BMW M52 engine: specs and known issues
The BMW M52 is a naturally aspirated inline-six petrol engine with a 2.0-, 2.5- and 2.8-liter displacement, produced 1994–2000, per Wikipedia. We do not have repair prices for it yet.
Specs and history from Wikipedia (revisions listed below)
M52 at a glance
| Production | 1994–2000 | [1] |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline-6 | [1] |
| Displacement | 1991 cc (121.5 cu in) / 2494 cc (152.2 cu in) / 2793 cc (170.4 cu in) | [1] |
| Fuel type | Petrol | [1] |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, with VVT | [1] |
| Timing drive | Chain | [1] |
| Block | Aluminium (WW) / Cast iron (NA) | [1] |
| Cylinder head | Aluminium | [1] |
Cars with the M52
Cars and chassis codes named in Wikipedia's article on this engine. It can include related or successor models, so treat it as a lead and check your exact car. Open a linked model to see its repair costs.
- 3 Series 320i, 323i (E36)
- 5 Series 520i, 523i, 528i (E39)
- 3 Series 323ti (E36/5)
- 3 Series 328i, 328is (E36)
- 7 Series 728i, 728iL (E38)
- Z3 2.8 (E36/7)
- 3 Series 320i, 320Ci (E46)
- Z3 2.0i (E36/7)
- 3 Series 323i, 323Ci (E46)
- Z3 2.3i (E36/7)
- 3 Series 328i, 328Ci (E46)
- Z3 2.8 (E36/7/8)
- 7 Series 728i (E38)
Model pages for the M52
Chassis pages whose cars, per Wikipedia, used this engine.
Known issues
From the engine's Wikipedia article, section named in each item. Links are the references attached to those sentences (archived copies where the original page is gone); where none is shown, the Wikipedia section is the source.
The aluminum M52 engine received criticism in some markets with high levels of sulfur in the petrol during the late 1990s. Sulfur has a corrosive effect on Nikasil and led to many early M52 and M60 engines having premature bore-liner wear.
Source: Wikipedia: BMW M52 (section "Nikasil problems with high sulfur fuels") · archived copy of the cited reference · archived copy of the cited reference
If you've had M52 work done, share what you paid and it becomes a data point for the next owner. If you need a repair now, we can ask local independent BMW shops for quotes.
Get free quotes for your M52Before and after
- Predecessor: BMW M50TÜ
- Successor: BMW M52TÜ
Related engines
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Common questions
When was the BMW M52 engine produced?
1994–2000, per Wikipedia.
Sources
- Wikipedia: BMW M52 (revision 1377756647, read 2026-10-23)
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