Like, I have two cars with two absolute Hall of Fame motors: the 5.0L H.O. Windsor V8 in the Mustang and the M52B28 in the Z3. The inline six is the right motor for the latter.
When I was younger, enthusiasts were embarrassed to admit their cars had an inline 6
November 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Like, I have two cars with two absolute Hall of Fame motors: the 5.0L H.O. Windsor V8 in the Mustang and the M52B28 in the Z3. The inline six is the right motor for the latter.
I always feel like I’m jinxing myself to mention it, but I’m lucky in that both the M52B28 and late roller-cam 5.0L H.O. are known for racking up huge mileage totals.
April 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I always feel like I’m jinxing myself to mention it, but I’m lucky in that both the M52B28 and late roller-cam 5.0L H.O. are known for racking up huge mileage totals.
Inline.
I’ve fallen in love with the Nissan L28E and BMW M52B28 over the years.
I’ve fallen in love with the Nissan L28E and BMW M52B28 over the years.
June 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Inline.
I’ve fallen in love with the Nissan L28E and BMW M52B28 over the years.
I’ve fallen in love with the Nissan L28E and BMW M52B28 over the years.
The M52B28 is an all-timer of a motor.
Bought my '98 in 2001, and I still have it.
Bought my '98 in 2001, and I still have it.
September 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The M52B28 is an all-timer of a motor.
Bought my '98 in 2001, and I still have it.
Bought my '98 in 2001, and I still have it.
I have many thoughts on his build btw: his was a Greek 318i 8v he swapped to a M44 and then a M52B28? It now has a cage and buckets.
Me personally? I want race car theater and more speed. Not something I can’t daily without cracking my head open on some piping in the event of an accident.
Me personally? I want race car theater and more speed. Not something I can’t daily without cracking my head open on some piping in the event of an accident.
June 29, 2026 at 11:15 PM
I have many thoughts on his build btw: his was a Greek 318i 8v he swapped to a M44 and then a M52B28? It now has a cage and buckets.
Me personally? I want race car theater and more speed. Not something I can’t daily without cracking my head open on some piping in the event of an accident.
Me personally? I want race car theater and more speed. Not something I can’t daily without cracking my head open on some piping in the event of an accident.
Real talk:
I have a ‘98 BMW with an M52B28 and a ‘94 Mustang with a late roller-cam 5.0L Windsor.
They have 140k and 240k on them, respectively.
I’m in my mid-50s.
I may not need to ever buy another car so long as I change my oil on schedule.
I have a ‘98 BMW with an M52B28 and a ‘94 Mustang with a late roller-cam 5.0L Windsor.
They have 140k and 240k on them, respectively.
I’m in my mid-50s.
I may not need to ever buy another car so long as I change my oil on schedule.
May 10, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Real talk:
I have a ‘98 BMW with an M52B28 and a ‘94 Mustang with a late roller-cam 5.0L Windsor.
They have 140k and 240k on them, respectively.
I’m in my mid-50s.
I may not need to ever buy another car so long as I change my oil on schedule.
I have a ‘98 BMW with an M52B28 and a ‘94 Mustang with a late roller-cam 5.0L Windsor.
They have 140k and 240k on them, respectively.
I’m in my mid-50s.
I may not need to ever buy another car so long as I change my oil on schedule.
I mean, my SN95 GT is safely this side of Malaise Era, but you can summon the giggles a lot easier than in my Z3 2.8 because, while the M52B28 in the Zed is torqueyish, the GT’s 5.0L H.O. basically shoves that torque up in your face from RPM that would make me check the idle in the Bimmer.
February 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I mean, my SN95 GT is safely this side of Malaise Era, but you can summon the giggles a lot easier than in my Z3 2.8 because, while the M52B28 in the Zed is torqueyish, the GT’s 5.0L H.O. basically shoves that torque up in your face from RPM that would make me check the idle in the Bimmer.
1990 BMW E30 Engine Swap M52B28
more photos at gettinlow.com/1990-bmw-e30...
#gettinlow #carculture #automobile
more photos at gettinlow.com/1990-bmw-e30...
