3.2 S50 vs 3.2 S52

[kroberts]

I was looking over the online ETK and I noticed that they make this distinction. What's the difference between the two motors? I thought the S50 was a 3 liter, S52 was 3.2.

Noob question?

kr

[BigD]

The S50B30 and S50B32 are very cool beasts. They're both true high performance M motors, the B32 being a 6 cylinder derivative of the McLaren F1 V12.

The S50US is a 3 liter version of the M50, and the S52 is a 3.2 liter version of the M52. BMW never thought the E36 M3 with the real M motors would ever sell in North America due to a much higher price tag (think E46 M3) - although all Eurospec M3s in Canada were spoken for in a few days when the news came out.

Although, an example of the S52 does hang up on the wall of M power in the BMW Museum at the Nurburgring, along with all the other monsters. :)

[Mystikal]

Yeah, just to clear it up some more you're basically looking at the US motor versus the Euro (and rest of the world) motor.

US = single throttle body, 240hp.
Euro = 6 throttle body, 321hp

Of course there are WAY more differences, but that's the simple breakdown.

Jay

[madjurgen]

the B32 being a 6 cylinder derivative of the McLaren F1 V12.

negative, B30 not B32.

[kroberts]

240 vs 321 HP...100 HP per normally aspirated liter, what a buzzkill.

Thanks fellas,

kr

[diegom6]

Yeah, just to clear it up some more you're basically looking at the US motor versus the Euro (and rest of the world) motor.

US = single throttle body, 240hp.
Euro = 6 throttle body, 321hp

Of course there are WAY more differences, but that's the simple breakdown.

Jay

Not only that.. it has double Vanos, the truly one!:p