E9 CSL - buying / ownership advice
Discussion
Hi
I've been admiring the original CSL for many years now and thinking of taking the plunge. Appeals due to the drive, looks, heritage and the fact that it has 4 seats. I've driven a couple of examples in the past and they felt beautifully built with a wonderful interior. More GT than sports car but probably a good fit for what I want it for. I have another classic car so not new to classic or performance car ownership.
I'm looking for any purchasing and ownership advice people can offer. What are they like to live with - reliable? Running costs? Any problems to watch out for etc. Are spares readily available? I know rust is the BIG issue so would like to find a car that has had the bodywork done to a good standard. I don't mind a high quality, older restoration that has mellowed a little. I might even prefer it. I suspect many cars have subtle mods - which are good or should I be looking for a car as close to original as possible? Any colours that are particularly popular in the market or best avoided? Most cars I have seen advertised are UK RHD with the City Pack which makes sense for the use I have in mind.
Do any owners know of good cars that are out there for sale? I look on here and Car and Classic so have seen those but would welcome any thoughts before I start to look at a cars with a view to buy. Also, who would you suggest to carry out a pre purchase inspection? And good specialists for servicing and maintenance work (I am based in West London). Are there any good forums owners frequent? PHs and CSL Register seem to be more popular with E46 owners (also very nice!).
I like the look of the white car at 4 Star but have not seen it up close. There is also a modified car at Cambridge Motor Co in red that I quite like. £35-£40k seems to be the range of most cars, is this a sensible budget? What would I pay for a top quality example?
Any experience from owners would be very appreciated. Pics are good too!
Also, if you know of a good car for sale or are selling yourself, I would love to hear from you.
So many questions ..... thanks in advance.
I've been admiring the original CSL for many years now and thinking of taking the plunge. Appeals due to the drive, looks, heritage and the fact that it has 4 seats. I've driven a couple of examples in the past and they felt beautifully built with a wonderful interior. More GT than sports car but probably a good fit for what I want it for. I have another classic car so not new to classic or performance car ownership.
I'm looking for any purchasing and ownership advice people can offer. What are they like to live with - reliable? Running costs? Any problems to watch out for etc. Are spares readily available? I know rust is the BIG issue so would like to find a car that has had the bodywork done to a good standard. I don't mind a high quality, older restoration that has mellowed a little. I might even prefer it. I suspect many cars have subtle mods - which are good or should I be looking for a car as close to original as possible? Any colours that are particularly popular in the market or best avoided? Most cars I have seen advertised are UK RHD with the City Pack which makes sense for the use I have in mind.
Do any owners know of good cars that are out there for sale? I look on here and Car and Classic so have seen those but would welcome any thoughts before I start to look at a cars with a view to buy. Also, who would you suggest to carry out a pre purchase inspection? And good specialists for servicing and maintenance work (I am based in West London). Are there any good forums owners frequent? PHs and CSL Register seem to be more popular with E46 owners (also very nice!).
I like the look of the white car at 4 Star but have not seen it up close. There is also a modified car at Cambridge Motor Co in red that I quite like. £35-£40k seems to be the range of most cars, is this a sensible budget? What would I pay for a top quality example?
Any experience from owners would be very appreciated. Pics are good too!
Also, if you know of a good car for sale or are selling yourself, I would love to hear from you.
So many questions ..... thanks in advance.
Is that front air dam on the white one at 4 star original? Neither of the other cars they have have it. They have had the blue one for an absolute age .
I do yearn after one but don't have anywhere to keep it!
With three in stock it's got to be worth going to look at the 4 star cars as an education process. How much is the one at Hexagon Classics? They generally ask big money but also tend to have good cars.
I do yearn after one but don't have anywhere to keep it!
With three in stock it's got to be worth going to look at the 4 star cars as an education process. How much is the one at Hexagon Classics? They generally ask big money but also tend to have good cars.
frogisland said:
Interesting, thanks for posting that. That forum actually has a couple of threads about those cars. The Blue one has a sunroof which either makes it a unique car (CSL's don't have one), it was a retrofit or there's sommit not quite right.Also sounds like the £40k or £50k cars whilst in good condition are have not been refurbed. Sounds like you are better spending £70k on a mint car that has had a total refurb at someone else's expense or spending £30k on one knowing it needs more spending on it.
Sounds like cars that haven't had a full refurb will more than likely have rust that you might not see unless you have a very,very thorough inspection. Easy to spend £30k just on body parts accodring to one thread.
The red car at Muich Legends looks fairly straight to me too.
As for the sunroof on the CSL - i believe some (3) were delivered like this but it often starts arguments :-)
I can check out the 4 star cars for you for the price of the diesel and lunch if you like - have 2 csl's and have gone through the resto process twice.
Regards,
Rohan
As for the sunroof on the CSL - i believe some (3) were delivered like this but it often starts arguments :-)
I can check out the 4 star cars for you for the price of the diesel and lunch if you like - have 2 csl's and have gone through the resto process twice.
Regards,
Rohan
Thanks all for the replies.
