S50/S52 swap... is it worth it?

[giantkeeper]

How much did you guys get your s50/2 for?

Is one with 102k miles, good running for $1.7k a fair price?

I paid $2k shipped for an S50 long block with all accessories, zf 5 speed, harness, and DME shipped from the east cost. 140k miles.

[Adrian_Visser]

Also, I agree with some of the post, cost do add up quick... Estimate and then add 30 to 40% for other crap that you find or needs while motor out, etc...

That's a good estimate. Fuck I must have spent $200 just on random stupid hardware pieces I thought I already had.

How much did you guys get your s50/2 for?

Is one with 102k miles, good running for $1.7k a fair price?

100k is a fair bit of miles, I paid $1600 for my s52 with supposedly 85k but who know what it really has tbh. It came pretty bare bones, no intake, no acc, stewart wp, eurosport pullies, no fly, obviously no trans, wrong oil pan etc.

[e30s50dan]

Paid $1500 for a 10/95 S50. Spent $300 for head rebuild,plus complete engine gaskets..bottom untouched. Luv it!

[phreshkid]

How much did you guys get your s50/2 for?

Is one with 102k miles, good running for $1.7k a fair price?

s50 or s52?

Long block or short block? Harness? Ecu?

Tranny?

What does it come with man?

[jaywood]

How much did you guys get your s50/2 for?

Is one with 102k miles, good running for $1.7k a fair price?

[stormspike]

Also, I agree with some of the post, cost do add up quick... Estimate and then add 30 to 40% for other crap that you find or needs while motor out, etc...

[stormspike]

I've done the S52 and it was great! After a few years, I moved up to the S50B32 and it looks and feels like a whole new car from the S52. I guess that is close to the S54 swap. If I were starting from scratch, then go S54 or the exotic S50B32. It looks great under the hood and pulls like a bitch all the way up the power band. BTW, i would consider a 6 speed when going with the S54 or S50b32.

Ive also got some great rare parts on the forums.. Nice euro headlight washer set, alpina vent display, etc..

[e30polak]

This makes me happy, I'm moving to CA soon enough.

I've collected some very nice parts and wheels on the forums over the past year. Best deal besides the s54 was $400 shipped on some chrome pitted, staggered, 18" Alpinas, from an 8 series!

[Bimmerman325i]

Recession = crazy deals on expensive items when people are in dire need of money. Money talks!

This makes me happy, I'm moving to CA soon enough.

[e30polak]

I agree with all of that, and you're a lucky bastard to find a $1850 S54 setup...how'd you pull that one off?

Recession = crazy deals on expensive items when people are in dire need of money. Money talks!

[Bimmerman325i]

I agree with all of that, and you're a lucky bastard to find a $1850 S54 setup...how'd you pull that one off?

[e30polak]

Sooooooooooooooo much misinformation in this thread it's not funny! :hitler:

1. In the current market an s50/s52 can go from $1k - $3.5k, simply depends on how hard you look.

2. An m50 vanos/m52 makes for a very fun car, especially with m3 cams, and is roughly $500-$1,000 cheaper. It truly depends on your power goals for the car IMO. Used supercharger kits go for $1k - $3.5k all day long on bimmerforums, which makes any m50/m52 considerably faster than an s50/s52, and even a stock s54. If you do a turbo set-up then you're talking about serious power! ;)

3. s50/2 motors ARE capable of breaking 300 CRANK hp, with the right set of cams, headers, and other supporting mods. However, the cost of cams is definitely not worth it vs. a used supercharger kit.

4. The current market for S54s is very affordable these days. Motors range from $3k - 6k; simply depends how hard you look. For instance, I bought my complete s54 with all accessories, harness and DME for only $1,850 .

With the price of S54s these days, I wouldn't pay over $2k for a good condition s50/2 WITH ZF trans. Simply not worth it IMO.


It all comes down to what you want to do with the car and how much you want to spend. For some, an NA m50 non-Vanos is enough. IMO that swap is not worth the effort at all unless you turbo it. A good running m20 "i" motor with a Miller MAF and a freer flowing exhaust is almost as fast.

For most, an m50 Vanos/m52 will hold you over. If you get bored you can always get M3 cams or a supercharger to make it more fun.

The s50/2 option is worth it for those that want a very potent swap out of the box. My bolt-on s52 car dynoed 232whp/228wtq and would walk stock e46 m3s and stock 335s up to about 100. If you supercharge, or turbo this set-up, you have a car that will be too much power for most. A SC or turbo 24v e30 will out perform most cars on the street, and are a bargain for the results.

Finally, for those wanting the most potent NA 6 cylinder set-up you have the wonderful s54 motor. With catless headers, higher flowing exhaust and intake, and a proper tune, you make easily over 300whp and can make power past 8k. Then you can always supercharge it or buy an HPF kit later and go after Italian exotics! :twisted:

[Supadave]

Shit adds up that's for sure, especially if you do things the right way.

Shit ya, I'm doing an S52 swap with AA Stage II supercharger kit and cams. Im scared to add it all up:crazy:

[Bimmerman325i]

vanos uses oil to do something. This creates heat- try banging it off rev limiter every single gear on the track in the middle of summer desert heat next time!!!! drive it harder!!!!


Perhaps your motor was much nicer shape than my old S52, mine had over 10 track days, Drift days and had no mercy shown to it.; 1:50 w passenger@ laguna on stock ecu; full weight ac street car.

I don't think you'll find a guy who beats the piss out of his car, tracks, nor autocrosses an e36 m3 as much as Chris.

[bimmerteck]

vanos uses oil to do something. This creates heat- try banging it off rev limiter every single gear on the track in the middle of summer desert heat next time!!!! drive it harder!!!!


Perhaps your motor was much nicer shape than my old S52, mine had over 10 track days, Drift days and had no mercy shown to it.; 1:50 w passenger@ laguna on stock ecu; full weight ac street car.

Vanos is an electrically operated valve controlling oil pressure to a piston that actuates cam movement. Your oil burned up b/c you overdrove the car with out an oil cooler. Do you have any idea what your oil temps were? 10 track days and a few drift events won't kill a properly maintained and prepped motor, but a single money shift or overheat situation can. ;)