M3 CSL E46

[Leins]

Oh no, who opened this thread again...

[jayemm89]

Zod said:

It's because an E46 M3 is a very affordable car these days, unlike a CSL or a 360 or a 911. People cannot convince themselves that something based on a car that can now be picked up for £6K can really be that special.

Not too long ago there were plenty of 911s available for less than 10K.

I believe I recall the E46 CSL and 360 CS and E92 GTS all basically being described as "Not worth the extra money, and only really much better if you're a serious track enthusiast" when they came out - but all three have gone on to achieve some sort of following. The 360 CS is a Ferrari, so it's less surprising. There are some very, very dodgy Ferraris now worth money because the good ones have become crazy expensive.

[VonSenger]

Krikkit said:

sjb1970 said:

Noise. 7. Unlike many people, my buddy agrees with me that the exhaust was too quiet and the intake noise far too much. Too much like someone left the air filter box off entirely from their company rep inline 6-pot.

...

Practicality. 8. If you could shut the never-ending intake noise out of your head, even for mild overtakes, it was big enough to be able to do the chores.

I simply don't understand this. How can you have too much induction noise when it's of such great quality? I'd much rather have those 6 trumpets wailing away than the exhaust.

You must be the only 'petrolhead' ive ever heard say they dont like the noise! It was one of the first mods I did!

[cerb4.5lee]

Leins said:

Oh no, who opened this thread again...

That's what I thought too!

[e21Mark]

VonSenger said:

Krikkit said:

sjb1970 said:

Noise. 7. Unlike many people, my buddy agrees with me that the exhaust was too quiet and the intake noise far too much. Too much like someone left the air filter box off entirely from their company rep inline 6-pot.

...

Practicality. 8. If you could shut the never-ending intake noise out of your head, even for mild overtakes, it was big enough to be able to do the chores.

I simply don't understand this. How can you have too much induction noise when it's of such great quality? I'd much rather have those 6 trumpets wailing away than the exhaust.

You must be the only 'petrolhead' ive ever heard say they dont like the noise! It was one of the first mods I did!

Who wouldn't want an M car with a carbon air box?

[NJH]

I consider myself a neutral when it comes to anything BMW but my god one of the great petrolhead things of the past 20 years has been the CSL induction sound. Proper race car soundtrack in a road car from a mainstream manufacturer.

[mark.c]

e21Mark said:

Who wouldn't want an M car with a carbon air box?

Agreed, even if it is only a shouty little 320

[s m]

mark.c said:

e21Mark said:

Who wouldn't want an M car with a carbon air box?

Agreed, even if it is only a shouty little 320

320 is lovely

[Leins]

Great pic Mark

[k-ink]

For a moment I thought Mr Have I Told You I Own A Corvette And A Mondeo was actually back in PH land. Oh well. I guess he's off busy living the dream.

[mark.c]

Thanks chaps, I can't take the credit for the pic though, it was while the first UK owner had it I believe.With a bit of luck I might get to use the car a lot more this year

[cymtriks]

kambites said:

I wonder if the price has been inflated by the fact that BMW (and indeed everyone else) seem very unlikely to ever produce that sort of car again?

This.
As far as enthusiasts are concerned we have passed "Peak Car".

[k-ink]

Nonsense. Lotus still make drivers cars. Not all manufacturers turn out lardy, electric assisted barges filled with tat. If you want a drivers car they are still available. The truth is, not many people actually do. They want an image, comfort and all the toys. So that is what is made, on the whole, to suit average joe.

[JUPE777]

k-ink said:

Nonsense. Lotus still make drivers cars. Not all manufacturers turn out lardy, electric assisted barges filled with tat. If you want a drivers car they are still available. The truth is, not many people actually do. They want an image, comfort and all the toys. So that is what is made, on the whole, to suit average joe.

But the CSL had the image, comfort (sort of) and most of the toys (most were specced with A/C, stereo, parking sensors etc) as well as being one hell of a drivers car.

[SidewaysSi]

JUPE777 said:

k-ink said:

Nonsense. Lotus still make drivers cars. Not all manufacturers turn out lardy, electric assisted barges filled with tat. If you want a drivers car they are still available. The truth is, not many people actually do. They want an image, comfort and all the toys. So that is what is made, on the whole, to suit average joe.

But the CSL had the image, comfort (sort of) and most of the toys (most were specced with A/C, stereo, parking sensors etc) as well as being one hell of a drivers car.

But it's all relative...

[cymtriks]

k-ink said:

Nonsense. Lotus still make drivers cars. Not all manufacturers turn out lardy, electric assisted barges filled with tat. If you want a drivers car they are still available. The truth is, not many people actually do. They want an image, comfort and all the toys. So that is what is made, on the whole, to suit average joe.

What you say is only partly true, if you want the big engine option you usually find that it is only available with lots of other stuff at a massive extra cost. The customer dances to their tune, not the other way around.