RE: BMW M3 CSL: PH Carpool

RE: BMW M3 CSL: PH Carpool

Monday 24th November 2014

BMW M3 CSL: PH Carpool

Now on his 14th (!) M3 this week's Carpooler may finally have found a keeper



Name: John Denny
Car: 2003 BMW M3 CSL
Owned since: September 2014
Previously owned: "13 BMW M3s. 10x E36s, 2x E46s and an E92. Alpina B3, BMW 535i Sport, 3x Toyota MR2s, Celica GT4, 5x Opel Mantas, Porsche Boxster, 2x 911, Audi S3, Audi S4, 2x Ford Escort Mk1 and Ford Escort Mk2."

Why I bought it:
"Because I had to! I have been a BMW M3 lover since I first saw one in 1993 and it has always represented the pinnacle of rear-wheel drive to me. The M3 is such a sorted car, the E36 seemed just like a modern Manta in the 90s which was my car at the time; obviously when the E46 CSL came out it seemed the best of the best! I sat in one at a dealers when they were new but didn't drive a CSL until 2010 while on a photoshoot with my last E36 M3 as part of BMW Car's M3 25th Anniversary special. It was made even more special as that CSL was BMW's heritage car that featured on Top Gear.

"Now I've heard many people say that you shouldn't drive your dream car. Stuff like the General Lee Dodge Charger or a Lamborghini Countach come to mind as cars that made better posters than driving experiences. But that wasn't an issue with the CSL, in fact it was everything I thought it would be and more. That initial bark of the engine as it starts made for the biggest smile I've ever had on my face.

A dream realised for John and it doesn't disappoint
A dream realised for John and it doesn't disappoint
"So roll forward to 2013 and with a few car deals done, plus having my E92 stolen and then written off, I was fortunate enough to have sufficient funds for a CSL. A car came up for sale in Somerset, but that one didn't work out. Then a CSL Register member said his was for sale and he was literally just up the road! This was totally unprecedented for my usual car buying trips, which usually involve five hours, four trains and a taxi!"

What I wish I'd known:
"I have had many BMWs and spent lots of time and money putting them back to standard, resetting alloys, replacing worn trim and the like. This particular car had been slightly 'pimped', having had the grilles, vents and wheels sprayed matt black. Like many CSLs too it had been fitted with a set of wheel spacers to give it a more aggressive stance and the rear diffuser was a full carbon affair rather that the BMW OEM. Oh, and there had been some carbon wrap applied to the interior dash inserts.

"And so began the journey back to standard! The new grilles, side vents and interior inserts were just over £500 plus VAT. The alloys had to be dipped and re enamelled, then reshod with a second hand set of Michelin Pilot Sports I was lucky enough to get from a member of the CSL Register again. The car came with budget tyres that didn't quite work!

"Now this was a bit of a faff as I had to borrow some wheels from a friend, change my wheels over, get my wheels to the painter, then to the tyre people and back on the car. I seemed to have the car on and off the jack on a weekly basis but the net result was getting my black wheels silver again for under £1,000 with nice tyres.

"The biggest issue is the diffuser as the original ones are over £1,000 before painting. Therefore any future CSL purchase would be as close to standard in the first instance to avoid this hassle. It's always a balance though; I wanted a car to drive and so a prestige low mileage example would have been a waste.

"Of course lots of CSLs are tracked and so the AP Racing brake upgrade is popular. Those kits are not cheap and can even affect the asking price. Some also have suspension upgrades, to coilovers usually, or have just been put back to standard for the sale. All this is fine as long as the geometry has been checked. Mine had previously been running coilovers, but was put back to standard and wheel aligned after so it was perfect!"

Returned to standard and very nice too
Returned to standard and very nice too
Things I love:
"The CSL feels special just walking up to it. The fixed bucket seats grab you and the Alcantara steering wheel reminds you that you're in something special. Then you start up and drive off and it feels full of life, ready to go. But when it's cold and you try to move it along more than it wants to, it coughs and snorts like a bull just wanting to smash through a gate.

