BMW M50
Encyclopedia
The BMW
M50 is an I6
piston engine. It was introduced in 1990 to replace the BMW M20
in the new 3-series
and was replaced by the BMW M52
in 1995. Displacement ranges from 2.0 L to 3.2 L. It is a DOHC 24-valve engine. A Technical Update or M50TU version from 1992 introduced VANOS
variable valve timing
.
The M50 was not related to the M20
though it used the same 91 mm cylinder spacing, bore, and stroke at 2.0 L and 2.5 L. Contrary to its successor, the BMW M52
, the M50 has a gray iron engine block, which contributes to its long life expectancy and makes it immune to the corrosive properties of alternative fuels, like E85
ethanol. The rest of the engine is composed of an interesting material mix: the head gasket is made of aluminum alloy, the exhaust manifold consists of cast iron, and the intake manifold was made of plastics in a once revolutionary production process, which was first employed on a grand scale in the manufacture of the BMW M50 engine.
(VAriable NOckenwellen Steuerung), BMW's variable valve timing system, on the intake cam. The engine thereafter became known as the M50TUB20.
Applications:
assembled in Thailand
. Power output is 188 hp (140 kW) and torque is 134 ft·lbf (235 Nm).
Applications:
Applications:
Applications:
Applications:
M3
. Power was 240 hp (179 kW). Unlike the RoW S50, this engine used a regular M50 intake in lieu of the individual throttle body set up and hydraulic valve lifters in lieu of solid ones. The cylinder head and the VANOS system are also different on the US S50 versus the RoW model; again having more in common with the regular M50 than the Euro S50.
Applications:
M3
. Power is 286 hp (210 kW). The S50B30 has a bore of 86 mm and a stroke of 85.8 mm, with a total displacement of 2990 cc. The engine has a maximum permissible speed of 7280 rpm +/-80, and a permissible constant speed of 7000 rpm. It used an Individual Throttle Body intake system with separate butterflies adjacent to each of the 6 inlet ports, an oversized MAF, and a tubular exhaust manifold. The cylinder head was unique and the VANOS system was more advanced than the one used on normal M50s.
Applications:
Applications:
engine which powered various BMW M vehicles between 2001 and 2009.
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
M50 is an I6
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
piston engine. It was introduced in 1990 to replace the BMW M20
BMW M20
The M20 is an inline-6 piston engine by BMW.Initially designated M60, the 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1977 BMW 520/6 and 320/6 as an entirely new design. With displacements ranging from 2.0 to 2.7 liters, it was the "little brother" to the larger BMW M30 engine. It had ...
in the new 3-series
E36
E36 may refer to:*The BMW E36 automobile platform*The European route E36 connecting Berlin to Bolesławiec*The Federal Aviation Administration airport code of Georgetown Airport...
and was replaced by the BMW M52
BMW M52
The BMW M52 is a Straight 6 piston engine. Displacement ranges from 2000 cc to 3200 cc. It is a DOHC 24-valve engine, originally introduced with VANOS Variable Valve Timing. It replaced the BMW M50 engine in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 with the BMW M54 engine...
in 1995. Displacement ranges from 2.0 L to 3.2 L. It is a DOHC 24-valve engine. A Technical Update or M50TU version from 1992 introduced VANOS
VANOS
VANOS is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by BMW in close collaboration with Continental Teves. VANOS varies the timing of the valves by moving the position of the camshafts in relation to the drive gear...
variable valve timing
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
.
The M50 was not related to the M20
BMW M20
The M20 is an inline-6 piston engine by BMW.Initially designated M60, the 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1977 BMW 520/6 and 320/6 as an entirely new design. With displacements ranging from 2.0 to 2.7 liters, it was the "little brother" to the larger BMW M30 engine. It had ...
though it used the same 91 mm cylinder spacing, bore, and stroke at 2.0 L and 2.5 L. Contrary to its successor, the BMW M52
BMW M52
The BMW M52 is a Straight 6 piston engine. Displacement ranges from 2000 cc to 3200 cc. It is a DOHC 24-valve engine, originally introduced with VANOS Variable Valve Timing. It replaced the BMW M50 engine in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 with the BMW M54 engine...
, the M50 has a gray iron engine block, which contributes to its long life expectancy and makes it immune to the corrosive properties of alternative fuels, like E85
E85
E85 is an abbreviation for an ethanol fuel blend of up to 85% denatured ethanol fuel and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. E85 is commonly used by flex-fuel vehicles in the US, Canada, and Europe. Some of the benefits of E85 over conventional gasoline powered vehicles include the potential...
ethanol. The rest of the engine is composed of an interesting material mix: the head gasket is made of aluminum alloy, the exhaust manifold consists of cast iron, and the intake manifold was made of plastics in a once revolutionary production process, which was first employed on a grand scale in the manufacture of the BMW M50 engine.
| Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Redline | Bore | Stroke | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M50B20 | 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) | 110 kW (150 hp) @ 6000 | 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) @ 4700 | 6750 | 80mm | 66mm | 1991 |
| M50TUB20 | 110 kW (150 hp) @ 5900 | 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) @ 4200 | 6750 | 80mm | 66mm | 1993 | |
| M50B24 | 2.4 L | 138 kW (188 hp) @ 5900 | 235 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4700 | 6550 | 84mm | 72mm | 1991 |
| M50B25 | 2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³) | 141 kW (192 hp) @ 6000 | 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) @ 4700 | 6500 | 84mm | 75mm | 1991 |
| M50TUB25 | 141 kW (192 hp) @ 5900 | 250 N·m (184 ft·lbf) @ 4200 | 6500 | 84mm | 75mm | 1993 | |
| S50B30US | 3.0 L (2990 cc/182 in³) | 179 kW (240 hp) @ 6000 | 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @ 4250 | 6500 | 86mm | 85.8mm | 1995 |
| S50B30 | 3.0 L (2990 cc/182 in³) | 210 kW (286 hp) @ 7000 | 320 N·m (235 ft·lbf) @ 3600 | 7280 | 86mm | 85.8mm | 1992 |
| S50B32 | 3.2 L (3201 cc/195 in³) | 236 kW (321 hp) @ 7400 | 350 N·m (257 ft·lbf) @ 3250 | 7600 | 86.4mm | 91mm | 1995 |
M50B20
The 2.0 L (1991 cc) M50B20 was introduced with the 1991 520i. It has an 80 mm bore and 66 mm stroke and produces 150 hp (110 kW). From the '93 model year onwards, the engine received a 'technical update' which included the addition of VANOSVANOS
VANOS is an automobile variable valve timing technology developed by BMW in close collaboration with Continental Teves. VANOS varies the timing of the valves by moving the position of the camshafts in relation to the drive gear...
(VAriable NOckenwellen Steuerung), BMW's variable valve timing system, on the intake cam. The engine thereafter became known as the M50TUB20.
Applications:
- 1991-1993 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
320i - 1991-1993 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
520i
M50B24
This is a 2.4 L engine based on the 2.5 L M50B25, with a reduced stroke. This engine is only fitted to CKD kitsCKD
A knock-down kit is a kit containing the parts needed to assemble a product...
assembled in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Power output is 188 hp (140 kW) and torque is 134 ft·lbf (235 Nm).
Applications:
- 1993-1997 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
3-Series (Thai specification) - 1993-1995 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
5-Series (Thai specification)
M50B25
The 2.5 L (2494 cc) M50B25 was introduced with the 1991 525i/525ix . It has an 84 mm bore and 75 mm stroke and produces 192 PS (141 kW; 189 hp) @5900 rpm and 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @4700 rpm.Applications:
- 1991-1992 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
525i/525ix - 1992 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
325i/325is
M50TUB20
The M50TUB20 is a technologically upgraded (TU) version of the BMW M50B20, introduced in 1993. The most notable change present is the inclusion of BMW's VANOS variable cam timing system on the intake cam. Power output remains identical; however, there is a slight increase in torque at lower and medium rpms.Applications:
- 1993-1996 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
520i - 1993-1998 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
320i
M50TUB25
The M50TUB25 is a technologically upgraded (TU) version of the BMW M50B25, introduced in 1993. The most notable change present is the inclusion of BMW's VANOS variable cam timing system on the intake cam. Power output remains identical; however, there is a slight increase in torque at lower and medium rpms 184 vs 181.Applications:
- 1993-1995 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
525i/525ix - 1993-1996 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
325i/325is
S50B30US
The S50B30US was a 3.0 L version, which powered the US-spec E36BMW E36
The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
M3
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
. Power was 240 hp (179 kW). Unlike the RoW S50, this engine used a regular M50 intake in lieu of the individual throttle body set up and hydraulic valve lifters in lieu of solid ones. The cylinder head and the VANOS system are also different on the US S50 versus the RoW model; again having more in common with the regular M50 than the Euro S50.
Applications:
- 1995 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
S50B30
The S50B30 was a special sports-oriented 3.0 L version, which powered the RoW spec E36BMW E36
The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
M3
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
. Power is 286 hp (210 kW). The S50B30 has a bore of 86 mm and a stroke of 85.8 mm, with a total displacement of 2990 cc. The engine has a maximum permissible speed of 7280 rpm +/-80, and a permissible constant speed of 7000 rpm. It used an Individual Throttle Body intake system with separate butterflies adjacent to each of the 6 inlet ports, an oversized MAF, and a tubular exhaust manifold. The cylinder head was unique and the VANOS system was more advanced than the one used on normal M50s.
Applications:
- 1992-1995 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
S50B32
The S50B32 was an evolution version of the S50B30. Power of the 3.2 L version is 317 hp. Improvements over the previous 3.0l version include Dual Vanos operating on the exhaust camshaft as well as the inlet camshaft, increased compression ratio to 11.3:1, reduced valve stem thickness (and weight), and higher redline. This engine has a bore of 86.4 mm (3.4 in) and a stroke of 91 mm (3.6 in) giving a displacement of 3201 cc. It has a maximum permissible speed of 7600 +/-50 rpm, and a permissible constant speed of 7400 rpm. Power output was rated at 321 PS at 7400 rpm, with a torque rating of 258 lbft at 3275 rpm.Applications:
- 1996-1999 E36BMW E36The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still...
M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
(except for the U.S.) - 1997-2000 M RoadsterBMW M RoadsterThe BMW M Roadster is the BMW M performance model of the BMW Z3 and BMW Z4 convertibles. It was produced between 1998 and 2002 and again during the 2006-2008 model years...
(except for the U.S.) - 1998-2000 M CoupeBMW M CoupeThe BMW M Coupe is a Shooting-brake styled high-performance automobile produced by BMW. As of February 2009, two generations of the M Coupe have been manufactured, one based on the E36/8 Z3 Coupe and the second off of the E86 Z4 Coupe. Both generations have a "sister" Convertible/Roadster model...
(except for the U.S.)
S54B32
The final iteration of the M50 was the S54BMW S54B32
The S54B32 was a high-performance engine used in BMW M vehicles. The block was made from grey cast iron rather than aluminum to achieve greater rigidity from the same dimensions. It is a 3.2 L engine; bore is and stroke is...
engine which powered various BMW M vehicles between 2001 and 2009.