S50 versus s52

[mr2peak]

Sure did but if it's still running I think it doesn't have the issue huh?

That's a dangerous road.

It was a design problem, corrected on the later production S50's. Simply won't be as robust.

[digger]

the bigger engine will be better on the street

[getouth]

I'm happy with the S50 in my E36M3 and it responds better to bolt-ons than the S52 check with Turner, Bimmerworld and the other tuners!

[M-technik-3]

That's a dangerous road.

It was a design problem, corrected on the later production S50's. Simply won't be as robust.

If it's stood up to 150K I think it will continue. Most E36 M's are in the realm of 100k and higher. Not many out there that are low mileage and the few that are, are not really worth much more than a moderate mileage M3. Granted their values have come up slightly.

[Bimmerman325i]

I own a 95 M3 (s50) and a 98 m3 (s52).

S52 is far better. Much torquier, much more potential, much easier to diagnose issues, and easier to service since things got rethought for the obd2 changeover. My s50 has all the bolt ons but my s52 is bone stock and makes noticeably more torque low in the rpm range where you want it. Admittedly, that is partially due to the manifold difference, but even so, my all-but-cams S50 dynoed at 235/215whp/tq, bone stock with no boltons s52s do 215/215. The extra power in the s50 comes without any emissions equipment and only from 4500+ rpm, which is great for a track car but not for a street car. I know many e36 guys with 240whp s52s that have stock exhaust, so....yea. Much greater potential.

The only benefit to the s50 over the s52 is in high rpms-- s52 rattles itself apart above 7200, s50 won't until 75-7600, which is past the point of valve float anyway.

A modded s52 will blow the doors off of a modded s50, especially once the m50 manifold is installed. The bigger motor responds much much better to mods, and obd2 tuning is a piece of cake.

[Hooffenstein HD]

Clearly the S50 is a better engine. It has ITB's.

[totheredline]

turbo m30 or S54> all previously mentioned engines

[BLACKCHARM88]

Its like the difference between a regular washing machine and a maytag. I would suggest that you go S54. If you want something on the cheaper side, lighter and in the same power range, shoot for an M60. Not only to mention S50's and S52's have problems with their oil sump setup for track.

[nando]

Huh??

The s52 and s50 are the same block, but I am not sure what bolt ons he is referring to. The s50 3.0 liter was bored out to 3.2 which became the s52. The reason this was one was to offset the OBD2 and emsission restrictions.

The s52, depending on what you do, has a higher chance for head gasket issues as the bore is larger 3.0 versus 3.2.

what? this is nonsense.

also, the bore is barely larger. the stroke is like 3mm longer, that's where it gets the biggest bump in displacement.