Cheib - Re the white car, would be grateful if you could post to link to the 4* cars as I couldn't find it. My understanding of the RHD cars was they were all fitted with the "City Pack" so would have come with steel front and rear bumpers. The white car seems to be fitted with the deep front air dam and lightweight bumpers.
The cars at 4* seem to have been there for a while. Not sure if that is a reflection of pricing or quality. I was there to look at an E30 M3 for a friend a little while ago and they seemed like good guys. The E30 was average at best though.
The Hexagon car looks interesting as well but they do generally price at the top end of the market which is fine if the car is equally top end of the market.
I think what constitutes a full restoration depends on who you ask but I think you are right that the devil is in the detail. Bodywork especially can soak up a lot of cash and the only way to do it is to do it properly in my view.
The red car at Munich legends looks like the same car I saw at Cambridge Motor Company before Christmas. Back on the right wheels and fitted with the 5 speed box. I wonder if that is a popular mod for these cars as I have seen a few with 5 speed boxes.
Rohan - You seem like the right person to be asking questions to! Would love to hear about your cars and experiences in driving and running them. I would be very interested in taking you up on the offer and very happy to cover diesel / lunch. Are you a friend of a chap called Paul Sutters by any chance?
All information and feedback gratefully received.
Thanks
Cheib - Re the white car, would be grateful if you could post to link to the 4* cars as I couldn't find it. My understanding of the RHD cars was they were all fitted with the "City Pack" so would have come with steel front and rear bumpers. The white car seems to be fitted with the deep front air dam and lightweight bumpers.
The cars at 4* seem to have been there for a while. Not sure if that is a reflection of pricing or quality. I was there to look at an E30 M3 for a friend a little while ago and they seemed like good guys. The E30 was average at best though.
The Hexagon car looks interesting as well but they do generally price at the top end of the market which is fine if the car is equally top end of the market.
I think what constitutes a full restoration depends on who you ask but I think you are right that the devil is in the detail. Bodywork especially can soak up a lot of cash and the only way to do it is to do it properly in my view.
The red car at Munich legends looks like the same car I saw at Cambridge Motor Company before Christmas. Back on the right wheels and fitted with the 5 speed box. I wonder if that is a popular mod for these cars as I have seen a few with 5 speed boxes.
Rohan - You seem like the right person to be asking questions to! Would love to hear about your cars and experiences in driving and running them. I would be very interested in taking you up on the offer and very happy to cover diesel / lunch. Are you a friend of a chap called Paul Sutters by any chance?
All information and feedback gratefully received.
Thanks
Hi Jedi,
yes I am, Paul is a very good friend of mine - I was his best man! How do you know him?
5 speed is a popular mod, i kept my cars as 4 speed but on a long journey an overdrive box is nice to have. A lot of people have done the mod and it involves shortening the prop shaft.
Uk cars came with steel bumpers etc but many like me have ditched the weight for a cleaner look.
Its all about bodywork on these cars and specifically the A post area, in some caes it can all look fine but be very bad so ideally you want photo proof of it having been done.
Regards,
Rohan
yes I am, Paul is a very good friend of mine - I was his best man! How do you know him?
5 speed is a popular mod, i kept my cars as 4 speed but on a long journey an overdrive box is nice to have. A lot of people have done the mod and it involves shortening the prop shaft.
Uk cars came with steel bumpers etc but many like me have ditched the weight for a cleaner look.
Its all about bodywork on these cars and specifically the A post area, in some caes it can all look fine but be very bad so ideally you want photo proof of it having been done.
Regards,
Rohan
Jedi Knight said:
Thanks all for the replies.
Cheib - Re the white car, would be grateful if you could post to link to the 4* cars as I couldn't find it. My understanding of the RHD cars was they were all fitted with the "City Pack" so would have come with steel front and rear bumpers. The white car seems to be fitted with the deep front air dam and lightweight bumpers.
The cars at 4* seem to have been there for a while. Not sure if that is a reflection of pricing or quality. I was there to look at an E30 M3 for a friend a little while ago and they seemed like good guys. The E30 was average at best though.
The Hexagon car looks interesting as well but they do generally price at the top end of the market which is fine if the car is equally top end of the market.
I think what constitutes a full restoration depends on who you ask but I think you are right that the devil is in the detail. Bodywork especially can soak up a lot of cash and the only way to do it is to do it properly in my view.
The red car at Munich legends looks like the same car I saw at Cambridge Motor Company before Christmas. Back on the right wheels and fitted with the 5 speed box. I wonder if that is a popular mod for these cars as I have seen a few with 5 speed boxes.
Rohan - You seem like the right person to be asking questions to! Would love to hear about your cars and experiences in driving and running them. I would be very interested in taking you up on the offer and very happy to cover diesel / lunch. Are you a friend of a chap called Paul Sutters by any chance?
All information and feedback gratefully received.
Thanks
This was the thread discussing those 4* cars. A lot of it is rubbish but there is a bit in there discussing the sunroof etc and the fact hat the white car was originally another colour.Cheib - Re the white car, would be grateful if you could post to link to the 4* cars as I couldn't find it. My understanding of the RHD cars was they were all fitted with the "City Pack" so would have come with steel front and rear bumpers. The white car seems to be fitted with the deep front air dam and lightweight bumpers.
