M52 2.8 litre engine question

[Pond]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a 2.8 Z3. If I am correct, the early M52 engine had Nikasil liners and single VANOS!?

The later M52TU didn't have the liners and had double VANOS, I think?

My question is can I tell which engine a car has by looking at it? I won't be able to decode the VIN when stood in front of it.

The car I want to view is March 1999 registered, so I'm thinking it could be either of the engines.

TIA

 

[Delk]

The single vanos has a lump on the intake side only at the front of the engine. Not sure about the liners as I heard that some had them others didn't.

Double vanos has a large cover at the front of the engine.

 

[Pond]

Thanks that's really helpful. The car in question is a single vanos then, as the seller has kindly put a photo up of the engine bay.

More questions..
Does the M52 typically suffer from oil leaks around the oil filter housing and rocker cover, like so many BMW engines?
I know the M54 is a really good engine and capable of mega miles. Is the M52 similar?
So many questions, so little time!

 

[Delk]

Oil filter housing gasket is a common change. Rocker cover gasket is simple enough and similar on all the M5x engines. The M52 doesn't suffer from the piston oil control rings like the M54 so this is a plus.

 

[Andyboy]

Nikasil is a coating and not a liner. It was discontinued in March/April 1998 and replaced with steel liners, six months before the M52TU arrived that also has steel liners.

 

[andyglym]

Nikasil is a coating and not a liner. It was discontinued in March/April 1998 and replaced with steel liners, six months before the M52TU arrived that also has steel liners.

What's the issue with the Nukasil coating mate? I've heard a few negatives, mine's a September 97 build so I presume it has said coating?

 

[Pond]

What's the issue with the Nukasil coating mate? I've heard a few negatives, mine's a September 97 build so I presume it has said coating?

Nikasil reacts with sulphur in petrol, apparently. I know it was a huge problem on some early Jag XK8s.
More of a problem in Countries which use high sulphur fuels (like the USA).

 

[Andyboy]

US market single Vanos engines used an iron block.

BMW replaced thousands of engines under warranty / goodwill. If you can see a rusty metal plate under the starter motor, you've had a new engine in the distant past.

 

[Andyboy]

This is the original Nikasil block:

 

[mwpe]

Nikasil was discontinued before the Z3 entered production.

 

[Andyboy]

Nikasil was discontinued in Week 10, 1998.

 

[Dino D]

Mine is Jan 98 single M52B28 and just over 140k miles and doesn’t use any oil.
Don’t know if nikasil or not.
Thanks for those handy pics @Andyboy , curious now to see what it is!


Oh and as for rocker cover gaskets, well it wouldn’t be a BMW if they weren’t fitted with hardened cheese gaskets as standard. Even the BKW minis leak from there.

Had high revving Hondas with over 180 miles and not leaked oil but have had to change both on our 60k mileage 6 series (v8 so two heads plus a bunch of other gaskets).

Love BMW and the engineering but a few very annoying weak points like this, the plastic cooling systems, exploding fans - luckily their engines and cars feel and drive like nothing else otherwise…!

 

[Pond]

Mine is Jan 98 single M52B28 and just over 140k miles and doesn’t use any oil.
Don’t know if nikasil or not.
Thanks for those handy pics @Andyboy , curious now to see what it is!


Oh and as for rocker cover gaskets, well it wouldn’t be a BMW if they weren’t fitted with hardened cheese gaskets as standard. Even the BKW minis leak from there.

Had high revving Hondas with over 180 miles and not leaked oil but have had to change both on our 60k mileage 6 series (v8 so two heads plus a bunch of other gaskets).

Love BMW and the engineering but a few very annoying weak points like this, the plastic cooling systems, exploding fans - luckily their engines and cars feel and drive like nothing else otherwise…!

I am not really a BMW 'fanboy' if I'm completely honest. I have had three in the past few years; an E89 Z4 (N20), an E92 Alpina B3 petrol (with the infamous N54) and an F33 440i (with the wonderful B58) and one a very long time ago (318is coupe).

I have 'plans' for the Z3; if I can sell my Honda FK8 Type R for decent money. Finding a good 2.8 (or 3.0) for reasonable money is proving to be 'challenging' to say the least.

 

[Jam03]

Have you seen this one?

 

[Pond]

Have you seen this one?View attachment 278489

No I haven't. Is that on Facebook Marketplace? Just seen it is. Newly listed. I have mate (!) from the Z4 forum who lives up the road, who is a mechanic and may be able to give it the once over.

That could be fate! I am now quite excited! Thank you so much! The MOT history is not too shabby, either (apart from a couple of historical issues with the steering).

 

[Jam03]

Yes, might be someone on here actually, not sure.

 

[Pond]

Have you seen this one?View attachment 278489

This car is almost mine! Just a few 'i's to be dotted and we are there!

 

[Jam03]

This car is almost mine! Just a few 'i's to be dotted and we are there!

Brilliant. I would have bought that if I had more space…and money