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The 333i model was prepared by specialists from BMW Motorsport GmbH and the equally renowned Alpina company. For the local market the car was a substitute for the E30 M3, which was never officially offered in South Africa. From the outside, the 333i stood out with its aerodynamic package, which included the top and bottom of both bumpers and thresholds as well as the tailgate spoiler. Chrome-plated window frames were removed, and the rear windows did not tilt. Another unique solution was to mark the model, which was glued to the red and blue colors of BMW Motorsport. The car was offered in only four colors - white, black, red and silver.
The cabin was fitted with BMW Motorsport buckets and the Alpina counter with red indications, scaled to 270 km/h. The place on the central ventilation grid on the driver's side was taken by the on-board computer, which informed about the oil temperature in the engine and rear bridge, oil pressure and vacuum in the intake manifold. In addition, you could count on leather upholstery, electrically controlled windows or an openable roof.
Alpina gave 16-inch rims and an option in the form of reinforced brakes (front discs with a diameter of 296 mm) and ABS transplanted from the flagship seven. BMW Motorsport prepared a suspension with a revised geometry, shorter and harder springs, and Bilstein gas-charged shock absorbers. The differential received a 25% gap. The transmission also included the Getrag transmission with shortened gears and "dog leg" system. (first gear in position typical for two).
The main point of the program was the engine, which filled the space under the hood so tightly that the customers had to choose between power steering or air conditioning! Alpina still had to prepare special equipment for the drive unit - custom-made manifolds, computer software and radiator.
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