difference between 3.0 and 3.2L

[m3fann]

I know after 1997 that they only made the m3's with 3.2L, but is it really that much faster and worth it to get it

[E363series]

They started making 3.2L in 1996 I think. The 3.2L has a little more torque. Not much of a difference though.

[m3fann]

fuel economy? i think its just right about the same too.

[E363series]

fuel economy? i think its just right about the same too.
Yeah, I don't think there is much difference in fuel economy. I have never tested it though. I don't actually own an M3, however I have driven some and I want to get one.

[Hova]

I know after 1997 that they only made the m3's with 3.2L, but is it really that much faster and worth it to get it

S52/S50/M50/M52 all have the same exact block and head.

The only differences between these engines are the bore, and stroke, which are determined by the piston size, crank, and rod length.

The valves, and valve springs are also different among engines.

S50 and S52 are basically the same, The S52 having a slightly longer stroke, resulting in more torque, but also has a more restrictive intake manifold, resulting in the same hp rating up top, but with a M50 manifold it makes about 260 at the crank instead of just 240.


VERY SIMILAR engines. The S52 having SLIGHTLY more power potential....

[Braymond141]

According to the Bentley, the M50 has the largest valves on both intake and exhaust.

M50 1992
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 30.1mm

M50/M52 1993-1998
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 29.4mm

S50/S52
Intake: 29.4mm
Exhaust: 26.4mm


Always wondered what a M50 head would do on an S52...

[gregmm6]

.2 liters.

[BMW Rob]

I owned a 95' M3 and now have a 96' M3. Although the 95' was chipped and the 96' is stock I cant tell much of a difference between the 2. Feels like the 96' has a little more low end but, I think thats due to the fact that I know it has 11 lb/ft more of torque because its the S52. I think both are great engines though.

[Blink21Me]

omg...

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

According to the Bentley, the M50 has the largest valves on both intake and exhaust.

M50 1992
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 30.1mm

M50/M52 1993-1998
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 29.4mm

S50/S52
Intake: 29.4mm
Exhaust: 26.4mm


Always wondered what a M50 head would do on an S52...

Dang! I should have kept my 92 325i just for the head. :lol

[esp42089]

The only difference you will feel is the stock 3.2 will have noticeably better grunt in the very low rpms. When i drove a 95 and my 97 in the same day, i noticed a difference from idle on up to about 2000rpms, past that they seemed identical. My personnal bias is towards the 3.2

[Chuck]

Dang! I should have kept my 92 325i just for the head.

From what I remember, the increase in displacement was to offset going with milder cams due to TUV emissions in Germany or something like that. So the actual recipe would be the 3.2 block, the earlier head, intake manifold, and cams.

Or just put the 2.5 block in there and turbo the poop out of it.

[L3000C]

According to the Bentley, the M50 has the largest valves on both intake and exhaust.

M50 1992
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 30.1mm

M50/M52 1993-1998
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 29.4mm

S50/S52
Intake: 29.4mm
Exhaust: 26.4mm


Always wondered what a M50 head would do on an S52...

good to know..

if i ever replace my headgasket, ill make sure to pick up a M50 head, swap over the cams, and some new S52 springs.

[Foxtrot121]

From what I remember, the increase in displacement was to offset going with milder cams due to TUV emissions in Germany or something like that. So the actual recipe would be the 3.2 block, the earlier head, intake manifold, and cams.

Or just put the 2.5 block in there and turbo the poop out of it.

Or the LS2 in your goat....

I've also heard that the power delivery feels smoother in the S52; less peaky. But it doesn't pull as hard up top as an S50

[L3000C]

Or the LS2 in your goat....

I've also heard that the power delivery feels smoother in the S52; less peaky. But it doesn't pull as hard up top as an S50

because it has a more restrictive intake manifold...

Put a M50 manifold on a S52, and the peak power is there, along with loads of torque everywhere.

[BMW Rob]

as the cliche goes
there is no replacement for displacement
mod for mod it will get you evertime

+1

[ScotcH]

good to know..

if i ever replace my headgasket, ill make sure to pick up a M50 head, swap over the cams, and some new S52 springs.


It would be good to know if it was correct, but alas, it is not. The M50 vanos valves are the exact same as m52/s50/s52.

[JazzM]

According to the Bentley, the M50 has the largest valves on both intake and exhaust.

M50 1992
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 30.1mm

M50/M52 1993-1998
Intake: 32.4mm
Exhaust: 29.4mm

S50/S52
Intake: 29.4mm
Exhaust: 26.4mm


Always wondered what a M50 head would do on an S52...

The 92 M50 is the non-vanos version. So there are limitations as to what aftermarket cams can be used. I'm surprised that the valves are smaller on the S50/52 as opposed to the M50/M52.

I always thought the M52 and the S52 had the same head just different cams.

EDIT: according to real oem, both the M52B28 and S52B32 have 33mm intake valves and 30.5mm exhaust valves.

Regard,s

T.

[Braymond141]

It would be good to know if it was correct, but alas, it is not. The M50 vanos valves are the exact same as m52/s50/s52.

Yup, I've read that as well, but no one has posted up specs of showing it.

I'm am curious as to why the bentley supposedly has it wrong though.

[ScotcH]

Yup, I've read that as well, but no one has posted up specs of showing it.

I'm am curious as to why the bentley supposedly has it wrong though.

Look it up on realOEM, which is a real BMW catalogue. Bentley is just a book publisher, and is known to be wrong in several places. My guess is they are quoting Euro spec engines, as they've done with other specs.

In any case, I've swapped valves between m52, s50 and s52 heads several times, and they are indeed the exact same part, as is the head casting itself. The m50tu (vanos) is also the same. The m50 non-vanos and the wacky 320i (2.0L) are the only different heads for the US e36 6 bangers.

[TheM3nsah]

i kinda wanna hear more on this valve issue, does anyone else have input?

[chandlerseattle]

.2 liters.

Beat me to it...

I'd use the search button though. Or just simply google it.

[maskellBYAH]

not motor wise.. buttt 3.0 also brings no asc, stock on the car. therefore the other night taking an on-ramp in 3rd in the rain going slow the car kicked and i headed towards the wall. luckly i saved it somehow. scry bsns sometimes.

:D

[Phore]

I never felt a difference between the engines. The main difference between the cars is the fact that the 95 doesnt have traction control. I never really cared for ASC anyways so it wasnt an issue for me.

[Balthazarr]

I believe the 93 and up M50 head is interchangeable with the S50 and S52 as a couple of forumites have implied.
The 92 non-vanos isn't.

[ScotcH]

i kinda wanna hear more on this valve issue, does anyone else have input?

Dude ... what more input do you need? They are the same valves!

[mipktb]

I prefer the S50, mainly because it's OBD1 so there's less clutter and computer B.S. underhood. The extra displacement is nice, but the headache of OBD2 doesn't justify to me. Not all that much of a hassle to convert, but a hassle all the same. The 3.0 just seems a little more raw to me.

But then again, I'm a little bias :thumbup:

[Ant Ls]

obdII is a real good engine to go with, alot less problems, but i do love my obd1