Difference between M52 and M54 Engine - BMW Forum

Paraklas · 09-30-2005, 04:59 PM

I recently came accross a BMW 323ci and the owner says that the car is of the year 2002.

As far as I know, BMW's up to 2000 where built with the M52 engine and from 2000-Recent with the M54. Am I correct?

Also the 323ci line was until 2000 or not?

What are the differences of the M52 and M54 engines? I searched around but couldn't find anything.

Thanks again for any help guys

zibby · 09-30-2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paraklas

I recently came accross a BMW 323ci and the owner says that the car is of the year 2002.

As far as I know, BMW's up to 2000 where built with the M52 engine and from 2000-Recent with the M54. Am I correct?

Also the 323ci line was until 2000 or not?

What are the differences of the M52 and M54 engines? I searched around but couldn't find anything.

Thanks again for any help guys

Yes, you right! Regarding differences-not much, some tech. updates and little more horse powers

drz · 10-02-2005, 02:21 AM

M54s are aluminim blocks, m52s aren't. You get more hp, and better anti-knock algorithms. There may be some other things, but this is what I can thinki about off the top of my head.

Paraklas · 10-02-2005, 06:01 AM

This is quite interesting.. http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/m54.htm
Also this which makes me think twice if the 323 has the M52: http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/nikasil.htm

zibby · 10-02-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paraklas

This is quite interesting.. http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/m54.htm
Also this which makes me think twice if the 323 has the M52: http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/nikasil.htm

323i/ci 1999 and 2000 E46 have M52TU(technically updated) engines.
M52 engines were installed on E36 cars !

Paraklas · 10-02-2005, 08:08 PM

Nice!!!!!!!! Didn't notice that TU in the end.. Thanks!! This minimizes the difference between the M54 and will hopefully make my decision easier

Now why did they stop producing the 323?

drz · 10-02-2005, 09:11 PM

^^ The 323 was just rebadged 325 when the m54 engines were introduced

Paraklas · 10-03-2005, 05:23 PM

Saw the car today... It's a year 2000 European 323ci 2494cc with an M54 engine in flawless condition.

Thanks guys for all the info!!

Paraklas · 10-04-2005, 03:06 PM

Grrr it has the Steptronic gearbox and I wanted a manual one... How bad can it be?