The basic 3-liter version of the sports engine for the sedan, coupe and convertible M3 produced for the European market (S50B30 EU) since 1992. In 1994, this is a 300 hp engine. was installed on the limited edition M3 GTR E36 coupe, and a year later the M3 GT E36 racing model was equipped with a 295-horsepower variant of this unit, with a torque of 324 Nm. In the same 1995, the BMW Motorsport department and Schnitzer Motorsport GmbH modified this power unit for the Australian racing version of the M3-R E36 coupe.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Munich Plant |
| Also called | S50 |
| Production years | 1992-1995 |
| Cylinder block alloy | cast iron |
| Fuel system | injector |
| Configuration | inline |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 85.8 |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 86 |
| Compression ratio | 10.8 (EU) / 10.5 (US) |
| Displacement, cc | 2990 |
| Power output, hp | 243/6000 / 286/7000 / 295/7100 |
| Torque output, Nm / rpm | 305/4250 / 320/3600 / 323/3900 |
| Max engine speed, rpm | 7280 (EU) / 6500 (US) |
| Fuel type | 95 |
| Euro standards | Euro 1 |
| Weight, kg | 151 (EU) / 135 (US) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km — city — highway — combined |
11.8 8.4 9.1 |
| Oil consumption, gr/1000 km | up to 1000 |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 5W-50 / 10W-40 / 15W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 7.0 |
| Oil change interval, km | 7000-10000 |
| Normal engine operating temperature, °C | ~90 |
| Engine lifespan, km — official information — real |
— 400+ |
| Transmission — 5MT — 5AT |
ZF Type C ZF 5HP18 |
| Gear ratios, 5MT | 1 — 4.20 / 2 — 2.49 / 3 — 1.66 / 4 — 1.24 / 5 — 1.00 |
| Gear ratios, 5AT | 1 — 3.67 / 2 — 2.00 / 3 — 1.41 / 4 — 1.00 / 5 — 0.74 |
| Final drive ratio — 5MT — 5AT — 5MT (M3 GT, M3 CSL LTW) |
3.15 3.23 3.23 |
Frequent problems
Typical malfunctions of the S50B30 engine include: increased oil consumption, overheating, leaks, floating speed, problems with the Vanos system, intake air leaks.
The motor is prone to overheating. If you notice a problem, you need to check the operation of the cooling system: radiator, thermostat, pump. Overheating can be caused by air blockages in the system and broken radiator caps.
Unstable turnovers are often caused by a failed KXX. After cleaning the valve, operation is restored. When the problem persists, you should check the TPS – throttle position sensor, temperature sensor, lambda probe, sometimes it is enough to clean the throttle valve.
If the engine is troit, check the ignition coils and injectors and spark plugs. In case of problems with the Vanos system, the engine begins to rumble, power decreases, the speed becomes unstable. In this situation, you need to buy a Vanos repair kit.
Motors with high wear are characterized by high oil consumption – up to 1 liter per 1000 km. Even after a major overhaul of the engine, consumption is practically not reduced. It is necessary to check whether the gaskets of the sump and the valve cover are not leaking, also exclude leaks through the oil dipstick. Check the integrity of the expansion tank causing antifreeze leakage. Problems can be caused by crankshaft, camshaft, temperature sensors. The main reason for the failure of reliable S50B30 engines is the age of the power units.
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