1999 Z3 2.3 what engine do I have

I read here in the forums people calling thiervengine e36 etc. Sorry newbie.

The CAR is an E-36 model, variant #7 (E-36/7).
The Coupes are variant #8, thus E-36/8

It shares many parts with the E-36 3 series cars, like the 325i, 328, 318's.
The E numbers are BMW's basic model number

The ENGINE is an M-52 or M-54, 2.5 litre.
It says 2.3, but that was a marketing trick to label the 2.5 litre engine distinct from the 2.8 litre engine

If you plug the last 7 digits of your VIN into RealOEM.com, it will tell you quite a bit about your car

To extrapolate a bit more:

The "E" number was usually referred to as the Engineering number and referred to a specific platform. The Z3 (E36/7 roadster and E36/8 coupe) shares the same basic underpinnings as the North American 1991-1998 3-series sedans (E36/4), 1992-1999 coupes/convertibles (E36/?), and 1995-1998 compact 318ti's (E36/5).

Engines:
Dans' Z3 has an M52TUB25 engine.
M = Engine
52 = Engine model
TU = Technical Upgrade (in this case it is the addition of exhaust VANOS to the single intake VANOS of an M52 engine)
B = Benzin (German for "gasoline;" diesel engines have a D here)
25 = Displacement in tenths of liters (25 = 2.5, 30 = 3.0, and so on)

These are the basics. I could go on more about the engines but this is what is most relevant to the subject at hand.

You have an M52TUB25, same motor as a 99-00 E46 323i It's called a 323i because is has a more restricted intake and exhaust than the 325i and 10 less hp. not that it matters in a Z......

Originally Posted by SWISS

You have an M52TUB25, same motor as a 99-00 E46 323i It's called a 323i because is has a more restricted intake and exhaust than the 325i and 10 less hp. not that it matters in a Z......

Oh my, you are correct. I suppose reading the year correctly is important; I read 1998 the first time but the 2.3 model should have been a clue.

Thanks for all the info. So are the 2.3 motors reliable and how much life is still left in her with 130000 miles.

THE 2.3 IS A GRENADE! RUN! SAVE YOURSELF!

okay, just kidding. these motors are highly refined with large main bearings. in the european fashion, they are undersquare, that is the stroke is longer than the bore, giving them good torque. at the same time, they are designed to endure high rpm [for awhile].

like any engine, high rpm kills eventually. at least, it contributes to an earlier death than driving moderately. the 2.3 is understressed compared to some of the others and should live a long time if you take care of it. i did a fair amount of motorcycle racing and was used to 10,000rpm shifts sans clutch but see no reason to beat a street car like that, even if i could. i usually shift my 2.8 around 3000rpm and drive between 2-3000rpm in town, although our local freeways dictate 3500rpm just to be at the 75mph speed limit. that's why i wish we had an overdrive gear.

it's nice to know these engines have the rpm when needed but, usually, it isn't necessary to go there.

OMG uScared me for a second tohbi. I am hope it wil last at least another 70000 miles. I paid 4800 for it and will only be a summer car.

great price.

Trying to post pics but can't from my phone.

Hey Guys Great Info for another Newbe.

Dan, don`t forget to Post some pictures in Your Garage and suggest you use 1024 by 768 so as to facilitate viewing

RJJ

Dan, do not run your car at sustained high RPM's unless you want the assist the failure of the harmonic balancer and the crank.


The all Aluminum engines have more severe harmonics at high RPM's, MUCH more so than their iron block predecessors.

The weak point in that motor IS the block, you overheat it and it destroys the headbolt threads. I've replace 3 for this exact reason. 1 328i and 2 323i's, all E46 DV engines.

Originally Posted by k.merkel

Oh my, you are correct. I suppose reading the year correctly is important; I read 1998 the first time but the 2.3 model should have been a clue.

There was an M52B25 single vanos produced as well in late 98-99 E36's.

It's basically a M52B28 with a M50 crank, or an OBD2 M50TU.

So is it a 2.3 or a 2.5 I read somewhere that it really is a 2.5 but when I call the dealer they say that year only came in 2.3 or 2.8? I am confused.

Originally Posted by Dans

So is it a 2.3 or a 2.5 I read somewhere that it really is a 2.5 but when I call the dealer they say that year only came in 2.3 or 2.8? I am confused.

See post #2 above

Accoring to the info I have gathered over the last three years of reseach on the Z 3 there is no no listing of a 2.3 l engine.

In 1995 Vehicle started with a 1.8 l then 1.9 l to a 2.0 l then a 2.2 l followed by a 2.5 l, the 2.8 l and the 3.0 l and for the Full M`s a 3.2 l dating back to 1997

RJJ

Originally Posted by SWISS

There was an M52B25 single vanos produced as well in late 98-99 E36's.

Yes, that is where my mind went wrong. I know the Z3 got the M52TU in '99, and for some reason I crossed my 3er and Z3 info and made a homologated mistake.

It's basically ... an OBD2 M50TU.

An OBD-II M50TU is an M52.

The engines are actually 2.5 liter displacement, but for marketing reasons, BMW labeled them as 2.3. They figured if they offered a 2.5 and 2.8, with the price difference, few people would by teh 2.8

"Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority"

wow! you are an erudite bunch. can't believe i looked this up. hehe

Originally Posted by tohbi

"Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority"

To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, that word does not mean what I thought it meant. I should learn to not reply when exhausted.

What I intended to say was I homogenized the two pieces of information and posted disinformation. Whoops.