Z3 MC S50 or S54??

[Da Hose]

I am new to this forum and wondered if I could tap into the wealth of knowledge here.

I am looking to entre the MC world, although I understand the different engine characteristics there are some points I would like some help with that will help make my mind up between S50 and S54.

1. Tax! I was told that cars newer then Aug 2000 would be taxed on CO2 output (not good news for M Power!) and that prior to this date it would be a fixed amount.

Is this still current? Can anyone tell me the latest on this, or are we at the mercy of the Conservatives.

2. Is there much weight difference between the engines - I assume the trans & diff are similar in both.

3. Are the service intervals similar?

4. Has anyone compared an S50/S54 back to back? What is the difference.

thanks in advance.

Markus

[NickXX]

Da Hose said:

I am new to this forum and wondered if I could tap into the wealth of knowledge here.

I am looking to entre the MC world, although I understand the different engine characteristics there are some points I would like some help with that will help make my mind up between S50 and S54.

1. Tax! I was told that cars newer then Aug 2000 would be taxed on CO2 output (not good news for M Power!) and that prior to this date it would be a fixed amount.

Is this still current? Can anyone tell me the latest on this, or are we at the mercy of the Conservatives.

2. Is there much weight difference between the engines - I assume the trans & diff are similar in both.

3. Are the service intervals similar?

4. Has anyone compared an S50/S54 back to back? What is the difference.

thanks in advance.

Markus

1. The mega tax is only applicable to cars registered after some point in 2006 iirc (there was a U-turn on the original 2001 policy), so the M Coupe will get off.

Edit - in fact any car registered before 23/03/2006 is capped at band K, so will be taxed at £215 next year.


2. I don't think there would be much difference in weight as I believe they are based on the same iron block.

Edited by NickXX on Friday 20th November 14:01

[belleair302]

The only real difference is DSC. Both engines are very similar both regarding internals and casting. Some people prefer the newer engine due to its slightly higer output but on the road there is not much it it.

Weightwise no change and service wise the same.

On the S54 look out for issues surrounding crankshaft sensors and failing camshafts / coils.

Look out for front end crash damage and also rear suspension top mount issues.

[Great Pretender]

Personally I don't think the S54 cars are worth the cash. Moreover, the engines were artificially capped at 7500rpm to avoid potential bearing failure. Some reckon the later car is significantly more powerful but I'm not all that convinced.

Besides, the money you save on an S50 car will net you a carbon airbox and a live mapping session to free up some additional ponies

[Philrose]

There are lots of differences between the cars
Check out
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=17

[Loud Pedal]

Great Pretender said:

Besides, the money you save on an S50 car will net you a carbon airbox and a live mapping session to free up some additional ponies

Certainly will!!!!

[Da Hose]

Thanks for your input guys! Good news in all senses - especialy the Tax!

S50 here we come - I am defo liking the idea of the C Airbox + tune!

My mate has just added one to his E30 M3 and it sounds FIT!!

Any snag points I should be aware of when I am kicking tyres apart from the infamous VANOS?

[DjSki]

S54 is the one to go for, but there is a premium......

[Da Hose]

other then DSC and 10 or so bhp, I am not sure why you think the S54 is much better?

[DjSki]

The S54 is a much better engine and it delivers the power quoted, the S50 can be (and usually is) some way off 321.....

Its not a 10bhp variance.

[Vixpy1]

DjSki said:

The S54 is a much better engine and it delivers the power quoted, the S50 can be (and usually is) some way off 321.....

Its not a 10bhp variance.

He's right you know, seen as much as 50bhp more in S54

[Da Hose]

I am aware of the 321bhp being a bit mythical, but many have quoted 315 ponnies.

I just think £2k is alot invest for the extra power.

DSC would be usefull though!

[zmrjason]

The airbox will cost best part of 2k plus mapping etc, it'll probably cost 2.5k.....I also run the same airbox as Mr Loudpedal!

[paulm3]

zmrjason said:

The airbox will cost best part of 2k plus mapping etc, it'll probably cost 2.5k.....I also run the same airbox as Mr Loudpedal!

Jason, where did you get the sticky protector things for the bulge infront of the the rear wheels? i'd like/need some of those. ta

[Beardy10]

Haven't driven them back to back but having owned an E36 and E46 M3 I would say there is a significant difference in the engines. I can't remember what the official figures are but the E36 needed to be driven much much harder to get the performance out of it, the E46 delivered performance much more easily in my mind. It also sounded a lot better but then the E46 has quad exhausts.

[MC99]

S54 also had longer service intervals (*from hazy memory, as had Mcoupe back in 2000 (s50)).