What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of South Africa’s most noteworthy in-house developed cars than to spend time behind the wheel of perhaps the finest example still on the road? We drive a pristine BMW 333i.
Image: Peet Mocke
Showcased at the 1985 Frankfurt was developed in response to Mercedes-Benz’s formidable 190E 2.3-16, as this Stuttgart-based rival looked to prove a point on both the autobahn and in the new Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, or DTM, racing series as motorsport fans across the world would know it. Based on the E30 3 Series, the original M3 introduced bespoke bodywork and suspension geometry designed to tackle trackwork, and a potent S14 2.3-litre, DOHC four-cylinder engine developed by legendary engineer Paul Roche.
Despite the E30 being assembled at Plant Rosslyn at the time, such was the focus and development required to build the M3 that it was never signed off for right-hand-drive production and was thus unavailable to BMW South Africa. Understandably, this left both enthusiasts and the brand’s local racing programme frustrated; the latter desperately searched for a homologated, road-going offering in order to validate its Group N racing ambitions.
Not to be outdone, BMW South Africa set about collaborating with German tuning specialists Alpina, as well as its Motorsport division, to create a flagship E30 3 Series of its own.
Image: Peet Mocke
The first thought, as the meticulously restored car – no. 178 of the 204 customer cars produced – arrived at our early morning rendezvous spot, was just how sleek, graceful and unassuming the 333i is, both by modern standards and compared to its European-based E30 M3 contemporary. Finished in Aero Silver to neatly showcase the famous M Motorsport stripes clinging to its profile, where the M3 featured a full body kit to include an extended front splitter, side sills and a fixed wing, the South African-built car’s sense of presence is created via a lowered ride height courtesy of Bilstein-sourced dampers, its subtle M-Technic aero package and specifically-designed 16-inch Alpina alloy wheels shod with 195/50 R16 Pirelli tyres.
Those with a keen eye will note this immaculate 333i features small black air vents in the lower bumper, where other cars house foglamps in this position.
Image: Peet Mocke
With the M3’s S14 powertrain unavailable, BMW South Africa’s solution was to shoehorn the M30B32 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder engine featured in the E23 733i into its new, appropriately named 333i creation. Paired with a Getrag-sourced, close-ratio five-speed manual transmission, this transplant proved so snug, owners had to decide whether they wanted air-conditioning or power steering with their purchase as there was no space for both. Cars with air-conditioning gained the appropriate airflow via vents in the lower bumper.
Fitted with an upgraded Bosch L-Jetronic fuel management system, the engine also features Alpina-sourced inlet and exhaust manifolds and several cast aluminium components. In its completed form, the 333i delivered 145 kW at 5 500 r/min and 285 N.m of torque (55 N.m more than the E30 M3) to the car’s rear wheels via a ZF limited-slip differential.
Tested in the January 1986 issue of CAR Magazine, the 333i raced from 0–100 km/h in 7.23 seconds, before breaching the 1 km mark in 28.08 seconds. The car’s top speed was recorded as 231 km/h.
Image: Peet Mocke
The 333i’s stopping power was enhanced via 296 mm vented and grooved discs up front, as well as the inclusion of modified ABS software to accommodate upgraded brake callipers and a dedicated master cylinder for higher clamping force. Complete with a more positive pedal feel, CAR’s test unit recorded an average 100–0 km/h emergency stopping time of 2.99 seconds.
Still photography in the bag, and with lighting conditions perfect for driving shots, I could only marvel at the level of precision and workmanship present on car no. 178 as I enclosed myself within the cabin of this very special BMW.
The absence of power steering was forgotten once on the move, and I quickly became accustomed to the operation of the dog-leg transmission; first gear engaged in the bottom left of its notably precise shift pattern.
Image: Peet Mocke
While the car tested in 1986 featured optional leather upholstery, this example has pristine cloth covering its low-slung driver’s seat. There are electric windows up front and, in the spirit of the package, the rear items are fixed in place, as opposed to hinged in the standard E30 coupé. There is Alpina branding on the instrument cluster (this car has 134 000 km on the odometer), and in place of one of the central dash-mounted air vents is a supplementary digital readout for engine oil and rear axle temperatures, engine oil pressure and manifold vacuum.
Acknowledging the slight weight penalty associated with installing the engine from a 7 Series into a 3 Series body, the 3.2-litre engine counters with a combination of impressive low-down torque and welcome willingness to rev. While it is broadly acknowledged BMW South Africa’s follow-up project, the 325iS, is the nimbler of the two, my time behind the wheel of the 333i reinforced what I had initially gleaned from its under-the-radar styling: that this would have been a genuine sleeper car when it launched. In addition to its ability to make light work of open road cruising, ultimately, this car feels closer in character to the sophisticated M5 of its generation than to the race-focused M3.
Image: Peet Mocke
“The car’s balance is excellent, and handling alters progressively from a fair amount of understeer to power-induced oversteer, although backing off in a corner can induce such severe oversteer that full opposite lock has to be used to catch the tail,” read the 1986 road test. “For the skilful driver, these characteristics can be a real pleasure, but for a novice, they can be frightening.”
The test summary read, “To at least one of our test team, the 333i is the most satisfying BMW we have yet tested. It is discreet and handily sized, and in many ways, it is the epitome of what BMW stands for. While it is expensive, when compared to the cars it rivals, it’s a bargain.” (The listed price of the Diamond Black test car was R41 300.)
Image: Peet Mocke
By its nature, the role of a consumer-focused car journalist dictates that I spend most of my time driving and reviewing new products. While respective context and initial impressions form the backbone of a new car review, one thing that is impossible to gauge is how well a package will age, either in terms of reliability or, indeed, status. Will a 997-generation Porsche 911 GT3 or a Mk7 Golf GTI go on to become the sweet spots of their respective lineages, or is there still something better to come? How can we know?
Based on its pedigree, level of engineering and rarity, while the 333i was always likely to become a sought-after collectable, the R3 million recently fetched at auction for a Henna Red example has all but cemented this car’s legendary status. The owner of the car featured here has been offered double this…
Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!
The post Classic Drive: BMW 333i appeared first on CAR Magazine.
Comments
Post a Comment