BMW Honors Some of Its Rarest and Most Hardcore E30 Coupes with a Series of Special-Edition M Cars

Most of the time, automakers tend to keep their lineups and naming conventions pretty similar from market to market, as it ensures consistency and brand recognition.

However, occasionally, things like poor translations, existing trademarks or even local regulations can mean that regional factors demand different models or parts. 

BMW

With this in mind, BMW is paying homage to a pair of iconic cars that it developed specifically for the South African market. As tributes to some of the brand’s rarest and most hardcore 3 Series models from the E30 generation, they’re ripe with historical significance.

South African skunkworks projects

The models in question are the 325iS ‘Gusheshe’ and the 333i, and each one represents an offering unique to South Africa. During the 1980s and 1990s, BMW gave local engineers a rare freedom to tackle skunkworks projects of all shapes and sizes.

BMW

In the case of the former, BMW technically offered the 325iS model in global markets. However, the brand’s South Africa factory improved the car for local Group N racing by adding upgrades like a limited-slip differential, a more powerful engine and some eye-catching bodywork touches. It remains beloved by fans for its performance, and it earned the affectionate nickname ‘Gusheshe.’

To celebrate this unique E30, the brand has created a vehicle dubbed the ‘325iS Homage.’ Along with a double rear spoiler and some throwback wheels, it wears the M Sport Pro package and a striking front splitter, and it features an interior shod with Überkaro tartan upholstery. 

BMW

The 333i, on the other hand, stems from a direct need — local BMW engineers originally developed the model because South Africa didn’t get the first M3. Under the hood, it packed a special 3.2-liter inline-six engine not fitted to any other second-generation 3 Series. What’s more, the car is of an exceptionally rare stock, as just 204 examples rolled off the line during its one-year production.

As with the 325iS, BMW has named its modern-day interpretation the ‘Homage,’ and it’s treated the car to a series of top-shelf components. In addition to some Alpina wheels, it boasts a set of ‘333i Homage’ decals, some quad exhaust pipes, as well as bespoke spoilers and a different front splitter. Inside, it brings carbon bucket seats and some Überkaro tartan upholstery.

BMW

More than meets the eye

If something seems slightly off about these E30 tributes, never fret — you’re not seeing things. Rather than basing each car around a modern 3 Series (as logic would usually dictate), BMW South Africa instead looked to the 2 Series platform when picking its starter vehicles.

BMW

For the 325iS Homage, the brand went with the M240i xDrive. Thanks to its twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, this means that it puts down 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hit 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. For perspective, the Gusheshe made a little over half that much back in the day.

Likewise, the 333i also comes based on a 2 Series, although it starts with a full-fledged M2. As such, its twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six makes a healthy 473 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque when mated to an automatic gearbox. As with the 325iS Homage, this amounts to a significant increase over the original.

BMW

While it might seem like a bit of an odd choice to run with a 2 Series rather than a 3 or a 4 Series, it’s the kind of lightweight two-door coupes that is, in many ways, the spiritual successor to the E30. For the driving experience to feel authentic to each car’s namesake, BMW had to look beyond the current 3 Series options.

Auction exclusives

Being tributes to classic South African market exclusives, both of these cars are — expectedly — made for South Africa. They’ll be available via an auction starting on October 21st. Just 33 examples of each one will be offered up for sale, and the 325iS and 333i will have reserve prices of R 1,435,000 (~$82,000) and R 1,960,000 ($112,000), respectively.

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