Alpina recently revealed that five exclusive Alpina Green II metallic B3 models were making their way to new owners in South Africa for a whopping sub R3 million price, but some inspiration is courtesy of the locally loved 333i. How do they compare?
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In the mid-1980s, a collaboration between BMW South Africa and Alpina resulted in the creation of the iconic and highly limited BMW 333i. Only 204 units were built and now to celebrate 50 Years of BMW South Africa, Alpina has emprated their skillset onto a current day 3 Series, albeit far more exclusive with just 5 units produced and delivered to their new owners in December.
Related: Alpina B3 Arrives in SA as Straight Six Commemorating Iconic 333i
Let’s have a look at the two models to bear fruit from the collaboration from almost 40 years apart. The exterior hue of the latest Alpina B3 is limited to one shade; Alpina GreenII metallic while the 333i was available in Charcoal Black (Diamantschwarz), Henna Red (Hennarot), Ice White (Alpinweiss) and Aero Silver (Arctissilber).
Its providence provenance also differs, while the latest iteration from Alpina celebrates a time milestone, the 333i was a homologation special, created to compete in Group One against other local icons like the Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 and Ford Sierra XR8. The resulting E30 actually came to life with a larger displaced motor than that generation M3, which only made use of a four-cylinder.
Speaking of which, the 3,3-litre M30B32 engine was sourced from a 733i while Alpina parts were thrown in for improved performance. This includes a gearbox, rear axle and brakes but the lightweight coupe could manage 145 kW and 5 500 r/min and 285 N.m at 4 300 r/min. BMW’s official performance claims are 0–100 km/h in 7,4 seconds, and a top speed of 228 km/h.
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The multispoke wheels were an Alpina trademark from the 333i that has been carried over into the latest addition, this time around as 20-inch forged wheels. Taking strides in this near-forty-year period, the Alpina B3 now features a 3,0-litre straight-six with two Alpina-specific mono-scroll turbochargers that produce 364 kW between 5 000 and 7 000 r/min and peak torque of 730 N.m between 2 500 and 4 500 r/min. This all results in the AWD sedan being able to sprint to 100 km/h in 3,6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 305 km/h.
Related: BMW 333i among five classics to top R1 million at CT Auction
Priced at R2 960 341,20, the Alpina B3 also features an asking price as whopping as its performance specs, that is far more than the R41 300 of the 333i during its years of sale between 1985 and 1987. Adjusted for inflation, this would equate to around R700 000 although models bearing the name have collected over R1 million at auction with collectors.
Which would you have?
