[antzcrashing]

Saw this post on twitter and it appears that BMW CCA is rebuting the HP numbers from another source. The other source appears to be consistent with the Wikipedia page, but the BMW CCA numbers seem more realistic. So who's right?

[SakhirM4]

They are both right. The 286 and 321hp was for European versions. The USA model had 240hp.

[mkoesel]

BMW CCA isn’t rebutting anything. They are simply reminding readers that the North American E36 M3 only had 240hp. This is distinct from the rest of the world where, as BMW Group Classic correctly points out, it had 286hp at launch and then was upgraded to 321hp for the LCI. This is clearly stated under the “Engine” section in the very Wikipedia entry you mention:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_...992–1999)

[yco]

240 hp was in US only due to emission law differences and different maps, VANOS differences and some cost saving.. US only got 5-speed manual and after 3.2L engine update automatic also.. in Europe E36 M3 was 286hp from the beginning with 5 speed manual.. after 3.2L BMW switched to 6-speed manual.. so there are 286hp and 321hp versions in Europe..

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

They are both right. The 286 and 321hp was for European versions. The USA model had 240hp.

Thank you for the reply. Now it makes sense, there was some disappointment from the US customers because of the downtuning if I recall, and hence bmw cca (america) saying who's counting. Makes sense. Surprises me though that OUS got 281 and 321 hp, thats good power from such a small light car. BTW I have driven the US model once and it was not underpowered by any measure IMO

[kyrix1st]

Two very different engines.

S50B30 EU based on M50B25 featured ITB, forged crank, infinitely variable VANOS, higher compression at 10.8:1 vs. S50B30 US with one stage VANOS and none of the other goodies.

S50B32 had all of the features of S50B30 plus higher compression of 11.3:1, dual pickup, better oil pump and head design and double VANOS vs. M52 based two stage VANOS of S52B32. Also the first time BMW cracked 1L/100bhp in a passenger vehicle.

[antzcrashing]

Thanks for the posts guys, very informative. Keep em coming if there is more to add

[yco]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

Thanks for the posts guys, very informative. Keep em coming if there is more to add

The S50 and S52 have iron blocks. The M50, the engine the E36 3 Series used in its first few years, also has an iron block, but the later M52 changed to aluminum for most applications (but not in the North American 328i, as it happens).

The S50B30 revved to 7200rpm, and the S50B32 revved to 7600rpm which was high for their time. The S50B30US and S52B32 only revved to 7000rpm, but this was still higher than the 6500rpm limit of the M50 and M52.