Is this the neatest BMW 333i of all?

From 1985 to 1987, BMW South Africa manufactured a limited number of the E30 333i. It was only ever manufactured here and has become a cult hero. This specimen is the neatest we’ve seen. 

Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms 

Pictures: Simon Luckhoff 

Local BMW enthusiasts are of course well aware of the 333i, but that is not the case overseas. Few people also know that South Africa was home to the first BMW factory outside of Germany. However, that didn’t mean that every model made by BMW Germany was also made in South Africa.

• Order your limited-edition BMW 333i 1/18 scale model (Aero Silver) here!

Cars like the E30 333i, 325is Evo 1 and Evo 2 have become incredibly prized by collectors during the past decade, resulting in several enthusiasts ensuring that mint examples are always prominently on their radar. The topic of this article is such an example. It is in an absolutely mint condition! 

The 333i received the M30B32 3.2-litre straight six-cylinder engine developing 145 kW at 5 500 rpm and 285 N.m at 4 300 rpm. CAR magazine tested the car in January 1986 and recorded a weight of 1 256 kg, a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.23 seconds and a top speed of 231 km/h. However, today these figures matter little to those who have, or want to have, the keys to this car. The owner of this specific example explains how he came to own it. 

Starting the process

“I bought my first 333i back in 1992, she was five years old and identical to this ‘new’ one, even the paint colour and the seating etc. The guy selling her was buying one of the first M3s (E36) ever imported into SA. I think that I got the better car and he must have always regretted that sale. I drove her every day, even though she was a tough girl to hustle, as there was no power steering. She had the air conditioning option and since you couldn’t have both air-con and power steering due to a lack of bonnet space, I had arms like Arnie within a year… but it was so special.”

“She was my only car then, my other special cars came later. In fact, I eventually traded her in for a brand-new Audi RS2 in Nogara Blue, a car I still own that has also undergone a full ‘nut-and-bolt’ restoration. I had owned a 635CSi before the 333i and later owned a couple of M5s, but the 333i is just unique in terms of what it is, represents and offers a driver.”

“There was a very long search for this car, taking more than two years, with the specialists at The Archive helping me. I was then connected with the restorer (Who prefers to remain anonymous – editor) of this example. He literally found the car in a barn on a farm in the Northern Cape, so it really is one of those mythical ‘barn finds’. He can honestly find you a needle in a haystack! It was the right colour and spec and, though not in good condition but running perfectly, she was the perfect base for a full restoration.” 

“The car (number 168 of 205 or 210 built, depending on the source) needed a lot of work but she was a solid vehicle. The car was always going to be a full restoration and the brief to the restorer and his team of specialists was simple; there are only a few of these cars remaining, so this car must be the best by far of any still in existence. Spare no expense to achieve that goal.” 

The result

“They hit that ball out of the park, she is as good as the day she rolled out of the factory. It simply looks, sounds and drives as though it is brand new! The restorer handled the entire project himself and he is known as the number one BMW man in South Africa for any restoration job. I saw his work and there just couldn’t be anyone else to do it.”

“The absolute perfection on the paint and every tiny detail is awe inspiring. When she was unveiled and handed over to me, I was actually speechless, as the work was clearly that of an artist in love with a project and a man who takes immense pride in his work. That wasn’t the end of this 333i journey though. A beautifully detailed book, showing the car from its discovery in the barn, through its restoration journey and ending with my speechless acceptance of the keys, was later handed over at a surprise coffee meeting.”

However, the owner is also one who appreciates beautiful works of art, and the restoration process also had a part to play in that regard.

“Then there was more. We decided to use all of the engine parts that were purchased as spares during the restoration to create an entire working spare engine. A special glass presentation box on rollers was built and that engine sits in one of our offices today. It’s an incredible talking point, since it just looks so impressive.”

“My collection of cars is small and based on cars I have owned. The goal is to only have perfect specimens that look and drive as if they have just left the showroom. My first 333i was great, but this 333i is like taking delivery of a new car every time I drive her and believe me, she does get driven. All my sons love her.” 

“The car comes alive as the speed builds, but she just loves corners and feels tight and planted all the time. The 5-speed dog-leg ‘box and lack of power steering just make the experience unique and I am slowly getting my Arnie arms back!”

No easy task

The process of acquiring such a unique car is never easy. Richard Webb, proprietor at Cape Town’s specialist motoring destination The Archive shares the story: “The owner is a true petrolhead and is a highly respected customer of The Archive. He is also one of the very first to entrust us with some of his very precious metal as a storage client. It was well known through our various chit-chats that he was a fan of the early driver-focused pocket rockets. Top of his car pop charts was the ever-elusive BMW 333i that he once owned.”

“Alex (Richard’s business partner) and I searched high and low for two years and after many dead ends, unearthing a couple of shady examples and eventually exhausting virtually all our professional resources, we partnered up with a BMW specialist to assist us in the search for this collector’s perfect 333i. He eventually led us to a barn find that was exceedingly original but in need of a full restoration.”

The restorer elaborates: “I picked up the car on the 15th of August 2020 and the project started. It was an honest car which was perfect for a restoration. Some parts we had to source locally, others from overseas and we also used selected parts from a donor car. The trim of the seats came from Germany. The highlight is undoubtedly the day the car hit the road for the first time and you could see the reaction from onlookers.”

It is not often that a story comes full circle like this one – in this case it did. Walking around the car I try to find the smallest of faults, but to no avail. After all, the restorer has restored a 333i before, as well as several other BMWs. What an absolutely beautiful specimen this is and a perfect car for the next generation of BMW enthusiasts to be able to enjoy and appreciate.