BMW S38 engine
This page is a reverse index of the BimmerNews factory matrix: it shows the generations, bodies, models and markets in which the S38 family appears.
A shared family code does not mean an identical specification. Parts and service decisions require the complete engine suffix, production date, market and the individual car’s VIN.
- Documented period
- 1984–1995
- applications
- 9
- generations
- 6
- bodies
- 8
Source rows containing this family
Each row keeps the original model, body, market and source boundaries. Where a source row names several engine families, its grouped model list is not treated as a one-to-one model-to-engine mapping.
| Models in source row | Years | Generation / body | Recorded engine | Output | Transmission | Drive | Market | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 1984–1987 | 5 Series E28E28 · Sedan | M88/3 / S38B35 | 256 hp–286 PS | 5MT | RWD | Global range | BMW 5 Series Sedan (E28) |
| M5 North America | 1987–1988 | M5 E28E28 · Sedan | S38B35 3.5 L inline-six | 256 hp | 5MT | RWD | North America | The BMW M5 E28 |
| M6 | 1987–1989 | 6 Series E24E24 · Coupe | S38B35 3.5 L inline-six | 256 hp | 5MT | RWD | North America | BMW M635CSi (E24) |
| M6 | 1987–1989 | M6 E24E24 · Coupe | S38B35 3.5 L inline-six | 256 hp | 5MT | RWD | North America | BMW M6 E63/E64 history |
| M5 3.6 | 1988–1991 | M5 E34E34 · Sedan | S38B36 inline-six | 315 PS | 5MT | RWD | Global range | The BMW M5 E34 |
| M5 3.6 / 3.8 | 1988–1995 | 5 Series E34E34 · Sedan | S38B36 / S38B38 | 315–340 PS | 5MT / 6MT | RWD | Global range | BMW 5 Series (E34) |
| M5 3.6 / 3.8 | 1988–1995 | 5 Series E34E34/2 · Touring | S38B36 / S38B38 | 315–340 PS | 5MT / 6MT | RWD | Global range | BMW 5 Series (E34) |
| M5 3.8 | 1991–1995 | M5 E34E34 · Sedan | S38B38 inline-six | 340 PS | 5MT / 6MT | RWD | Europe | The BMW M5 E34 |
| M5 3.8 | 1991–1995 | M5 E34E34 Touring · Touring | S38B38 inline-six | 340 PS | 5MT / 6MT | RWD | Europe | The BMW M5 E34 |