About to buy new 2012 WRX - Break in question

WRX-Kevin · 11-09-2011, 11:27 AM

Hello Everyone,
I'm about to buy a new 2012 WRX but I have a huge concern about breakin.

First off:

I'm very familiar with the proper breakin process which calls for constnatly varying RPMs and riding it fairly hard to seal the cylinders well. I hear this is by far the best way to do it and I would love to break in with this method. Also I've heard the first 20 or so miles are the most important to sealing these o rings.

Here's my problem:

The dealership I'm looking to purchase from would be doing a dealer trade to get my WRX. They said it's brand new right now but it will need to be driven almost 200 miles for the trade. Will this person who is driving for the swap go too easily and mess up the breakin?

Also I asked if I can pick it up myself unfortunatly they said this is not doable.

Thanks for any advice.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

guygettnby · 11-09-2011, 11:47 AM

why do they need to drive the car 200 miles??? am i missing something here?

WRX-Kevin · 11-09-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guygettnby

why do they need to drive the car 200 miles??? am i missing something here?

Dealer Trade. The two dealerships are about 200 miles away and they will not flatbed it.

The dealership I'm dealing with is priced great but they don't have it in the color I want. They're going to trade with another dealer and get one setup exactly as I want it.

SWP n Gold · 11-09-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRX-Kevin

Dealer Trade. The two dealerships are about 200 miles away and they will not flatbed it.

This is how I got my WRX; they had someone from the other dealer drive it 200 miles to my dealer. You just have to put it out of your mind how they're going to drive it and break it in your way when you get the car. It sucks, but I couldn't find a white/4-door/base WRX anywhere so I just got over it and bought it.

GrimmSpeed · 11-09-2011, 12:00 PM

I wouldn't have a problem with it, remember you have a warranty so if anything does happen (which it likely wont) you'll still be covered.

Mike

WRX-Kevin · 11-09-2011, 12:49 PM

It's not so much that they're going to beat on it. I'm more scared of them either holding a constant RPM on the highway or not bringing up the RPMs at all which would cause a bad seal of the o rings.

That wouldn't really be something they could fix with a warranty.

Does anyone know if the breakin really makes that big of a deal with the WRX?

jonklein611 · 11-09-2011, 12:52 PM

My dealer said the hire old retired folks to shuffle cars, so they are less tempted to thrash it.

You could offer to pick it up if from the other dealer.

WRX-Kevin · 11-09-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonklein611

My dealer said the hire old retired folks to shuffle cars, so they are less tempted to thrash it.

You could offer to pick it up if from the other dealer.

To be honest I'd rather someone thrash it up a bit without hurting the gears to break in the cylinders better.

Has anyone broken in there WRX according the the factory standard?

If so hows it perform compaired to one that was broken in hard?

BTomp6754 · 11-09-2011, 02:02 PM

If your willing to drive the 200 miles to go pick it up why not just start haggling with the other dealership and buy it directly from them and this wont be an issue anymore....

Heck you could use the price you settled on at the closer dealership to bargain and atleast try to get the further dealer to match it.

jonklein611 · 11-09-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRX-Kevin

To be honest I'd rather someone thrash it up a bit without hurting the gears to break in the cylinders better.

Has anyone broken in there WRX according the the factory standard?

If so hows it perform compared to one that was broken in hard?

I did, but good luck comparing it to one that was broken in hard. I'll report in when it hits 250k, but that might be a few more years...

Assuming you're not bouncing off the rev limiter the whole time, and you take it easy on the clutch, choose your own break in method and live with it.

Ask this question on NASIOC and you'll get 15 posts with 25 different suggestions.

SWP n Gold · 11-09-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRX-Kevin

Has anyone broken in there WRX according the the factory standard?

If so hows it perform compaired to one that was broken in hard?

I broke it in how the manual says to for the first 1,000 miles, got the oil changed, then got it tuned and started driving normally (taking it into the upper RPM range whenever I felt like it). I just hit 16,200 miles and it runs flawless but I have no comparison with one that was broken in the hard way. I change the oil every 3,500 miles and get all the major services (7,500/15,000,30,000) done about 1,000 miles before they're due for it.

