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BMW Z3 ENGINES 

BMW Z3 4 cylinder : Click on a picture to see a appropriate photo  

4 cyl SOHC 8V

 4 cyl DOHC 16V  4 cyl upgrades 
1800-1900 M43 1900 M44 M44 Supercharged
  • 4 cylinder : The 1.8 and 1.9 ( M43-M44 ) 
  • The initial engine was the Z3 1.9 (DOHC) M44 
  • July 99: detuned 1.9 M43
  • DOWNING ATLANTA SUPERCHARGER
Model Engine Power Topspeed Year
Z3 1.8 M43 4 cylinder 115 HP 194 km/h 1995 - 1998
Z3 1.9 M43 4 cylinder 118 HP 197 km/h 2001 - 2003
Z3 1.9 M44 4 cylinder 140 HP 205 km/h 1996 - 1999

BMW Z3 6 cylinder : Click on a picture to see a appropriate photo

6 cyl DOHC 24V  2800 cc M52 6 cyl DOHC Turbo upgrades
2.0 - 2.2 - 2.3=2.5 3000 cc M54 S54 MPOWER 3.2 Supercharged
  • August 1997 : The 2.8 joined the range 
  • May 1998 : The M Roadster 3.2 was launched with an engine developed from the 3-Series M Evolution cars
  • July 1999 : A six-cylinder 2.0 replaced the original 1.9
  • Sept 2000 : A six-cylinder 2.2 was launched replacing the short-lived 2.0
  • Sept 2000 : A six-cylinder 3.0 replaced the 2.8 engine
  • March 2001 : Improved M models have a new engine similar to the current M3 (S54)
Model Engine Power Topspeed Year
Z3 2.0 M52 6 cylinder 150 HP 210 km/h 1999 - 2000
Z3 2.2 M54 6 cylinder 170 HP 224 km/h 2000 - 2003
Z3 2.5 M52 & M54 6 cylinder 184 HP 225 km/h 12/1999 - 06/2002   
Z3 2.8 M52 6 cylinder 193 HP 225 km/h 1997 - 2000
Z3 3.0 M54 6 cylinder 231 HP 240 km/h 2000 - 2003
MZ3 3.2 S50 6 cylinder 321 HP 250 km/h 1997 - 2001
MZ3 3.2 S52 6 cylinder 250 HP 245 km/h  1997 - 2001
MZ3 3.2 S54 6 cylinder 325 HP 250 km/h  2001 - 2003

BMW Z3 M Power : S50 / S52 / S5

S50 S52 S54

S50 European-specification ( 1997 - 2001 ) 

  • Known as the S50 B52 
  • Iron block & aluminum head with 24 valves : DOHC 24V
  • 321 hp (DIN) at 7,400rpm and 258 lb/ft of torque at 3,250 rpm
  • Double VANOS continuously variable valve timing on both INTAKE & EXHAUST strokes
  • Bore of 86.4mm & Stroke of 91mm, the S50 B32 ; Displacement 3201cc.
  • Lightweight pistons , Dual-mass flywheel , Larger inlet valves then S52 , Second oil pump
  • Compression ratio to 11.3 :1
  • Individual throttle plates for each cylinder & Graphite-coated conrods
  • Can be identified by the "BMW M Power" inscription on its cam cover
  • Advanced BMW/Siemens MSS50 engine management 

S52 North American-specification ( 1997 - 2001 )

  • This engine was rated at 240 (SAE) @ 6000 rpm & 236 lb/ft of @ 3800 rpm. (1 bhp is 0,96 SAE hp => 250 BHp)
  • 6-cylinder with a cast iron block, aluminum head and 24 valves 
  • Retuned 2-stage VANOS variable valve timing for greater high-rpm powe on the intake strokes ( based on the regular M52.engine )
  • Bore of 86.4mm & Stroke of 89.6mm :Displacement 3152cc.
  • Ported and polished cylinder head 
  • Heavy-duty valve springs , More finely balanced camshafts , Valve lifters, springs and spring seats with reduced mass 
  • Free-flowing intake and exhaust systems

S54 : From February 2001 the S54 engine was standard for all MZ3

  • 325 HP DIN @ 7400 rpms & 261 lb/ft of torque @ 4900 rpm. ( USA = 320 HP DIN )
  • The small loss in power can be attributed to the more restrictive placement of the catalysts on North American-spec cars in order to improve cold-start emissions
  • High pressure Double VANOS continuously variable valve timing system with faster operation at high rpm
  • Bore of 87mm  & Stroke of 91mm : Displacement : 3246cc
  • Modified camshafts
  • Compression to 11.5 :1
  • BMW/Siemens MSS 54 engine management control
  • One-piece aluminum head casting for lighter weight
  • Finger-type rocker arms for reduced reciprocating mass and friction
  • M-badge on cam cover

8 cylinder : V8 by HARTGE 

8 cyl DOHC V8
4700 or 5000 cc