How to tell the difference between different BMW engines

[viraaj1 0]

Hi, Is there anyway that you can differentiate bmw E36 series 320i coupe engines ?

From these engines

M50B20 M52B20 M52B25 M50B25

Thanks

[greenday-rulz21 4]

M50B20 M50TUB20 and M52B20 are the only 320i engines from and E36.

The M50B20 doesn't have Vanos, the other two do. The M52 replaced the M50 in 1994.

The M52TUB20 wasn't used in the E36's, only used in the early E46's and E39's before they upgraded to the M54 in 2001.

Hope that helps.

[viraaj1 0]

thanks

is there any way to distinguish from vanos to non vanos ?

[BM WORLD 1258]

m52 have plastic valve covers (the one under the other plastic top cover).

M52 are ali blocks . SS exhaust manifolds

m50 cast iron , cast iron exhaust manifolds .

different afm and inlet manifolds etc.

also they will have model numbers cast into the block as well

Edited March 19, 2009 by Brent HARTGE535i

[Yuen 16]

M52 has the oil cap at the front, M50 has it at the rear by the firewall.

And the VANOS is the bit that sticks out at the front of the valve cover.