TWO SOUTH AFRICAN ICONS INSPIRE THE BMW 325IS AND 333I HOMAGE EDITIONS - WE LIKE.
Two names. Two legends. One country that made them icons. BMW South Africa has pulled off something properly special - the BMW 325iS Homage and BMW 333i Homage editions, modern interpretations of two of the most revered performance machines ever to wear the roundel. These special editions not only celebrate an unforgettable chapter of local motoring history but also give back to South African communities, with every cent of proceeds from the 66 cars built going to charity. Yup, only 33 units of each Homage model will exist - 66 in total - and they’ll all be sold through an exclusive online auction. Heritage, reborn with purpose. If you grew up in South Africa, you already know the names. The BMW 325iS, better known as the Gusheshe, wasn’t just a car - it was a cultural phenomenon. Equal parts status symbol and street hero, it defined a generation with its mix of luxury, attitude, and straight-six power. And then there’s the BMW 333i - the unicorn. Built in tiny numbers by BMW South Africa in collaboration with Alpina, it packed a 3.2-litre six-cylinder heart and was designed to fill the M3-shaped gap in our local lineup. It remains one of the rarest, most collectable BMWs on Earth. BMW SA didn’t just dust off some badges; they engineered proper tributes using the best of today’s hardware. We’ve seen loads of people complaining that they used a 2-Series for an iconic 3-series, but these aren’t NEW versions of the iconic cars, they’re built to pay homage to the originals. Sure, they could have used a 3-Series, but the 2-Series is dynamically closer to the OG BMWs. It’s like that Audi RS 6 GT homage car pays tribute to a race-spec Audi 80 - one is a wagon, the other a sedan - and no one cared. Weird.
BMW 325iS Homage
Built from the BMW M240i xDrive, it’s powered by a 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline-six pushing 285 kW and 500 Nm to all four wheels. 0–100 km/h takes just 4.3 seconds, and it features design details that call back to the ‘80s and ‘90s originals:
Dual rear spoiler
Heritage-inspired wheels
M Sport Pro package with M Sport seats
Überkaro tartan trim on the armrest (a direct nod to the E30 interior)
Commemorative “1 of 33” plaque
Finished in Mineral White, Sapphire Black, Skyscraper Grey, or Fire Red
BMW 333i Homage
This one goes harder. Based on the BMW M2, it cranks out 353 kW and 600 Nm, sending power exclusively to the rear wheels for the full purist experience. 0–100 km/h takes 4.0 seconds flat, and the aesthetic cues are pure race-bred nostalgia:
Alpina-style wheels and “333i Homage” decals
Quad exhausts
Bespoke front splitter and spoilers
Überkaro tartan armrest
Carbon bucket seats
Commemorative plaque
Available in Alpine White, Sapphire Black, Brooklyn Grey, Zandvoort Blue, and Fire Red
The original 325iS and 333i were born out of necessity and creativity, a time when BMW South Africa operated with rare independence, crafting bespoke models for a unique market. The 325iS evolved far beyond the European “iS” spec to meet Group N racing rules, earning its motorsport stripes on local circuits. The 333i, meanwhile, became our homegrown M3 alternative - complete with Alpina DNA and a hand-built 3.2-litre straight-six.
Both Homage models are based on the BMW 2 Series Coupé - a modern car praised globally for its compact, rear-biased proportions and old-school driving feel. Since 2022, the 2 Series has been seen as the spiritual successor to the E30 - making it the ideal canvas for a tribute to SA’s finest.
Rob Gearing, General Manager of Customer Support at BMW Group South Africa, summed it up perfectly: “The BMW 325iS and 333i are more than cars — they are part of South Africa’s story. The Homage editions bring that history into the present, celebrating our connection to these icons while creating a positive impact through charitable giving. It is heritage with purpose.”
The BMW 325iS Homage and BMW 333i Homage editions will be sold exclusively via online auction starting Tuesday, 21 October 2025, with reserve prices set at:
BMW 325iS Homage - R1,435,000
BMW 333i Homage - R1,960,000
For more info and to register, visit bmw.co.za/homage
Take a look at the YouTube video linked to these rad homage cars, and over and above the actual cars, there are interviews with key players involved with the development of the classic cars that these new cars pay homage to, along with industry people linked to the cars: BMW Homage Editions: The Story of South Africa’s Icons | BMW South Africa
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