BMW M52

Last updated
BMW M52 engine
M52NonTUB28.jpg
M52B28 in a E36 328i
Overview
Production1994–2000
Layout
Configuration Straight-6
Displacement 2.0–2.8 L (122–171 cu in)
Cylinder bore 80–84 mm (3.1–3.3 in)
Piston stroke 66–84 mm (2.6–3.3 in)
Cylinder block materialAluminium /
cast iron
Cylinder head materialAluminium
Valvetrain DOHC, with VVT
Valvetrain drive system Chain
Combustion
Fuel type Gasoline
Chronology
Predecessor BMW M50
Successor BMW M54

The BMW M52 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which was produced from 1994 to 2000. It was released in the E36 320i, [1] to replace the M50. The BMW S52 engine is a high performance variant of the M52 which powered the American and Canadian market E36 M3 from 1996 to 1999.

Contents

In 1998, the "technical update" (M52TU) upgrades included adding variable valve timing to the exhaust camshaft.

The M52 was replaced by the M54 in the year 2000. The M52 and S52 engines were on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 1997 to 2000. [2]

Design

In most markets, the M52 switched from the M50's cast iron engine block to a lightweight aluminium engine block. Prior to 1999, M52 engines produced for the United States and Canadian markets (except for those used by the BMW Z3 roadster) retained the M50's cast iron engine block. [3] [4] Beginning with the E46 in 1999, US cars used the new aluminum M52 block with iron sleeves. [3]

The largest version of the M52 is 2.8 litres, compared with 2.5 litres for the M50. As per the later versions of the M50, the M52 uses variable valve timing on the intake camshaft (called "single-VANOS"). The redline remained at 6,500 rpm.

Technical Update versions

In 1998, the M52TÜ ("Technical Update") was released, adding variable valve timing to the exhaust camshaft (called "double VANOS"). Other upgrades included a new design throttle body with the ASC (traction control) motor built in and throttle cable override, revised coolant passages with an additional drain back passage and a new cooling system with push fit hoses and a separate expansion tank plus [5] a dual length intake manifold (called "DISA") and steel cylinder liners (in the aluminum block) carried over from the previous M52, these replacing Nikasil in March 1998. [6]

Models

EngineDisplacementPowerTorqueYears
M52B201,991 cc (121 cu in)110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp)
at 5900 rpm		190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft)
at 4200 rpm		1994–1998
M52TÜB20190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft)
at 3500 rpm		1998–2000
M52TÜB242,394 cc (146 cu in)135 kW (184 PS; 181 hp)
at 5800 rpm		240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft)
at 3600 rpm		1998–2000
M52B252,494 cc (152 cu in)125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp)
at 5500 rpm		245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft)
at 3950 rpm		1995–1998
M52TÜB25245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft)
at 3500 rpm		1998–2000
M52B282,793 cc (170 cu in)142 kW (193 PS; 190 hp)
at 5300 rpm		280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)
at 3950 rpm		1995–1998
M52TÜB28142 kW (193 PS; 190 hp)
at 5500 rpm		280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)
at 3500 rpm		1998–2000
S52B323,152 cc (192 cu in)179 kW (243 PS; 240 hp)
at 6000 rpm		325 N⋅m (240 lb⋅ft)
at 3800 rpm		1996–2000

M52B20

A 1,991 cc (121 cu in) version was introduced in 1994. Bore is 80 mm (3.1 in) and stroke is 66 mm (2.6 in). [7] The compression ratio is 11.0:1.

Applications:

M52TÜB20

The "technical update" in 1998 included double VANOS, which improved low rpm torque.

Applications:

M52TÜB24

2.4 L. For Thai market only. The bore is 84 mm (3.3 in) and the stroke is 72 mm (2.8 in).

M52B25

A 2,494 cc (152 cu in) version introduced in 1995. [8] It produces 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp). Bore is 84 mm (3.3 in) and stroke 75 mm (3.0 in). The compression ratio is 10.5:1.

Applications:

M52TÜB25

The "technical update" in 1998 included double VANOS, which improved low rpm torque.

Applications:

M52B28

The 2,793 cc (170 cu in) version of the M52 debuted in 1995. It has a bore of 84 mm (3.3 in), a stroke of 84 mm (3.3 in) and produces 142 kW (193 PS; 190 hp). [9] The compression ratio is 10.2:1.

