Makes › BMW South Africa › 333i (E30) · Factory competition Extremely Rare
BMW South Africa
333i (E30)
Alpina-assisted 3.2-litre six E30 built only in South Africa for Group 1 racing
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 201 Built
- Years
- Not yet verified
- Engine
- inline six (BMW 733i engine) · 3,200 cc / 3.2 LFactory: 3.2 L
- Power
- 145 kW / 197 PSFactory: 194 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 333i was a South African-market E30 built by BMW South Africa, with a 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine from the 733i. It was BMW SA's answer to the E30 M3, which was not offered in right-hand-drive markets such as South Africa.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionBMW 333i cars produced | 2011,2 | Factory production | Registry reported |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The E30 M3 was a homologation car built only in left-hand drive and in small numbers, and South Africa was not on its market list. BMW SA worked with Alpina Germany to build its own version. The 333i started as a standard 325i and received the 3.2-litre six from the 733i, Alpina ventilated disc brakes, a limited-slip differential and a close-ratio five-speed Getrag dogleg gearbox.
Supercars.net says 201 cars were produced. A Car & Classic listing says 210 were built and 204 sold to the public.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard 333i (E30).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | inline six (BMW 733i engine)1 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,200 cc / 3.2 LFactory: 3.2 L1 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 145 kW / 197 PSFactory: 194 hp · converted1 Independently researchedSource also states 145 kW. Rating standard not given. |
| Power at | 5,500 rpm1 Independently researched |
| Torque | 285 NmFactory: 285 Nm1 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 4,300 rpm1 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | close-ratio 5-speed Getrag Sports dogleg manual, limited-slip differential1 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 51 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Alpina ventilated discs1 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,256 kgFactory: 1,256 kg1 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Visible features are 16-inch Alpina wheels with 195/50 R16 tyres, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, a rear lip and M stripes. Inside, Alpina supplied the instrument cluster with red needles, and leather covers the seats, steering wheel and gear lever. Air conditioning and power steering could not both be fitted because the engine left no space under the bonnet.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
BMW 333i Level B Supercars.net
- a production number of a mere 201 cars
- 3.2 litre inline 6 from the 733i
- 145kW (194hp) at 5500rpm
- maximum torque of 285Nm (210lb ft) at 4300rpm
- 285Nm (210lb ft) at 4300rpm
- close-ratio 5-speed Getrag Sports dogleg gearbox
- Alpina ventilated disc brakes
- heavier at 1256kg compared to the M3's 1200kg
-
2
Cars.co.za – BMW 333i and 325iS: Legendary SA-only 3 Series models (BMW Group SA Chronicles Ep 4) Level C
- 210 units produced by BMW SA (other sources give 201–204)
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