BMW M5 3.8 (E34) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW M5 3.8 in the third 5 Series generation (E34, built 1988–1996) was built with one engine, the S38B38: a 3.8 L petrol inline-6 with 340 hp.

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your M5 3.8, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: third 5 Series, 1988–1996
• Body styles: E34 (saloon, Touring)
• Engines: S38B38
• Output: 340 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 28 from 7.281,00 €

Which engine is in your M5 3.8?

S38B38 in the M5 3.8

The S38B38 was used in the E34 M5 3.8, built 1992–1996. It is a 3.8 L naturally aspirated petrol inline-6 with 340 hp and 400 Nm.

Reading the code: S marks an S-series code, reserved for engines developed by BMW M; 38 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 38 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.8 litres.

M5 3.8 engines by model year

The M5 3.8 kept the same engine for the whole E34 run, which makes ordering simple: any unit with the same code fits, subject to the gearbox, drive type and sump.

How to confirm your engine code

The M5 3.8 only used the S38B38, but the exact version can still change with the build date, gearbox and market. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we read the engine code from BMW's records, or look for the code stamped on the block. How to find your BMW engine code.

Known M5 3.8 engine problems

The S38B38 in the M5 3.8 shares the known weak points of the M88 and S38 family. Full M88 and S38 guide.

Valve clearances. Shim-type valve gear needs regular checks; neglected engines burn exhaust valves.

Timing chain guides. The duplex chain lasts, but guides and tensioners wear.

Oil pump drive nut. Many owners safety-wire the oil pump sprocket nut as a preventive measure.

Throttle bodies and sensors. ITB linkages, air flow meters and idle valves age and cause uneven running.

Symptoms to watch for on the M5 3.8

Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. The classic sign of a weak timing chain tensioner or stretched chain. It must be checked quickly: a chain that jumps a tooth can bend valves.

Oil pressure warning or bearing noise at high revs. On M engines, a warning at high revs can be the first sign of bearing wear. Check the oil level and stop driving hard until it is diagnosed.

Looking after the M5 3.8 engine

• Oil: 10W-60 synthetic is common, about 5.8 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 7,500 to 10,000 km; valve clearances every 20,000 km.
• Timing drive: Duplex timing chain with hydraulic tensioner.
• Workshop notes: The 3.8 litre S38B38 uses a dual-mass flywheel; check its condition when buying a complete unit.

Buying a used engine for the M5 3.8: checklist

1. Warranty terms in writing. Read what the warranty covers, how long it runs and what fitting conditions apply. Most warranties require a qualified workshop, new fluids and filters, and replacement of the cooling parts that caused the original failure.
2. Why your old engine failed. Before fitting a replacement, find out why the original failed. An overheating radiator, a blocked intercooler or a failed turbo can destroy a second engine if they are not fixed.
3. Sump, oil pickup and drive variants. Rear-drive, xDrive and front-drive cars can use different sumps, oil pickups and engine mounts even with the same engine code. Check that the sump matches your subframe and front axle.
4. Photographs from every side. Good suppliers photograph the actual engine you will receive. Look for the block stamp, the sump, the timing cover and any broken brackets or connectors in the pictures.
5. Gearbox and flywheel match. Manual and automatic engines differ at the flywheel or flexplate, and sometimes at the crankshaft spigot. Make sure the engine you buy matches your gearbox or that you transfer the right parts.
6. Timing chain noise. Listen for a rattle at the front of the engine for the first seconds after a cold start. On an engine that cannot be run, look at the chain guides through the oil filler or with the valve cover off.
7. Bearing and valve clearance history. M engines are built to tighter tolerances. Ask for the last rod bearing replacement and valve clearance check, and consider an oil analysis if the engine can be run.
8. Originality and numbers. For collectible cars, the engine number and correct ancillaries add value. Photograph the stamp and keep it with the car's documents.

BMW M5 3.8 replacement engine cost

We currently hold 28 M5 3.8 engine engines. The cheapest is 7.281,00 €, the most expensive 11.942,00 €, and half of them cost less than 9.023,00 €.

Prices depend on the exact version, the donor's mileage, how complete the engine is and the demand for that code. Higher-output versions, low mileage and dressed engines with turbo, injectors and ancillaries cost more; long blocks and higher mileage cost less.

M5 3.8 engine prices by model year

Engines from 1990–1994 have a median of 9.014,00 €, while units from 1995–1999 sit at 9.413,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

M5 3.8 engine prices by mileage

Mileage matters less than history on a well-maintained BMW engine, but it is a useful guide. A low-mileage unit from a younger car gives you more life for a modest premium.

