Break-in?

No break-in needed for Ferraris...........they are "broken-in" at the factory during testing.

Just drive the car cautiously at the beginning until you are used to the power and handling.

 

I bought my F430 after 2 911's and it had 5k on the clock. So no break in period for me was required. I was informed that the original owner was a surgeon and that he pampered the car. Chances are that the first owner of yours was someone older and not stupid. If you said that you had bought a 350z, I would worry about the first owner. I have heard from some that you should not exceed 4-5000 rpms for a certain amount of miles. But to be blunt I don't know if it would make that much of a difference if the car was "broken in". I beat the F430 into the ground sometimes so I never wonder if the first thousand miles were soft.

 

The 430 manual suggests a 600 mile breakin period. You will hear many who say it is not necessary since the factory tests each car for 50 or so miles. There are, however, mechanical engineers who still say the period is needed to seat the rings. I broke mine in according to the manual and my car has never used any oil, even after three track days in a row. Others report oil consumption. It would be interesting to study if there is a corelation between oil consumption and proper breakin or lack thereof. I know there is in other makes.

Dave

 

I just picked up a 911 as well and the owners manual states 2000 miles of break in. does yours state 1000 miles?

 

Lots of old wives' tales our there. When in doubt, read the manual. Not always correct, but better than nothing.

Based on the responses, you cannot usually trust the owner

Taz
Terry Phillips
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It's not just the engine that needs to be 'broken in' for a couple of hundred miles when new; in fact the engine may well have been completely broken in on the dyno before the car left the factory. It's also the clutch and brakes that need to have time to (somewhat) gently 'mate' together prior to extreme use, and other components like differentials, etc.
Bish

 

I picked mine up new with 60 miles on the clock and my dealer said "take it easy the first 500 miles". But I got the idea that it was more so I could get used to it rather than a real break in.

 

I have never broken in any car (and I've had over 250 of them) except the M6 I had and only because BMW does not let it have full power until 1200 miles. Drive the car the way you want.