How to tell if it is really a M3 engine - BMW Forum

jca001 · 07-14-2004, 08:08 PM

I am looking for a M3 engine, via Ebay and clasifieds. Does the M3 engines have a certain serial number range or code that identify them as such? I don't want to buy an engine just to find out they replaced the valve cover with one from a M3 that had M Power on it.

robbins6103 · 07-14-2004, 08:13 PM

I'm not sure, try asking the guys in the M3 forum.

Kevin325i · 07-14-2004, 10:02 PM

Yeah there's a specific number that it would have, but I don't know what it is, sorry.

jllphan · 07-14-2004, 10:54 PM

If you have pics to look at, the M engine is visually different. First the valve cover has M Power in big letters, and the cover itself has a different design.

Also the model number is different from the non M cars, but it is bass ackwards from what you would expect.

M engine is S50, S52, etc.
non M is M50, M52, etc.

007ben · 07-14-2004, 11:09 PM

I belive some of the Ms were M50 and M52...
I thought Euros were the S designation.

Deloriant · 07-14-2004, 11:13 PM

First I would try looking for a big M on the engine. That would be a good start.

lol.

jllphan · 07-14-2004, 11:14 PM

Nope.

To be exact, the 1995 engine code was S50USB30 the 1996-1999 was S50USB32. These are NA specs as the model # would indicate.

El Presidente · 07-14-2004, 11:20 PM

also, don't rely on the valve cover alone. I have one in my room for decoration.

e36_m3_Turbo · 07-15-2004, 12:09 AM

ya valve covers arent that hard to change.

roguesniper1 · 07-15-2004, 02:23 AM

wouldn't it be easy to tell due to six individual throttle for each cylinder.?

jllphan · 07-15-2004, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by roguesniper1@Jul 15 2004, 03:03 AM
wouldn't it be easy to tell due to six individual throttle for each cylinder.?

My pic doesn't show that part of the bay very well does it?

As you guys very quickly pointed out as with covers, this could be swapped out too. A little more labor intensive though

roguesniper1 · 07-15-2004, 02:59 AM

but if one is looking for the engine on e-bay, one should be mechanically inclined to know the minor differences such as throttle outputs. Plus, not many people sell the engine out of the car with the covers on.

jllphan · 07-15-2004, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by roguesniper1@Jul 15 2004, 03:39 AM
but if one is looking for the engine on e-bay, one should be mechanically inclined to know the minor differences such as throttle outputs.

well said.