"As the CSL is so much lighter than the standard E46 M3 it feels more nimble and more agile. When warm and with sports mode engaged the sound as you pass 4,000 rpm and the airbox flap opens is phenomenal. It's enough to scare passers-by and leaves you thinking about where the nearest tunnel is!

"The styling is great too. It just works for me, from the tip of the extended carbon splitters to the top of the boot lid lip, its aggressive yet understated. Even more so on mine as it's Sapphire Black.

"Having a car that's just a bit different is nice too as the car people recognise it. The general public largely ignore it, but you also see those that have clocked something special and are peering at the CSL badge."

This is a large part of the appeal...
This is a large part of the appeal...
Things I hate:
"Not many things I hate on the car, the only niggles are that in and around traffic the CSL and M3 SMGs in general don't like stop start driving. At low speed and low revs they seem cumbersome and so there aren't many smooth changes around town. As well as this, hill starts are a very delicate balance of brake and throttle.

"The steering wheel seems to attract moisture when sitting in the colder months, so I have to keep the cabin aired. I suppose the main issue though is the fixed seats as sometimes you feel the sides are grabbing you rather than holding you but, again, a quick prod of throttle and most of these issues are forgotten."

Costs:
"The CSL isn't too expensive to run. I use it three or four times a week and at the weekends, mixing in our old Audi estate for moving the dog around. I'm lucky as my commute is a round trip of just over 30 miles. I get just under 30mpg, and being over 40 the insurance is under £400 at the moment with 18 years NCB.

"I get most of my work done at R G Lewis Tattenhall, though it was serviced by MB Tech Warrington before I bought it. It's due another service soon and needs a set of tyres; the rears are over £275 each and the fronts more than £250, so that's going to hurt. Tax is £156.75 for six months which is not great but considerably cheaper than my old E92. Parts for BMWs can be dear, but I get a good deal from Harry Fairbairn through one of the BMW forums and they deliver to the house!

"The only thing to look out for on the CSL in my opinion is the SMG, as if this plays up it can be expensive. I've had major issues with two of three previous SMGs but it still suits the way I drive, so it's worth the risk."

SMG certainly one of the drawbacks
SMG certainly one of the drawbacks
Where I've been:
"Most recently I have been to North Wales including the Evo Triangle and two weeks ago I finally plucked up the courage to take the car for a session around Oulton Park. It was very interesting, especially as it was lashing down with rain! Not great for 360hp rear-wheel drive cars but challenging..."

What next?
"My wife says that the reason I have had so many cars is because I was always hoping to get a CSL. Now I have one I can't have another car for a long time...

"However, if I could change the two options are either selling my CSL and buying a lower mileage grey car for a change, or winning the lottery and buying a Nissan GT-R for my daily commute. For now I'll stick with the trusty CSL, and while I have her I'll shower some more treats on her. These will include getting the sponge replaced in the driver's seat to make the daily drive a bit more comfortable and one day I may even go nuts and upgrade that rear diffuser. But as I have already said, at £1,000 plus I think it can stay as it is for a while yet."

 

 

Author
Discussion

melvster

Original Poster:

6,841 posts

184 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Great article, epic epic epic car…… would love to hear this on the Evo Triangle, the induction noise is to die for.

rtz62

3,340 posts

154 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Stunning, and on my wish list
One thing; if you're not picky about the exact tyre as fitted OEM, the Michelin SuperSport Pilot is 'only' £185, a saving on the price in the article.
Of course, owners will no doubt, and quite understandably, want the OEM fitted tyres that were put on the car to optimise it's handling from new. And I wouldn't blame them
I, sir, am jealous....

menoy

142 posts

133 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Re. the diffuser - surely there's some CSL owner out there in the UK that would gladly swap his OEM one for your carbon piece?? Probably with some cash your way too!

Shaoxter

4,048 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Great write up.

Key to the "At low speed and low revs they seem cumbersome and so there aren't many smooth changes around town" SMG problem is to not drive at low speeds and low revs wink

But 10 E36 M3's, seriously?? What were wrong with the first 9?

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
5 Opel Mantas! You must have been a fan

Nice car - interesting that you can really feel the weight loss over the normal one
I've noticed similar with my BM

Escort Si-130

3,269 posts

179 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Nice car, drove one back in 2008. Although the SMG was a bit tricky.

