BMW Z3 engines
The BMW Z3 is a German sports car produced by BMW AG between 1996 and 2002. The car was produced in the body of a coupe and a convertible, passed off as a roadster. The place of auto production was South Carolina, USA. During the years of production, 297,088 cars were produced. The Z3 model was developed and appeared as a kind of response to the main competitor in the market – the Mazda MX-5 convertible. In 2002 the model was replaced by Z4.
The BMW Z3 was offered with 13 engines between 1996 and 2002 (13 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.8 to 3.2 liters, power output from 105 to 360 hp. 9 use a timing chain and 1 a timing belt. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the BMW S50B32 (about 400,000 km).
BMW Z3 engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Z3 E36/7 1996–2002 | |||||||
| BMW M44B19 | 1996–1999 | 1.9 L R4 | 140 hp | petrol | belt | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 | 1997–2000 | 2.8 L R6 | 193 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25 | 1998–2000 | 2.5 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M43B19 / M43TU | 1999–2002 | 1.9 L R4 | 105–118 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20 | 1999–2000 | 2.0 L R6 | 150 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M54B30 | 2000–2002 | 3.0 L R6 | 231 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~330,000 km |
| BMW M54B25 | 2000–2002 | 2.5 L R6 | 192 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M54B22 | 2000–2002 | 2.2 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW Z3 M-Series E36/7 1996–2002 | |||||||
| BMW S50B32 | 1996–2000 | 3.2 L | 310–321 hp | petrol | 5.5 L | ~400,000 km | |
| BMW S54B32 | 2000–2002 | 3.2 L | 315–360 hp | petrol | 6.5 L | ~400,000 km | |
| BMW Z3 M-Series E36 1997–2000 | |||||||
| BMW S52B32 | 1997–2000 | 3.2 L | 240 hp | petrol | 5.5 L | ~400,000 km | |
| Other BMW Z3 engines generation not specified | |||||||
| BMW M42B18 | 1989–1996 | 1.8 L R4 | 140 hp | petrol | chain | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M43B18 | 1992–2001 | 1.8 L R4 | 115 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~320,000 km |
BMW Z3 engine FAQ
What engines were used in the BMW Z3?
BMW Z3 E36/7 (1996–2002): BMW M44B19, BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25, BMW M43B19 / M43TU, BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20, BMW M54B30, BMW M54B25 and BMW M54B22; BMW Z3 M-Series E36/7 (1996–2002): BMW S50B32 and BMW S54B32; BMW Z3 M-Series E36 (1997–2000): BMW S52B32.
Which BMW Z3 engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable BMW Z3 engines are: BMW S50B32 — about 400,000 km; BMW S52B32 — about 400,000 km; BMW S54B32 — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the BMW Z3 engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: BMW M42B18 — 5 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40); BMW M43B18 — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M43B19 / M43TU — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M44B19 — 5 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40 / 15W-50); BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B22 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B25 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW S50B32 — 5.5 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40/ 15W-40); BMW S52B32 — 5.5 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40 / 15W-40); BMW S54B32 — 6.5 L (10W-60).
Does the BMW Z3 have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: BMW M42B18, BMW M43B18, BMW M43B19 / M43TU, BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20, BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25, BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M54B22, BMW M54B25 and BMW M54B30; timing belt: BMW M44B19. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.
Was the BMW Z3 available with a diesel engine?
No, all BMW Z3 engines in our database run on petrol.
Engine details
BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25
The first years used nikasil coating of cylinders and it quickly collapsed.
BMW M54B22
This engine is very afraid of overheating, monitor the condition of the cooling system.
Models with the same engines
- BMW 3-Series 10 shared engines
- BMW 5-Series 7 shared engines
- BMW Z4 4 shared engines
- BMW M3 3 shared engines
- BMW 7-Series 2 shared engines
- BMW X3 2 shared engines
- BMW X5 1 shared engine
- Land Rover Defender 1 shared engine