M54 confusion

Post Sun May 01, 2016 11:13 am

I'm looking to transplant my e30 later this year to a more modern unit and something has been niggling at me. I see the M50/52 discussed constantly but haven't noticed the M54 swap coming up and I don't know why. Is it because it's an identical swap to the 50/52 or is it a lot more involved and/or not worth the effort for the gain involved......or is the M54 just a bad donk?

Post Sun May 01, 2016 11:47 am

They're ok if you can pick one up at the right price but they do like to burn a bit of oil, not so long ago you would have to pay the best part of £1000 for a 3.0 engine with warranty, the main reason I don't bother with them is they don't make much more power than a slightly fettled M52 2.8 single vanos but would cost you double the money

Post Sun May 01, 2016 11:15 pm

^
A classic example of how one different character can make all the difference. I'm idly looking for M52 2.8 donors to see what's out there and at what price.

Post Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:55 pm

DanThe wrote:They're ok if you can pick one up at the right price but they do like to burn a bit of oil, not so long ago you would have to pay the best part of £1000 for a 3.0 engine with warranty, the main reason I don't bother with them is they don't make much more power than a slightly fettled M52 2.8 single vanos but would cost you double the money

DanThe

As time has moved on and M54B30s are more readily available and standard ecus can be used with the DBW throttle, would you still proffer the same advice?

The M54 with its DISA intake manifold has a much wider power band, which should be ideal for a very quick daily driver?