2004 M3 E46 Clubsport Specification?

[artdealer]

• Relating specifically to before the MY2005 CS Clubsport (Competition Package) model came out

I have just bought an 2004 E46 M3 SMG Coupe which has Clubsport Badges, and CSL 19" Alloys. Reg'd March 2004. I'm trying to work out what the Clubsport option consisted of. Maybe someone has a new car brochure or price list from the era.

Looks like the wheels, badges and maybe the red/blue threads in the steering wheel, but nothing to compare with there.

I'm guessing it's a cosmetic upgrade as the CS 'Clubsport' (Competition Package) which consisted of some of the M3 CSL upgrades did not come out until MY2005. This later package included the quicker steering rack.

I took the car in p/x but might keep it for my own since it's been very well maintained, much spent in last 18m on regular maintainance and seems a lot of car for the money nowadays. E46 Coupe is the best M3 since E30 IMO. Getting used to SMG Drivelogic too now.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[KP]

Never heard of E46 M3 Clubsport (other than the CS). CS's were available from 2005?
Apparently CS was the same as the E46 M3 Competition Package (offered in US as they didn't get the CSL)

[NickXX]

This sounds odd - do you have any pics?

The e46 Clubsport was a 330ci - which came with the clubsport sill covers. The M3 CS didn't have Clubsport branding.

[KP]

Don't think the CS comes with any special badging either.
Have seen a few CS's with the 330Ci Clubsport rear spoiler though. Not a fan of that.
What is the car referred to as on the log book?

[Big E 118]

Was this the silver M3 with Clubsport badges on it at Goodwood today?

CS's didn't come out until Sept 05 and not aware of any cosmetic ltd editions although the US had a Clubsport from 2003 I think.

[john_p]

Pretty certain there wasn't a version like this.

I suspect someone's just fitted CSL alloys and stuck a "clubsport" badge on (from the 330Ci Clubsport)

[artdealer]

john_p said:

Pretty certain there wasn't a version like this.

I suspect someone's just fitted CSL alloys and stuck a "clubsport" badge on (from the 330Ci Clubsport)

That was my first thought. But I'll call BMW later and spec check it.

[artdealer]

Big E 118 said:

Was this the silver M3 with Clubsport badges on it at Goodwood today?

CS's didn't come out until Sept 05 and not aware of any cosmetic ltd editions although the US had a Clubsport from 2003 I think.

Yes, I got there a bit earlier than usual, much better.

[Big E 118]

artdealer said:

Big E 118 said:

Was this the silver M3 with Clubsport badges on it at Goodwood today?

CS's didn't come out until Sept 05 and not aware of any cosmetic ltd editions although the US had a Clubsport from 2003 I think.

Yes, I got there a bit earlier than usual, much better.

Had a look at it in the car park as I noticed the Clubsport badges and then you followed me out of Goodwood, I was in the Interlagos Blue M3 CS.

Those wheels are from the CS (different valve placement to the CSL) which didn't come out until the following year so wouldn't have come with the car originally. Does your steering wheel have the I/O M Track button on it as it looked like a stardard M3 wheel but with M-Track from what I could see?

It would seem to me that it was a Euro M3 that someone has made look like a US M3 Clubsport rather than any special edition, did look nice and tidy though!

[artdealer]

Big E 118 said:

Had a look at it in the car park as I noticed the Clubsport badges and then you followed me out of Goodwood, I was in the Interlagos Blue M3 CS.

Those wheels are from the CS (different valve placement to the CSL) which didn't come out until the following year so wouldn't have come with the car originally. Does your steering wheel have the I/O M Track button on it as it looked like a stardard M3 wheel but with M-Track from what I could see?

It would seem to me that it was a Euro M3 that someone has made look like a US M3 Clubsport rather than any special edition, did look nice and tidy though!

Good to say Hi here.

I would admit to pressing sport button and foot down to catch you up sharpish. My friend has identical car to you, but would have been down from London so....

Yes, a tidy car with recent discs, pads, rear bushes, rear diff seals recon, and tyres all round. Plus it has a huge amp and speakers all built in with pro-cabling. I have sold on so many cars I wished I'd maybe kept.

I'll phone BMW to spec check. I am looking at the badges and they do look long term original to the car especially on dash. But let's see. The car was delivered new by the I-O-W dealer so UK spec.

[artdealer]

OK, thanks for posts everyone.

