galwaygreen wrote:

think we were told to take it easy for the first 1000 miles....we still don't thrash it...its a powerful beast...we found it did drink a little oil for the first 10k....some say the block drinks the oil...others will advise...YOU WILL ENJOY IT

Thanks - yes, I had one two years ago in Australia and it was great (MY13 I think) but I didnt really worry about running it in because it was an ex demo with 4k on the clock and I figured it would have been well run in anyway

I am looking forward to getting back into one again as the X5 we have been running for the last year hasnt really captured my imagination in the same way - brilliant car, much faster, but nowhere near as versatile obviously.

Getoffmyland wrote:

Thanks Mikey - just to clarify - do you mean plenty of torque/pressure on the pedal and then lift off before it revs too much?

Yes, the extra pressures inside the cylinders under high loads swell the rings out, and bed in much better than driving gently.

And avoid long motorway slogs. Take the scenic route everywhere, so the engine gets a good workout

Getoffmyland wrote:

This may sound like a silly question - I pick up a new Disco tomorrow - and I wondered if there was a running in period on the 255 engine?

Has anyone followed any interesting run in processes - ie changing the oil at 1000 miles etc...? or is it simply... vary revs, don't thrash it for the first few thousand miles and follow the warranty service intervals?

In my humble:
1) Always let the engine get to operating temperature before imposing heavier than normal driving loads on it....let it get to normal temperature by driving not left at tick over parked up....at tick over speeds the turbo is turning but not at the speeds to provide the right amounts of "charge" air for correct combustion.
2) ...try not to do Emerson fittipaldi type driving in say the first 500 miles....no hard foot to the floor acceleration or mega hard braking unless you have to...
3) ...do drive the thing & don't let it labour in high gears at low speeds ( manual box) or Rev it's off with either manual or auto boxes
4) ..some say no kick-down changes on an auto until it's say 1000 miles old....I would agree with this
5) Do varying speeds on longer drives.....not held at constant speeds / engine revs.
6) Diesel engines are built to work so you don't have to reckon you are driving Miss Daisy...brisk (not hard) acceleration is OK
7) Always keep an eye in the oil level with the dopey dash gauge instead if waiting till the low oil level warning pops up (there is a difference)...expect some oil to be burnt.....engines burn oil as per normal...also look for leaks....examine your drive / garage floor...better this than a seized engine
8) it's your decision whether to swap engine oil earlier...my opinion is it can't do any harm other than costing you the right oil & filter.....if it's a long term prospect vehicle ..... Good preventive maintenance....I always swap at 1000 to 1500 miles...NO additives.
This removes the possibility that any metal particles from manufacturing that could be there or worn off in the early miles are being kept till 14k miles......yes there is a filter but it's good to get all that crap out.

There was some time back, an "interesting" debate on whether metal engine components "soaked" oil & this reduced the engine oil significantly to be recognised on the electronic level system.....against any pf the oil being burnt in cylinder bores with piston rings that had to bed in....& bed in they have to do.
I'm not going to revive this debate. But keeping an eye on engine oil level is a good part of owner maintenance....it can & will save disasters.....& keep warranties valid.

Disco_Mikey wrote:

High loads, low revs