The BMW M52 Engine

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/01/2015 at 21:40 • Filed to: BMW

How is it? Is it a reliable workhorse? How enjoyable is it? What are maintenance recommendations? Has any one of you owned one or have experience with them?

I am specifically interested in the M52TUB25, but any details are welcomed about other configurations for this engine though, as I am trying to get the biggest spectrum.

DISCUSSION (22)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Vicente Esteve
06/01/2015 at 21:49

Very reliable and strong. One of the best motors ever made

AM3R shamefully returns > Vicente Esteve
06/01/2015 at 21:51

Typical naturally aspirated BMW inline six, nice to drive, smooth, and pretty reliable. The cooling system is probably the weak point but isn’t too bad to take care of. Fairly easy to work on, plenty of room under the hood IMO and nothing is stupidly laid out. Pretty much every DIY has been documented on bimmerfest or other forums. Parts are pretty easy to find online and aren’t that expensive.

Fun to drive in a light car like an E36. Likes to rev but isn’t totally gutless, which is really nice for a daily driver. Aftermarket is there, and they can sound really nice with the proper exhaust.

Any specific questions? I’m a fan of the engine.

Loving my very reliable N52 powered E90 right now.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Vicente Esteve
06/01/2015 at 21:53

Keep the cooling system in good order and do proper maintenance and they’ll go pretty much forever

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
06/01/2015 at 22:04

Wonderful motor. My S52 hasn’t missed a beat in 5 months of ownership. It sounds like nothing I've ever experienced and loves to rev.

BKRM3 > Vicente Esteve
06/01/2015 at 22:32

My 330i race car has the M54, which is pretty similar to the M52. It’s an easy engine to work on. These make nice street car engines because of the torque down low. The trade off is that compared to an M engine there’s no drama at redline. If you have never owned a bmw straight six the M52 or M54 won’t disappoint. Get the M54B30 if you can. Moar hp!

Vicente Esteve > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
06/01/2015 at 22:50

Sweet!

Vicente Esteve > AM3R shamefully returns
06/01/2015 at 22:52

Thank you for the informative post. I have a question: Should I be very concerned about a CEL light, or most of the time it isn’t too hard to fix?

Vicente Esteve > Trunk Impaired 318
06/01/2015 at 22:56

Yep! Water pump has to be changed if it wasn’t. Even if it doesn’t need I will do it.

Vicente Esteve > BKRM3
06/01/2015 at 23:00

I have never driven a BMW or a straight six. I think the M52 TB25 will be extremely good to start learning and playing with it.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Vicente Esteve
06/01/2015 at 23:02

just be sure to replace it with one that has a metal impeller, the plastic impeller is the real weak point in the system

Vicente Esteve > Trunk Impaired 318
06/01/2015 at 23:07

Ebay will have me covered I’m sure.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2015 at 01:59

I wouldn’t worry about it. My top guesses are DISA valve or torn intake boot, both very easy.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2015 at 02:00

Here is a BMW product I can get behind. Excellent mill, will not disappoint.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2015 at 05:40

I drove a 325i with the M50B25 that the M52 was based on. Was a thoroughly capable engine. Nice fruity noise and strong acceleration but not as manic or characterful as my 156’s 2.5l busso V6.

Easy enough to work on as well, although I do know that on the E36 328i (not sure about others) you have to take one of the O2 sensors out of the exhaust to drain the coolant. Not exactly ideal...

Vicente Esteve > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/02/2015 at 08:26

Thanks, any help is much appreciated!

Vicente Esteve > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
06/02/2015 at 08:29

Oh only very few engines have the character of a Busso V6. This engine though will be both my first straight six and will be coupled to the first BMW I will ever drive. The exhaust note is pretty much the only reason why I am interested in the M52.

Thanks for the heads up on the sensor!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2015 at 08:55

No worries :) which car are you looking at with the M52? E36, E39 or Z3?

I can see why a lot of people fall for them. They’re thoroughly enjoyable engines :)

Vicente Esteve > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
06/02/2015 at 09:26

Z3 with 120k miles!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2015 at 09:51

Timing chain and tensioners replaced? Same with water pump?

If not, factor those in but even still I don’t see any major issues with that. My E36 was at ~170k miles (we figured, it had been clocked at some point) and despite having a rather abused gearbox was very pleasant to drive :)

Vicente Esteve > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
06/02/2015 at 10:10

I will see the car today and will ask the owner for paperwork. Thanks for the tips.

AM3R shamefully returns > Vicente Esteve
06/02/2015 at 15:45

Not too worried, but i’d still have the car checked out just to be sure. Could be something easy like an O2 sensor.

Vicente Esteve > AM3R shamefully returns
06/02/2015 at 16:47

Of course, the car will be checked and this can also be used as a haggling excuse.