a bit too late. When accelerating with traffic or otherwise at an easy pace, I end up shifting to a higher gear earlier than it suggests. Oddly enough though, in pictures of the interior in the online configurator at bmwusa.com, even without equipping the Adaptive M Suspension, there is still a button for the suspension to the left of the gear selector.

Originally Posted by curehead

Just a small question regarding the display. If you go with the standard suspension, ie not adaptive, does it always show sport next to the suspension picture or does it only show the other two settings, ie rev on sport, steering on sport+ for example?

That's a really good question, and I don't know if anyone will be able to answer it accurately without having seen a new M3/4 without the adjustable suspension considering the only cars that currently have a display similar to that (M5/6) have the adjustable suspension as standard. If I had to guess, I'd say that the Suspension part of the display just wouldn't be there. Oddly enough though, in pictures of the interior of the M3/4 in the online car configurator at bmwusa.com, you can see a button to adjust the suspension even before equipping the Adaptive M Suspension option.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by OttosBMWBrian

Minor confirmation on that point, in current BMWs with manual transmissions, that shift indicator is only present in modes below Sport, so when in Sport and Sport+, it disappears.

Thanks. And for M cars there is only one mode below Sport (called Efficient as seen in the above pic). So you'll only see it in that mode, then, which makes sense given the name. I imagine many will never use that mode anyway. I doubt I will - I have never taken my current M3 out of Sport engine mode for the five-plus years I've owned it.

That's a really good question, and I don't know if anyone will be able to answer it accurately without having seen a new M3/4 without the adjustable suspension considering the only cars that currently have a display similar to that (M5/6) have the adjustable suspension as standard. If I had to guess, I'd say that the Suspension part of the display just wouldn't be there.

I think I'd agree - likely just empty space there instead. It is indeed a good question though, and I would love to get confirmation. Hopefully they'll have cars with non-adaptive suspension for the press drives so we can get the scoop.

Oddly enough though, in pictures of the interior of the M3/4 in the online car configurator at bmwusa.com, you can see a button to adjust the suspension even before equipping the Adaptive M Suspension option.

Yeah, they just didn't bother with that detail. We've seen interior pics of a car with a blank there instead. I think there was one auto show car without it as well.

[Drizz]

I just don't get why these cars need to be broken in so much more carefully than any other modern car of the road today. What gives!? I had a previous M car ('07 M Coupe) so I'm familiar with the requirements, but I never actually stuck to the limited usage during the first 1,200 miles and the car was just fine. Can anyone explain why a modern German car needs this? Every Ferrari is thrown out onto the track for a few hot laps straight off the assembly line and no issues there.

[M5Rlz]

I'll be going ham out the gate... SO many of our M5 brethren haven't done the soft break in... I did for my m5, but don't plan on it with the m4.

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by 335iRlz

I'll be going ham out the gate... SO many of our M5 brethren haven't done the soft break in... I did for my m5, but don't plan on it with the m4.

I am going to ride it hard from mile zero too

I know it's not a valid comparison, but that's how all race bikes get their motors broken in.

[SF848]

Originally Posted by jbraslins

I am going to ride it hard from mile zero too

I know it's not a valid comparison, but that's how all race bikes get their motors broken in.

Didn't know that about bikes. All of mine have always had a recommended break in period similar to the M3

[KevinM]

I've always followed the break-in rules with my BMWs...since I tend to keep them for a long time I'm a bit paranoid about this. If I was only going to keep the car for 3-5 years I wouldn't be concerned (just maybe a bit guilty in regards to the next owners).

[M5Rlz]

And FYI for launch control is not as easy as it looks sometimes i can get it to activate 10 times in a row and more than often when I have the space to actually try it I can't get it for the life of me..

It was fun the one time I did it lol tire tracks are still in the street from 4 months ago hahahaha ..

[67abarth]

Is there a range of miles before the fluid change. I am doing a Performance Center delivery and would rather not plan my trip around being at a BMW Dealer at 1200 miles exact.

[M5Rlz]

Originally Posted by 67abarth

Is there a range of miles before the fluid change. I am doing a Performance Center delivery and would rather not plan my trip around being at a BMW Dealer at 1200 miles exact.

I mean they did me at 998 [and I TORE out of the service department and haven't stopped since lol] or something and I know a few people who did like 1375 I think a range of 900-1500 is plenty safe.


If these cars were THAT finicky I wouldn't want it to begin with.


And for reference my M5 that was done early threw down between 551whp-570[high] and 510-531[high]wtrq (with charcoal filters... Thanks California), so I doubt doing it a little early or late would have any kind of negative impact on future performance... Especially if M4 drivers luck out and get an underrated engine like the 63tu or N54.

[nasdaq100]

I'm wondering why we cannot drive over 170 km/h during break-in. What is matter is the RPM, if we drive in 7th gear around 4000 rpm the speed could be around 210 km/h.
I m thinking of that because I may go to get my F82 at the BMW welt delivery and i wanna enjoy the German highway and respect the break-in.
If anyone can explain me,
many thanks

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by jbraslins

I am going to ride it hard from mile zero too

I know it's not a valid comparison, but that's how all race bikes get their motors broken in.

Yep!

[Hello World]

Just a quick question. Is the 1200 mile service just oil and filter change? Im assuming that is a fairly simple task that I can handle myself. I am in the UK and will have my American spec M3 in a few weeks. Unfortunately I do not get free maintenance while I am here in the UK. So to save a few bucks I figured I would just do the 1200 mile service myself.
Simple answers please. I do not wish to start a debate about whether or not to observe the 1200 mile break in.

Thanks.

[Wes Howell]

One of the guys out here in Utah took his new M4 out on the track with 200 miles.

The instructor driving knew what he was doing and quickly stalked and then overtook a 991 turbo S. Obviously, these were not equal drivers..but the 991 driver wasn't a total rookie.... It was pretty cool to see the 991 guy wave us on... The instructor (who has a fully raced out GT-R Full carbon race car) ranted and raved the entire time. He felt like the M4 was a huge step up and much more planted and capable than the E92.

Was a really fun day. The drive home on the freeway was just as impressive (in different ways) as the car was on the track. m4 FTW.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by nasdaq100

I'm wondering why we cannot drive over 170 km/h during break-in. What is matter is the RPM, if we drive in 7th gear around 4000 rpm the speed could be around 210 km/h.
I m thinking of that because I may go to get my F82 at the BMW welt delivery and i wanna enjoy the German highway and respect the break-in.
If anyone can explain me,
many thanks

Im not completely sure, but logic to me is that it's not for the engine, whatsoever, but more for mounts/bushings/suspension/ etc.

[m3heaven]

Does anyone know if these cars with MT get the tranny fluid flushed and filter cleaned like the E9Xs for the 1200 mile service?

[2000gsr]

How often does bmw call for a oil change in this car? Once a year like the e92?

[///REWO]

Should i do the break-in service before or after i have done some laps on the nürburgring?
According to google maps i will have done about 1300 miles/2100 km on my trip when i'm near the ring.

[lugnutm4]

Originally Posted by ///REWO

Should i do the break-in service before or after i have done some laps on the nürburgring?
According to google maps i will have done about 1300 miles/2100 km on my trip when i'm near the ring.

I would change the oil before doing laps. It would get all the gunk in the "break in period" out of the engine so it would not be sloshing around in the pan during your laps. New oil is never a bad thing.