BMW S54B32
Encyclopedia
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 (3246 cc) engine; bore is 87 mm (3.4 in) and stroke is 91 mm (3.6 in). It has reinforced forged steel connecting rods, graphite coated cast aluminum pistons and a forged steel crankshaft.
The S54 is the final, most powerful evolution of the M50 engine line, incorporating individual throttle bodies, drive-by-wire throttle control, and variable valve timing (VANOS
) for both intake and exhaust camshafts.
At launch the non-US versions fitted to the E46 M3
produced 343 hp (256 kW) at 7900 rpm, with 269 ft·lb (365 Nm) of torque at 4900 rpm and a 8000 rpm redline. The US version required some modifications to meet US emissions standards (such as close-coupled catalytic converter
s closer to the engine exhaust ports) and thus produced slightly less power in each application. In addition, air intake and exhaust differences, as well as a lower RPM limit, resulted in different performance figures for the Z3 M Roadster
and Z3 M Coupé
.
BMW also produced an even more powerful version of the S54B32, for the limited edition E46 M3 CSL. This engine lacked a conventional mass airflow meter, and BMW installed modified intake and exhaust camshafts, as well as a more efficient air intake system. This version yielded 360 hp at 7900 rpm with 273 ft.lbf of torque at 4300 rpm.
The S54 won the International Engine of the Year
award overall for 2001, and also claimed the "Best New Engine" that year as well as won the 3-4 L category for six straight years in a row from 2001 through 2006. The S54 was also on the Ward's 10 Best Engines
list for 2001 through 2004.
Despite its great success and critical acclaim, the S54 was plagued with rod bearing failures in early production. BMW
attempted to blame vehicle owners for the failures early on but eventually started replacing rod bearing
s, oil pumps, and whole engines under warranty
. This fault was attributed to a problem with the connecting rod bottom-end bearing shells that were supplied to BMW by a third party that did not meet BMW's specifications. This problem was fully corrected by BMW on engines produced after 06/2003. A recall was issued to retrofit all M3 cars with affected engines to swap to the proper bearing shells. The recall did not include M Roadster or M Coupe cars with affected S54 engines due to the lower RPM limit.
BMW has since retired the S54 engine, but it is still used by Wiesmann for their MF3 Roadster.
BMW M
BMW M GmbH is a subsidiary of German car manufacturer BMW AG.BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just "M" was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s...
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 (3246 cc) engine; bore is 87 mm (3.4 in) and stroke is 91 mm (3.6 in). It has reinforced forged steel connecting rods, graphite coated cast aluminum pistons and a forged steel crankshaft.
The S54 is the final, most powerful evolution of the M50 engine line, incorporating individual throttle bodies, drive-by-wire throttle control, and variable valve timing (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...
) for both intake and exhaust camshafts.
At launch the non-US versions fitted to the E46 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...
produced 343 hp (256 kW) at 7900 rpm, with 269 ft·lb (365 Nm) of torque at 4900 rpm and a 8000 rpm redline. The US version required some modifications to meet US emissions standards (such as close-coupled catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
s closer to the engine exhaust ports) and thus produced slightly less power in each application. In addition, air intake and exhaust differences, as well as a lower RPM limit, resulted in different performance figures for the Z3 M Roadster
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
and Z3 M Coupé
BMW Z3
The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
.
BMW also produced an even more powerful version of the S54B32, for the limited edition E46 M3 CSL. This engine lacked a conventional mass airflow meter, and BMW installed modified intake and exhaust camshafts, as well as a more efficient air intake system. This version yielded 360 hp at 7900 rpm with 273 ft.lbf of torque at 4300 rpm.
