320is
For Portugal and Italy only, due to considerably higher taxes for cars with engines exceeding 2000 cc, a special model was created: the 320is.[70] The four-door version appeared in the dealers' showrooms in September 1987 while the two-door followed in March 1988. Production of the 320is continued until 1991, with 1,206 four-doors and 2,542 two-doors produced.[71]
This model was equipped with a 1990 cc version of the S14 engine from the M3, with stroke reduced to 72.6 mm.[72] This engine produces 141 kW at 6900 rpm and 212 Nm at 4,900 rpm.[72] The 320is shared the same dogleg Getrag 265 gearbox of the non-US M3 while it had a limited-slip differential with the same 25 percent lock up rate, but with a shorter differential ratio of 3.46:1.[73] All the 320is models were left hand drive and without a catalytic converter. Sports suspension was fitted to all two-door models, and to four-doors produced from September 1989.
The interior of the 320is was identical to that of other 3 Series models, except for using an M3 instrument cluster, which features an oil temperature gauge instead of a fuel economy gauge.
M325i
In New Zealand, where the M3 was never sold by BMW, the local importer created a sporting version of the saloon called M325i. About 100 such cars were imported beginning in late 1986 until at least 1990.[74] Fitted with the standard, non-catalyzed 125 kW 2.5-litre engine they benefited from a Motorsport tuned suspension, the M-Technic body package, 15-inch BBS cross-spoke wheels with wide, low profile (225/50) tyres, and a limited-slip differential.[74] The M325i is quite similar to the British market 325i Sport, also developed as a response to the absence of a right-hand-drive M3.
333i
BMW South Africa's Motorsport division created the 333i in 1985 by fitting the 3.2 L M30 "big six" engine to a two-door E30.[75] The resulting 333i was a success in South African saloon car racing. These cars were built with help from Alpina in Buchloe, West Germany.[76][77] Due to the space constraints caused by the large M30 engine, the buyer was forced to choose between air conditioning (highly desirable in South Africa) and power steering. Cars with power steering are distinguished by having foglights, cars with air-conditioning instead had ducts providing fresh air for the air-conditioning. The 333i was produced from 1985 to 1987 and only 210 cars were produced. (6 factory race cars, and 204 Homologation Specials for Local Group N racing.[78]
The 333i engine produces 145 kW at 5500 rpm and 285 Nm at 4300 rpm.[78]
South African 325iS
The 325iS was created by BMW South Africa to replace the 2.5 litre 126 kW 325i in Group N production car racing, as a response to the introduction of the Opel Kadett 2 litre 16V to the Class A category. Early 325iS cars had a 2.5 litre motor, and various weight lightening interventions including alloy doors and drilled out sections in boot hinges and other steel pressings. The 2.7 litre 325iS, commonly called Evo 2, replaced the 'Evo 1' cars, Evo 2 cars had standard steel doors and bonnet. It was launched in the first half of 1990 and was powered by an Alpina-fettled, 2.7 litre M20 engine which produced 145 kW.[80] Following the introduction of the upgraded Opel Kadett 16V SuperBoss, in 1991 BMW South Africa introduced the 325iS Evolution HP, commonly referred to as the Evo 2. The motor was upgraded to produce 155 kW.[80]
The Evolution HP won the Group N Class A title in 1993, winning 20 of the 24 races in the process.[81] The Robbi Smith and Geoff Goddard Evolution HP won the season-ending 9hr race.[82]
323i JPS
The John Player Special Edition is an Australian-only limited edition special offered by BMW Australia as a tribute to the M3 race cars competing in local touring car racing. JPS refers to the BMW race team sponsor, John Player Special cigarettes. The cars were based on two-door 323i with manual transmission,[83] painted in black with gold pinstripes and gold BBS wheels. They also had Recaro sports seats, JPS badging, a limited-slip differential, sports suspension, a sunroof (optional) and a body kit. The cars were ordered from the factory as a base 323i in black with a fixed selection of options - all of which were otherwise available to order but priced at a substantial discount as an Edition package. The pinstripes were added in Australia and the wheels were also gold anodised in Australia. The production run was 70 cars.[84]
