New C63 arrived! Running in... what a pain! (or is it?)
Discussion
My C63 finally arrived today after being on order for the last 7 weeks. I am very happy with it so far but frustrated by the instruction on the sticker plastered to my windscreen that instructs me to drive at "below 4,500rpm" for the first 1,000 miles.
When I went to test drive one of these at my local dealer, (it was a new car with 45 miles on the odometer) the salesman said I could drive it however I liked and I duly used the entire rev range. Is the running in period overkill or should I never be tempted to buy an ex-demo from this particular dealer?
When I went to test drive one of these at my local dealer, (it was a new car with 45 miles on the odometer) the salesman said I could drive it however I liked and I duly used the entire rev range. Is the running in period overkill or should I never be tempted to buy an ex-demo from this particular dealer?
I drove mine out of the showroom, let the oil get to temp, then ran it round to 7000rpm twice. After this I took it steady for 200-300 miles (for the tyres/brakes/diff etc) then just started using it as intended. At 2500 miles I was showing a healthy 455bhp on the dyno. Also, and after this first few thousand miles, my C63 doesn't appear to be using any oil at all.
Be prepared for the oil consumption in these early days, mine was running a litre per thousand miles for the first few 1000.
The dipstick is a bit of a nightmare too when you first look at it, but you can save yourself a whole load of hassle and some money by just popping in to a dealer, they'll top it up for free.
It'll be very hard to reign yourself in for the first 1000 miles as you grow more confident with the car, my advice is to never gun it if it is slightly moist, the tyres and back end scrabble for grip, and can be little unnerving.
Also get a fuel points card, you're bound to collect enough for something you really dont need
Above all enjoy it as much as you can, mine goes off in 6 months and I'm gonna miss it.
The dipstick is a bit of a nightmare too when you first look at it, but you can save yourself a whole load of hassle and some money by just popping in to a dealer, they'll top it up for free.
It'll be very hard to reign yourself in for the first 1000 miles as you grow more confident with the car, my advice is to never gun it if it is slightly moist, the tyres and back end scrabble for grip, and can be little unnerving.
Also get a fuel points card, you're bound to collect enough for something you really dont need
Above all enjoy it as much as you can, mine goes off in 6 months and I'm gonna miss it.
Well, I am doing my best to keep it below the 4,500rpm limit the instructions specify. I might not have managed this on all occasions but the first 250 miles have mostly been at low speeds/revs.
MagicMike said:
The dipstick is a bit of a nightmare too when you first look at it, but you can save yourself a whole load of hassle and some money by just popping in to a dealer, they'll top it up for free.
Is this specified somewhere or just your local dealer looking after you? I didn't buy mine from my local dealer, even though I gave them a chance, so they may not be that willing to help me out if its not a requirement that they do.RudeDog said:
Is this specified somewhere or just your local dealer looking after you? I didn't buy mine from my local dealer, even though I gave them a chance, so they may not be that willing to help me out if its not a requirement that they do.
I got it done at an MB dealer up the road from me, whom I didn't purchase the vehicle from. I said I was a little confused at the markers on the dipstick, and didn't want to over\underfill The comment I got was that they didn't get many in my colour, and the mechanics loved my car so were happy to do it for free.Don't know where you're based but this was MB Great West Road, though I'm also used to a very good customer service from Tony Purslow in Guildford - Terry Byrne is absolutely faultless and has looked after me brilliantly since I took delivery from them.
RudeDog said:
OK thanks, thats useful information. I'll get the missus to go in to the Ascot dealership (my closest) and pretend she doesn't know where to look for the dipstick. I am not sure my pride would allow me to do this! 
Ha I did mull over sending the Mrs, but opted to take the shame rather then let her near the car 
I've pm'd you with some info too
I picked up my C63 3 weeks ago and the first 500 miles were frustrating, I then gradually increased RPM closer to the 4500 limit more often. I used more full throttle but only in manual as not to have the revs shooting up. I did also use overrun to slow down as this loads both sides of the piston to aid bedding in and should reduce oil consumption. running in is just common sense and I have built numerous V8 engines to know that they are pretty much run in by the first 100 miles. The Mercedes 1000 mile stipulation is more for the other components especially the LSD upgrade as they say in the manual this takes a further 2000 miles of careful use. My oil consumption is very low (less than 1/2 litre in 1100 miles) compared to my friends C63 who went through 2 litres in 1200 miles and a total of 8 litres in 10,000 miles in a car ran in to the letter. 1100 miles now and loving it
Mark
Mark
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