baubaulu

Does the new car (W211) need run-in the engine before wild run?

BudC

This has been debated here with no one seeming to agree about it. If you are leasing or only keeping your car for a few years then you won't be as concerned as those of us that drive our cars for a long time. When I spend $50-$60K for something, I have a tendency to take care of it.

I will make this observation. Today's engines and today's oils are no more bulletproof than they were when my 1991 300E was built. In other words, if it was prudent to carefully break in your car 14 years ago it's still prudent to do so.

HELL ONA HARLEY

If your asking about the "break-in" of the engine, then yes.
The owners maunual says its a 1000 mile ordeal... And yes, I did follow it.... Why not, it doesn't hurt anything, although I've never broke in a car engine before this one.

MB Fanatic

I say drive it like you stole it.

baubaulu

In Hong Kong, there is no leasing car service. All of us only purchase a car, and it will keep about 7-8 years. So that's why i asked the stupid question.

Thanks.

CE750

there is a school of though that says the first few drives need to be very aggressive and this will "seat the rings".. I for one don't have that much faith in it, and drove it easy for the first 500, then a bit harder the second.. and only opened it up after 1000. And mind you diesel engines are supposed to be twice as strong, but then I may not own it long enough to care.

BudC

Sam, that school of thought went out with the Ford flatheads

I broke my E320 in by taking it on a 4,800 mile vacation. It had 200 miles on it when we left and so I didn't abuse it any time on the trip nor did I use the passing gear for the first couple of days. I just watched the RPM and eventually was driving 85. The car has 7,800 miles on it now and it still has 7.7 liters out of the 8 that was put in at the factory. That's a pretty good indicaton that I did the right thing on break-in.

CE750

tell it to this chump.. Break-in

Me, heck.. I was so cautious that I changed the oil and filter at 1000, and then again at 3000 with Delvac to make sure my engine was clean and well broken in..