The cars at 4* seem to have been there for a while. Not sure if that is a reflection of pricing or quality. I was there to look at an E30 M3 for a friend a little while ago and they seemed like good guys. The E30 was average at best though.
The Hexagon car looks interesting as well but they do generally price at the top end of the market which is fine if the car is equally top end of the market.
I think what constitutes a full restoration depends on who you ask but I think you are right that the devil is in the detail. Bodywork especially can soak up a lot of cash and the only way to do it is to do it properly in my view.
The red car at Munich legends looks like the same car I saw at Cambridge Motor Company before Christmas. Back on the right wheels and fitted with the 5 speed box. I wonder if that is a popular mod for these cars as I have seen a few with 5 speed boxes.
Rohan - You seem like the right person to be asking questions to! Would love to hear about your cars and experiences in driving and running them. I would be very interested in taking you up on the offer and very happy to cover diesel / lunch. Are you a friend of a chap called Paul Sutters by any chance?
All information and feedback gratefully received.
Thanks
http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1542...
As it says they have had those cars for an absolute age and other dealers seem to struggle to shift these cars quickly. Not sure if that is a reflection of the condition of the cars for the price or the demand for CSL's in the £50k price bracket. I suspect it is more about the condition?
From what I have heard, none of the cars at 4* Classics are fully restored/perfect condition. Perhaps that's why they are sticking, as potential buyers would prefer to buy a 'sorted' car, even if it costs them a little more but at least has proof of major bodywork restoration etc. The car at Hexagon seems in excellent condition and is priced at £70k (I went in and asked).
The only way I imagine you can be sure of excellent bodywork/no rust is to see cars with recent photos of a rebuild etc as otherwise there is always a risk. My taiga green CSL looked beautiful from the outside and would have held its own at a car show, yet once stripped, revealed hideous rot to the sills, arches etc. The bill for all the work to be done? £30k. Enough said!
Im in Vauxhall if you fancy coming to see mine. Just PM me.
The only way I imagine you can be sure of excellent bodywork/no rust is to see cars with recent photos of a rebuild etc as otherwise there is always a risk. My taiga green CSL looked beautiful from the outside and would have held its own at a car show, yet once stripped, revealed hideous rot to the sills, arches etc. The bill for all the work to be done? £30k. Enough said!
Im in Vauxhall if you fancy coming to see mine. Just PM me.
I Like 'Jedi' have always loved the E9 CSL Coupe its such a style icon
Well I have taken the plunge and am now the proud owner of the Inka Orange(sooo 70's reminds me of lava lamps) car from 4 Star Classics who have been superb answering so many of my questions providing tons of photos and a photographic library of her restoration. -- Thanks Lucas you are a gent.
To drive her is a treat not feeling anywhere near 42 years old and is still brisk and crisp
I must also give a special mention to Rohan who has been invaluable with his encyclopedic knowledge of all things CSL - Thank you.
now then guys the question fit a front airdam ? arrrghh decisions.
and any of you thinking of buying don't hesitate The early 70's was a great period - Dino - 2.7RS - 3.0 CSL.
here she is
Well I have taken the plunge and am now the proud owner of the Inka Orange(sooo 70's reminds me of lava lamps) car from 4 Star Classics who have been superb answering so many of my questions providing tons of photos and a photographic library of her restoration. -- Thanks Lucas you are a gent.
To drive her is a treat not feeling anywhere near 42 years old and is still brisk and crisp
I must also give a special mention to Rohan who has been invaluable with his encyclopedic knowledge of all things CSL - Thank you.
now then guys the question fit a front airdam ? arrrghh decisions.
and any of you thinking of buying don't hesitate The early 70's was a great period - Dino - 2.7RS - 3.0 CSL.
here she is
Edited by TKH on Monday 20th January 20:46
Thanks Claret
Car and particularly colour reminds me of some fondue memories from 70's as a kid
Fondue
Lava lamps
Action man with eagle eyes
Buckaroo
Abba
Marc Bolan
The Good Life - Felicity ahhhh
Matey bubble bath
Chicken in a basket (for those under 40 this takes some explaining)
Blue Nun ( may also need explaining )
Kerplunk
Redex
Tiger Tokens
Smurfs
My beloved Raleigh Chopper
Boy they were good times
Car is fab gearing amusing
Car and particularly colour reminds me of some fondue memories from 70's as a kid
Fondue
Lava lamps
Action man with eagle eyes
Buckaroo
Abba
Marc Bolan
The Good Life - Felicity ahhhh
Matey bubble bath
Chicken in a basket (for those under 40 this takes some explaining)
Blue Nun ( may also need explaining )
Kerplunk
Redex
Tiger Tokens
Smurfs
My beloved Raleigh Chopper
Boy they were good times
Car is fab gearing amusing
Stunning awesome car... saw one in East London last year in silver but didn't quite have the stunning presence as yours yet still a pleasure to see. I had the Batmobile Scalextric version in the 70's & became one of my favourite cars overnight & still to this day...
Do adore yours the colour is perfect for that particular car.
Do adore yours the colour is perfect for that particular car.
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