model:
728i/
728iL 2.8L
engine: M52B28 Petrol I6
year: 1996-2001
The BMW M52 is a Straight 6 piston engine. Displacement ranges from 2000 cc to 3200 cc. It is a DOHC 24-valve engine, originally introduced with with VANOS Variable valve timing. It replaced the BMW M50 engine in 1994 and was replaced in 2001 with the BMW M54 Nikasil lined aluminium cylinders instead of a cast iron cylinder block, resulting in lighter engines. While, the American market engine retained its cast iron block due to the sulfur content of available fuel.
In markets with low-sulfur fuel this engine was very highly regarded and the M52 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 through to 1998. However, there was criticism of the M52 engine in some markets, especially the UK, which had high levels of sulfur in the petrol during the late 90's. Sulfur acts as a corrosive agent against Nikasil and led to a lot of the early engines having premature bore-liner wear. Fortunately this problem was solved in post-September 1998 cars with the introduction of steel cylinder liners, with the designation M52 TU-3. However problems still present in these engines so affected cars of this period should be bought with caution unless the service history verifies that work was carried out to rectify the problem. The American market M52 used a cast iron block, and so, was unaffected by this problem.
M52 modifications:
| Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Redline | Year | Stroke | Bore | Compression |
|---|
| M52B20 | 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) | 110 kW (148 hp) @ 5900 | 190 Nm (140 ftlb) @ 4200 | 6500 | 1994 | 66 mm (2.6in) | 80 mm (3.15in) | 11.0:1 |
| M52TUB20 | 110 kW (148 hp) @ 5900 | 190 Nm (140 ftlb) @ 3500 | 6500 | 1998 | 66 mm (2.6in) | 80 mm (3.15in) | 11.0:1 |
| M54B22 | 2.2 L | 125 kW (168 hp) | 210 Nm (155 ftlb) | 6500 | 2000 | | | |
| M52TUB24 | 2.4 L (2394 cc/146 in³) | 135 kW (184 hp) @ 5800 | 240 Nm (177 ftlb) @ 3600 | 6500 | 2000 | | | |
| M52B25 | 2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³) | 123 kW (170 hp) @ 5500 | 245 Nm (181 ftlb) @ 3950 | 6500 | 1995 | | | |
| M52TUB25 | 123 kW (170 hp) @ 5500 | 245 Nm (181 ftlb) @ 3500 | 6500 | 1998 | 75 mm (2.95in) | 84 mm (3.31in) | 10.5:1 |
| M52B28 | 2.8 L (2793 cc/170 in³) | 142 kW (190 hp) @ 5300 | 280 Nm (207 ftlb) @ 3950 | 6500 | 1995 | 84 mm (3.31in) | 84 mm (3.31in) | 10.2:1 |
| 141 kW (189 hp) @ 5300 | 275 Nm (203 ftlb) @ 3950 | 6500 | 1997 | | | |
| M52TUB28 | 142 kW (193 hp) @ 5500 | 280 Nm (207 ftlb) @ 3500 | 6500 | 1998 | | | |
