s50b32- how reliable? How expensive to maintain? Practical for DD street

[clydesdale]

My old e30 is looking for a transplant and I believe I want the euro motor. But, I do not want it to be a money pit. Once the swap is complete, how expensive are these motors to own? I guess I would be looking for a comparison to the US s52. The car would end up going back to being a daily driver. I know I need to do a swap. I just want to make sure I pick the right motor. Thanks

[gobuffs]

Properly maintained they are not that bad.

[clydesdale]

Comparable to an S52 or is this going to be a money and maintenance pit? I like the sound of having the power and I am ok with the cost of the swap. But will it end there, or do these things have maint. and money issues that will bleed a guy dry? Are parts easily purchased? Thanks.

[nrubenstein]

I'd do an S54 swap. It might be a bit more up front, but parts will be readily available via the local dealer.

[e30m3s54turbo]

S54 is much easy to find parts than euro s50b32.

[Eric]

S54 is much easy to find parts than euro s50b32.

true story, I finished my euro 3.0L swap about 6 minutes before S54 swaps became popular/easy:hitler:

[clydesdale]

ok, I thought I was set on the euro motor, but what is the difficulty level like for an s54? I would think the electronics would be a nightmare. Not so?

[M3 euro ltw]

Many ways to skin a cat

In direct answer to your OP, the S50B32 is not a nightmare to maintain, there are very affordable fixes for any vanos issues now in fact.

Parts are available over the counter from any US dealership.

By far and away it is an easier bolt in solution than an S54 if you want to really emphasize the DIY nature and not rely on ANYone's help.

Currently there is a lot of buzz ( to my dismay? ) about reflashes to the stock computer that allow what is probably a relatively simple installation.

Running it on a standalone allows for a whole new world to open up in terms of tuning and advances and options you'd never have with the stock computer, but of course this is not for everyone, and requires some dedication and almost always a bit of a compromise from the exquisite and complex DME that BMW provided to run the engine in the first place.

Everyone eventually askes, "Can I have more power", and having a standalone gives you the options of very, very easy re-tuning when you start to make changes that range from cams, intakes, exhausts etc, not to mention FI, compression, stroke etc.....

I still sell the euro's relatively often, so I think the simplicity of P&P for stock engined 3.0 and 3.2 has a lot of appeal to people....

But I'm really more excited about the DTA stuff and the S54....

[markseven]

S52 for a DD, IMO. Tractable, docile, reliable, can easily make 230whp.

[DaveSmed]

S52 for a DD, IMO. Tractable, docile, reliable, can easily make 230whp.

It doesn't compare. The parts list is almost completely different for good reason- the feel of that engine is much different. The power delivery is something else...

[markseven]

It doesn't compare. The parts list is almost completely different for good reason- the feel of that engine is much different. The power delivery is something else...

I have never driven a true an S50B32 or S54 powered E30, but I believe you that it is a different animal all together. From what I've heard from local shops is that they aren't as good for DD as the S52. I'm gonna post in the CA forum to see if anyone local has a S54 car that I can get a ride in ;)

[M3 euro ltw]

Huh?

From what I've heard from local shops is that they aren't as good for DD as the S52.

What on earth would make an S50B32 or an S54 a poor choice as a DD.

It does everything that a "S52" does and more.

More revs, more torque, more hp.

Are you suggesting that the extra weight might somehow make it less of a DD?

Somehow thousands of E36 powered S50B32 cars and E46 S54 cars make do with the engines for DD duty....why less so in a lighter chassis?

[markseven]

What on earth would make an S50B32 or an S54 a poor choice as a DD.

It does everything that a "S52" does and more.

More revs, more torque, more hp.

Are you suggesting that the extra weight might somehow make it less of a DD?

Somehow thousands of E36 powered S50B32 cars and E46 S54 cars make do with the engines for DD duty....why less so in a lighter chassis?

Straight off I admit I am a n00b and obviously don't know as much as most.

Does anyone sell a chip that works with the E30's DME? A stand-alone is not for the faint of heart or typical DIYer; has anyone matched the driveabilty of a proven chip? Turner and TRM, amongst others, sell chips that render the S52 absolutly practical for DD use. Can the same be said for the Euro and S54? Serious question :)

With all do respect, comparing a swapped car with one that came from the factory with S50B32 or S54 power is an "apples and oranges" comparison. Kind of like saying that because the S85 is drivable in the E6X M5 that it will be a great powerplant for a DD E30 ;)

[hi its me alec]

IMO the ITBs of the euro motor are the only thing that really make it worthwhile over a US S52. With a couple bolt-ons, it makes the same power. The engine will be much cheaper, initially and in the long run.

The best part about the S50B32 is that it's exclusive and sexy. If you want something truly cool, buy that one. If you want the car to be a daily driver, get a US S52 for about 1200 bucks, get an M50 manifold + chip + injectors + headers, and you'll be insanely happy. Hell I'm very happy with my M50 Vanos

If money is no object, get an S54 over the S50B32

[ck_taft325is]

The biggest concern with an S54 in comparison to say, an S50/S52 is Price. One carries a far more considerable price tag over the others.

If cost is not a factor, definately do an S54. From what I've read, and granted, it's by no means massive amounts of research, the S54 is fairly expensive to install with the DME or even Stand-Alone. If you're not competent with SA engine management, you're looking at a fairly hefty premium to have it installed/tuned/ect... so, this should be the first question before advice is given: What's your budget?