RM European Auto Parts
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: My 2001 M Roadster s54 has an s50 engine block?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Seattle, WA, USA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    Search in progress

    My 2001 M Roadster s54 has an s50 engine block?

    (Apologies if this is not the correct forum subsection, or if a similar thread exists already)

    The craziest thing happened to me while I'm attempting to sell my 2001 M Roadster Dinan S2. I was told by the previous owner that the original engine (having been shredded by bearing issues) was replaced with an s54 from a totaled e46 M3 with 6K miles. However, the prospective buyer ran the engine block serial number to verify that the swapped engine wasn't from a stolen/etc vehicle, and while it's clean, claims that the BMW dealership that ran the numbers said it was actually an s50 block based on the numbers below. Given that the engine in every respect looks like an s54, and the three different BMW specialist shops that have worked on it didn't point out that it has the completely wrong engine while they were servicing it either, I have no idea how this could be possible.

    60402627
    32 6 S4

    Is it possible to build up an s54 from an s50 block? Is the BMW dealer clueless? Thanks in advance!

    P.S. Will take a better pic of the engine if that's helpful.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    MauiM3Mania's Avatar
    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Central Pacific
    Posts
    10,809
    My Cars
    88M3 99M3 04M3 ITBx16
    Moved from the General BMW Discussion sub-forum.

    No, you can't build an S54 based on an S50 block. There are so many differences including water passages that don't align between the different head and block.

    I think you have it right when you described the dealership.
    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
    99M3 Cosmos 61k S50B32 euro 6Spd

    88M3 AW 43k miles Project FS


    WTB: 3.5" Eurosport/Conforti CAI

  3. #3
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,483
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    +1

    That's an S-54 motor in the picture, and why would the bother with a S-50 block anyway?
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Seattle, WA, USA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    Search in progress
    Thanks everyone. I suppose the best course of action would be to try a different dealer?

    Or, is there a definitive/DIY way to do this, or am I at the mercy of someone who may not have a clue?

  5. #5
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Grafenwoehr, Germany
    Posts
    14,483
    My Cars
    16 220i 05 325it 05 M3
    Nobody is perfect, so I would check with another dealership just to see. Again, there is no way I would bother with an American S-50 and slap a S-54 head on it just to make it look like an S-54. Just to prove a point, the S-54 has a constant pressure valve on the block. It is located on the exhaust side about halfway down on cylinder #6, the American S-50 doesn't have that.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

Similar Threads

  1. Z3 E36/7 2001 M Roadster, S54, Black Saphire Metallic, Tan Ostrage Interior, 23,000 Miles
    By Cloudbase in forum Z3,Z4,Z8 Classifieds
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 01-05-2011, 05:00 AM
  2. Z3 E36/7 2001 M Roadster S54
    By AlbertaAviator in forum Z3,Z4,Z8 Classifieds
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-12-2010, 11:26 AM
  3. 2001 M roadster S54 for sale
    By lancaster19 in forum 3 series & Z Series
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 10-02-2008, 06:50 AM
  4. 2001 M Roadster S54
    By hoopz in forum 3 series & Z Series
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-21-2008, 06:04 AM
  5. 2001 M Roadster S54 engine Steel Grey on Black/Imola Red (WA state)
    By DakkarM3 in forum BMW Cars For Sale / Wanted
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-04-2006, 11:24 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •