Rare and interesting BMW up for sale

[irrational_i]

Okay these are quite rare. There was only 204 built and only in South Africa as they would not import the e30 M3.

A 333i has a 3.3 liter 6 (From the 733i) inside. Its performance matches the e30 M3. The engine is so big that you canhave either air conditioning or power steering, not both.

Some of the parts were supplied by Alpina. I have seen a few over the years. This one has the 2nd lowest mileage I've seen. The other was 2 years ago with 35 000km at a cost of R125 000 (+/- $18000).

So this one is a rare bird indeed as, unfortunately, quite a lot of these are cars have been modified by idiots with chrome wheel arches, tinted windows and lowered suspensions etc.

I was seriously considering this car before buying my Porsche 911 SC.
But I am happy with the porsche now. <HUGE grin>

The link should be valid until 20 May.

http://search.autotrader.co.za/cgi-bin/advert_detail.php?page_num=1&record_id=1180241&class=cars&pos=9&locale=atza.cars.1&distance=&SearchID=6464c276a6780e7cd431aa91b722a47b&did=0

[irrational_i]

I do not know the history behind the importation of the M3. The M3 will definitely handle better. That 3.3 liter weighs a lot!

BMW South Africa tried a lot of things those days.

The 333i got replaced by a 325iS, basically an e30 325i with a 2.7 liter engine. They had upgraded suspensions and different gearboxes.

My only problem with the e30 M3 - which I think is the only true M3 - is the lack of a 6 cylinder.

I do not think a lot was spent on the 333i. The chassis and engine came from existing cars. I think the mags, seats, gearbox was Alpina (A dogleg 1st gear), as well as the seats and maybe some suspension parts. There is also an extra instrument cluster on the console.
One thing is for certain though - It must be impossible to overstress that engine in that little body!

And in South Africa's wide open spaces that engine is definitely perfect for cruising. 8)

[irrational_i]

Another rarity.
BMW M6.
The caption is wrong. As far as I know it was driven by Nelson Piquet around Kayalami. A friend actually saw that event...

I had a look at this car myself as well, but it was just too expensive, needed some small fixes and it has less power than the M635CSi (256bhp as opposed to 286bhp I think)...

Although I still wouldn't mind an M635CSi.
I love pretty and rare BMW's. Just think - M1, M3(e30), M6, M5(e28), Z1.
Now who wouldn't wat those!


http://search.autotrader.co.za/cgi-bin/advert_detail.php?page_num=1&record_id=1177514&class=cars&pos=3&locale=atza.cars.1&distance=&SearchID=f93f93daf533d01613e5abdf7a65633b&did=0

[schnell318]

wow, nice car love the wheels, but i have to agree it most certainly doesn´t handle as well as the M3 due to the heavy nose.

[RC45]

Nice car. I heard something about that at JW before... May be its performance matches the M3 E30 in acceleration and top speed, but the handling of the M3 I'm sure is way better than the 333i. However, it's a bit stupid to develop a new car just to build 204 units, when import the M3 E30 would be cheaper.

With import taxes being 125% + ad-valorem + sales tax + markpu - there was NOTHING cheap about importing cars to South Afrcia in those days.

Search JW for the full story.. ;) -- I am too lazy to retype it... :P

[kteo2003]

the first real m3 is certainly the E30 but there is also the e46 me which is just great....

[irrational_i]

My reasons for stating that the e30 M3 is the only real one is based on the origins of the car.

The e30 was born from a need to win in touring cars.
It has a definite racing heritage.

The later ones where marketing decisions. Not that they are not great cars mind you. Obviously the current M3 CSl is one of the most accomplished cars BMW has produced.

Mercedes have never replaced the 190E evolution as far as I know. Can't think of anything that matches that 16valve, bewinged performance merc.