BMW S38B35 Engine & Getrag 5-Speed Manual Gearbox | 1987 BMW M6 | Inline-Six Performance Powertrain
Offered for sale is a BMW S38B35 3.5-liter inline-six engine paired with a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox, removed from a 1987 BMW M6 (E24) after the car was deemed a total loss in 2011. The engine and gearbox were acquired by a previous owner in 2012 for a planned E9 swap that was never completed and were transferred to the current owner in 2019.
This 3.5-liter BMW S38B35 inline-six and Getrag five-speed manual gearbox were removed from a 1987 BMW M6 after it was deemed a total loss in 2011, and the pair was acquired in 2012 by the previous owner, who planned to swap them into a BMW E9. The project was not completed, and the engine and gearbox were given to the current owner in 2019. The engine features a cast-iron block, an aluminum cylinder head, dual overhead camshafts, individual throttle bodies, pulleys, and a distributor with ignition wires. The Getrag gearbox has an aluminum case.
The S38B35 is BMW M’s legendary high-performance naturally aspirated inline-six, known for its dual overhead camshafts, individual throttle bodies, and motorsport engineering. This engine is ideal for E24 M6 restorations, E9 swaps, or other M-powered performance builds.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine Code | BMW S38B35 |
| Configuration | Inline-6, Naturally Aspirated |
| Displacement | 3,453 cc (3.5 Liters) |
| Block Material | Cast Iron |
| Cylinder Head | Aluminum Alloy |
| Valvetrain | Dual Overhead Camshafts, 24 Valves |
| Induction | Six Individual Throttle Bodies (Linkage Included) |
| Fuel System | Bosch ECU (reportedly modified with tuning chip) |
| Power Output (Factory) | 286 HP (213 kW) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque (Factory) | 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | Getrag 5-Speed Manual, Aluminum Case |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Condition | Removed from total loss vehicle, stored indoors, complete with included components |
Included Components
BMW S38B35 Engine
Cast-iron block with aluminum cylinder head
Dual overhead camshafts with 6 individual throttle bodies
Six fuel injectors, pulleys, and distributor with ignition wires
Black crinkle-finished valve cover with “BMW M Power” lettering
Getrag 5-Speed Manual Gearbox
Aluminum case
Shifter assembly with leather boot and knob
Ancillary & Cooling Components
Bosch ECU (tuning chip installed)
Air conditioning compressor, condenser with fan and lines
Cooling fan, shroud, oil cooler, and lines
Alternator and starter
Power steering pump, coolant overflow tank with hoses
Airbox with airflow meter
Drivetrain & Brake Components
Driveshaft
Front and rear calipers and rotors (from other BMW models)
Assorted brackets, mounts, and hardware
BMW roundel badge
Note: Intake plenum and exhaust headers are not included.
Condition Notes
Engine and gearbox were functioning prior to removal from the 1987 M6
Stored in a climate-controlled environment since acquisition in 2012
Bosch ECU reportedly modified, ready for tuning
Individual throttle bodies and linkage intact, fully serviceable
Gearbox in excellent condition; aluminum case shows minor storage wear
Ideal for restoration projects, period-correct performance builds, or classic M swaps
Compatibility & Applications
BMW E24 M6 (1987) – replacement or restoration
BMW E9 chassis swaps (classic BMW performance projects)
Other BMW E23/E28 chassis suitable for S38 swaps
Vintage BMW track builds or high-performance street restorations
BMW S38B35 3.5L Engine & Getrag 5-Speed Manual Gearbox, removed from a 1987 M6, complete with throttle bodies, Bosch ECU, cooling components, driveshaft, and ancillary hardware.
A rare, authentic M Power package ready for restoration, E9/E24 swap projects, or collector-grade M builds — a true classic BMW performance engine.
Fabien Hubert (verified owner) –
Le kit carrosserie donne un aspect beaucoup plus sportif à ma BMW. Les ajustements sont excellents et la finition est remarquable.
Nicolás Valverde (verified owner) –
The body kit completely transformed my BMW. Every piece fit properly, and the finish was excellent. I’ve received countless compliments since installing it.
Adrien Blanc (verified owner) –
La boîte de vitesses fonctionne parfaitement depuis son installation. Aucun problème après plusieurs centaines de kilomètres.
David Sullivan (verified owner) –
Fast processing, secure shipping, and excellent quality parts. It’s refreshing to find an online supplier that delivers exactly what they promise.
