BMW M52B28 Engine: Problems, Longevity, and Specs

If you look at the history of inline-six engines, you will see that BMW was using them quite often in most of their vehicles. This company loves 6-cylinder engines and somehow was devoted to inline configuration. We can say that one of the most interesting and probably popular engines in the lineup should be the M52B28 model.

In this article, we'll tell you about the M52B28 engine made by BMW for several models of cars and marketed all over the world including North America. This is a really legendary engine that seems to be quite extraordinary in terms of performance as of the era it was made in. Also, the engine is one of the last really durable and long-lasting units offered by BMW.

Key facts and my opinion about the engine

• Production years: 1994-2001
• Average lifespan of M52B28: 200,000-230,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: port injection
• Power range: 150-193 hp
• Fuel efficiency: low
• Engine block material: aluminum
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: afraid of overheating, failing lifters, VANOS problems, oil consumption.

What should you know about the BMW M52B28?

We will not bother you much with specs only pointing out the most important ones. The engine was first introduced in 1994 and was manufactured and sold up to 2000. It's quite long for BMW because they usually change their technologies more often than that. Also, this was the base engine, so it was installed in many vehicles, and then it was also modded and upgraded to be installed in sports cars.

The engine was mainly used in the E36, E39, and E38 models of BMW. Also, Land Rover Defender for South Africa used this engine which wasn't a very good choice, obviously. But for BMW sedans, this engine was great and proved to be one of the best choices among all existing technologies.

Here are some facts to consider:

• the straight-six engine has the displacement of 2.8 liters (2,793cc) and offers 190 horsepower without turbochargers which is pretty good for 1995;
• the lightweight aluminum block was the new idea for BMW and many buyers worried about its repairability and longevity, but this didn't add much trouble;
• in USA and Canada though, the engine retained cast iron block, so the North America M52B28 is even more reliable than the European version;
• all engines of the series use variable valve timing technology called VANOS on the intake valves which improves performance and deteriorated reliability;
• timing is driven by chain in these engines and it's pretty good for the overall durability and cost of maintenance;
• the engine offers unbelievable fuel economy - up to 35 MPG on highways which is really cool for a 6-cylinder unit.

We can keep on writing bullets for this incredible engine, but we think it's time to move on because other technical features will only be interesting for those who love digging into technologies and maybe get their hands on repairing these machines.

We believe the M52B28 is an ideal straight-6 engine of its time thanks to its simple design, reliable technologies, fuel economy, performance, and durability. These are the features that BMW was known for in the late 1990s and this is something they lost with the new series of engines that are hard to call reliable.

How long will the M52B28 engine last?

The first BMW 3, 5, and 7 Series with these engines were sold in 1995 and many of them are still running on American roads with no major problems. It means these engines are super durable. Of course, a lot of them are dead now just because of their age and high mileage.

We believe a well-maintained M52B28 engine can easily beat the 250,000-mile mark. Yes, some of them died at 150,000 miles even with proper maintenance just because of some VANOS problems or other common issues that were overlooked.

For this engine, regular maintenance is religion. You should change oil and filters, have the engine diagnosed regularly, and also use optimal fuel to make it run longer. But we still think that the engine is very good if you compare it with something other German companies offered at that time.

What are some of the common problems with the M52B28?

This engine comes with its set of common problems. Some of them are minor and aren't worth mentioning here, some problems are common for all engines like typical high-mileage troubles. But we want to figure out some specific issues that come with the M52B28 and will probably cause its death sooner than you may predict.

Here are some of the most important issues you should know about:

1. VANOS problems

VANOS solenoids are a well-known problem with nearly all BMW engines available on the market with this technology. The solenoids that control valve timing are getting clogged and need cleaning. Very often they will need replacement. Once the VANOS system isn't working properly, the engine starts shaking, hesitating, starting poorly, drinking too much fuel, etc.

If you are one of those DIYers, you can easily clean VANOS valves or even replace them by yourself. But getting them out of the engine in this case will not be a trivial task. You should watch some video tutorials for this.

2. Overheating issues

No one buys a BMW car to drive it carefully to the supermarket and back. People love BMW vehicles for their performance and power. That's why owners of the M52B28 engine are likely to step hard on that acceleration pedal now and then. This means the engine will have a high chance of overheating and this can be the issue for big problems.

Overheating is very dangerous for the head of the M52B28. The aluminum head may easily lose its shape once overheated. It means that the gasket will not be able to hold the compression and all the liquids in the engine. The easiest consequences are leaks. The repair will cost you a fortune because the new head is most likely needed.

3. Excessive oil consumption

Some sources say that the piston rings in these engines are bad or unreliable. But we believe it's all about overheating. If you rotate your engine up to its limit of 6,500 RMP, it isn't likely to last long because the pistons and cylinders will overheat and cause damage to the rings. Once rings are damaged, the oil will leak into combustion chambers and burn.

This may lead to low oil levels and problems with the exhaust system, cat converters, etc. If you notice that the M52B28 started burning oil, you should have it looked at by a professional and repaired as soon as possible.

4. Bad cam followers

Cam followers are used here to avoid valve resetting every 30K miles. But these cam followers tend to clog and stop working. This may lead to improper valve work and cause misfires. The engine may also show some unrelated codes during diagnosing with a code reader, so be careful with this issue.

Bad cam followers can be cured easily by replacing those followers - this is not the most expensive problem. But the hardest thing is to locate the problem correctly.

Should you avoid M52B28 engines?

Even though we love these engines and think they are wonderful, we wouldn't recommend you buy a vehicle equipped with one. Sounds illogical, right? We just believe that any engine that is older than 20 years old isn't going to be dependable enough to recommend it as a good purchase.

BMW M52B28 engines have all seen some life. They nearly all have been overheated, repaired in bad shops, they nearly all have very high mileage and show all their common problems at once. So, you can buy one in that case only if you adore BMWs and want to dig in engines by yourself.

Here are some signs you should avoid buying this engine:

• mileage over 200,000 miles seems to be a very risky thing;
• The first years of these engines weren't the best ones due to a lot of minor construction problems;
• poorly maintained engines without a clear record should be avoided;
• any signs of bad repair should show you red flags;
• shaking or screaming M52B28 is another red flag to consider.

Be careful with BMW engines when you buy an old car. If you buy a unit that needs repair, chances are you will invest in it more than the vehicle costs. The obvious reason is that the prices for parts are just insane and labor will not cost you ten bucks for sure.

Final words

We still think that the M52B28 is a really good engine that forms solid history for the brand. But these engines are somewhat old and you aren't likely to find one in really good condition. Most people buy them for projects and DIY fun in their garages.

If you are going to buy a BMW equipped with this engine or you already own one, we hope you will find all answers to your questions in this article. We've gathered information from owners, mechanics, and even forums to let you know more about the unit.