Did BMW ever put a version of the M52 block in an E30?

[aluntirlan]

Hi,

I'm currently building a two door E30 sprint/hillclimb car and I'm new to the BMW world. I want to put in an M52 and build the car to Modified Production Class rules, however...

Mod Prod cars must retain an engine block that was fitted to the car's body shell by the manufacturer. I was wondering, did BMW themselves ever put version of the M52 block in the E30 and offer it for sale to the general public (in any part of the world)?

sorry if it's a bit of a dumb question, but I am a BMW novice!

Thanks - AJ

[FormerMember]

Yea kind of dumb question because last E30 rolled out from production line in late 1993 and first M52 engine was made somewhere like 1997 or so

M10, M20, M42 and S14 engines were used in E30 shell originally by BMW. Hartge, Alpina etc fitted E30's with M30 and S38 engines, though.

[aluntirlan]

Thanks Jonsku,

I guessed that was the case, but sometimes manufacturers use and older block with a new design head to create a "new engine". I guess this isn't the case with the alloy M52 block.

Cheers - AJ

[DanThe]

M50's were in full production by 1990

[martinpallot]

I ran rally my car in modified production for hillclimbs with an M50 fitted and had no problems. When the car is logbooked they will never check nor at scrutineering. Put what you like in. Escorts run all sorts so why cant BMW's

[Brianmoooore]

Four valve per cylinder engines were fitted to E30s, but only in four cylinder form, in both the M3 and 318iS. These used blocks that were developed from the two valve per cylinder M10 and M40 engines respectively.
The engine used in most six cylinder E30s was the M20, which was only ever fitted with a two valve head (by BMW), but this bottom end was arguably developed into the M5x series, first as the M50 and later as the alloy blocked M52. M52 crankshafts, for instance, will fit straight into M20 blocks, with just a simple mod to change from cam chain to cam belt.
Are cylinder heads free in your regs?
If so, it could just about be argued that a M52, especially if built into an iron M50 block (a good idea for long term reliability) is a M20 engine with a four valve head.

[aluntirlan]

The engine used in most six cylinder E30s was the M20, which was only ever fitted with a two valve head (by BMW), but this bottom end was arguably developed into the M5x series, first as the M50 and later as the alloy blocked M52. M52 crankshafts, for instance, will fit straight into M20 blocks, with just a simple mod to change from cam chain to cam belt.
Are cylinder heads free in your regs?
If so, it could just about be argued that a M52, especially if built into an iron M50 block (a good idea for long term reliability) is a M20 engine with a four valve head.

Brilliant! This was exactly what i wanted to hear! Cylinder heads are free in Mod Prod regs, I think I'll just about get away with it - they let Chevettes with red top 16v engines in for similar reasons I believe . Thanks.

Regards - AJ

[e301988325i]

I know you want to M52 it, but BMW south africa put a 3.3 or 3.2 M30 in.