26 of these come from E34 donor cars, priced from 7.281,00 € to 11.942,00 €. An engine from the same body is the most direct swap because the sump, mounts and ancillaries already match.

On top of the engine, budget for the workshop's labour and the parts that are best replaced while the engine is out: engine mounts, the rear main seal, cooling parts, a clutch or converter seal, fluids and filters.

Replacement engines in stock for the M5 3.8

These M5 3.8 units are in our Hamburg yard right now. Each listing shows real photographs of the engine you receive, its mileage and what is fitted.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1995, 170,000 km8.302,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1995, 97,700 km9.413,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 32,000 km8.306,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 196,900 km10.066,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 182,400 km7.585,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1993, 36,300 km7.541,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1993, 167,900 km7.628,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 156,500 km7.717,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1993, 130,900 km9.170,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 37,000 km10.049,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 117,800 km9.059,00 €BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 107,000 km7.631,00 €

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1995, 170,000 km — 8.302,00 €, reduced from 9.500,00 €. It comes from a 1995 donor car with 170,000 km, and 8 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1995, 97,700 km — 9.413,00 €, reduced from 10.200,00 €. It comes from a 1995 donor car with 97,700 km, and 24 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 32,000 km — 8.306,00 €, reduced from 9.150,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 32,000 km, and 9 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 196,900 km — 10.066,00 €, reduced from 11.050,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 196,900 km, and 12 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 182,400 km — 7.585,00 €, reduced from 8.700,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 182,400 km, and 10 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1993, 36,300 km — 7.541,00 €, reduced from 8.200,00 €. It comes from a 1993 donor car with 36,300 km, and 8 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1993, 167,900 km — 7.628,00 €, reduced from 9.000,00 €. It comes from a 1993 donor car with 167,900 km, and 6 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 156,500 km — 7.717,00 €, reduced from 8.850,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 156,500 km, and 25 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1993, 130,900 km — 9.170,00 €, reduced from 10.650,00 €. It comes from a 1993 donor car with 130,900 km, and 16 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 37,000 km — 10.049,00 €, reduced from 11.000,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 37,000 km, and 11 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 117,800 km — 9.059,00 €, reduced from 9.900,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 117,800 km, and 15 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E34 M5 3.8 S38B38 Engine 1992, 107,000 km — 7.631,00 €, reduced from 8.700,00 €. It comes from a 1992 donor car with 107,000 km, and 23 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

Will it fit my M5 3.8?

Fitting a replacement engine in the M5 3.8

1. Inspect or replace the timing chain parts. Look at the guides and tensioner. On high-mileage engines, replacing them now costs far less than doing it later.
2. Fill with the right oil and prime it. Fill with new oil of the correct specification and a new filter. Crank with the fuel and ignition disabled until oil pressure builds.
3. Coding and adaptations. On modern BMWs, the engine ECU must be matched to the car's immobiliser (CAS, FEM or BDC). Reset adaptations, register the battery and clear faults with diagnostic software.
4. First start and leak check. Start the engine, let it idle and watch oil pressure, temperature and fault codes. Check for leaks and bleed the cooling system.
5. First 1,000 km. Drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres, vary the engine speed and avoid full load. Change the oil and filter after about 1,000 km to remove any assembly debris.

The full fitting and first-start procedure.

M5 3.8 engine questions

How much is a replacement S38B38 engine for a BMW E34 M5 3.8?

A used S38B38 for the BMW E34 M5 3.8 costs from about 7.000 € to 10.700 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The S38B38 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

Which cars use the BMW S38B38 engine?

BMW fitted the S38B38 to the BMW E34 M5 3.8 and BMW E34 M5 Touring. These cars were built with this engine from about 1991 to 1995.

The badge on the boot is not enough to be sure. The same model name can hide two different engines, for example after a facelift or a change in emission rules. Always read the engine code stamped on the block, or look it up with your VIN.

Other engines in the same S38 family are the S38B36 (315 HP). They look alike but differ in power, parts and electronics, so they are not always a direct swap.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

What comes with a used S38B38 engine?

Each S38B38 is sold as described on its own listing. The yard writes down the parts that are fitted to that unit, such as the turbo, the injectors, the manifolds or the alternator, so you know what arrives.

Some units are long engines with few ancillaries, others are more complete. If you need a part that is not listed, ask the desk. We often have the matching items in the yard.

Every engine is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped, then photographed before it leaves the yard.

On delivery, the carrier brings the pallet to the kerb or a loading bay. Please have a forklift, a pallet truck or an engine crane ready.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

How much is a replacement S38B38 engine for a BMW E34 M5 Touring?

A used S38B38 for the BMW E34 M5 Touring costs from about 7.000 € to 10.700 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The S38B38 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

How much does a used BMW S38B38 engine cost?

A used BMW S38B38 engine in our yard usually costs between 7.000 € and 10.700 €. The exact price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Our units show recorded mileage from about 22,000 km up to around 200,000 km. Lower mileage and more ancillaries mean a higher price. Each listing shows its own price, and the price you see is the price you pay. Prices include VAT for private buyers.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. If you order a gearbox or a second engine on the same order, the fee is still charged once.

Inside the EU there is no import duty. For the UK and other non-EU countries, import duty and local VAT are paid by the receiver, and we supply a commercial invoice.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

What should I replace when I fit a used S38B38 engine?

A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. Fit a new oil filter and fresh oil of the grade BMW lists for this engine, and refill the coolant with the correct BMW antifreeze mix. Change the drive belt, the thermostat and the water pump seals if they look tired, because they are cheap while the engine is out. Use new gaskets for the exhaust manifold, the intake and the sump plug, and check every hose clip before the first start.

Look at the engine mounts and the clutch or the torque converter while the engine is out. Old mounts can crack a new engine's brackets, and a worn clutch is much easier to change now.

Before the first start, turn the engine over without fuel until the oil pressure light goes out. Then let it idle, check for leaks, and drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres.

The warranty asks for fitting by a qualified mechanic and the correct oil, coolant and filters. Keep your receipts in case you ever need to make a claim.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

How do I know a used S38B38 engine is in good shape?

Before a unit is listed, the yard checks the engine code against the listing, writes down the parts fitted to it, seals every opening and photographs the real engine you will receive. An inspection certificate for the unit can travel with the order when you ask for it.

When you look at a listing, check the recorded mileage, the year and the photos of the ports and the stamp. Ask for photos of anything you want to see closer. Ask the desk for more pictures of any listing. We are happy to show the stamp, the ports and the ancillaries before you decide.

On a petrol engine like the S38B38, a careful fitter will also look at the spark plugs, the coils and the timing side before the engine goes in.

If the engine fails inside under normal use, the warranty covers you. Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

Does a used S38B38 engine come with a warranty?

Yes. Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop.

The warranty does not cover damage from wrong fitting, overheating, low oil, wrong fluids or fuel, engines that were opened or modified without our approval, or labour and towing costs.

To claim, send us your order number, a short description of the problem, photos or a video, and a mechanic's report if we ask for one. If the claim is approved, we repair, replace or refund the engine.

Keep the receipts for the fitting, the oil and the filters. They make any claim quick and simple.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

Will the S38B38 engine fit my BMW E34 M5 Touring?

Yes, if your BMW E34 M5 Touring was built with the S38B38. BMW used this 3.8 liter (3,795 cc) petrol engine with 250 kW (340 HP) in the E34 M5 Touring from about 1991 to 1995.

In our records the S38B38 is the engine for the E34 M5 Touring, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E34 has a manual or an automatic gearbox. The flywheel or the flex plate and some sensors depend on it.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

Is the BMW S38B38 a diesel or petrol engine?

The S38B38 is a petrol engine. It is a 3.8 liter (3,795 cc) inline 6, DOHC, 24 valve unit with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and it was built to the Euro 1 emission standard.

The emission standard matters for registration and for low-emission zones in many cities. When you replace an engine with the same code, the car keeps the same paperwork and the same emission class.

Petrol versions need the correct catalytic converters and oxygen sensors on the car to stay legal and to keep the engine computer happy. Reuse the parts from your car if they are in good condition.

If you are not sure which version you need, send us your VIN. We tell you the right code for free.

See all S38 Engines · Search S38B38 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Every M5 3.8 engine we sell is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped before it leaves Hamburg. You receive photographs of the packed engine and a tracking number.

Delivery is door to door and included in the price. Most European addresses receive the engine within five to ten working days; Germany and its neighbours are usually faster.

A 12-month warranty covers eligible internal failure when the engine is fitted by a qualified workshop with new fluids and filters. You can pay by card, bank transfer or crypto and receive the invoice by email straight away.

All E34 engines · M88 and S38 engine guide · Send us your VIN