[F30RiK]

Is it safe for our engine?

[Wgosma]

I think you want something that is both safe and effective. Most oil additives are questionable at best regards effectiveness. Personally I'd pass on oil additives; the only additives I use are fuel system cleaners, stuff like Techron.

[Billfitz]

It hasn't hurt mine.

[F30RiK]

Amazon reviews about this product seems to be quite good.

https://www.amazon.com/Liqui-Moly-20...ustomerReviews

I'm just scared that it's not compatible with n55 engine lol.

[Billfitz]

There's nothing all that special about the lubrication requirements of the N55. FWIW for my first post-BMW maintenance oil change I went with Liquimoly Molygen plus Ceratec. My gas mileage went up by 2 MPG.

[F30RiK]

But ceratec is different from others lubricants, it will form a glass like coating on all the engine internals, that why I'm a bit scared to pour that stuff into my engine

[Billfitz]

Then don't.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by F30RiK

But ceratec is different from others lubricants, it will form a glass like coating on all the engine internals, that why I'm a bit scared to pour that stuff into my engine

Best to skip it because you don't really need it. If is ain't broke don't fix it.

[Wires]

I don't see any reason why one would do this. The stuff is expensive, and fuel savings (assuming 2MPG) wouldn't even cover the cost of the product during the recommended oil change interval.

Couple in how ludicrously expensive the engines are in these vehicles, you'd be better to waste money on better grade gasoline as that would at least help clean out carbon in the top end, vs risking any issues.

[Billfitz]

If you grasp the concept of what it does then using it makes sense. I don't think you've done due diligence, as it's not something you add with every oil change, and it has little to do with mileage, although that is a nice side benefit, everything to do with extending engine life. BTW, 'better' gas might help keep injectors clean, but it does nothing to keep the intake valves clean on our direct injected engines.

[arhoads335i]

Because N55 engines like to spin rod bearings I would think everyone should use it.

[F30RiK]

That's the point, I see more and more n55 with spun rods bearings, and I'm over 100k miles, I just want to extend my engine life

[Wires]

I know what they "promise", and snake oil has been marketed like this for years. Perhaps this actually makes a difference, but if you spin a bearing with this crap in the crankcase, kiss your warranty good by.

You don't buy a BMW expecting hitting a million miles on the engine. You can buy a new Honda Civic for the same price as a replacement BMW short block.

[peeps689]

Originally Posted by arhoads335i

Because N55 engines like to spin rod bearings I would think everyone should use it.

Where are you seeing all these N55 engines with spun bearings?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by peeps689

Where are you seeing all these N55 engines with spun bearings?

Might have missed some N55 spun bearings threads but have been here since 2011 before the N55 came out & can't remember one.

Would be interested because my 135is with about 65,000 miles on it is an N55.

There are a very small number of threads maybe 6 on N55 bearing failures at N54tech, the BMS JB4 modified forum, but not many out of the thousands of modified N55 posts there.

[XxThe_RemedyXx]

I used Ceratec initially when I started doing my own oil changes. One Ceratec treatment and subsequent treatments with LiquiMoly MOS2 with each oil change. My engine seems quieter on idle and MPG has increased slightly as well. I like LiquiMoly products.

[F30RiK]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Might have missed some N55 spun bearings threads but have been here since 2011 before the N55 came out & can't remember one.

Would be interested because my 135is with about 65,000 miles on it is an N55.

There are a very small number of threads maybe 6 on N55 bearing failures at N54tech, the BMS JB4 modified forum, but not many out of the thousands of modified N55 posts there.

My girlfriend previous X3 35i had rod bearing failure at 105k miles.

I went to see a 2013 335 with a friend and engine broke previous day, rod bearings.

They seems to break around 105-120k miles if not maintained well.

[rjd_F30]

Worth a watch I think.

[Wires]

Keep in mind all modern approved oils have a lot of these friction modifiers already included, with no risk. The approved oil versions are all about getting lower friction for higher mileage ratings to hit the CAFE levels.

5W30 from 1999 isn't the same as 5W30 from 2019.

I had a 2013 Acura CL 6MT. My buddy swore by Redline oil as "the magic bullet for butter shifts" and he used it in his Camaro. I put it in my Acura, and it was nothing shy of brutal. Every shift was notchy, the syncro's failed to mesh smoothly. Dumped it out, put in Honda MT oil, and got butter shifts back. The engineers know what's best is most cases. It was a really slick $100 lesson of leaving crap alone.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by rjdnyy224

Worth a watch I think.

It's interesting, as it seems to confirm that Ceratec reduces friction in the engine. I knew that when my 0-60 times went down while mileage went up after using it. But that's not the primary reason to use it. That would be engine life. The nano particles provide a second method of lubrication over and above that of oil alone, reducing friction better than what either oil or nano particles alone are capable of. Less friction means less wear on bearings, rings, camshafts, pistons, and with any luck the oil pump and timing chain.

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It's interesting, as it seems to confirm that Ceratec reduces friction in the engine. I knew that when my 0-60 times went down while mileage went up after using it. But that's not the primary reason to use it. That would be engine life. The nano particles provide a second method of lubrication over and above that of oil alone, reducing friction better than what either oil or nano particles alone are capable of. Less friction means less wear on bearings, rings, camshafts, pistons, and with any luck the oil pump and timing chain.

I'll be the first to admit that I've not done much research on Ceratec so I'll avoid directly refuting or agreeing with what you said, because like I said, I just don't know enough about it. I just posted that video because it fit the discussion, but from what I have gathered, it doesn't seem like enough to convince me to dump some into my engine. In the end of the video wrap-up, the guy even said that the ability of Ceratec to reduce wear in the lubricity test via film strength was nominal and that other additives he tested performed better in that regard. That's the type of friction reduction, or lubricity that you're tying in when you mention lessening wear on rings, bearings, cams etc., not to be confused with the test wherein rpms on the lawnmower engine increased. That test tested internal friction, or resistance from the oil against the piston's motion, which is, at least as one would be lead to believe by the presentation of the video, separate from Ceratec's ability to reduce wear. So: ability to reduce wear via film strength and increase engine life, nominal, insignificant. Ability to reduce internal friction and resistance against the pistons motion and thus increase fuel economy, significant. Mmmm, maybe I did directly refute/agree with some of the stuff you said... oh well.

I am interested in the difference in 0-60 times you noticed, because I'd bet dollars to donuts that it was not due to the Ceratec, but was caused by outstanding circumstances, i.e. temperature, altitude, wind direction, weight in the car, the way you launched it, etc. It seems like it's not out of the realm of possibility for Ceratec to give you an extra horsepower or two due to its ability to reduce friction and resistance in the cylinder, but we both know that won't make a difference in 0-60 times, unless you're measuring to the 100th decimal place.

[Billfitz]

By trade I am an engineer. I know how to conduct tests that are valid. As for how Ceratec works, it's not an oil additive per se. It doesn't alter the properties of the oil. What it alters is the properties of the parts in the engine that it bonds with. That's why you don't add it with every oil change. Once the pores and fissures in the parts are filled there's nothing to be gained by adding more Ceratec until it's been washed away, or more fissures have developed, which takes a few oil change intervals.