WRX-Kevin · 11-09-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonklein611

I did, but good luck comparing it to one that was broken in hard. I'll report in when it hits 250k, but that might be a few more years...

Assuming you're not bouncing off the rev limiter the whole time, and you take it easy on the clutch, choose your own break in method and live with it.

Ask this question on NASIOC and you'll get 15 posts with 25 different suggestions.

Haha, yeah it seems to be the most disputed topic on any of these types of forums.

BTomp6754 - I agree I would love to do that but I can't figure out where they're getting this car from. I've done searches on cars.com etc. and nothing is poping up meeting the description. Still I'm pretty happy with the sales rep here.

Unabomber · 11-09-2011, 03:23 PM

It matters not, quit worrying. People have driven new cars like 90 year olds for 10,000 miles to performed a redline clutch dump out of the parking lot of the dealer with no issues. Worry about the weather or something important, break-ins for Subarus are NOT a cause for concern.

WRX-Kevin · 11-09-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unabomber

It matters not, quit worrying. People have driven new cars like 90 year olds for 10,000 miles to performed a redline clutch dump out of the parking lot of the dealer with no issues. Worry about the weather or something important, break-ins for Subarus are NOT a cause for concern.

Thanks,
That makes me feel a lot more comfortable.

Brunettes · 11-09-2011, 05:06 PM

Shoot When I tried out my new car I drove it hard for a good 50kms The sales guy told me to see what it could do.. Sold me on a STI Sport Tech, when I was only looking for a base WRX

Hope I didnt do any damage but I did buy the 5 year 160,000 KM warranty. I pick it up saturday and am going on a 1000km trip tuesday, are you guys saying No cruise control? Damn that kinda sucks. How long is this break in period?

Ive always heard if your gonna drive it hard break it in hard?

Nepats555 · 11-09-2011, 05:25 PM

Funny i had a similar situation tried to buy a car at a local dealer who refused to deal, wanted 100 dollars more a month for a lease than a dealer one state away. Landed up buying it in the next state and come to find out the car was driven down from the same dealership that refused to negociate.

7L Autosport · 11-09-2011, 05:30 PM

If they're not willing to let you drive it, just go to that other dealership and buy it there. Every dealership buys the cars for the same amount, and can give you the same pricing. Just go tell them what price you got and they'll match it. You can drive your car the 200 miles however you want.

alvlee01 · 11-09-2011, 09:22 PM

when dealertrades occur they have staff members who are hired specifically for dealertrades...so chances are it'll be some semi-retired gentleman or woman who just wants to supplement their SSI. Now, since it is coming from 200 miles away, majority of which is highway I'd assume it'd be driven at varying yet conservative speeds.

As far as the break-in...it's still a mythos if you ask me. I've seen websites that state the break-in period recommended by SOA is very conservative at best and that you should always drive the car off the lot the way you intend to drive it on a daily basis...which means occasionally hitting those redlines. They have come up with this theory by tuning cars straight from the factory and after opening up the block have discovered this method to be most beneficial. I can't find the website as my work blocks most performance based websites but I know if you google it it'll eventually come up.

Brunettes · 11-09-2011, 09:52 PM

Here it is, now I feel better, http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Brunettes · 11-09-2011, 10:31 PM

I'm just not sure about the draining of the synthetic to regular for 1500 miles. How do you all feel about this article?

20wrx09 · 11-09-2011, 10:38 PM

yea it sucks. my car was the only black hatchback on the east coast when i was getting it. it was located in buffalo, ny and i am located in albany, ny. so it came to me with 442 miles on it

but i got over it and broke it in my way. did my first oil change at 5k, per dealership oil change intervals :/ 33k miles later, the car is fine.

Entaille · 11-09-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonklein611

My dealer said the hire old retired folks to shuffle cars, so they are less tempted to thrash it.

You could offer to pick it up if from the other dealer.

your dealer told you something to comfort you?! you don't say. I am sure they hire older people that are paid 4x as much as a 16 year old to do something as trivial as shuffling a car.