Definitive from BMW. UK Isle of Wight dealer. March 2004 M3 Coupe. Titanium Silver with Black Nappa Leather Elec Seats. EDM / Powerfold, ESR, Centre Armrest, SMG Drivelogic. The 19" Clubsport wheels and badges must be off another car, would have had 18" AWs from new. These wheels won't turn to dust behind the lacquer! Still looks a rare thing too

[KP]

Any chance of a few pics?

[artdealer]

Took some pics in case it goes back into stock. I'm treating it like a cosmetic Clubsport which I think would have gone down well as a new car option Remember the 1985 M535 when the original M5 came out which looked the same but had the proper engine.

Edited by artdealer on Tuesday 8th March 18:53

[KP]

Hey that looks in great nick!

I'd keep it Steve!

Karl.

[artdealer]

KP said:

Don't think the CS comes with any special badging either.
Have seen a few CS's with the 330Ci Clubsport rear spoiler though. Not a fan of that.
What is the car referred to as on the log book?

Hi Karl, I know what you mean about the 'wrong' spoilers fitted to cars. I had the grey M3 a while ago which had alcantara CSL steering wheel (on a manual car doh) and Front Bumper.

I had a 330 Clubsport a while ago. Loved the sound inside from the engine and exhaust, they have cardboard bulkheads. The M3 has SMG2 which is an improvement over SMG1 by a long way.

[Big E 118]

artdealer said:

Took some pics in case it goes back into stock. I'm treating it like a cosmetic Clubsport which I think would have gone down well as a new car option Remember the 1985 M535 when the original M5 came out which looked the same but had the proper engine.

Edited by artdealer on Tuesday 8th March 18:53

That is nice but the SMG badge by the shifter is a Halfords special, would look much better without that

[artdealer]

Big E 118 said:

That is nice but the SMG badge by the shifter is a Halfords special, would look much better without that

Someone had a penchant for badges LOL.

I'm not going to start removing because might damage what's underneath. An SMG badge must have come from BMW, maybe off another model (say M5) ?

[Big E 118]

artdealer said:

Big E 118 said:

That is nice but the SMG badge by the shifter is a Halfords special, would look much better without that

Someone had a penchant for badges LOL.

I'm not going to start removing because might damage what's underneath. An SMG badge must have come from BMW, maybe off another model (say M5) ?

Thinking about it I have seen that type of SMG badge on a BMW somewhere before, can't think which model though.

[KP]

artdealer said:

Hi Karl, I know what you mean about the 'wrong' spoilers fitted to cars. I had the grey M3 a while ago which had alcantara CSL steering wheel (on a manual car doh) and Front Bumper.

I had a 330 Clubsport a while ago. Loved the sound inside from the engine and exhaust, they have cardboard bulkheads. The M3 has SMG2 which is an improvement over SMG1 by a long way.

Think the rear lip spoiler on the M looks right and doesn't detract from the purposeful rear end.

Love the character of the M3 engine. Has a no nonsense feel and the manual sounds great when backing off the throttle and downshifting (particularly in tunnels!)

Although a tad agricultural when cold the manual, once learned, has a good change and gives you assurity that it can handle the power. (Getrag based apprently).

Are you enjoying the SMG then? That clubsport SMG badge looks OEM to me.

Like the look of that Goodwood breakfast club - may see you next month!

Karl.

Edited by KP on Wednesday 9th March 14:52

[artdealer]

KP said:

Think the rear lip spoiler on the M looks right and doesn't detract from the purposeful rear end.

Love the character of the M3 engine. Has a no nonsense feel and the manual sounds great when backing off the throttle and downshifting (particularly in tunnels!)

Although a tad agricultural when cold the manual, once learned, has a good change and gives you assurity that it can handle the power. (Getrag based apprently).

Are you enjoying the SMG then?

Like the look of that Goodwood breakfast club - may see you next month!

Karl.

Hi Karl, yes, I am getting used to the SMG and idiosyncrasies. I'm not so keen on the 'lazy' shift in Relaxed mode i.e #1 on SMG adjustment, but get it to 3,4,5 etc and when combined with Sport button it's really good fun. I think you have to think about gear changes more until you get used to it, but tbh I'd be happy to keep it now I am used to it. I like the odd noticeable automated blip double-de-clutch on the downshift. In fact I find the manual M3's quite hard work, even the steering wheel feels a bit less chunky than in the manual, which is OTT imo. Re: Goodwood, have a look at the website, or links in PH to see what's coming up. I go depending on other commitments and the theme.