The exterior of the M88-powered 745i is distinguished from other 7 Series models only by its 16-inch BBS Mahle alloy wheels. There are no M badges or any other special trim items on the exterior of the car.

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the M88-powered 745i contains many special features. The entire cabin including the dashboard, center console, door panels and headliner is covered in ultra-soft Nappa leather (later known as the "Highline" interior, this extensive leather option was not offered on German-built E23s until the final 1986 model year).

The suspension of the South African-spec 745i is slightly firmer than that of the European-spec model and a load-leveling rear axle is standard.

There were no significant differences between the interior of the German-built E34 M5 and those assembled in South Africa, although the level of standard equipment was generally higher on South African models.

The South African-spec 745i is most likely equipped with the same brakes as the E24 M635CSi and E28 M5: 11.8-inch (300mm) vented discs in front and 11.2-inch (285mm) solid discs in the rear with standard ABS.

The South African-spec 745i is fitted with BBS Mahle cross-spoke alloy wheels featuring special center caps bearing the BMW Motorsport colors. These measure 7x16-inch in front and 8x16-inch in rear and are fitted with staggered 205/55VR16 (front) and 225/50VR16 (rear) tires. an alternative, the South African-spec 745i could be ordered with the same metric-sized 165x390mm alloy wheels used on the German-built car, shod with 220/55VR390 Michelin TRX tires.

The South African-spec M535i was not offered with the front airdam, rear spoiler or Motorsport stripes of the European-spec model. However, it was equipped with the "M535i" grille and decklid badging as well as a pair of large front foglights. It was also fitted with 7x14-inch BBS/Mahle cross-spoke alloy wheels featuring special center caps bearing the BMW Motorsport logo.

The South African-spec E36 M3 sedan is essentially identical to the European-spec right-hand drive model but utilizes a low-compression version of the S50 B32 engine designed for low-octane South African fuel that produces slightly less power and torque (see Drivetrain below).

Like all E23 7 Series sold in South Africa, the 745i was assembled in small numbers at BMW's Rosslyn, South Africa factory from Complete Knock-Down (CKD) kits supplied from Germany.

Most examples of the South African-spec 745i were equipped with a computer-controlled ZF four-speed automatic transmission with Sport, Economy and Manual shift point modes mated to a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and limited slip differential. Unlike the German-built 745i, the South African version was also offered with a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox with a "dogleg" shift pattern and the following ratios: 3.72 (1), 2.40 (2), 1.77 (3), 1.24 (4), 1.00 (5). These were equipped with a 3.

The interior of every South African-spec 745i is equipped with essentially all available E23 features including power windows, power mirrors, power front seats, power rear seats, power glass moonroof (deletable upon request), automatic climate control, cruise control, check control, on-board computer, radio/cassette audio system and rear window sunshade. Essentially a special model in itself, there were no further special editions of the M88-powered 745i.

Due to low-octane fuel requirements, the S50 B32 motors produced for South Africa utilize different pistons which result in a reduced compression ratio of 10.5:1. These engines produce 310 hp (DIN) at 7,400 rpm and 251 lb/ft of torque at 3,250 rpm.

The South African-built E36 M3 sedan appears essentially identical to that of the German-built model though it is equipped with the black lower lip extension on the front airdam, sculpted side valance panels and forged M Double Spoke alloy wheels, none of which were officially available on European-spec M3 sedans.

Cosmetically, the North American E30 M3 is nearly identical to the European-spec model. However, it can be easily identified by the black intake grilles near each front fog light in place of the European-spec model's body-color tow hook covers.There are also bumper-mounted side marker lights, slightly different headlight configurations and a high-mounted third brake light, all required by Federal law.

The 96 right-hand drive E28 M5s produced for the South African market were assembled at the Rosslyn, South Africa factory using German-made Complete Knock Down (CKD) kits. The mechancal items are thus identical to those of the European-spec E28 M5. Cosmeticaly, however, the South African E28 M5 is somewhat unique. All are equipped with the M-Technic body panels that could be ordered as an option in some European markets, as well as Shadowline trim and the 7.5x16-inch cross spoke alloy wheels.

The interior of the South African-spec E12 M535i is essentially identical to that of the German-built version, though it is fitted with additional standard equipment including air conditioning, power windows and central locking.

The South African-built M5s are cosmetically identical to the European-spec cars. However, like the South African-spec E28 M5s, their bodies were painted at BMW's Rosslyn factory, thus exterior paint choices may have been limited.

Though lagely similar in specification and appearance, the U.S.-spec 850CSi was denied the following items, largely for cost reasons: However, U.S. models do include exterior door handles embossed with "BMW Motorsport" and Extended Yew wood interior trim, both items not normally found on the European-spec version.

The South African E23 745i is unique in that it is the only 7 Series model that is powered by the BMW Motorsport-designed 24-valve M88 powerplant also used in the E24 M635CSi coupe and E28 M5 sedan. This effectively makes it an "M7" in all but name. E23 745i models sold in the rest of the world use a turbocharged version of the 12-valve M30 engine instead.

With the exception of minor equipment alterations common to the entire E23 7 Series range such as an updated steering wheel design and improved on-board computer, there were no major changes to the South African 745i during the two and a half years that it was produced.

South African-spec E28 M535i models are not fitted with any of the M-Technic body panels and can only be identified by their "M" badges on the grille and trunk lid.. Early examples were also fitted with special M-Technic alloy wheels featuring early-style black center caps, but these were later replaced by regular TRX alloys. Sport front seats in cloth or leather were optional on the South African model.

The Motorsport Special Edition of the E12 530 was jointly developed by BMW of South Africa and BMW Motorsport GmbH in order to homologate the three-liter 5 Series sedan for competition in South Africa's Modified Production class. The production of at least 100 road cars was required under the homologation rules, though it is thought that around 200 street-legal examples of the Motorsport Special Edition 530 were ultimately produced, all in 1976.

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BMW has never officially stated why the German-built 745i models did not receive the M88 engine. The most likely explanation is that the M88 powerplant, developed originally for the M1 sports car, is a fairly noisy unit that develops its peak power at a relatively high engine speed. This was perhaps at odds with the role of the 7 Series as a refined luxury sedan, thus the smoother turbocharged unit was deemed more appropriate for use in 745i models sold in all other markets.

Except for unique instrumentation and a generally higher level of equipment, the interior of the North American-spec E30 M3 is essentially identical to the Euro-spec model. Standard equipment on all North American-spec M3s included Bison leather sport seats, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and sunroof, on-board computer II and an eight-speaker am/fm stereo cassette sound system. U.S.

examples of the M88-powered 745i sedan were assembled by BMW South Africa from January 1984 thru May 1986. Of these, 17 were equipped with the manual transmission and the remainder were automatic.

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After a two-year hiatus, the E36 M3 returned to the Canadian market for the 1997 model year. Unlike the 45 European-spec E36 M3 coupes that were sold in Canada during 1994, the 3.2-liter version was powered by the same S52 motor as the U.S.-spec model and was offered as a coupe or sedan. However, it differed from the U.S. model in the following ways:

Aside from minor changes to the instruments and controls (daytime running lights, metric instrumentation, etc.) and slight differences in equipment (standard "floating" brake rotors, optional headlight washers), the Canadian-spec M roadster is identical to the U.S. model.