Ved

3,825 posts

174 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Delicious car and a great article. Modern classic is a term that's throw around a lot but this is most certainly one of them with residuals to prove it.

Great work.

alchristou

27 posts

144 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Miss mine massively and would certainly have another if I was in the position to do so. Really superb car on so many levels.

MPWR321BHP

259 posts

218 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Cheers guys for the comments.

Footnote, I love the fact the car has a SMG, as I wouldn't have bough the car as a manual, as I'm not a fan of the knotchy M3 gearboxes, and I like the fact I can change gear without the clutch. ;0) I know they break, and are not as good as a DSG, but I'm happy to forgive it.

Edited by MPWR321BHP on Monday 24th November 12:56

HokumPokum

2,049 posts

204 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
it is an awesome car.

I just bought a fully caged simpson motorsport prepared car and indeed even the SMG works. It is slow compared to the DCT/PDK for outright shift but boy do you feel the shift.......

It also screams like nothing I know...... and my drivetrain is standard.

If you have APs, they are great. Awesome bite and great stamina.

161BMW

1,697 posts

164 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Great car
Nice write up

.... So how good is the noise ? Does it really scare passers by :-) ?

0836whimper

974 posts

197 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
161BMW said:
.... So how good is the noise ? Does it really scare passers by :-) ?
Check out the last page 'Art of Speed' section of Evo next month.

And in the meantime, stick some headphones in and enjoy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiDuj8L3dh4&li...

richard300

1,085 posts

208 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
I am glad you saw past all the things that the previous owner had done to the car.... I have to admit that (rightly or wrongly) i walk away from cars that have been fitted with budget tyres or mismatched tyres, as i consider it an indicator of how well the car has been pampered.

Can i ask..... do the CSL's have the same exhaust system as the regular E46 M3's?? Only i never liked the 'rasp' the regular M3's made, and i wondered if the CSL made the same noise?

They are great looking cars though - And standard looks and features are definitely the way to go - Could you not get a bodyshop the paint the rear diffuser? Masking off the small section that BMW would have had as exposed carbon.

PS.... The Sapphire black is a much nicer shade of black than the regular carbon Black. Lovely car!!

WokkaWokka

698 posts

138 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Brilliant cars. My friend took me for a drive in his and it was absolutely epic mainly because he didn't hang about! Probably one of the best cars even made in my opinion.

0836whimper

974 posts

197 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
richard300 said:
Can i ask..... do the CSL's have the same exhaust system as the regular E46 M3's?? Only i never liked the 'rasp' the regular M3's made, and i wondered if the CSL made the same noise?
It's different. All the info you need here http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...

Anyway, on a standard car you won't hear the exhaust, because all noise is coming from the engine smile

If you want to hear the exhaust as well, you'll need a supersprint or similar.

Here are some exhaust examples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td-FJ-jkvkE&li...

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
0836whimper said:
Check out the last page 'Art of Speed' section of Evo next month.

And in the meantime, stick some headphones in and enjoy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiDuj8L3dh4&li...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gshHGe3Zczw is more representative.

X5TUU

11,908 posts

186 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Having recently looked at an E92 M3 CSL as a daily, these totally have never been on my radar really but seem to be creeping in there!

I do love the colour and can't think why someone would have done the wheels black, it's one of my biggest pet peeves haha!

I would second the comments on either getting another CSL owner to swap the carbon for OEM, or get it sprayed up, much cheaper than a bag of sand!

Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Nice feature

161BMW said:
Great car
Nice write up

.... So how good is the noise ? Does it really scare passers by :-) ?
Even on a standard set-up passengers cannot get over the noise of these things

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
I have a huge amount of respect for the CSL but with that gearbox I'd never want to own one. For those who like (or even don't dislike) automated gearboxes it's a wonderful thing.

cheese

66 posts

281 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Absolutely fantastic car and the gearbox actually suits it for it's intended purpose of track use in my opinion.

In comparison to one of it's contemporary rivals, the Porsche GT3, it's looking increasingly good value too as the GT3 heads off into the stratosphere price wise.