3.2 US spec vs 3.2 EURO spec motor

rwdbmwm3 · 10-12-2007, 09:13 PM

whats your opinion about which is better etc........
my opinion
eurospec 3.2 is a waste of money

uber e36 · 10-14-2007, 06:12 PM

I'm looking at an engine swap in the next year or two and am grappling between a US M3 motor and the Euro 3.2

I've come to the conclusion that the only reason to go the Euro route is if you want to keep your car forever as a personal collectors car.

The Euro engine is the true heart of these cars and thus the engine that should be in your bay.

If this is a car you're going to keep for the next few years before you buys something newer and better, go the North American route...

These are just might thoughts. And I am personally exploring the Euro route...

Sa///M3 · 10-14-2007, 06:18 PM

are you talking s50b32? If so.. How does double vanos + 80 hp more and a higher red line not sound better??
correct me if i am wrong.

Boots R · 10-14-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sa///M3

are you talking s50b32? If so.. How does double vanos + 80 hp more and a higher red line not sound better??
correct me if i am wrong.

Because if you only want speed/power, it can be done cheaper via supercharger.

Sa///M3 · 10-14-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boots R

Because if you only want speed/power, it can be done cheaper via supercharger.

Yes of course, but he was asking "Which is better?"... So I thought prices aside just the engines...

rwdbmwm3 · 10-14-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sa///M3

are you talking s50b32? If so.. How does double vanos + 80 hp more and a higher red line not sound better??
correct me if i am wrong.

sound? i cant tell you...never heard a euro 3.2 in real life...

but i can say this...
the power specs on the 3.2 US vs 3.2 EURO is a HUGE difference... price of the motors..again HUGE DIFFERENCE, quick comparison such as 0-100k...NOT WORTH THE $$$

**T.Dot_E30** · 10-14-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwdbmwm3

sound? i cant tell you...never heard a euro 3.2 in real life...

but i can say this...
the power specs on the 3.2 US vs 3.2 EURO is a HUGE difference... price of the motors..again HUGE DIFFERENCE, quick comparison such as 0-100k...NOT WORTH THE $$$

The euro m3 motor is an amazing motor, and its a real //M motor unlike the US version.

Weather you think going FI on a US motor is a better bank for buck, doesn't take away from the fact that the Euro Motor is the better motor.

dropped_E30 · 10-14-2007, 09:39 PM

Keep in mind, if this is a DD car...euro parts are expensive, and take longer than US motor parts.

A good person to ask, is Greekthang...he had the euro 3.2, and swapped to an OBD1 3.2 US spec and now slapped a C38 AA S/C on it. He has had expeirence on all 3.

Personally I would rather do sunbelt cams, manifold, HFM and injectors on a 3.2...similar power, but maintainance is easier.

rwdbmwm3 · 10-15-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

The euro m3 motor is an amazing motor, and its a real //M motor unlike the US version.

Weather you think going FI on a US motor is a better bank for buck, doesn't take away from the fact that the Euro Motor is the better motor.

what do you mean by "better motor" you have to be more specific,
you mean it is a lot better quality so it will last longer without issues or do you mean its a lot better built motor so its a lot faster

**T.Dot_E30** · 10-15-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwdbmwm3

what do you mean by "better motor" you have to be more specific,
you mean it is a lot better quality so it will last longer without issues or do you mean its a lot better built motor so its a lot faster

It's a superior motor technologically and mechanically.

That doesn't mean, its cheap or better than a F.I US motor.

Stock for Stock it is alot faster......the fact that you can buy a cheaper motor in NA for less and TC or SC it, means nothing, if these came stock overhere they'd be cheaper and parts would be cheaper and more readily available.

rwdbmwm3 · 10-15-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

It's a superior motor technologically and mechanically.

That doesn't mean, its cheap or better than a F.I US motor.

Stock for Stock it is alot faster......the fact that you can buy a cheaper motor in NA for less and TC or SC it, means nothing, if these came stock overhere they'd be cheaper and parts would be cheaper and more readily available.

a lot faster you say......
3.2 US 0-60mph - 5.5sec
3.2 EURO 0-60mph - 5.4sec
..it must only FEEL faster...

craz azn · 10-15-2007, 10:11 PM

^^ Thats because of the gearing. US M3s are geared much shorter to make the acceleration on par with the Euro-Spec M3. In terms of speed, the Euro-Spec will destroy it on the highway. Only after 150~ it will become apparent which car is faster.

Edit: Add to the fact that the Euro-Spec motor has its power curve shifted more towards higher end power on the top of the Rpm range. The US engine in comparison is torquey off the line but dies out in the higher Rpms.

Boots R · 10-15-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craz azn

^^ Thats because of the gearing. US M3s are geared much shorter to make the acceleration on par with the Euro-Spec M3. In terms of speed, the Euro-Spec will destroy it on the highway. Only after 150~ it will become apparent which car is faster.

Edit: Add to the fact that the Euro-Spec motor has its power curve shifted more towards higher end power on the top of the Rpm range. The US engine in comparison is torquey off the line but dies out in the higher Rpms.

Also, the eurospec motors have 1000rpm more to play with.

**SickFinga** · 10-16-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwdbmwm3

a lot faster you say......
3.2 US 0-60mph - 5.5sec
3.2 EURO 0-60mph - 5.4sec
..it must only FEEL faster...

Not exactly true.

those 5.5sec are for 0-60mph. Euro-spec is 0-62mph(0-100km/h)
Euro spec is a better engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by craz azn

^^ Thats because of the gearing. US M3s are geared much shorter to make the acceleration on par with the Euro-Spec M3. In terms of speed, the Euro-Spec will destroy it on the highway. Only after 150~ it will become apparent which car is faster.

Edit: Add to the fact that the Euro-Spec motor has its power curve shifted more towards higher end power on the top of the Rpm range. The US engine in comparison is torquey off the line but dies out in the higher Rpms.

Euro-spec and US-Spec m3 have the same gearing, except evo m3 has an additional overdrive 6 speed.

Anyway, Euro engine is definitely better, but for power addons, NA or FI, US spec is better. US-spec is a more reliable engine as well.

propr'one · 10-16-2007, 11:20 AM

all bmw motors are a waste of money.

the s50b32 is a WAY better motor than a s52b32, for reasons including:
-Its an actual M motor (the s52 isn't)
-It has individual throttle bodies (s52 doesn't)
-It has dual vanos (s52 is single vanos)
-Higher redline
-More power and wider powerband
-many more reasons.

AFAIK, it costs about 2.5K more than a s52. Is it worth it? **** no, but a s52 isn't worth 3K either.