[dhoggm3]

Can anyone tell me why this might be? I know the engines are slightly different, but why the mandatory 1200 mile service for the M8 and not for the B8 (or M850i either)??

[Tenac]

This topic is so deeply covered in many many threads across all of the models. The bottom line is with the M engines the level of tolerance is much tighter on metal to metal surfaces. The metal itself is NOT the same alloy found in similar models. This can be due to many factors but some being simply weight and strength to withstand the forces from the M line and what it's target market of say track goers. That said the Oil they dispatch from factory with M models has a very high level of zinc and does not withstand typical punishment from daily driving or track use. It is used to ensure metal to metal surfaces blueprint to each other without getting over worked and to stay clean. Zinc is one of the best additives to help an engine be slippery and when in high levels the metal absorption is better. Issue with zinc in oil is if left in too long or under too much stress it turns to ash and can clog oil ways and ports easily. Hence the break in period and why BMW is strict on it.

[dhoggm3]

Awesome explanation. Thank you.

[Twinturbostroker]

Originally Posted by Tenac

This topic is so deeply covered in many many threads across all of the models. The bottom line is with the M engines the level of tolerance is much tighter on metal to metal surfaces. The metal itself is NOT the same alloy found in similar models. This can be due to many factors but some being simply weight and strength to withstand the forces from the M line and what it's target market of say track goers. That said the Oil they dispatch from factory with M models has a very high level of zinc and does not withstand typical punishment from daily driving or track use. It is used to ensure metal to metal surfaces blueprint to each other without getting over worked and to stay clean. Zinc is one of the best additives to help an engine be slippery and when in high levels the metal absorption is better. Issue with zinc in oil is if left in too long or under too much stress it turns to ash and can clog oil ways and ports easily. Hence the break in period and why BMW is strict on it.

Schools out..

Thank you for taking the time with these details.

BMW serviced the differential on my 1200 mile break in. SA had the oil set aside for my break-in service appointment and another tech used it. Turned into a little drama at the dealership, which ended with the tech whom procured the differential fluid for my service driving to the another county 50 miles away in order to restock the fluid to complete the break-in service on mine.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by Twinturbostroker

Schools out..

Thank you for taking the time with these details.

BMW serviced the differential on my 1200 mile break in. SA had the oil set aside for my break-in service appointment and another tech used it. Turned into a little drama at the dealership, which ended with the tech whom procured the differential fluid for my service driving to the another county 50 miles away in order to restock the fluid to complete the break-in service on mine.

ooof that is a bummer but at least they worked to make it right.

[M8CompSoCal]

I’m 5 weeks into ownership and have 335 miles. I just want to get past the break in haha…

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by alksion

I’m 5 weeks into ownership and have 335 miles. I just want to get past the break in haha…

335 miles???

Man, that's just a Thursday afternoon......

[M8CompSoCal]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

335 miles???

Man, that's just a Thursday afternoon......

Yeah I know… I guess I don’t do much driving.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by NauM

So I heard a bmw tech say that alpinas come broken in from factory is that true. Just picked mine up and I want to know cause it doesn’t require the 1200 miles break in service.

Most of the none S series motors from BMW do not come with a standard break in of 1200 miles.. The wife's X3 M40i doesn't but her X3M did. They are not ran in at factory as in operationally but they have much more loose tolerances and standard oil. Meaning lower ZINC levels, so that oil holds to up to the typical daily use. Double check the owners manual or feel free to get a oil change at the 3k mark if it makes you feel better about it. Honestly that is what I do with any car that does not require a procedure.