BMW Pulls Pin On Z4 M’s 3.2 Litre Straight-Six

It's a sad day for BMW fans with news from Munich that BMW is putting its famed high-revving 3.2 litre straight-six engine out to pasture. The last examples will be seen in the remaining 2008-build Z4 Ms.

Come next year, a twin-turbo 3.0 litre mill will appear under that long bonnet.

Surprisingly, power is actually down on the twin-turbo donk. The S54B32 3.2 litre was capable of a very impressive 252kWs at a stratospheric 7900rpm, but the 3.0 litre is good for just 223kWs. We would presume, being 'force-fed', it will offer similar if not more torque however, and will likely offer greater tuning possibilities.

In its seven years of service, the S54B32 has amassed a string of awards. International Engine of the Year and Best New Engine in 2001, outright winner of the 3.0-4.0 litre category from 2001-2006, and a mention on Ward's Top 10 Best Engines from 2002-2004 is testament to the quality of engineering behind this glorious six.

As is so often the case, good things must come to an end. But it's with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to BMW's 3.2 litre donk.