The S54 won the International Engine of the Year
International Engine of the Year
The International Engine of the Year is an annual competition for automotive industry internal combustion engines, judged by a panel of automobile journalists from around the world. It is organised by the United Kingdom's largest technical motoring, aerospace and traffic management publication...
award overall for 2001, and also claimed the "Best New Engine" that year as well as won the 3-4 L category for six straight years in a row from 2001 through 2006. The S54 was also on the Ward's 10 Best Engines
Ward's 10 Best Engines
Ward's 10 Best Engines is an annual list of the ten "best" automobile engines available in the U.S. market, that are selected by Ward's AutoWorld magazine. The list was started in 1994, and has been drawn every year since then....
list for 2001 through 2004.
Despite its great success and critical acclaim, the S54 was plagued with rod bearing failures in early production. BMW
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...
attempted to blame vehicle owners for the failures early on but eventually started replacing rod bearing
Bearing (mechanical)
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can...
s, oil pumps, and whole engines under warranty
Warranty
In business and legal transactions, a warranty is an assurance by one party to the other party that specific facts or conditions are true or will happen; the other party is permitted to rely on that assurance and seek some type of remedy if it is not true or followed.In real estate transactions, a...
. This fault was attributed to a problem with the connecting rod bottom-end bearing shells that were supplied to BMW by a third party that did not meet BMW's specifications. This problem was fully corrected by BMW on engines produced after 06/2003. A recall was issued to retrofit all M3 cars with affected engines to swap to the proper bearing shells. The recall did not include M Roadster or M Coupe cars with affected S54 engines due to the lower RPM limit.
BMW has since retired the S54 engine, but it is still used by Wiesmann for their MF3 Roadster.
| Application | Displacement | Power | Torque | Redline | Stroke | Bore | Compression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Z3 M Coupé BMW Z3 The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,... , Z3 M Roadster BMW Z3 The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,... |
3.2L (3246 cc/198 in³) | 235 kW (315 hp) @ 7400 | 340 N·m (251 ft·lb) @ 4900 | 7600 | 91 mm (3.58in) | 87 mm (3.43in) | 11.5:1 |
| US E46 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... , E85 Z4 M Roadster BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both... , E86 Z4 M Coupé BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both... |
3.2L (3246 cc/198 in³) | 248 kW (333 hp) @ 7900 | 355 N·m (262 ft·lb) @ 4900 | 8000 | 91 mm (3.58in) | 87 mm (3.43in) | 11.5:1 |
| Non-US Z3 M Coupé BMW Z3 The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,... , Z3 M Roadster BMW Z3 The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,... |
3.2L (3246 cc/198 in³) | 239 kW (325 hp) @ 7400 | 353 N·m (261 ft·lb) @ 4900 | 7600 | 91 mm (3.58in) | 87 mm (3.43in) | 11.5:1 |
| Non-US E46 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... , E85 Z4 M Roadster BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both... , E86 Z4 M Coupé BMW Z4 The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both... |
3.2L (3246 cc/198 in³) | 256 kW (343 hp) @ 7900 | 365 N·m (269 ft·lb) @ 4900 | 8000 | 91 mm (3.58in) | 87 mm (3.43in) | 11.5:1 |
| E46 M3 CSL | 3.2L (3246 cc/198 in³) | 265 kW (355 hp) @ 7900 | 370 N·m (273 ft·lb) @ 4900 | 8000 | 91 mm (3.58in) | 87 mm (3.43in) | 11.5:1 |
Applications
- 2001-2006 E46 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...
- 2001-2002 Z3 M RoadsterBMW Z3The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
- 2001-2002 Z3 M CoupéBMW Z3The BMW Z3 was the first modern mass-market roadster produced by BMW, as well as the first new BMW model assembled in the United States. The Z3 was introduced as a 1996 model year vehicle, shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie,...
- 2006-2008 E85 Z4 M RoadsterBMW Z4The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
- 2006-2008 E86 Z4 M CoupéBMW Z4The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
- 2002-.... WiesmannWiesmannWiesmann is an automobile manufacturer in Germany. The company was founded in 1985 by the brothers Martin Wiesmann and Friedhelm Wiesmann . The cars are manufactured by hand in Dülmen...
Roadster MF3