Applications:

M52TÜB28

The "technical update" in 1998 included double VANOS, which improved low rpm torque.

Applications:

Nikasil problems with high sulfur fuels

The aluminum M52 engine received criticism in some markets with high levels of sulfur in the petrol during the late 1990s. Sulfur has a corrosive effect on Nikasil and led to many early M52 and M60 engines having premature bore-liner wear. [10] [11] [12] Countries with high sulfur fuel (such as the United States) received an iron block version of the M52 (except for the M52B28 in the Z3 which was an aluminium block), so the Nikasil problem does not apply to most M52 engines in these countries. [13]

Once the Nikasil coating was determined to be the cause of the problem, steel cylinder liners were used instead of the Nikasil coating. [14] Therefore, the M52TU engine was not affected by the Nikasil problem. [15]

S52

BMW S52 engine
S52B32 2000 Z3 M Roadster.jpg
An S52B32 in an e36/7 M Roadster
Overview
Production1996–2000
Layout
Configuration straight-6
Displacement 3,152  cc (192  cu in)
Cylinder bore 86.4  mm (3.40  in)
Piston stroke 89.6 mm (3.53 in)
Cylinder block materialCast iron
Cylinder head materialAluminium
Valvetrain DOHC, with VVT
Combustion
Fuel type Gasoline
Chronology
Predecessor BMW S50B30US
Successor BMW S54

The S52 is a higher performance version of the M52, which replaced the S50B30US in the post-facelift (1996-1999) North American E36 M3.

Compared to the European-spec S50, the S52 is less powerful. The S52 also shares more in common with the regular M52 engine than the S50 did with the M50, for example sharing the engine block (cast iron, as per North American M52 engines) and cylinder head. Unique to the S52 is a bore of 86.4 mm (3.4 in) and stroke of 89.6 mm (3.5 in) for a total displacement of 3,152 cc. Compression ratio is 10.5:1. Other upgrades over the M52 include lighter camshafts (with increased lift and duration), valve springs and the exhaust system. [16] [17]

The S52 produces 240 hp (179 kW; 243 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 236 lb⋅ft (320 N⋅m) of torque at 3,800 rpm. [18] The S52 has a redline of 7,000 rpm while the M52 has a 6,500 rpm redline.

Applications:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW Z3</span> Motor vehicle

The BMW Z3 is a range of two-seater sports cars which was produced from 1995 to 2002. The body styles of the range are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VANOS</span> BMW variable valve timing system

VANOS is a variable valve timing system used by BMW on various automotive petrol engines since 1992. The name is an abbreviation of the German words for variable camshaft timing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M20</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW M20 is a SOHC straight-six petrol engine which was produced from 1977 to 1993. It was introduced eight years after the larger BMW M30 straight-six engine, which remained in production alongside the M20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M43</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW M43 is an SOHC four-cylinder petrol engine which was produced from 1991-2002. The M43 powered base-model cars, while higher performance models at the time were powered by the BMW M42 and BMW M44 DOHC engines. The M43 was produced at the Steyr engine plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M50</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW M50 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which was produced from 1990 to 1996. It was released in the E34 520i and 525i, to replace the M20 engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M62</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

BMW M62 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine which was produced from 1995 to 2005. A successor to the BMW M60, the M62 features an aluminium engine block and a single row timing chain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW S38</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW S38 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which replaced the M88 and was produced from 1984–1995. The S38 was originally produced for North America as an equivalent to the M88 with slightly lower power output. In 1989, power output of the S38 was increased and it became the worldwide replacement for the M88.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 3 Series (E36)</span> Third generation of BMW 3 Series

The third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E36, and was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1990 to 2000. The initial models were of the four-door saloon body style, followed by the coupé, convertible, wagon ("Touring"), and eventually hatchback ("Compact").

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 3 Series (E46)</span> Fourth generation of BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series (E46) is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars manufactured by German automaker BMW. Produced from 1997 to 2006, it was the successor to the E36 3 Series, which ceased production in 2000. It was introduced in November 1997, and available in sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and hatchback body styles. The latter has been marketed as the 3 Series Compact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 5 Series (E39)</span> Fourth generation of BMW 5 Series

The BMW E39 is the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series range of executive cars, which was manufactured from 1995 to 2004. It was launched in the saloon body style, with the station wagon body style introduced in 1996. The E39 was replaced by the E60 5 Series in 2003, however E39 Touring models remained in production until May 2004.

