BMW M50


The BMW M50 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which was produced from 1990 to 1996. It was released in the E34 520i and 525i, to replace the M20 engine.
In September 1992, the M50 was upgraded to the M50TU, which was BMW's first engine to use variable valve timing. Called single VANOS by BMW, the system adjusted the phasing of the intake camshaft.
The M50 began to be phased out following the introduction of the M52 engine in 1994.
The E36 M3 is powered by the [|S50] engine series, which is a high output version of the M50.

Design

A significant advance over its M20 predecessor, the M50 features dual overhead camshaft with four valves per cylinder, coil-on-plug ignition, a knock sensor and a lightweight plastic intake manifold. Both engines use an iron block with an aluminum alloy head. The redline is 6,500 rpm, the same as the final version of the M20.
The location of the oil pan varies according to the model the M50 is installed in. It is in the front on the E34 5 Series, whereas it is in the rear on the E36 3 Series.

Models

M50B20

The M50B20 was introduced with the 1990 520i. It has a bore of, a stroke of and produces. The compression ratio is 10.5:1.
Applications:
The M50B20 was updated with single VANOS in 1992. Peak torque became available at 4,200 rpm. It produces at 5,900 rpm and at 4,200 rpm. The compression ratio was raised to 11.0:1.
Applications:
This is a engine used in the Thailand and Oceania markets. It is based on the M50B25TU with the stroke reduced to and produces at 5,900 rpm and at 4,200 rpm. The compression ratio was 10.5:1.
Applications:
The M50B25 was introduced with the 1990 525i and 525ix. It has a bore of, a stroke of and produces at 6,000 rpm and at 4,700 rpm. The compression ratio is 10.0:1.
Applications:
The M50B25 was updated with single VANOS in 1992, resulting in peak torque becoming available at 4,200 rpm. It produces at 5,900 rpm and at 4,200 rpm. The compression ratio was increased to 10.5:1.
Applications:
The S50 is the high performance version of the M50 which was used in the E36 M3, replacing the four-cylinder BMW S14 engine used in the E30 M3. Like the M50, the S50 has an iron block and aluminum head with four valves per cylinder.
In the United States, a less powerful engine called the "S50B30US" was used, which shares more in common with the regular M50 engine than the other S50 versions.

S50B30

The S50B30 was used in most countries, except for the United States. The S50B30 produces, has a bore of, a stroke of and a compression ratio of 10.8:1. The redline is 7,200 rpm. The S50 has an individual throttle body for each cylinder, single-VANOS, Bosch Motronic M3.3 engine management and redesigned intake and exhaust systems.
The limited edition "M3 GT" model from 1995 produced. It had different camshafts and a redesigned sump and oil pump.
Applications:
In the United States, the 1994-1995 model years of the E36 M3 are powered by the S50B30US, a engine which produces. This engine is more closely related to the standard M50 engine and has the same compression ratio as the M50B25TU, but uses a different crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. The bore is, the stroke is and the redline is 7,000 rpm.
In 1996, the S50B30US was replaced by the BMW S52 engine.
Applications:
In 1996, the S50B32 replaced the S50B30. Power output increased to.. and the displacement increased to, due to an increased stroke of and a slight increase in bore to.
The S50B32 has double-VANOS and a secondary oil pick-up was added. The compression ratio is 11.3:1 and the redline is 7,600 rpm. Engine management is the Siemens MSS50, with 3 knock sensors.
Applications: