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BMW M88/S38 engine: specs and known issues

The BMW M88/S38 is a naturally aspirated inline-six petrol engine with a 3.5-liter displacement, produced 1978–1989, per Wikipedia. We do not have repair prices for it yet.

Specs and history from Wikipedia (revisions listed below)

M88/S38 at a glance

Production	1978–1989	[1]
Configuration	Straight-6	[1]
Displacement	3453 cc (210.7 cu in)	[1]
Fuel type	Petrol	[1]
Valvetrain	DOHC (M88) SOHC (M30B35LE/M90)	[1]
Block	Cast iron	[1]
Cylinder head	Aluminium	[1]
Bore × stroke	93.4 mm (3.68 in) × 84 mm (3.31 in)	[1]
Fuel system	Fuel injection	[2]

Cars with the M88/S38

Cars and chassis codes named in Wikipedia's article on this engine. It can include related or successor models, so treat it as a lead and check your exact car. Open a linked model to see its repair costs.

M1
6 Series M635CSi (E24)
M5 (E28)
7 Series 745i (South Africa only) (E23)
5 Series M535i (E12)
6 Series 635CSi (E24)
7 Series 735i (E23)

Model pages for the M88/S38

Chassis pages whose cars, per Wikipedia, used this engine.

E12 5 Series E28 5 Series E24 6 Series E23 7 Series E28 M5 E24 M6

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Before and after

Predecessor: None
Successor: BMW S38

Related engines

BMW M20 (1977–1993)
BMW M102 (1980–1982)
BMW M106 (1982–1986)
BMW M21 (1983–1991)
BMW S14 (1986–1991)

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Common questions

When was the BMW M88/S38 engine produced?

1978–1989, per Wikipedia.

Sources

Wikipedia: BMW M88 (revision 1361607942, read 2026-10-23)
Wikipedia: List of BMW engines