[F87M2CS]

Hey folks,

1st time BMW owner with a question regarding the 1200 mile break in service

I’ve gotten different answers from different service advisors and so I’m hoping the folks on this forum might have something more definitive

A couple of weeks ago I went to the dealership I purchased the car to ask some service related questions. Mainly time and mileage service intervals

I told them how I intend to use the car and that it might be months before 1200 miles gets and their reply was the car needed to be serviced within a certain time frame and it wasn’t JUST 1200 miles based

My appointment is next Monday and the car currently sits at 400 miles. I won’t have the time to put another 800 miles before next Monday.

Has anyone else been told it’s not just miles but also time related for a first service break in?

[dmboone25]

I think the car goes by mileage, or 12 months - whichever comes first - in order to notify you (and BMW) that it’s time for service in the normal course of business.

Not sure how the time element applies in the 1200 mile break-in service perspective. Will be interested to hear what others say on that front.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by F87M2C

Hey folks,

1st time BMW owner with a question regarding the 1200 mile break in service

I've gotten different answers from different service advisors and so I'm hoping the folks on this forum might have something more definitive

A couple of weeks ago I went to the dealership I purchased the car to ask some service related questions. Mainly time and mileage service intervals

I told them how I intend to use the car and that it might be months before 1200 miles gets and their reply was the car needed to be serviced within a certain time frame and it wasn't JUST 1200 miles based

My appointment is next Monday and the car currently sits at 400 miles. I won't have the time to put another 800 miles before next Monday.

Has anyone else been told it's not just miles but also time related for a first service break in?

You need more miles on the car. The 1200 mile service is a Diff oil change, Engine oil change, launch control unlock, and the "ok" from BMW to open the engine to redline.

Imho, 400 miles is too soon. I'd be surprised they would even do it.

[Tag]

Just valet your car, they'll put 800mls on it in no time.

[codean]

You can get the service done... but there is no need to do it ASAP.

Normal service can be performed based on mileage or by time. For example, oil change at 10,000 mile or at the end of one year.

However, there is no rush to get the 1200 mile service performed and you might as well wait until you put on a few more miles. There is no required time that it must be performed by.

[chmura]

Just drive the damn car more!

Breakin is the hardest. I made excuses to drive the car quickly to rack up mileage.

[devo]

It is amazing how little knowledge many dealer SAs have. The 1200 mile service is mileage based. The only consideration is if it took more than one year to accumulate 1,200 miles. If for example it took 18 months to reach the 1,200 mark, I would have the oil and filter changed at the one year interval and have the 1,200 mile service done when the miles were accumulated. If BMW NA made a compelling argument to the contrary that's something to consider. Oil changes are critical as we all know. One year or 5-6k for me. BMW recommends 1 year regardless of miles.

I believe 900 miles is the minimum for the 1,200 mile service. I would not have the service done before that and could risk voiding your warranty. As ChrisK replied above, the dealer won't perform the service that soon; well the knowledgeable ones anyway. I had my service completed at 1,059 miles.

Post 1,200 mile service: The manual recommends gradually increasing road and engine speed up to 3,100 miles.

[msdss]

Why don't you just postpone your break in service until you get closer to the 1,200 mile break in point? They can't force you into a specific date. Just wait till you are around ~1k and make the appointment then.

To answer the other question... Oil should be changed at least once per year, regardless of mileage.

[doughboy]

Run in is 1200 miles or 2 years in EU.

EU service time is 2 years or mileage based.

I think US is 1 year. So wait 1200 miles or 1 year. Really you should make an effort to do more miles to get it run in then relax.

Go out for a drive!

[DefinePerf]

My 1st service is booked in for 3 weeks - first available date in the UK.
Its taken me just over 6 months to reach 1200 miles and for certain it doesn't matter how you drive a modern engine before this service or after.

[jeff4598]

I had my car in to instal winter tires and without asking they did break in service at 825 miles. Is that an issue?

[M2C89]

Originally Posted by jeff4598

I had my car in to instal winter tires and without asking they did break in service at 825 miles. Is that an issue?

It's an issue they didn't consult with you first before performing something on your car. Depending on how long it's been since you got the car I'm sure it's a non-issue, mechanically.

[devo]

Originally Posted by jeff4598

I had my car in to instal winter tires and without asking they did break in service at 825 miles. Is that an issue?

The dealer where I bought mine and have it serviced told me 900 miles was the minimum mileage BMW wanted on the car before the service was performed. I assume their information is correct. I would reach out to BMW NA for an answer. Unfortunately, none of us here can answer this with absolute certainty. Of course, it is easy for me to think it's not an issue as you are so close to 900 miles, however, not so much if you look at the percentage. I believe the diff fluid change being performed is more important.