BMW S52B32 Engine Specs, Problems & Reliability

BMW S52B32 Engine – Here in this post, I have taken all the details about BMW S52B32 Engine from the (official site) including BMW S52B32 Engine specs, Weight, Price & Dimension.

We believe to provide accurate details to our readers and we prefer only official sources for information about BMW S52B32 Engine.

All the details which you want to know about BMW S52B32 Engine you can find in this article which is updated.

BMW S52B32 Engine

The S52B32 is an incarnation of the M52B28 engine. This engine was developed specifically for North American M-version models instead of the S50B32 engine used in Europe. European market.

The engine has a cast iron block cylinder (the same style as the M52B28 in North America) with an 86.4-millimeter bore. It features a robust and light-forged crankshaft that can take on heavier loads.

Connecting rods cut down the length of 135mm long; however, the piston’s compression height is 31 millimeters. The crankshaft’s stroke was increased to 89.6 millimeters, which gives a 10.5:1 compression rate and 3.2-liter displacement.

BMW S52B32 Engine

BMW S52B32 Engine Specs

The BMW S52B32 engine was intended exclusively for North America as an alternative to the 3.2-liter S50B32. The S52B32US motor was made between 1995 and 2000, and 37,790 units were produced. The successor to it was called the S54B32.

Manufacturer Munich Plant
Production years 1996-2000
Cylinder block material Cast Iron
Cylinder head material Aluminium
Fuel type Gasoline
Fuel system Fuel injection
Configuration Inline
Number of cylinders 6
Valves per cylinder 4
Valvetrain layout DOHC
Bore 86.4 mm
Stroke 89.6 mm
Displacement 3152 cc
Type
Four-stroke, naturally aspirated
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Power
240 hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque 240 lb-ft (320 Nm) at 3,800 rpm
Firing order 1-5-3-6-2-4
Engine oil weight 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40
Engine oil capacity
5.5 litres
Oil change interval
6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 12 months
Applications
1996-1999 E36 M3 (Canada and USA only), 1998-2000 E36/7/8 Z3M (Canada and USA only)

BMW S52B32 Engine Problems & Reliability

  • The plastic thermostat’s thin wall thermostat made of plastic is the most common cause of cooling fluid leaks.
  • The more significant cooling channel inside the head increases the chance of getting coolant into the cylinder when the engine is running hot.
  • High oil consumption could severely damage pistons when they are under heavy load.
  • Double VANOS’s life span is around 120,000 miles.
  • Air leaks from the intake manifold can cause an inaccurate reading of the Lambda sensor. This is extremely common in an engine with the model S52.

Disadvantages of the S52B32 engine

  • Overtemperature condition. The S52 typically overheats and results in the head of the cylinder deforming. The solution is to clean the radiator, eliminating air from the system by checking the thermostat cap and pump.
  • Inexpensive consumption of oil. The cause is the wear on those rings that hold the piston. Solution: If the walls are in good condition, it’s enough to replace the coils. But If the cylinders have been damaged, a new sleeve is needed. Examining the valve that circulates air in the crankcase is also essential.
  • The ignition has gaps. The reason for this is that the engine is not able to heat hydraulic compensators adequately. This means that the cylinder performs worse, and the ECU will shut it off. It is necessary to repair it – replacing the hydraulic lifters.
  • A red lamp illuminated. The cause is an issue with the cup of oil or the pump.
  • Vanos S52. The signs of wear and tear include rattling, loss of strength, speed fluctuations, and jamming. This requires the purchase of a Vanos Repair Kit.

BMW S52B32 Engine

Is the S52 engine reliable?

BMW S52 Engine Reliability. Regarding reliability, the S52 is well-known among the most certainly not the most reliable BMW engines today. Because the S52 has the same cast-iron block as the notoriously loyal M52, they will keep running well past the 200,000-mile mark with the proper maintenance and care.

Which engine is better S50 or S52?

The S50 doesn’t have much emissions equipment similar to the S52, making it much easier to tune and maintain (less mess in your engine). But, the S52 carries more displacement, and there is a slight difference in torque. Many owners switch it to On-Board Diagnostics v. I as they modify the car.

Is the S52 iron block?

You read it right, that’s right; the S52 block of M3 is the same iron block found in any of the six-cylinder 3-Series models and has the same aluminum head.

How long does an S52 last?

The S52 is far from being at the top of the line regarding Work 2.0 battery performance, which is approximately 30 hours.

How long do S52 engines last?

The block of cast iron and the strong bottom end can handle plenty of acceleration. In that regard, S52s that are stock or modified are highly durable. It’s common to find engines with more than 200k miles, with only regular maintenance.

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