I saw a high school kid get out of my 2011 camaro ss during my dealer trade. I smiled, didn't care, he probably enjoyed those 50 miles : )

Entaille · 11-09-2011, 10:43 PM

PS - OP, state your terms or don't buy the car. if it bothers you that much, you can make something happen. it might cost you a bit of money if you can't negotiate it.

you're the buyer. you have the power to make the deal to your likings.

MCarroll42 · 11-09-2011, 11:31 PM

Well I've had two '11s so far and broke each of them in differently. First one, I followed by the book. Second one, I drove it how I wanted to drive it. Do I notice a difference? No.

MacNugget · 11-10-2011, 12:17 AM

Here's how I broke in my '12 WRX this weekend:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...3#post35581263

11-09-2011, 11:27 AM	#1
WRX-Kevin Scooby Newbie Member#: 300476 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York - Long Island	About to buy new 2012 WRX - Break in question Hello Everyone, I'm about to buy a new 2012 WRX but I have a huge concern about breakin. First off: I'm very familiar with the proper breakin process which calls for constnatly varying RPMs and riding it fairly hard to seal the cylinders well. I hear this is by far the best way to do it and I would love to break in with this method. Also I've heard the first 20 or so miles are the most important to sealing these o rings. Here's my problem: The dealership I'm looking to purchase from would be doing a dealer trade to get my WRX. They said it's brand new right now but it will need to be driven almost 200 miles for the trade. Will this person who is driving for the swap go too easily and mess up the breakin? Also I asked if I can pick it up myself unfortunatly they said this is not doable. Thanks for any advice. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-09-2011, 10:43 PM	#23
Entaille Scooby Specialist Member#: 217875 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Everett Vehicle: 2011 WRX WRBP	PS - OP, state your terms or don't buy the car. if it bothers you that much, you can make something happen. it might cost you a bit of money if you can't negotiate it. you're the buyer. you have the power to make the deal to your likings. Last edited by Entaille; 11-09-2011 at 11:41 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
About to buy 2011/2012 WRX	Donzelly	Newbies & FAQs	23	09-02-2011 05:11 PM
I about to buy new brake pads and rotors need some sugestions	knighter	Brakes, Steering & Suspension	3	08-07-2008 02:17 AM
I'm about to buy new wheels. Please show ur taste.	cinemaster	Tire & Wheel	2	05-06-2006 04:22 AM
About to buy a used WRX... I have a few warranty questions though.	Fixxxer	Warranty Issues & SOA Problems	5	10-25-2003 08:35 PM

11-09-2011, 11:47 AM	#2
guygettnby Scooby Specialist Member#: 298231 Join Date: Oct 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: maryland Vehicle: 2011 Subaru WRX WRB	why do they need to drive the car 200 miles??? am i missing something here?

11-09-2011, 12:00 PM	#5
GrimmSpeed NASIOC Vendor Member#: 136396 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minneapolis, MN Vehicle: 2012 wrx white	I wouldn't have a problem with it, remember you have a warranty so if anything does happen (which it likely wont) you'll still be covered. Mike

11-09-2011, 12:49 PM	#6
WRX-Kevin Scooby Newbie Member#: 300476 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New York - Long Island	It's not so much that they're going to beat on it. I'm more scared of them either holding a constant RPM on the highway or not bringing up the RPMs at all which would cause a bad seal of the o rings. That wouldn't really be something they could fix with a warranty. Does anyone know if the breakin really makes that big of a deal with the WRX?

11-09-2011, 12:52 PM	#7
jonklein611 Scooby Specialist Member#: 117776 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Moon Twp, PA Vehicle: 2011 WRX Limited 5dr WR Blue Pearl	My dealer said the hire old retired folks to shuffle cars, so they are less tempted to thrash it. You could offer to pick it up if from the other dealer.

11-09-2011, 02:02 PM	#9
BTomp6754 Scooby Newbie Member#: 270757 Join Date: Jan 2011 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Southern NH Vehicle: 2012 WRX Premium Satin White Pearl	If your willing to drive the 200 miles to go pick it up why not just start haggling with the other dealership and buy it directly from them and this wont be an issue anymore.... Heck you could use the price you settled on at the closer dealership to bargain and atleast try to get the further dealer to match it.