#gettinlow #carculture #automobile
November 16, 2024 at 3:24 AM
1990 BMW E30 Engine Swap M52B28
more photos at gettinlow.com/1990-bmw-e30...
#gettinlow #carculture #automobile
more photos at gettinlow.com/1990-bmw-e30...
#gettinlow #carculture #automobile
The M52B28 is an all-time hall of fame motor.
I’ve had a 340 Mopar, a built 327 Chevy, a late roller cam 5.0 H.O. Ford and a Porsche 2.5L inline four and the normally aspirated 2.8L Bimmer six is right up there with all of them.
Just ready to rev, yet pulls harder at low revs than you’d think…
I’ve had a 340 Mopar, a built 327 Chevy, a late roller cam 5.0 H.O. Ford and a Porsche 2.5L inline four and the normally aspirated 2.8L Bimmer six is right up there with all of them.
Just ready to rev, yet pulls harder at low revs than you’d think…
January 29, 2026 at 7:31 PM
The M52B28 is an all-time hall of fame motor.
I’ve had a 340 Mopar, a built 327 Chevy, a late roller cam 5.0 H.O. Ford and a Porsche 2.5L inline four and the normally aspirated 2.8L Bimmer six is right up there with all of them.
Just ready to rev, yet pulls harder at low revs than you’d think…
I’ve had a 340 Mopar, a built 327 Chevy, a late roller cam 5.0 H.O. Ford and a Porsche 2.5L inline four and the normally aspirated 2.8L Bimmer six is right up there with all of them.
Just ready to rev, yet pulls harder at low revs than you’d think…
By comparison, the 5.0L H.O. in my SN95 or the M52B28 in my Z3 can practically be treated with benign neglect and regular infusions of synthetic lube.
January 14, 2025 at 1:46 PM
By comparison, the 5.0L H.O. in my SN95 or the M52B28 in my Z3 can practically be treated with benign neglect and regular infusions of synthetic lube.
Also I'm not an automatic fan of engine swaps but an M52B28 would be very worth the try (and keep the badging straight).
September 10, 2024 at 1:29 PM
Also I'm not an automatic fan of engine swaps but an M52B28 would be very worth the try (and keep the badging straight).
Yup--if you got a 728i with a M52B28 that'd be practically unkillable and offer most of the look and driving experience.
Sweetspot would be a 740i M-Sport but BMW V8s are a bit of a headache--would still be lovely!
Sweetspot would be a 740i M-Sport but BMW V8s are a bit of a headache--would still be lovely!
January 3, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Yup--if you got a 728i with a M52B28 that'd be practically unkillable and offer most of the look and driving experience.
Sweetspot would be a 740i M-Sport but BMW V8s are a bit of a headache--would still be lovely!
Sweetspot would be a 740i M-Sport but BMW V8s are a bit of a headache--would still be lovely!
Of course, both the M52B28 and late roller cam 5.0L H.O. Ford small block are known for piling up miles. The Fords usually aren't even ready for a rebuild until 300-350k, provided you stay on top of oil changes.
July 7, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Of course, both the M52B28 and late roller cam 5.0L H.O. Ford small block are known for piling up miles. The Fords usually aren't even ready for a rebuild until 300-350k, provided you stay on top of oil changes.
2001 Alpina B10 3.3 (Base: BMW E39 / 528i): 3.3-liter inline-six, Alpina-tuned Bosch Motronic fuel-injected M52B28 engine, 280 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 247 ft. lbs. @ 4,500 rpm, 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds with a top speed of 162 mph. 310 units, 1999-2003. classic-vintage-bmw.tumblr.com/e39alpinab10...
October 3, 2025 at 8:05 PM
2001 Alpina B10 3.3 (Base: BMW E39 / 528i): 3.3-liter inline-six, Alpina-tuned Bosch Motronic fuel-injected M52B28 engine, 280 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 247 ft. lbs. @ 4,500 rpm, 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds with a top speed of 162 mph. 310 units, 1999-2003. classic-vintage-bmw.tumblr.com/e39alpinab10...
Last driver on the Nordschleife on that misty October evening.
