BMW SA launches E30-inspired 325iS and 333i Homage editions

BMW South Africa created some iconic performance cars in the latter part of the 20th century, with the E30 generation 333i and 325iS attaining cult status, along with the lesser-known 530 MLE and 745i - read more about that quartet here.

And now, the local division is paying tribute to its historic 3 Series creations with the modern 325i S Homage and 333i Homage, which were revealed to local media in Joburg on Thursday.

But wait a minute, the cars in the pictures are 2 Series Coupes - surely that can’t be right?

The 325i S Homage is indeed based on the BMW M340i Coupe, and the 333i Homage is actually a M2 Coupe, but BMW SA says these models were chosen as they are closer in size and spirit to the E30 3 Series models.

BMW will build just 33 examples of each, to be sold at auction with a reserve price of R1,435,000 for the 325iS Homage and R1,960,000 for the 333i Homage. Any amount fetched over and above these reserve prices will be donated to various charities. For what it's worth, the 325iS costs R220,000 more than its donor model, while the 333i carries a premium of R390,000.

Unique E30-inspired features

Although they are not built locally, with 2 Series production taking place in Mexico, the Homage models have been specially curated with a number of unique features that hark back to their namesakes.

The 333i Homage, for instance, comes with generously-spoked 20-inch Alpina wheels and waistline stripes that hark back to the original E30 version. It also comes with unique spoilers and a carbon front splitter, while the cabin features Carbon bucket seats.

Available exterior colours include Alpine White, Brooklyn Grey, Sapphire Black, Zandvoort Blue and Fire Red.

The 325i S features a more modern look with its large rear spoiler, which is uniquely colour coded for this model, 20-inch M Performance Heritage wheels, and M Performance Decals. It is available in Fire Red (which is certainly the colour to have) as well as Skyscraper Grey, Sapphire Black and Mineral White.

An interesting touch in both cars is a central armrest covered in original second-generation Überkaro tartan upholstery, which was synonymous with the E30, and the editions also feature “1 of 33” commemorative plaques inside.

Mechanically, they remain identical to their donor cars, with the 333i Homage featuring the M Division’s 3.0-litre straight six that produces 353kW and 600Nm. With power going to the rear wheels, it accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds. Most versions will feature the eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox, but five examples will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The 325iS Homage has the 285kW, 500Nm version of BMW’s straight-six, with power going to all four wheels through an eight-speed autobox and xDrive all-wheel drive system, and getting the car to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds.

The cars that inspired them

The BMW 333i of the late 1980s was created because the first-generation M3 was only engineered for left-hand drive production, thus making it unavailable to South Africans.

Undeterred, BMW SA teamed up with Alpina of Germany to create a local solution, and the end result saw the 3.2-litre straight-six engine from the BMW 733i being shoehorned into the engine bay of the E30-generation 3 Series.

The engine took up so much space that customers were forced to choose between air conditioning and power steering. Only 210 examples of the BMW 333i were ever produced.

So iconic has this car become that a red two-door 333i from 1987 recently went under the hammer for R3 million at a Creative Rides auction in Joburg.

The 325iS of the early 1990s has become an absolute legend in South African spinning circles is the 325is, and is often affectionately referred to as the “Gusheshe”.

Originally built as a homologation car for Group N production car racing, only 500 of these were ever built.

The locally developed model had a 2.7-litre straight-six engine, featuring Alpina modifications, and it was available in 145kW and 155kW guises.

The 325i S also sported a limited-slip differential and M Sport suspension.

According to BMW, the 325iS could sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, which was truly impressive back in the day, and the top speed was listed at 225km/h.

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