Is this the CSL era?
Discussion
Over the years I’ve watched the M3 CSL drop, rise and settle in price.
I think the CSL has finally found the era where it becomes like the E30 M3 and must be treasured and restored.
Demand for these cars is insane with waiting lists all over the place from various dealers.
Question for the CSL owners, what plans do you have in store for your CSL and with the minimum price for any CSL nowadays regardless of mileage (if you can find one!) being around 70k what factors make you want to keep it?
Matt.
I think the CSL has finally found the era where it becomes like the E30 M3 and must be treasured and restored.
Demand for these cars is insane with waiting lists all over the place from various dealers.
Question for the CSL owners, what plans do you have in store for your CSL and with the minimum price for any CSL nowadays regardless of mileage (if you can find one!) being around 70k what factors make you want to keep it?
Matt.
I owned one and changed it only for a 996.2 GT3 ...
There was so much rubbish written about the CSL in the day ... cardboard boot (I carried 5000 mailings to the post office in mine) ... slower than a standard car ... EVO panned them and only a third of the 421 cars was sold at list price ... the rest sold with a few miles on the clock at £42k.
It was always a great car ! Yes you could fit better brakes (just like the 996.1 GT3) , yes the the rear subframe did require attention by BMW under warranty, but the sound and emotion at a speed that still makes sense on today's roads !! Amazing.
I think this now falls into the same category as cars such as the original Honda Integra DC2. It does the same job, but faster ... but values are heading in the same direction.
These cars are really useable at useable realistic speeds. Try that with a 500bhp PDK GT3RS ... two seconds of fun and then better be patient ??
There was so much rubbish written about the CSL in the day ... cardboard boot (I carried 5000 mailings to the post office in mine) ... slower than a standard car ... EVO panned them and only a third of the 421 cars was sold at list price ... the rest sold with a few miles on the clock at £42k.
It was always a great car ! Yes you could fit better brakes (just like the 996.1 GT3) , yes the the rear subframe did require attention by BMW under warranty, but the sound and emotion at a speed that still makes sense on today's roads !! Amazing.
I think this now falls into the same category as cars such as the original Honda Integra DC2. It does the same job, but faster ... but values are heading in the same direction.
These cars are really useable at useable realistic speeds. Try that with a 500bhp PDK GT3RS ... two seconds of fun and then better be patient ??
ChrisW. said:
I owned one and changed it only for a 996.2 GT3 ...
There was so much rubbish written about the CSL in the day ... cardboard boot (I carried 5000 mailings to the post office in mine) ... slower than a standard car ... EVO panned them and only a third of the 421 cars was sold at list price ... the rest sold with a few miles on the clock at £42k.
It was always a great car ! Yes you could fit better brakes (just like the 996.1 GT3) , yes the the rear subframe did require attention by BMW under warranty, but the sound and emotion at a speed that still makes sense on today's roads !! Amazing.
I think this now falls into the same category as cars such as the original Honda Integra DC2. It does the same job, but faster ... but values are heading in the same direction.
These cars are really useable at useable realistic speeds. Try that with a 500bhp PDK GT3RS ... two seconds of fun and then better be patient ??
Totally agree, they have a great blend of power & traction and are good fun at all speeds. Pretty civilized for boring motorway stuff too. There was so much rubbish written about the CSL in the day ... cardboard boot (I carried 5000 mailings to the post office in mine) ... slower than a standard car ... EVO panned them and only a third of the 421 cars was sold at list price ... the rest sold with a few miles on the clock at £42k.
It was always a great car ! Yes you could fit better brakes (just like the 996.1 GT3) , yes the the rear subframe did require attention by BMW under warranty, but the sound and emotion at a speed that still makes sense on today's roads !! Amazing.
I think this now falls into the same category as cars such as the original Honda Integra DC2. It does the same job, but faster ... but values are heading in the same direction.
These cars are really useable at useable realistic speeds. Try that with a 500bhp PDK GT3RS ... two seconds of fun and then better be patient ??
ChrisW. said:
It was always a great car ! Yes you could fit better brakes (just like the 996.1 GT3) , yes the the rear subframe did require attention by BMW under warranty, but the sound and emotion at a speed that still makes sense on today's roads !! Amazing.
Totally agree.Even the SMG gearbox and it’s characteristic nature (after being learnt) is constant fun when pushing on!
I just don’t see there being anything coming out of BMW that compares to this lightweight thrill.
One of those cars I'm glad I owned when they weren't worth much! Glad to say I sold mine with knackered brakes, the front end totally sand blasted by stone chips and loads and loads of Nürburgring laps 
Daily'd it was absolutely fine, the diff was a bit shunty around car parks. I suppose when you've used and abused one it's a bit different to cherishing one and giving it a wipe in the garage every few months and it wouldn't sit with me.
A shame not to see them driven hard, it's what they were made for.
Daily'd it was absolutely fine, the diff was a bit shunty around car parks. I suppose when you've used and abused one it's a bit different to cherishing one and giving it a wipe in the garage every few months and it wouldn't sit with me.
A shame not to see them driven hard, it's what they were made for.
Kettmark said:
I bought mine about 11 months ago just before ones for sale became non existent. I use mine on a weekly basis but I feat the way values are going it won't be the case for long.
Insurance companies are starting to insist cars are garaged, in limited miles and have trackers fitted.
It’s just starting to find its natural value.Insurance companies are starting to insist cars are garaged, in limited miles and have trackers fitted.
With CSL parts NLA and the constant, positive buzz from various journalists its a car that stands out from anything new being made from BMW.
Many CSL replicas out there but Genuine CSLs are hard to find nowadays.
At least you get to see the odd few at a random meet.
That as may be but still more engaging as a manual. They should also have made it more like a GT3 Clubsport with captive plates welded in for the option of a cage and six point harness but that is another story.
Anyway where have they all gone??? Is everyone sitting on them as an investment now ???? I can only see one previously for sale (and now sold) from Nick the serial CSL seller at GBP 78,000. He apparently has 11 buyers lined up - not sure if that is a catch all.
Pip
Anyway where have they all gone??? Is everyone sitting on them as an investment now ???? I can only see one previously for sale (and now sold) from Nick the serial CSL seller at GBP 78,000. He apparently has 11 buyers lined up - not sure if that is a catch all.
Pip
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