BMW M50

M50 engine in BMW Museum

The 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) M50B20 was introduced with the 1990 520i. It has a bore of 80 mm (3.15 in), a stroke of 66 mm (2.60 in) and produces 110 kW (148 hp). The compression ratio is 10.5:1.[8]

Applications:

• 1990-1992 E34 520i
• 1991-1995 E36 320i

The M50B20 was updated with single VANOS in 1992. Peak torque became available at 4,200 rpm.[8] It produces 110 kW (148 hp) at 5,900 rpm and 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm. The compression ratio was raised to 11.0:1.

Applications:

• 1992-1994 E36 320i
• 1992-1996 E34 520i

This is a 2,394 cc (146.1 cu in) engine used in the Thailand and Oceania markets.[9] It is based on the 2,494 cc (2.5 L) M50B25TU with the stroke reduced to 72 mm (2.83 in) and produces 138 kW (185 hp) at 5,900 rpm and 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm. The compression ratio is 10.5:1.

Applications:

• 1993-1995 E36 325iA/2.4
• 1992-1996 E34 525iA/2.4

The 2,494 cc (152.2 cu in) M50B25 was introduced with the 1990 525i and 525ix. It has a bore of 84 mm (3.31 in), a stroke of 75 mm (2.95 in) and produces 141 kW (189 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,700 rpm.[8] The compression ratio is 10.0:1.

Applications:

• 1990-1992 E34 525i, 525ix
• 1991-1992 E36 325i, 325is

The M50B25 was updated with single VANOS in 1992, resulting in peak torque becoming available at 4,200 rpm. It produces 141 kW (189 hp) at 5,900 rpm and 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm.[8] The compression ratio was increased to 10.5:1. This version has an iron forged block.

Applications:

• 1993-1995 E36 325i, 325is
• 1992-1996 E34 525i, 525ix

In 1993, BMW Individual created an concept of BMW E34 530iX called Enduro Touring. Only one car was produced, having an up-sized variant of M50B25TU engine. Bore and stroke was increased and the total displacement of 3.0 was achieved. The power and torque both increased to 181 kW (243 hp) and 316 N⋅m (233 lb⋅ft) respectively.

The S50B30 was used in most countries, except for the United States (in 1993, BMW Canada officially imported 45 M3's with the S50B30 engine).[11][12] The S50B30 produces 210 kW (282 hp), has a bore of 86 mm (3.39 in), a stroke of 85.8 mm (3.38 in) and a compression ratio of 10.8:1.[13][14] The redline is 7,200 rpm. The S50 has an individual throttle body for each cylinder, single-VANOS (variable valve timing on the intake camshaft), Bosch Motronic M3.3 engine management and redesigned intake and exhaust systems.[11][15]

The limited edition "M3 GT" model from 1995 produced 220 kW (295 bhp).[11] It had different camshafts and a redesigned sump and oil pump.

Applications:

• 1992-1995 E36 M3 (except for U.S.)

In the United States, the 1994-1995 model years of the E36 M3 are powered by the S50B30US, a 2,990 cc (182.5 cu in) engine which produces 179 kW (240 bhp).[11][16] This engine is more closely related to the standard M50 engine and has the same compression ratio as the M50B25TU,[11] but uses a different camshafts, crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. The bore is 86 mm (3.39 in), the stroke is 85.8 mm (3.38 in) and the redline is 7,000 rpm.[17]

In 1996, the S50B30US was replaced by the BMW S52 engine (in the United States and Canada only).[18]

Applications:

• 1994-1995 E36 M3 (U.S. only)

In 1995, the S50B32 replaced the S50B30 (except in Canada and the United States, where the BMW S52 engine was used instead).[19] Power output increased to 236 kW (321 hp)[20] and the displacement increased to 3.2 L; 195.3 cu in (3,201 cc), due to an increased stroke of 91 mm (3.58 in) and a slight increase in bore to 86.4 mm (3.40 in).[21]

The S50B32 has double-VANOS (variable valve timing on both camshafts) and a secondary oil pick-up was added.[22] The compression ratio is 11.3:1 and the redline is 7,600 rpm.[23] Engine management is the Siemens MSS50, with 3 knock sensors.

Applications:

• 1995-1999 E36 M3 (except Canada and the United States)
• 1996-2000 Z3 M Coupe and M Roadster (except Canada and the United States)