Would like to make a little pros and cons list here, very new to this so could you clever people help me make an educated decision to sell the M50 i already have and get the M52 instead.
Thanks
M50 or M52 and why, please advise
Moderator: martauto
pros: m52 has more torque as standard and de-restricted it makes alot more power, its more economical, its not much more involved than an m50 swap (ews needs installing and a small mod to fit an e30 m20 "brown" temperature sender), same insurance as an m50 (in my case)
cons: engines can be more expensive than m50s (although i bought a full 328i for £400 and actually made a profit from breaking it), they have got the history of the dreaded nikasil issue (which should either be sorted or if it hasnt its survived a long time and would of died by now if it has got it!)
Thats all i can think of at the moment but im sure theres more
cons: engines can be more expensive than m50s (although i bought a full 328i for £400 and actually made a profit from breaking it), they have got the history of the dreaded nikasil issue (which should either be sorted or if it hasnt its survived a long time and would of died by now if it has got it!)
Thats all i can think of at the moment but im sure theres more
oh yeah i forgot that one! The m52 engine is lighter because it has an alloy block instead, im not sure on the weight difference but somebody on here will.
I had a non vanos m50b25 in my e30 before i had the m52b28. Hands down the m52 is the better engine and after driving one with a 2.8 there is no way i'd ever bother with another 2.5! mine is still restricted and it still made 203bhp + 220ft/lbs of torque - alot more than the book says and alot more than my m50 was producing.
I had a non vanos m50b25 in my e30 before i had the m52b28. Hands down the m52 is the better engine and after driving one with a 2.8 there is no way i'd ever bother with another 2.5! mine is still restricted and it still made 203bhp + 220ft/lbs of torque - alot more than the book says and alot more than my m50 was producing.
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leeparkes
- Married to the E30 Zone
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Its around 20kg lighter, M52 is a better engine but not as strong in terms of the liners sinking, also if you cook it the block is scrap.
Perfect scenario is to build the guts of an M52 into a M50 iron block.
Perfect scenario is to build the guts of an M52 into a M50 iron block.
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place..
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated mate. I came on here because i have this M50 i thought i could use, now i have two of the buggers and i now want an M52!! 
The iX engine should get a good price as the miles are low so it can fund a good M52
The iX engine should get a good price as the miles are low so it can fund a good M52
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leeparkes
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 9538
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Black country
As in still got the M52 manifold on?Cook318IS wrote:mine is still restricted and it still made 203bhp + 220ft/lbs of torque
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place..
Yes. The place I got it dynoed is known for being accurate - my m50 only made about 183bhp on the same dyno to give you a bit of comparisonleeparkes wrote:As in still got the M52 manifold on?Cook318IS wrote:mine is still restricted and it still made 203bhp + 220ft/lbs of torque
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leeparkes
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 9538
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Black country
You got the M50 manifold on now? Be good to see the comparisonCook318IS wrote:Yes. The place I got it dynoed is known for being accurate - my m50 only made about 183bhp on the same dyno to give you a bit of comparisonleeparkes wrote:As in still got the M52 manifold on?Cook318IS wrote:mine is still restricted and it still made 203bhp + 220ft/lbs of torque
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place..
No I haven't got it on yet. I was thinking about doing it this afternoon but the weather is abit shit at the moment. I'm getting it re-dynoed tommorow anyway to see the difference the new vanos seals have made.leeparkes wrote:You got the M50 manifold on now? Be good to see the comparisonCook318IS wrote:Yes. The place I got it dynoed is known for being accurate - my m50 only made about 183bhp on the same dyno to give you a bit of comparisonleeparkes wrote: As in still got the M52 manifold on?