#MomentsThatMatter
#BMWE36 #E36Love #m52b28 #E36Tracktool #ClassicBMW #BMWClassic #E36Forever #BMWLife #E36Nation #Nordschleife #Nürburgring #GreenHell #Trackday #Touristenfahrten #RingLife #RingTool #NightDrive #Tracktool #Motorsport
#MomentsThatMatter
#BMWE36 #E36Love #m52b28 #E36Tracktool #ClassicBMW #BMWClassic #E36Forever #BMWLife #E36Nation #Nordschleife #Nürburgring #GreenHell #Trackday #Touristenfahrten #RingLife #RingTool #NightDrive #Tracktool #Motorsport
October 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Last driver on the Nordschleife on that misty October evening.
#MomentsThatMatter
#BMWE36 #E36Love #m52b28 #E36Tracktool #ClassicBMW #BMWClassic #E36Forever #BMWLife #E36Nation #Nordschleife #Nürburgring #GreenHell #Trackday #Touristenfahrten #RingLife #RingTool #NightDrive #Tracktool #Motorsport
#MomentsThatMatter
#BMWE36 #E36Love #m52b28 #E36Tracktool #ClassicBMW #BMWClassic #E36Forever #BMWLife #E36Nation #Nordschleife #Nürburgring #GreenHell #Trackday #Touristenfahrten #RingLife #RingTool #NightDrive #Tracktool #Motorsport
Easiest answer is 325i+
If I’m impatient!!
M50B25 (era appropriate, sounds great)
M52B28 (roll of the dice if it’s gonna have a cracked head/warped block, really light, 192hp)
I’d really just put an S54B32 if I could (expensive but 8000rpm)
Needs a 5 speed ZF, needs a LSD
Surely can’t be bad!
If I’m impatient!!
M50B25 (era appropriate, sounds great)
M52B28 (roll of the dice if it’s gonna have a cracked head/warped block, really light, 192hp)
I’d really just put an S54B32 if I could (expensive but 8000rpm)
Needs a 5 speed ZF, needs a LSD
Surely can’t be bad!
July 30, 2024 at 1:24 PM
Easiest answer is 325i+
If I’m impatient!!
M50B25 (era appropriate, sounds great)
M52B28 (roll of the dice if it’s gonna have a cracked head/warped block, really light, 192hp)
I’d really just put an S54B32 if I could (expensive but 8000rpm)
Needs a 5 speed ZF, needs a LSD
Surely can’t be bad!
If I’m impatient!!
M50B25 (era appropriate, sounds great)
M52B28 (roll of the dice if it’s gonna have a cracked head/warped block, really light, 192hp)
I’d really just put an S54B32 if I could (expensive but 8000rpm)
Needs a 5 speed ZF, needs a LSD
Surely can’t be bad!
I'm biased, but I think the M52B28 is one of the all-time great motors.
I've got one of those and a late production roller-cam 5.0 H.O. Ford Windsor and, at the risk of sounding morbid, both engines will likely outlive me.
I've got one of those and a late production roller-cam 5.0 H.O. Ford Windsor and, at the risk of sounding morbid, both engines will likely outlive me.
September 10, 2024 at 1:36 PM
I'm biased, but I think the M52B28 is one of the all-time great motors.
I've got one of those and a late production roller-cam 5.0 H.O. Ford Windsor and, at the risk of sounding morbid, both engines will likely outlive me.
I've got one of those and a late production roller-cam 5.0 H.O. Ford Windsor and, at the risk of sounding morbid, both engines will likely outlive me.
The sound of Eric's BMW😩 will always give me chills.
Short sound check of my M52B28 turbo E30, with freshly installed S58 intake.
YouTube video by pazi88
youtube.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The sound of Eric's BMW😩 will always give me chills.
True, true!
But still, the BMW M52B28 six is one of the all-time great high mileage motors.
But still, the BMW M52B28 six is one of the all-time great high mileage motors.
July 15, 2025 at 12:30 AM
True, true!
But still, the BMW M52B28 six is one of the all-time great high mileage motors.
But still, the BMW M52B28 six is one of the all-time great high mileage motors.