11-09-2011, 03:23 PM	#13
Unabomber Big Ron Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: I can save you a ton of cash Vehicle: on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy	It matters not, quit worrying. People have driven new cars like 90 year olds for 10,000 miles to performed a redline clutch dump out of the parking lot of the dealer with no issues. Worry about the weather or something important, break-ins for Subarus are NOT a cause for concern.

11-09-2011, 05:06 PM	#15
Brunettes Scooby Newbie Member#: 300135 Join Date: Nov 2011 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontairio Vehicle: 2012 Wrx STI SWP	Shoot When I tried out my new car I drove it hard for a good 50kms The sales guy told me to see what it could do.. Sold me on a STI Sport Tech, when I was only looking for a base WRX Hope I didnt do any damage but I did buy the 5 year 160,000 KM warranty. I pick it up saturday and am going on a 1000km trip tuesday, are you guys saying No cruise control? Damn that kinda sucks. How long is this break in period? Ive always heard if your gonna drive it hard break it in hard?

11-09-2011, 05:25 PM	#16
Nepats555 Scooby Newbie Member#: 299405 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: CT	Funny i had a similar situation tried to buy a car at a local dealer who refused to deal, wanted 100 dollars more a month for a lease than a dealer one state away. Landed up buying it in the next state and come to find out the car was driven down from the same dealership that refused to negociate.

11-09-2011, 05:30 PM	#17
7L Autosport NASIOC Vendor Member#: 236270 Join Date: Jan 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Chino, California Vehicle: 2011 Impreza WRX STI 2007 Impreza WRX STI	If they're not willing to let you drive it, just go to that other dealership and buy it there. Every dealership buys the cars for the same amount, and can give you the same pricing. Just go tell them what price you got and they'll match it. You can drive your car the 200 miles however you want.

11-09-2011, 09:22 PM	#18
alvlee01 Scooby Newbie Member#: 240252 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA	when dealertrades occur they have staff members who are hired specifically for dealertrades...so chances are it'll be some semi-retired gentleman or woman who just wants to supplement their SSI. Now, since it is coming from 200 miles away, majority of which is highway I'd assume it'd be driven at varying yet conservative speeds. As far as the break-in...it's still a mythos if you ask me. I've seen websites that state the break-in period recommended by SOA is very conservative at best and that you should always drive the car off the lot the way you intend to drive it on a daily basis...which means occasionally hitting those redlines. They have come up with this theory by tuning cars straight from the factory and after opening up the block have discovered this method to be most beneficial. I can't find the website as my work blocks most performance based websites but I know if you google it it'll eventually come up.

11-09-2011, 09:52 PM	#19
Brunettes Scooby Newbie Member#: 300135 Join Date: Nov 2011 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontairio Vehicle: 2012 Wrx STI SWP	Here it is, now I feel better, http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

11-09-2011, 10:31 PM	#20
Brunettes Scooby Newbie Member#: 300135 Join Date: Nov 2011 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ontairio Vehicle: 2012 Wrx STI SWP	I'm just not sure about the draining of the synthetic to regular for 1500 miles. How do you all feel about this article?

11-09-2011, 10:38 PM	#21
20wrx09 Scooby Specialist Member#: 207417 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rensselaer, NY Vehicle: 2009 WRX OBP	yea it sucks. my car was the only black hatchback on the east coast when i was getting it. it was located in buffalo, ny and i am located in albany, ny. so it came to me with 442 miles on it but i got over it and broke it in my way. did my first oil change at 5k, per dealership oil change intervals :/ 33k miles later, the car is fine.

11-09-2011, 11:31 PM	#24
MCarroll42 Scooby Newbie Member#: 283152 Join Date: May 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Clarion, PA Vehicle: 2011 WRX WRB	Well I've had two '11s so far and broke each of them in differently. First one, I followed by the book. Second one, I drove it how I wanted to drive it. Do I notice a difference? No.

11-10-2011, 12:17 AM	#25
MacNugget NASIOC Supporter Member#: 296496 Join Date: Oct 2011 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Texas USA Vehicle: 2012 WRB WRX Ltd 5dr 2007 911 GT3 RS	Here's how I broke in my '12 WRX this weekend: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...3#post35581263