the near future on the 'other' site for you to read. A number of E12 cars (no one knows for sure how many) were modified by Motorsports in the late 70's, before the actual production run of the M535i started in April of 80'. Some of them did have 3.3L engines in them. Some had 3.5L engines in them (I have one). I did have a friend from the net who recently imported one to the US, and he was stoked about it. Unfortunately, it was so rusted, he parted it out, but kept the ASS seats and a few other goodies. He did name the car correctly as a Motorsport 533i.