BMW Honours the 325is and 333i with limited-run Homage Editions
The E30, Box-Shape BMW is a cultural icon. The poster child for many a youngster in South Africa, signifying success, status, and enjoyment. There's little else that invokes the imagination and spirit like the sound of a Gusheshe bouncing off the limiter. BMW South Africa knows this all too well and has embarked on creating two limited-run Homage Editions to celebrate these Mzanzi heroes.
BMW South Africa has pulled the wraps off two new, limited-run, special editions that pay homage to the cult classics; the BMW 325iS and the BMW 333i. With long and storied histories in South Africa, these two E30 derivatives were not only a mode of transport, but represented so much more to the youth and enthusiasts in South Africa. Unique to South Africa and not found anywhere else in the world, they represented South Africa's ability to innovate and engineer, even through trying times.
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Now, in the year that BMW celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 3 Series (and the 40th anniversary of the 333i), they give us two Homage Editions, equipped with accessories and features that honour the original 325iS and 333i.
The BMW 325iS Homage Edition
The BMW 325iS Evo2 was released in 1990 as a response to the Opel Kadett 2.0 16V to homologate it for Group N racing. It was fitted with a 2.7-litre straight-six petrol engine that produced 155 kW and 265 Nm torque, sending power to the rear wheels and using an M3-derived rear suspension. It featured lightweight body panels and a set of 15-inch BBS mesh-style wheels. It was draped in a M Technik body kit.
The 325iS Homage Edition replicates this approach by taking an G42 M240i and dressing it up in a way that honours the E30 325iS. Before you grab your pitchforks, BMW is well aware that they have not used a 3 Series for this exercise and deliberately elected to use the 2 Series, feeling that the compact nature and short wheelbase of the 2 Series is more true to the original E30 concept. The drivetrain remains the same, giving you 285 kW and 500 Nm of torque from the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder.
The 325iS Homage Edition sees the addition of a carbon fibre front splitted, 20-inch mesh-style alloy wheels, black door handles, an M Performance exhaust, a high-level carbon fibre boot spoiler (in body colour), and a carbon fibre roof spoiler - to create that 3-tier effect that the M Technik spoiler gave the original 325iS.
Inside, the armrest has been covered in the original Uberkaro material as was found in the E30 325iS, a classic and original nod, using what remains of this 80s fabric for this project. All Homage Editions will also get a commemorative plaque that has the outline of the 1991 Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. The 325iS Homage Edition will be available in 4 colours: Mineral White, Sapphire Black, Skyscraper Grey and Fire Red.
The BMW 333i Homage Edition
The BMW 333i is possibly one of the rarest E30s ever, with only just over 200 examples made. The 333i was developed to compete in Group 1 racing and saw a 3.2-litre straight-six engine crammed under the bonnet of a 2-door box-shape BMW shell. So large was the engine that for road-going examples, customers had to choose between air conditioning or power steering, but you couldn't have both - there just wasn't enough space in the bay. It made 146 kW and 295 Nm torque, and was fitted with 16-inch Alpina wheels, making it instantly recognisable.
The BMW 333i Homage Edition takes the potent G87 BMW M2 and gives it the 333i treatment, but don't worry, you get both power steering and air conditioning in the Homage Edition. It gets a carbon fibre front spoiler, rear spoiler, M-colour waistline decals, and a set of 20-inch Alpina wheels. All models are spec'd with carbon fibre roofs and receive the BMW Driver's Package, increasing the top speed to 285 km/h. It remains powered by the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder that produces 353 kW and 600 Nm of torque.
The 333i Homage Edition gets the same Uberkaro armrest upholstery and a commemorative plaque, along with carbon fibre seats. The 333i Homage Edition will be avilable in 5, true-to-heritage colours, namely: Alpine White, Sapphire Black, Brooklyn Grey, Zandvoort Blue and Fire Red.
How Do I Buy One?
Here is where things get interesting. Only 33 examples of each Homage Edition will be built, with 5 of the 33 333i Homage Editions being fitted with a manual gearbox. The colour selection will be fairly evenly spread across the 33 examples of each (and undoubtedly only one of each colour for the manual 333i Homage Editions). After that, there will be no more.
BMW South Africa will be auctioning off these Homage Editions on 21 October. Registered buyers will be vetted and winners will have to sign a 12-month holding agreement to prevent dealerships snapping them up to flip them.
The reserves will be set at R1 435 000 for the 325iS Homage Editions, and R1 960 000 for the M2-based 333i Homage Edition, with all profits being donated to charity as part of BMW's quest to give back to the community, after the reserves are met.
Interested buyers will be able to register on BMW's website for the auction.
