any visual difference between m52 and s52?

[catchuk]

Im just curious, im going to look at an m3 engine for sale but How can I make sure its really an s52?

[2002maniac]

It will say MPOWER on the engine cover



check the vin on the back of the cylinder head, if it starts with WBS it's an M (IIRC, correct me if i'm wrong)

[jahnaboi]

Look at the head-gasket tag just above the exhaust manifold runner of cylinder number 1 (closest to the front of the car). Should have an overhanging piece of head gasket with a stamped 3.2 on the piece. Its what mine has on it, figured it would help. If not, the vin behind the head is the easiest. WBS is for m3 e36s.

[Farbin Kaiber]

If the VIN tag on the back reads WBx it's an m50/52 series, if it is WBS, it is a S50/52. metallic VC = m/s50, plastic style = m/s52.

[catchuk]

hey guys thanks for the replies, The person I was going to buy the motor from sold it already even though I told him Id take it and he said he would hold on to it for me. It was suposed to have only 7k from a wrecked 99 m3

[jahnaboi]

70k? Or 7k? I highly doubt it had 7k miles...