Engine code
The S52 is the 3.2-liter (3,152 cc) straight-six BMW fitted to US-market E36 M3 and Z3 M cars. BMW's parts catalog lists it on US-market types only, while the same catalog lists the European M3 3.2 and Z3 M with the S50.
In the US it followed the 3.0-liter S50B30US in the M3 Coupe, and in the Z3 M it was replaced by the S54 from 02/2001. The US E46 M3 that came next uses the S54.
Quick read
- Ownership position: Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
- Reliability: No verdict is established here. The BMW documents we found are software updates, a noise bulletin and a cable recall for specific build windows, not failure rates.
- Cost to own: Not established yet.
- Power potential: Not established yet.
- Main watch item: On US M3 3.2 cars built up to 11/1997, a check engine lamp with oxygen sensor fault codes that BMW says is fixed by reprogramming the engine control unit, not by replacing the sensors.
S52 At a Glance
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Sold in US-market BMWs? | Yes, BMW's parts catalog lists the S52 on US-market M3 3.2 Coupe, Sedan and Convertible types and on Z3 M Coupe and Roadster types. |
| Where you find it, US market | E36 M3 Coupe built 04/1996-05/1999, Sedan 09/1996-06/1998 and Convertible 03/1998-08/1999; Z3 M Roadster 02/1998-07/2000 and Z3 M Coupe 07/1998-07/2000. |
| Factory output | BMW's workshop data gives 176 kW at 6,000 rpm and 320 Nm at 3,800 rpm. |
| Engine oil | 6.5 liters with the filter. |
| Spark plug | BMW's catalog lists the Bosch FGR 8 KQC, BMW part number 12 12 9 069 877. |
| Maximum engine speed | BMW's workshop data gives 6,800 rpm. |
| Compared with the S50B32 | The S52 is 3,152 cc with 10.5:1 compression and a 6,800 rpm limit; the non-US S50B32 is 3,201 cc with 11.3:1 and 7,600 rpm. |
| Reliability profile | Not established yet. We are still researching this engine. |
| Typical annual planning budget | Not established yet. |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Inline 6 cylinders. |
| Engine code | S52B32, which BMW's tool lists call S52US. |
| Displacement | 3,152 cc. |
| Bore x stroke | 86.4 mm x 89.6 mm. |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1. |
| Compression pressure, minimum | 10-11 bar. |
| Output | 176 kW at 6,000 rpm and 320 Nm at 3,800 rpm. |
| Maximum engine speed | 6,800 rpm. |
| Valvetrain and VANOS | BMW's service documents list a VANOS unit on the S52, and BMW's repair documents group the S52 with the M52 for the camshaft timing check and the VANOS valve check. |
| Engine management | BMW service information lists E36 S52 US cars with DME MS 41.2. |
| Engine oil capacity | 6.5 liters with the filter. |
| Engine oil grade | Not established for the S52 by name. BMW's US engine oil chart (SI B11 01 15, February 2017) lists 5W-30 LL01 or 0W-30 LL01FE for all BMW gasoline engines in its model year 2011 and older table, and does not name the S52. |
| Coolant | Not established yet. |
| Firing order | Not established yet. We did not find it in a document we opened. |
Factory Deep Dive
We have no BMW training document for the S52, so this section is short and limited to what BMW's data and bulletins state.
Where it sits in the family
BMW's repair documents treat the S52 and the M52 as one procedure for several jobs, and BMW's catalog names the S52 short engine 326S2 with VANOS. BMW's repair documents also group the S50US and the S52 for the cylinder recognition sensor.
Variants and markets
Wikipedia says the S52 was sold in the US and Canada from 1996 and replaced the S50B30US.
BMW's parts rows for the US M3 3.2 Coupe start at 04/1996, while BMW's cable bulletin 00 35 05 01/0797 lists E36 S52 US production from 10/95.
