BMWSA M2/333i & M240is HOMAGE EDITION

BMWSouthAfrica have always built special cars.

Exclusive models since 1976. That’s 50 years ago.

They have become a car company that “builds more than just cars.”

BMW South Africa boasts the first track-prepped 7series which actually took part in an official race series with the E23 745i (SouthAfrican version which had the M88 motor).

They also developed the 530MLE motorsport limited edition in 1976, which set the dna for future ///M cars.

Out of their many South African special BMW cars, two of them stand out a bit more than the others.

These 2 have become a part of the South African culture. Not just car-culture or BMW-culture. We talking South African culture.

Even if people don’t like BMW in general, they like these specific 2 cars.

The 2 cars we are referring to are the E30 333i and E30 325iS.

The E30 333i built between 1985 & 1987 was limited to just 210 units and was not found anywhere else in the world. Built from the need for a smaller bodied race-car with a big engine to tackle the Group1 race series in South Africa, BMWSA got help from ALPINA in Germany and fitted a bigger M30 3.2l engine from a 7series(E23 733i) into the small E30 body. The 333i has some other special ALPINA bits too which makes it stand out from the standard E30.

It never made the track as track rules changed as soon as the 333i was launched.

The E30 325Is – built between 1990 & 1992, with a limited run of just over 500 units.

Although this 325is badge was shared with other countries, the South African version had a 2.7litre version of the M20 motor fitted, rather than the standard 2.5litre.

Developed for the GroupN race series in South Africa, the BMW guys needed a faster more powerful version of their 325i E30.

The 325iS only came in 2 door coupe form, with the factory fitted MTech2 12 piece aero-kit, and power was beefed up from the standard 325i M20 motor from 125kw to 145kw and then 155kw respectively with the help of ALPINA Germany, as ALPINA had the 2.7litre motors running in their C2 2.7 already.

Although these cars were developed for track purposes, homologation rules demanded that a limited number of these models be built for the public to purchase as road cars.  

And on the streets is where these cars made their popularity. They were - or are - so popular till today that they were given their own nick-names by the South African public – quite literally.

TripThree for the 333i

And Gusheshe – a zulu word - for the 2 door 325Is which translates to “fast-one” in English. This term was given in the townships and mostly associated with spinning as the 325Is was most popular for its rwd handling abilities coupled to the magic sound of that sweet M20 motor.

BMW South Africa created 2 legends without realizing the lifestyle impact these cars would have on their fans as BMW drivers, and now lately, with world-wide car collectors.

In celebrating 40 years of the original 333i production, they have created 2 special models to pay homage to the E30 333i and to the E30 325is.

Peter van Binsbergen, the CEO of BMW South Africa proudly states that BMW holds its heritage very dearly, and still lives by their moto that we all grew up with – that is – “Sheer Driving Pleasure”

While the homage editions to the small 3 series cars are now based on 2series models, we understand that this decision was based on using the smaller chassis rather than the 3 series which has grown into a much bigger size.

The M240X-Drive is the base for the E30325is homage. And an M2 used as a base for the 333i homage

The internet warriors are all out in war due to the fact that “this is a 2 and cannot be called a 3 etc etc”

But the way I understand is this, and I think BMWSA should have labelled the 2 homage cars in this way. “

M2 333i homage edition (with a special badge stating that )

And then M240is or M235is which would have created its own identity and thereby saving the 325is label for the original icon.

These cars are built as standard 2s in Mexico, and then shipped to SA where they are kitted out with the special add-ons in the Rosslyn plant to make the homage editions.

Only 33 units of each of the 2 will be made. With 5 M2/333 in pure manual spec.

While the original 333i had a bigger engine fitted, this M2 Homage has the same motor and power figures as the standard M2. 340kw/600nm  - Maybe they should crammed a V8 in the M2 body since the original 333i engine was bigger than the standard.

The differences to a standard M2 are.

M Carbon seats

M drivers package

A special bespoke designed Alpina 20”wheel

Carbon splitter

Quad M Perf exhaust

Classic Ubekaro upholstery

And the classic 333i MTechnic stripes on the side of the vehicle.

5 colours – Fire Red, Alpine White, Black sapphire, Zandvoort blue

The original 325is went through many changes to create the legend , including motor upgrades , suspension upgrades, and cosmetic add-ons.

The homage edition retains the standard B58 motor 

The changes are mostly cosmetic

-20”MPerformance heritage wheel

- Ubekaro upholstery sourced from Germany

- front carbon splitter

- huge rear spoiler

- mperformance exhaust

- adaptive m suspension

These will be limited to just 33 units and finished in 4 colours.

Fire Red

Skyscraper grey

Black sapphire

Mineral white

All of the 66 units will come with a special plaque – however they will all read 1/33 with an outline of the 1988 Kyalami track engraved on it.

These cars will all be auctioned off in a private capacity.

The auction happens Tuesday 21 Oct 2025, but registration for the auction has already closed.

The M240is will be around the R1.5m mark

And the M2 333i homage edition is around R1.96m

Should the auction fetch above the asking price, the balance will be donated to a few various charity nrganisations. 

If you were to ask me for a spec to choose - it would be a black sapphire M2 333i homage edition in manual. 

Good luck to those that have registered, and are anxious to purchase.

BMWSA CEO Peter van Binsbergen with the M2 333i HOMAGE EDITION