BMW

Ask a BMW Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own BMW question?

16 BMW Mechanics are Online Now

characters left:

Not a BMW Question?

Question

I have a question regarding Z3 M Roadster engines - if a 1998 Z3 M Roadster contains an engine with 'M Power' on the valve cover, is that definitely an S50 engine, making it 321 hp? VIN code starts with W, indicating Germany as country of manufacture.

I have the complete VIN code if needed. Thank you!

Submitted: 114 days and 22 hours ago.

Category: BMW

Value: $20

Status: CLOSED

Year: 1998
Make: BMW
Model: Z3 M Roadster
Engine: 3.2 L

Posted by Sam 114 days and 22 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello and welcome to Just Answer.

The spot where the engine is labeled "M Power" is just a plastic cover over the coils. These covers can be swapped between an M52 and S52.

Does the engine look like this?

View Full Image

114 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Sam, I have a picture of the engine bay actually - is there a way I can attach it here?

Grant.

Posted by Sam 114 days and 22 hours ago.

Answer

There should be a little picture of a tree at the top of the dialogue box in the tool bar. This is what you click to attach a pic.

114 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

View Full Image

Accepted Answer

That looks like a 240hp S52 to me.

The European S50 had individual throttle bodies.

Edited by Sam on 7/31/2009 at 5:07 AM

Accepts:
Expert:	Sam
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	7/31/2009

BMW Master technician

BMW S.T.E.P. graduate, 10 years BMW dealership experience

114 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

By the way Sam, the VIN decodes this out as the 240 hp engine also. Thanks for your help - I do not need to fly across the country for this car.

I'm new to this, but the carbon fiber-looking pipe on the far side might be one of the DINAN mods that I keep hearing about. The dealer has 'no history' on the car, so I think I should be cautious about this one anyway.

Posted by Sam 114 days and 22 hours ago.

Answer

Yeah, that carbon pipe is a Dinan "cold air intake". They function ok but you have a chance os sucking up water from a puddle and blowing the motor. The air intake on that setup is too low.

Thanks for the accept! Any more questions, Just Ask!

114 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Thanks. I am on the hunt for my first BMW Z3 M Roadster, and after a few weeks of learning from the forums and the sales, am now raising the bar and looking out for one with the S54 engine.

I've seen photos of some amazing cars - but I'd be quite happy with the stock, as I'm sure that will be plenty quick enough.

I'm in the Washington DC area. Cheers!

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.

BMW

Have your own BMW question?

Related Bmw Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Year: 1998
Make: BMW
Model: Z3 M Roadster
Engine: 3.2 L

Info Request

Hello and welcome to Just Answer.

The spot where the engine is labeled "M Power" is just a plastic cover over the coils. These covers can be swapped between an M52 and S52.

Does the engine look like this?

View Full Image

Reply

Sam, I have a picture of the engine bay actually - is there a way I can attach it here?

Grant.

Answer

There should be a little picture of a tree at the top of the dialogue box in the tool bar. This is what you click to attach a pic.

Reply

View Full Image

Accepted Answer

That looks like a 240hp S52 to me.

The European S50 had individual throttle bodies.

Edited by Sam on 7/31/2009 at 5:07 AM

Reply

Answer

Yeah, that carbon pipe is a Dinan "cold air intake". They function ok but you have a chance os sucking up water from a puddle and blowing the motor. The air intake on that setup is too low.

Thanks for the accept! Any more questions, Just Ask!

Reply

BMW

Have your own BMW question?

Related Bmw Topics:

Question

Optional Information

Year: 1998Make: BMWModel: Z3 M RoadsterEngine: 3.2 L

Info Request

Hello and welcome to Just Answer. The spot where the engine is labeled "M Power" is just a plastic cover over the coils. These covers can be swapped between an M52 and S52. Does the engine look like this? View Full Image

Reply

Sam, I have a picture of the engine bay actually - is there a way I can attach it here?Grant.

Answer

There should be a little picture of a tree at the top of the dialogue box in the tool bar. This is what you click to attach a pic.

Reply

View Full Image

Accepted Answer

That looks like a 240hp S52 to me. The European S50 had individual throttle bodies.Edited by Sam on 7/31/2009 at 5:07 AM

Reply

Answer

Yeah, that carbon pipe is a Dinan "cold air intake". They function ok but you have a chance os sucking up water from a puddle and blowing the motor. The air intake on that setup is too low. Thanks for the accept! Any more questions, Just Ask!

Reply

Related BMW Questions

Year: 1998
Make: BMW
Model: Z3 M Roadster
Engine: 3.2 L

Hello and welcome to Just Answer.

The spot where the engine is labeled "M Power" is just a plastic cover over the coils. These covers can be swapped between an M52 and S52.

Does the engine look like this?

View Full Image

Sam, I have a picture of the engine bay actually - is there a way I can attach it here?

Grant.

That looks like a 240hp S52 to me.

The European S50 had individual throttle bodies.

Edited by Sam on 7/31/2009 at 5:07 AM

Yeah, that carbon pipe is a Dinan "cold air intake". They function ok but you have a chance os sucking up water from a puddle and blowing the motor. The air intake on that setup is too low.

Thanks for the accept! Any more questions, Just Ask!