[2][3][4] In European markets, the N52 began to be phased out in favor of its direct injected version, the BMW N53 in 2007.

Markets such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Malaysia retained the N52 as the N53 was deemed unsuitable due to the high sulphur content of local fuel.

Higher output versions of the N52 use a three-stage variable length intake manifold (also called "DISA").

[12] Magnesium is lighter than aluminium, however it has a greater risk of corrosion from water and may creep under load at high temperatures; this makes traditional magnesium alloys not suited for withstanding the high loads to which an engine block is exposed.

[25] Differences to the N52 versions include a variable-length intake manifold ("DISA") with three stages instead of one, and a compression ratio lowered from 10.7:1 to 10.0:1.