Late running in service

[MisterCorn]

As these cars get older, and the engine is no longer covered by BMW warranty, how much store would you put by the mileage that the running in service was done at? If for example you found a nice low mileage car, but it had the running in service at 2300 miles after 16 months, would it put you off? Assuming all else is fine it would at least devalue the car, but by how much, £1k?, £5k?.
I have been reading up on this and it seems that it is mainly a BMW warranty issue, and the consensus is that there is no different oil or anything. I am happy to be educated further on the matter.

MC

[0836whimper]

I reckon after 11 years, many thousands of miles, several oil changes and all the rest, it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

So then it's just a case of whether the buyer wants to use it as a negotiation lever.

If it was an M3 you can always move on, not so easy with a CSL.

[shimmy]

Yes mainly a warranty issue, correct oil is the same.

Obviously the oil change was required for a reason so if not done until late you just need to balance this against the cost, slight chance of a problem and resale affect.

Id say that you will have a slight difficulty o moving it on without a price that reflects it but id say 5%?

[billyboysm3]

I doubt it really matters to much now but if you are buying a CSL getting a compression test done is a must and you really need to know if the headgasket has been replaced.

[Mark CSL]

The engine was fitted with running in oil thats why they change it
so soon the warranty from bmw was ok upto 2000 miles as some were late
in getting it done.

[mattCSLnut]

I doubt it really matters to much now but if you are buying a CSL getting a compression test done is a must and you really need to know if the headgasket has been replaced.

:smt023 ... although it's not a 5 minute job, a bit of a logistical challenge and a big ask of the seller ;)

[Hankcharlie]

My car for sale at Nick Johnsons had the running in service late, hence the price, but I got a compression test done in the main dealers and it is 100%.

[shimmy]

The engine was fitted with running in oil thats why they change it
so soon the warranty from bmw was ok upto 2000 miles as some were late
in getting it done.

Doesn't exist Mark

[GregorFuk]

"running in oil" can simply mean a straight non synthetic oil.

I know when running in a new engine that's been honed and has new rings it's best to do it on a basic non synthetic oil. It helps the rings bed in. After a thousand or so miles the switch to a performance synthetic / semi synthetic can be made.

Perhaps the above is old tech now but engines haven't changed that much have they?

[MCSL]

Compression test = :thumbs:

[cslsuperfan]

MC

If you're looking at csl's with a high mileage running in service dates then it should be noticeably cheaper than a csl with A1 BMW SH.
Bonus when you're buying...
Trouble when you're selling. A potential csl buyer may share the view that it's no drama. However my take is avoid any csl that has a blemish on it's history, regardless of how seemingly unimportant it appears.

A significant proportion of owners buy a csl, drive for 12 months and then move on. If you fall into this category; look to purchasing a csl that will not prove stubborn to sell.

If you're buying as a keeper, the Running in service is not an issue.

[Mark CSL]

Doesn't exist Mark

Like he said the rings need to bed in the full oil wont let them do this :thumbs:

"running in oil" can simply mean a straight non synthetic oil.

I know when running in a new engine that's been honed and has new rings it's best to do it on a basic non synthetic oil. It helps the rings bed in. After a thousand or so miles the switch to a performance synthetic / semi synthetic can be made.

Perhaps the above is old tech now but engines haven't changed that much have they?

No the rings and cams need to bed in on a hiperformance engine
the new 1 series derv fist oil change 21,000 miles :whistle:

[Trawler]

Like he said the rings need to bed in the full oil wont let them do this :thumbs:



No the rings and cams need to bed in on a hiperformance engine
the new 1 series derv fist oil change 21,000 miles :whistle:

So do Porsche run their engines in before selling the cars as I don't believe they change the oil until the first service is due?

[MisterCorn]

Cslsuperfan,
I think you are right. I am not looking for a keeper. My current thinking is to buy one, run it for a year, then sell it along with my NSX and buy a 599GTB. Although when I bought my current M3 the plan was to keep it for 6 months, that was 18 months ago.
There are enough around that I won't have to compromise. I would rather buy in the spring when it will be easier to sell the convertible and I will have my SL on the road to share the daily driving mileage.

MC