Which engine do I have

[PhilH67]

So I've recently got another Z3, a very nice 1998 (May) 2.8 with the M52 engine. what I want to know is what derivative of this engine I have, is it the M52TU which I think has the twin Vanos, or is it the single Vanos engine, and how would I tell?

 

[colb]

Putting your Vin number into a Vin decoder on the Web will bring back the spec of your car as it left the factory, it will detail what engine is in it.

Free BMW VIN Decoder : ///M Decoder

BMW VIN decoder will check your BMW VIN and show you full vehicle specification

www.mdecoder.com

 

[Scooblitz]

If your windscreen washer bottle is at the front, its an M52B28 if its at the back corner, its an M52B28TU.

TU engine is the twin vanos.

 

[PhilH67]

If your windscreen washer bottle is at the front, its an M52B28 if its at the back corner, its an M52B28TU.

TU engine is the twin vanos.

so it’s a small bike vanos, M52B28 then

 

[Scooblitz]

so it’s a small bike vanos, M52B28 then

Same as myself. The TU version is advantageous, especially if found in a prefacelift car.

Fear not. The M52b28 is a fine engine in itself and the power gains are dyno-measureably negligible.

 

[Rudyrov]

Small bike?

 

[PhilH67]

the perils of dyslexic predictive text, was supposed to be 'single vanos'

 

[Andyboy]

May 1998 is single Vanos. The TU engine arrived in September.