Quick question.

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Anonymous

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I know it's probably been asked about 1.37 billion times before but here goes.

M54 3.0 or N52 3.0 for an everyday driver / weekend car? :fuelfire:
 
I am more than happy to be proved wrong (again) but aren't these engines rather than cars?
 
I bought my M54 3.0 from a mechanic who was adamant that it was a better version than the later engine. A few more things to go wrong on the newer one. How true this is I don't know as I'm not particularly mechanically savvy, but what he was saying seemed to make sense and I'm more than happy with the engine in mine.

However, I guess it depends upon the mileage....as always. If you can find a low milage M54 I'd go with that, but they are getting harder to come by.
 
RickRob said:
I am more than happy to be proved wrong (again) but aren't these engines rather than cars?
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Yep, the pre facelift 3.0 and the facelift 3.0

He's asking which is best

For me it has to be the facelift - better BHP, economy, and not forgetting its lighter so better handling!
 
The si I drove felt like a completely different car - more planted, absolutely no knocks or rattles and a nice but not better, engine note. It didn't seem discernibly faster.
 
I've only had 2 Z4s both with the N52 engine and an E46 with the M54 engine, but my experiences are that when things go wrong the M54 tends to be cheaper to get fixed!

But yes, the N52 is more powerful and much more exciting. :lol:

Then again at least the M54 has a proper dip-stick (plus a low-oil warning light)!

It probably comes down to personal preference - if you are unsure I'd try to drive one of each and then decide. :thumbsup:
 
RyanB88 said:
RickRob said:
I am more than happy to be proved wrong (again) but aren't these engines rather than cars?
Click to expand...



Yep, the pre facelift 3.0 and the facelift 3.0

He's asking which is best

For me it has to be the facelift - better BHP, economy, and not forgetting its lighter so better handling!
Click to expand...

Oh OK. In that case the answer is "Roadster"! :P
 
Simon Blythe said:
Definately the roadster as the coupe isn't for me
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Well at least you get the choice!

I only wanted a Coupe, and as they only ever came with the N52 engine that is what I have in my Z!

If I did have a choice I would probably opt for an M54 engine.

Hope you find one that suits you soon, whichever engine you go for! :thumbsup:
 
Mr Tidy said:
Simon Blythe said:
Definately the roadster as the coupe isn't for me
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Well at least you get the choice!

I only wanted a Coupe, and as they only ever came with the N52 engine that is what I have in my Z!

If I did have a choice I would probably opt for an M54 engine.

Hope you find one that suits you soon, whichever engine you go for! :thumbsup:
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Why would you opt for a heavier, less efficient engine with less BHP?
 
N52 all day long.

I had an M54 in an e46 330Ci and it had one tone, smooth and bassy. It lacked top end sparkle and felt a bit breathless over 5.5k rpm. It used a lot of oil to the extent where I took a litre on trips to the continent.

I have a Z4 Coupe and an e91 with the N52 and the power is appreciably better. The tone changes higher up the revs to something a bit more raspy. It feels like it wants to rev beyond the limiter at around 6.6k rpm. Being lighter does help front turn in and it is better on fuel. I've had the water pump fail on the Z4 but that's it and it uses a lot less oil. No vanos issues or CCV clogged pipes like on the M54.

The Z4 is my daily and regularly goes to France, the estate is my wife's daily and also does trips over the channel.
 
That's interesting to hear Steve, I like the idea of no vanos issues.
 
Simon Blythe said:
That's interesting to hear Steve, I like the idea of no vanos issues.
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I think the disa is improved on the n52 as well, never heard of one breaking & destroying the engine which has happened to some unfortunate m54 owners :cry:
Rob
 
Apart from the water pump and the different engine note it sounds like a decent option.
 
I can't do a comparison as I've only driven N52 engines (current Zed is a 2008 3.0si roady) But to me the only down sides of the N52 over the M54 is the potential for electric water pump failure and no dipstick.
The list of benefits is a lot longer, most of which have been mentioned already.
 
RyanB88 said:
Why would you opt for a heavier, less efficient engine with less BHP?
Click to expand...

Because:-

I've only had 2 Z4s both with the N52 engine and an E46 with the M54 engine, but my experiences are that when things go wrong the M54 tends to be cheaper to get fixed!

But yes, the N52 is more powerful and much more exciting. :lol:

Then again at least the M54 has a proper dip-stick (plus a low-oil warning light)!

It probably comes down to personal preference - if you are unsure I'd try to drive one of each and then decide. :thumbsup:
 
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