CS worth waiting for?

[toasty]

I'm looking for an M3 to replace my Z4 and have noticed that I could stretch my budget to a CS (but not CSL).

They seem to be 2 or 3 grand more than standard M3s, has anyone got experience of both and could say whether the CS is worth the extra time and money to find one in the right spec?

[rash_decision]

I think all CS cars are SMG?? Have CSL brakes and CSL wheels, I think that's it?? Personally I would buy a nice standard M3 whether it be SMG or manual and buy a set of replica wheels, hey presto, a CS with some change!!!

[E30M3SE]

rash_decision said:

I think all CS cars are SMG?? Have CSL brakes and CSL wheels, I think that's it?? Personally I would buy a nice standard M3 whether it be SMG or manual and buy a set of replica wheels, hey presto, a CS with some change!!!

No, available in 6 speed manual, three pedal variety.

[rash_decision]

E30M3SE said:

rash_decision said:

I think all CS cars are SMG?? Have CSL brakes and CSL wheels, I think that's it?? Personally I would buy a nice standard M3 whether it be SMG or manual and buy a set of replica wheels, hey presto, a CS with some change!!!

No, available in 6 speed manual, three pedal variety.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=72&t=242299

Apparently it does only come in SMG guise. Have a read at the above review.

Edited by rash_decision on Monday 26th July 16:51

[toasty]

There are definitely manuals for sale, I narrowly missed one last week. Maybe they initially only came out in SMG, maybe the article was wrong.

http://www.imc-bmw.com/list.cfm?type=M3
Only the non leather seats and spoiler putting me off the one for sale here.

I'm really not fussed either way to be honest. SMG would be something new but manual is more familiar.

Edited by toasty on Monday 26th July 16:54

[rash_decision]

Apparently there are manual cars then, I stand corrected! I've read a few reviews that stated these cars were only in SMG guise. But as you said, maybe early cars were only SMG. Maybe they changed their plan through demand for a manual gearbox?

Edited by rash_decision on Monday 26th July 17:02

[wrighty78]

rash_decision said:

E30M3SE said:

rash_decision said:

I think all CS cars are SMG?? Have CSL brakes and CSL wheels, I think that's it?? Personally I would buy a nice standard M3 whether it be SMG or manual and buy a set of replica wheels, hey presto, a CS with some change!!!

No, available in 6 speed manual, three pedal variety.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=72&t=242299

Apparently it does only come in SMG guise. Have a read at the above review.

Edited by rash_decision on Monday 26th July 16:51

RD - that article you quote clearly says that the CSs do come with an ordinary manual box. It's the CLSs that are SMG-only.

Changes from the standard M3 (aside from wheels and brakes) included quicker steering rack, suspension tweaks, and track-mode button on the (alacantra) steering wheel. And of course, the lovely Interlagos Blue colour, only available on the CS.

I've had a CS and an "ordinary" e46 M3. In truth, there's very little difference in day-to-day driving, although I think the ordinary M3 felt a little more comfortable over broken roads. But the CS looked brilliant, with the CSL wheels and the Interlagos bodywork.

If I were buying another M3, I'd be very tempted to hold out for a good CS. And I think they might hold their values better for the future, as I think we are seeing already.

Edited by wrighty78 on Monday 26th July 17:17

[ferrisbueller]

rash_decision said:

E30M3SE said:

rash_decision said:

I think all CS cars are SMG?? Have CSL brakes and CSL wheels, I think that's it?? Personally I would buy a nice standard M3 whether it be SMG or manual and buy a set of replica wheels, hey presto, a CS with some change!!!

No, available in 6 speed manual, three pedal variety.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=72&t=242299

Apparently it does only come in SMG guise. Have a read at the above review.

Edited by rash_decision on Monday 26th July 16:51

Odd, as mine is a manual And yes, they are worth the extra. And yes, they are very hard to find.

[ferrisbueller]

toasty said:

There are definitely manuals for sale, I narrowly missed one last week. Maybe they initially only came out in SMG, maybe the article was wrong.

http://www.imc-bmw.com/list.cfm?type=M3
Only the non leather seats and spoiler putting me off the one for sale here.

I'm really not fussed either way to be honest. SMG would be something new but manual is more familiar.

Edited by toasty on Monday 26th July 16:54

I would not buy a car from that particular dealer. Ever.

[BUG4LIFE]

ferrisbueller said:

toasty said:

There are definitely manuals for sale, I narrowly missed one last week. Maybe they initially only came out in SMG, maybe the article was wrong.

http://www.imc-bmw.com/list.cfm?type=M3
Only the non leather seats and spoiler putting me off the one for sale here.

I'm really not fussed either way to be honest. SMG would be something new but manual is more familiar.

Edited by toasty on Monday 26th July 16:54

I would not buy a car from that particular dealer. Ever.

How come mate?

As has been said above, a CS should hold it's value better - if I had the dosh and the choice between the two, I'd be buying the CS

[ferrisbueller]

BUG4LIFE said:

ferrisbueller said:

toasty said:

There are definitely manuals for sale, I narrowly missed one last week. Maybe they initially only came out in SMG, maybe the article was wrong.

http://www.imc-bmw.com/list.cfm?type=M3
Only the non leather seats and spoiler putting me off the one for sale here.

I'm really not fussed either way to be honest. SMG would be something new but manual is more familiar.

Edited by toasty on Monday 26th July 16:54

I would not buy a car from that particular dealer. Ever.

How come mate?

As has been said above, a CS should hold it's value better - if I had the dosh and the choice between the two, I'd be buying the CS

Name and shame policy prevents me posting much detail. Suffice to say my standards and expectations in terms of service and quality of what they sell are much higher than theirs.

And I hope no-one on here bought that black CS.

[Slurms]

I bought a CS in december and it's awesome

Might be letting it go as i'd bought it to track but looking less likely i'll be doing any this year so might change to an E60 M5 as some additional comfort when driving in europe would result in less complaints from the misses.

[toasty]

I went to view one today

Pros
Interlagos blue -
Good price
Fully loaded

Cons
Non standard wheels - half the reason I'd want a CS over a normal M3
Non CS handbrake -
Running in service at 2000mls
Specialist servicing from 30k
Needs front tyres

If I add the price of a new set of CS wheels and new front tyres the price doesn't look so good.

Still tempted though.