2010 GT 3 Break in Period

I have a brand new 2010 GT 3 and the manual calls for a 2,000 mile break-in period and not to Rev over 5,000 RPM during that period. I had read a couple of years ago in an auto magazine that Porsche's Break-In period was actually for the driver and not the car, as the car was already broken-in. Wondering if anyone knows the truth about the actual mechanical requried break-in period. Thanks!

You will find opinions all over the map on this. Recently, longtime PCA Tech gurus that I talked to said this break-in period and routine is good advice, but you can really start to drive the car harder at around 900 miles or so, gradually increasing to full tilt over the next 200-400 miles. There is some truth to the driver needing a break-in period as well, especially if they're coming from a much less potent car, and of course for a 911, with its handling characteristics that are unique to a rear-engined car. Though suspension designs of the last 15 years have done a lot to mitigate those characteristics on 911s. The motors are not broken in at the factory, they are set on a dyno stand and the oil is warmed up to operating temperature, then they're run for 10-20 minutes to measure specific output against the specs, and check that all is in order before they're put into a car. The tech guys I've hear talk about this have national reputations and imho, know what they're talking about, but as always, the choice is yours. Congrats on getting a great new car. brad

Like Brad said, opinions are all over the map on break-in. Do a search for break-in and you'll see. In fact, if you have a particular opinion yourself, I bet you can find someone else with the same opinion to back you up. Opinions come from people of all skill levels. Some are guessing, and some are long time PCA tech gurus. Some are mechanics, some are drivers. Everyone has their own opinion. When I got my new CS, I looked at all the opinions and tried to choose between them. In the end, you know what chose? Out of all the available opinions, I chose the one stated in my owners manual.

A brand new GT 3, Awesome :cheers: As far as break in I'd go with the Porsche recommendation just incase engine issues ever emerge. Warranty claims encounter much more scrutiny in a down economy. I wouldn't want to see you left hanging with a large repair bill.

When in doubt, as you are, go with the recommendation of the folks that made the car. Why would you not? Listening to people with no skin in the game makes little sense.

My experience with the CS is that the engine is definitely not fully broken in from the factory. It consumed a fairly significant amount of oil (nearly a quart) in the break-in period until presumably the rings were fully seated. After that the oil consumption diminished to almost nil. I followed the recommended break-in procedure, even though that was sometimes hard to do. I got my GT3 with about 10,000 miles on the clock so I can't comment specifically on its break-in but I see no reason why it would be different.

The same motor is in the Cup cars and I believe that they are only briefly broken-in on the dyno before racing if that helps...

Everyone says that, but I looked at a Cup and a GT3 side by side and listened to the differences under the engine deck lid as described by the owner and they were considerable. What am I missing? The Cup is a hundred grand more than a GT3 and the Cup S is a $350k plus car. Every moto-journalist makes the same statement about "street legal race car"..."basically the same engine"..."derived form the same engine"...etc. To the OP question... Enjoy the anticipation. There is nothing sweeter. Except for driving a GT3 at redline.:hilarious:

Congrats on the GT3. Just to add to the folklore, Porsche advises 2000 kilometers for break-in, but this was directly transcribed in the manuals to 2000 miles for those countries that use miles instead of kilometers. The point made about driver break-in is well taken. I'd take it easy for at least the first 1k miles and then progress from there.

I was just at the factory two weeks ago. The engines are not broken in. All engines are cold tested with compressed air on a test bed by computer before installation to ensure they are spec. One percent are hot tested. After completion all cars are driven for about 7Kms. and 1% are driven 35Kms. I have a 2007 and I broke it in as Porsche recommended and then had it on the track 50 Kms. later and drove it like I stole it. Guess what, the rings are well seated and the engine uses very little oil. I'm a happy camper.

Wow. My favorite Porsche. Congrats. Please post pics. I can not imagine someone waiting 2000 miles to push a GT3. The car is mostly for weekend or track enjoyment.

Ahh, I always thought 3200km (2000 miles) was a little over the top, 2000km sounds more like it!

Yes, the 2K kilometers makes more sense to me to, but I have been unable to officially verify this w/ my Porsche dealer or PCNA.