Service Parts at a Glance
Part numbers below are current as of BMW's parts data dated 12/2019. Check fitment by VIN before ordering.
| Part | BMW part number | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter element set | 11 42 7 833 769 | Listed for the US M3 3.2 and Z3 M with the S52; the same number is listed for the S50 US and S54. |
| Spark plug | 12 12 9 069 877 | Bosch FGR 8 KQC, quantity 6 per engine. |
| Ignition coil | 12 13 7 599 219 | Current number; it replaces 12 13 1 748 018, which BMW discontinued in 12/2013. Quantity 6. |
| Water pump | 11 51 7 527 799 | Mechanical pump, also listed for the US S50. |
| Thermostat | 11 53 7 511 580 | 88 C, listed for the US M3 3.2 and Z3 M. |
| Air filter element | 13 72 1 730 449 | It replaces 13 72 1 730 946, discontinued in 11/2013. |
| Cylinder head cover | 11 12 1 703 341 | It replaces 11 12 1 748 630, discontinued in 12/1995. |
| Profile gasket set | 11 12 0 034 108 | Listed for the US M3 3.2 and Z3 M. |
Known Failure Points and Service Items
Only items backed by a BMW service bulletin or a recall are listed. Whether a specific car is covered is a VIN check with BMW.
01 Throttle and cruise control cable bushing (recall 97V131000)
Under NHTSA recall 97V131000, the throttle cable and the cruise control cable share one lever at the throttle housing, and the plastic bushing on either cable may crack. NHTSA lists the M3 for model years 1995, 1996 and 1997 under this recall, and says dealers install a spring steel clip on each cable.
BMW's service bulletin 00 35 05 01/0797 lists the E36 S52 US built 10/95 to 06/97 for the same cable problem.
Watch for: a throttle that is slow to close or a pedal that sticks. Check that the cable clips are fitted.
02 Oxygen sensor fault entries on the M3 (software)
BMW's service bulletin 00 12 14 01/0497 covers the E36 S52 M3 US with manual gearbox built up to 10/1996, where the check engine lamp can come on with oxygen sensor control frequency codes 229 and 230. BMW says the remedy is a new engine control software data status and that the sensors need no replacement.
BMW's service bulletin 00 12 16 01/1297 covers the E36 S52 M3 US, manual and automatic, built 04/1996 to 11/1997, for the same kind of lamp with codes 229, 230, 235 and 236, and also says to check the software version rather than replace the sensors.
Watch for: a check engine lamp with oxygen sensor codes; check the engine software version before replacing sensors.
03 Valve train rattle after a cold start
BMW's service bulletin 11 10 98 (367) lists the E36 S52 among the engines it covers, and says a rattle right after a cold start is what most often leads to hydraulic lifters being replaced. BMW puts the noise down to thick cold oil, says it does not shorten engine life, and asks for the bulletin's checks only when a customer complains.
Watch for: a short rattle just after a cold start that fades as the oil warms.
Reliability Verdict
Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Power Potential
Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Cost of Ownership
Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Common Questions
What BMW has the S52 engine?
BMW's parts catalog lists the S52 in the US-market E36 M3 3.2 Coupe, Sedan and Convertible and in the US-market Z3 M Coupe and Roadster.
Is the S52 the same as the S50B32?
No, BMW's workshop data gives the S52 a displacement of 3,152 cc and the S50B32 3,201 cc, with different compression ratios and oil capacities.
How much oil does an S52 take?
BMW's workshop data gives 6.5 liters with the filter.
How much power does the S52 make?
BMW's workshop data gives 176 kW and 320 Nm.
Did the European M3 3.2 have the S52?
No, BMW's parts catalog lists the European M3 3.2 with the S50, and the S52 only on US-market types.
What spark plug does the S52 use?
BMW's catalog lists the Bosch FGR 8 KQC, BMW part number 12 12 9 069 877.
Sources
- BMW workshop technical data for the S52 B32 (engine data, oil supply) and the S50 B32 for comparison.
- BMW Service Information 00 12 14 01/0497, DME fault entry oxygen sensor, E36 S52 M3 US.
- BMW Service Information 00 12 16 01/1297, DME error input lambda oxygen sensor, E36 S52.
- BMW Service Information 00 35 05 01/0797, gas and cruise control Bowden cable, US models.
- BMW Service Information 11 10 98 (367), rattling noises from the valve timing gear.
- BMW parts catalog data, dated 12/2019, for fitment, build months and part number supersession.
- BMW SI B11 01 15 (Feb 2017), engine oil chart
- NHTSA recall record 97V131000
- Wikipedia, BMW S50 (S52 section, cross-check only)
