| BMW M54 engine | |
| Production: | 2000 - 2006 |
| Configuration: | Straight-6 |
| Block: | Aluminium |
| Head: | Aluminium |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC w/ VVT |
| Fueltype: | Petrol |
| Predecessor: | BMW M52 |
| Successor: | BMW N52 |
| Displacement: | 2171cc 2494cc 2979cc |
| Bore: | 80mm 84mm |
| Stroke: | 72mm 75mm 89.6mm |
The BMW M54 is a naturally aspirated straight-6 DOHC petrol engine produced from 2000 to 2006. It was released in the E53 X5 and is the replacement for the M52 engine. The S54 is the equivalent high performance engine, used in the E46 M3, the Z3 M Coupé/Roadster and the E85/E86 Z4 M. The BMW M56 SULEV engine (sold in several states of the United States) is based on the M54.
The M54 was phased out following the introduction of the BMW N52 engine in 2004. From 2001 to 2003, the M54 was included on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list.
Compared with the final versions of its M52 predecessor (called the 'M52TÜ'), the M54 has a non-return fuel system, a fully electronic throttle (without mechanical backup),[1] [2] Siemens MS 43 engine management,[3] and a revised intake manifold.[4] The displacement of the largest variant increased from 2.8 L to 2979cc, due to an increase in stroke to 89.62NaN2.
As per the M52TÜ, the M54 uses an aluminium block and aluminium cylinder head with cast iron cylinder liners. Variable valve timing is fitted to both camshafts[5] (called "double-VANOS"), a dual length intake manifold (called "DISA") is used and the thermostat is electronically controlled. The redline remains at 6,500 rpm.
There was no "technical update" (TÜ) version of the M54 produced, therefore the engine specifications remained the same throughout its seven-year production run.
| Version | Displacement | Power | Torque | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M54B22 | 1250NaN0 at 6,100 rpm | 2100NaN0 at 3,500 rpm | 2000–2006 | ||
| M54B25 | 141kW at 6,000 rpm | 2450NaN0 at 3,500 rpm | 2000–2006 | ||
| M54B30 | 170kW at 5,900 rpm | 3000NaN0 at 3,500 rpm | 2000–2006 | ||
| S54B32 | 252kW at 7,900 rpm | 3650NaN0 at 4,900 rpm | 2000–2008 |
The 2171abbr=onNaNabbr=on M54B22 produces 1250NaN0 at 6,100 rpm and 2100NaN0 at 3,500 rpm.[6] Bore is 801NaN1, stroke is 721NaN1 and the compression ratio is 10.8:1.
The 2494abbr=onNaNabbr=on M54B25 produces 1410NaN0 at 6,000 rpm and 2450NaN0 at 3,500 rpm. Bore is 84mm, stroke is 75mm and the compression ratio is 10.5:1.
The 2979abbr=onNaNabbr=on M54B30 is the largest M54 variant and produces 170abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 5,900 rpm and 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on at 3,500 rpm. Bore is 841NaN1, stroke is 89.61NaN1 and the compression ratio is 10.2:1.[7]
In the United States and Canada, a "ZHP" version of the M54B30 used different camshafts and reprogrammed engine management to develop 1750NaN0 at 5,900 rpm and 3010NaN0 at 3,500 rpm and have a slightly higher redline of 6,800 rpm (although the Canadian cars still show the limiter at 6,500 rpm on the tachometer).[8] [9]
The M54B30 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list through 2001–2003.[10]
| BMW S54 engine | |
| Production: | 2000 - 2008 |
| Configuration: | straight-6 |
| Block: | Cast iron |
| Head: | Aluminium |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC w/ VVT |
| Predecessor: | BMW S50 |
| Successor: | BMW S55 |
| Bore: | 87mm |
| Stroke: | 91mm |
| Fueltype: | Gasoline |
The S54 was marketed as the high performance equivalent to the M54, however it is actually more an evolution of the BMW S50 and shares few parts with the M54.[11] As per the S50, the engine block is made of cast iron, unlike the aluminium engine block used by the M54.[12] Redline is 8,000 rpm.
Compared with the S50, the S54 features:[11] [13] [14]
There is no direct successor to the S54, since the following generation E90/E92/E93 M3 was powered by the V8 BMW S65 engine.
In 2014, the S65 engine was replaced with a turbocharged inline-6 engine called the BMW S55. Returning to the I6 configuration, it is considered by some to be the spiritual successor of the S54, though the two have no real engineering connection. This engine was first used in the BMW M3 F80 and BMW M4 F82 then later in the BMW M2 Competition F87.
Variations in power and torque outputs are often due to country-specific emissions regulations, or space constraints of a chassis affecting the layout of the intake/exhaust system.
An upgraded version of the S54 engine was used in the E46 M3 CSL. This engine is designated S54B32HP and the changes include a revised intake made from carbon fiber, revised camshafts, a MAP sensor (instead of the MAF sensor used in the regular S54),[3] a lightweight exhaust manifold with a straighter air path (which later became standard on the regular S54) and a straightened intake manifold.[18]