The BMW N42 is a DOHC four-cylinder petrol engine which replaced the BMW M43 and was produced from 2001-2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M54</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW M54 is a naturally aspirated straight-6 DOHC petrol engine produced from 2000 to 2006. It was released in the E53 X5 and is the replacement for the M52 engine. The S54 is the equivalent high performance engine, used in the E46 M3, the Z3 M Coupé/Roadster and the E85/E86 Z4 M. The BMW M56 SULEV engine is based on the M54.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M51</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW M51 is an inline-6 cylinder Diesel engine produced by the Upper Austrian BMW plant in Steyr from July 1991 through February 2000. Its predecessor is the BMW M21, the successor is the BMW M57.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M Coupé and Roadster</span> High performance variants of the BMW Z3 and Z4 coupé and roadster

The BMW M Coupé and BMW M Roadster are high performance models of the BMW Z3 and Z4 coupés/roadsters produced by BMW M. The first generation was based on the Z3 and was produced between 1998 and 2002. The second generation was based on the Z4 and was produced between 2006 and 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW N52</span> Straight-6 DOHC piston engine

The BMW N52 is a naturally aspirated straight-6 petrol engine which was produced from 2004 to 2015. The N52 replaced the BMW M54 and debuted on the E90 3 Series and E63 6 Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW N73</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW N73 is a naturally aspirated V12 petrol engine which replaced the BMW M73 and was produced from 2003–2016. It was used in the BMW 7 Series (E65) and Rolls-Royce Phantom VII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M60</span> V8 DOHC piston engine produced by BMW between 1992 and 1996

The BMW M60 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine which was produced from 1992 to 1996. It was BMW's first V8 engine in over 25 years.

5HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its 5-speed automatic transmission models for longitudinal engine applications, designed and built by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken.

The ZF S5-31 transmission is a five-speed manual transmission by ZF Friedrichshafen. The transmission is designed for use in longitudinal engine applications. The transmission is rated for 310 Nm of torque. The transmission weighs ~39 kg, and holds 1.3 litres of transmission fluid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpina B3</span> Motor vehicle

The Alpina B3 are a series of high performance executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina, which is based on the BMW 3 Series of the car manufacturer BMW. As of 2021, it is produced as a sedan (four-door) and station wagon (touring). Up to and including the E90 series, two-door sedans, coupes and convertibles were also offered. With the exception of the convertible, every model was optionally available with all-wheel drive. The current diesel variant runs under the Alpina D3 Biturbo.

References

  1. ↑ "3'E36 model selection". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Wards 10 best engine". Wardsauto.com. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  3. 1 2 "BMW Classic - Recherche-Client". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "Engines". www.metricmechanic.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-22. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  5. ↑ "Engine Management Systems – SIEMENS MS 42.0 Engine Control System" (PDF). p. 51. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  6. ↑ "The UnixNerd's Domain - BMW M50 M52 M54 Engines". Archived from the original on 2018-09-27. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  7. ↑ "BMW Heaven Specification Database | Engine specifications for M52 engines". Bmwheaven.com. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  8. ↑ "BMW Heaven Specification Database | Engine specifications for M52 engines". Bmwheaven.com. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  9. ↑ "BMW 328i, 1999 E46 technical specifications 96228". Carfolio.com. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  10. ↑ BMW World - Nikasil, Usautoparts.net, archived from the original on 2013-11-02, retrieved 2012-11-18
  11. ↑ "The Nikasil Issue". BMW Classics. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  12. ↑ "Engine components / basic engine - Crankcase". bimmernut.com. Archived from the original on 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  13. ↑ "BMW World - M52 Engine". Usautoparts.net. Archived from the original on 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  14. ↑ Simon Worby, Lestac Ltd (2002). "The BMW Nikasil issue". lestac.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2005-03-06. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  15. ↑ "BMW World - Nikasil". Usautoparts.net. Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  16. ↑ "BMW S52 Engine". www.mywikimotors.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-21. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  17. ↑ "Extreme Engine Tech: Building a BMW S52 – Part 1: The Short Block". www.motoiq.com. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  18. ↑ "FAQ E36/8 M coupe". BMW M Registry. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.