Bardman

With my 507 just weeks away from delivery I've been thinking about the approach to running it in.

This seems to be a topic where lots of people have an opinion, but there seems to be little data backing up most opinions.

So does anyone have some solid advice for running in a c63, based on sound knowledge / data rather than "this guy in a bar was telling me...".

Thanks in advance.

tfthach13

I'm assuming you mean breaking in the engine?

In that case, I would take it easy on the throttle up until 3k miles. I personally wouldn't take it past 3000 rpm, but that's just me being conservative about breaking the engine in.

You can potentially drive in "Comfort" mode until the breaking in is complete, so you don't trash the transmission on accident.

Just be sure to keep up with the maintenance early on because IIRC the rear differential oil needs to be changed at 1k miles. And some other stuff as well. I would opt for a more high performance engine oil (Redline, Motul, etc.) for the oil changes...Mobil1 is too regulated by the EPA and their oils aren't as good because of it. At least for our engines.

I don't believe there's an actual set parameter as to how to break the engine in. I've heard extremes on both sides; some dealers saying that the engine is already broken in and you can mash the crap out of the throttle (some poor guy actually did this and had some major problems afterwards)...to waiting out until 5k miles to break in the engine.

Your going to get mainly opinions here...it just depends how much you want to "baby" your car.

Merc63

load the engine up, dont cruise.

drive a bit aggressive.

Change oil at 500miles.

bhamg

Whatever the recommended break-in redline is, fell free to hit as much as you like. The important thing is to vary the engine speed. To assist in the ring-seating process I run it up to redline and then coast down off throttle.

Bardman

Thanks for the reply's so far, but I'm looking for the reasoning behind the suggestion.

The best I can glean from this so far is running your engine up to redline and then coasting off the throttle assists with ring-seating. How does running up to redline and coasting down achieve this?

bhamg

When you do this the engine cylinders cycle between conditions of high pressure and high vacuum, spreading the low tension rings against the cylinder walls. For break in, this is a good thing.

mr747

These engines are already run in from the factory they are tried and tested

Drive it hard as the break period has already been completed by the factory

Bardman

See, that's what I struggle with, there is such a wide spectrum of answers to this question, with very little by way of verifiable facts on what is the right approach.

mr747

Well any high performance engine is tried and tested before they leave the factory especially our engines since they are signed by the producer

Look I like it depends on the individual owner some run some don't and I am one of those people that don't run there engines in

Hawk6.3STG

First post on this board but not new to the forums. Coming from Audizine (sold my B7 S4). I ordered a 507 and this past week I drove one at the MB HQ in Stuttgart. It was a Euro Spec and I was asking the tech the same question. However, up in the left corner of the windscreen there was a sticker that detailed Run-in. Don't quote me as I don't remember word for word but it was basically no full load, vary engine speed, don't exceed 120 km per hour...few other things. I assumed this comes on every model? Anyway just thought I'd share as there is definitely a run in procedure.

tfthach13

The engine is definitely broken in from the factory. The transmission, however, is not. This is where people run into problem going too rev-happy.

I've heard of the variable speeds and revs too, but I thought that was just for the ECU to learning your driving habits?

Merc63

Google motoman break in.

many top engine builders reference that site.

remember, asking for advice about mechanics on mbworld... most of these guys cant even change their own oil. No offence to anyone... do yiur resesrch.

TTA850

+1

My opinion, drive as you would normally. I'm not a fan of easy break in, but its your car so do what makes you comfortable. All I can tell you is my car was over 150mph before it had 150 miles on it, but I don't go 10k mile oil changes either - especially on new motors as they tend to she'd metal. My car I changed my oil with diff service which was a bit late at 2250 miles, level was still full. Changed it again at 5k, level was perfect. I'll be doing 5k mile changes from this point on, currently at 7300 miles and level still perfect haven't needed to add yet

mattie507

I took delivery last week, sticker on windscreen says
Up to 1000 miles
- no full load
- 85mph max
- 4500rpm max
LSD needs change at 1850 miles

This is mercedes guidelines and that will do for me !

bhamg

I googled the motoman site. If what he says is true then it's most likely a moot point with the C63...by the time you get your hands on it there'll be far too much running time on the engine for his method to have any effect whatsoever. Even driving home post-delivery with the OE synthetic fill would be enough to eliminate the utility of following his advice.

Das AMG

Follow the running-in procedure specified by MB in a sticker placed in the top-left of your windshield.

jordanaf

Agreed. If you follow your MB guidelines, less chance of a warranty issue. I drove mine like a bat out of hell from mile one(1) when i first got it. I have had no issues, but if you are very concerned and worry about the warranty issues, then follow the guidelines and you will have no discrepancies should an issue arise.

Zeee_Q

If it were my car, I would drive it hard from the very beginning. Most modern cars are so well built nowadays and have been dummy-proofed from the factory there's not a lot of things you could do to hurt it.

mr747

No offence taken at the end f the day OP is the one spending the coin not me

Bardman

Appreciate all the feedback guys. Seems strange to me that there aren't cut and dried answers to this. I think I will follow what is on the sticker, but will change oil early and vary the engine speed (ie no long haul freeway driving) for the first few thousand kilometers.