Crystal Morgan (verified owner) –
Customer support went above and beyond to help me locate a hard-to-find engine for my BMW. The entire experience was professional from beginning to end.
Peter Dawson (verified owner) –
The brake components fit perfectly and provide excellent stopping power. Everything feels solid and reliable.
Adam Foster (verified owner) –
I’ve ordered brake pads from several suppliers before, but these were by far the best quality. Installation was easy, and braking performance is excellent.
Henry Brooks (verified owner) –
Every part I’ve purchased has matched the product description exactly. It’s refreshing to deal with a company that delivers what they advertise.
Julien Moreau (verified owner) –
Le kit carrosserie a complètement changé l’apparence de ma BMW. Les finitions sont soignées et le résultat est très professionnel.
Joseph Russell (verified owner) –
I purchased a transmission for my 528i, and it’s been performing perfectly since installation. Gear changes are smooth, and the vehicle drives better than it has in a long time.
Miguel Castañeda (verified owner) –
The customer service team was knowledgeable and helped me identify the exact parts for my BMW model. Their assistance made the entire process simple.
Remi Schaeffer (verified owner) –
Les plaquettes de frein sont de très bonne qualité. Le freinage est puissant et totalement silencieux.
Romain Vincent (verified owner) –
Les pièces sont de très bonne qualité et les prix restent compétitifs par rapport aux fournisseurs en France.
Benjamin Ward (verified owner) –
Ordering was simple, shipping was fast, and everything arrived exactly as described. I’ll definitely order from this company again.
Antoine Lemaire (verified owner) –
Une excellente expérience du début à la fin. Des pièces BMW de qualité, un service client compétent et une livraison rapide. Je n’hésiterai pas à recommander de nouveau sur ce site.
Alberto Navarro (verified owner) –
Customer support was incredibly helpful in confirming the correct part numbers before I placed my order. Their attention to detail saved me from ordering the wrong parts.
Logan Parker (verified owner) –
Very satisfied with my purchase. The transmission performs smoothly, and the installation process was straightforward thanks to the accurate description.
Felipe Mendoza (verified owner) –
The brake pads were exactly what I needed. Installation was quick, braking performance feels excellent, and there has been no excessive brake dust or noise.
Alexander Foster (verified owner) –
Very impressed with the level of customer service. They helped verify every part before shipping and made sure everything was compatible with my vehicle.
Romain Vincent (verified owner) –
Les jantes sont arrivées parfaitement protégées. Leur finition est magnifique et elles s’adaptent parfaitement à ma BMW.
Ryan Bennett (verified owner) –
The replacement engine started immediately after installation. Performance has been excellent with no leaks, unusual noises, or warning lights.
Pierre-Louis Fabre (verified owner) –
Très belle qualité de fabrication. Les pièces de carrosserie s’ajustent parfaitement et le résultat est identique à celui d’origine.
Jean Dupont (verified owner) –
J’ai commandé plusieurs pièces pour l’entretien de ma BMW et tout était conforme à la commande. Je n’hésiterai pas à recommander sur ce site.
Arthur Fournier (verified owner) –
Le service client a pris le temps de vérifier la compatibilité avec mon numéro VIN avant l’expédition. Très professionnel et rassurant.
Christophe Giraud (verified owner) –
Les jantes donnent un nouveau style à ma BMW. Elles sont robustes, bien finies et faciles à monter.
Adrien Blanc (verified owner) –
Mon garagiste m’a confirmé que toutes les pièces correspondaient aux spécifications d’origine. Cela a considérablement facilité le montage.
Gregory Pelletier (verified owner) –
Le service client m’a aidé à identifier la bonne référence grâce au numéro VIN. Cela m’a évité une erreur de commande.
Austin Parker (verified owner) –
The quality of the replacement doors and fenders exceeded my expectations. Everything aligned properly, saving both time and labor costs.
Joshua Howard (verified owner) –
The quality of the wheels exceeded my expectations. They balanced perfectly, look amazing on the car, and arrived without a single scratch.
Logan Parker (verified owner) –
Great company to work with. They answered all my compatibility questions before I placed the order and kept me informed until delivery.
Javier Cárdenas (verified owner) –
The replacement engine has been running flawlessly for several weeks now. Fuel economy is good, performance is strong, and there are no warning lights.