Is this the CSL era?

Is this the CSL era?

Author
Discussion

Matthew7711

Original Poster:

104 posts

101 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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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.

outnumbered

4,390 posts

242 months

Thursday 30th September 2021
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I don’t need the money, nor would I know what to replace it with that would be better at what it does.

darreni

4,013 posts

278 months

Friday 1st October 2021
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What outnumbered said.

Kettmark

905 posts

161 months

Saturday 2nd October 2021
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I thank my lucky stars I finally bought mine this time last year before missing the boat. I plan on using mind as much as possible and clocking up the miles unless someone offers me a figure I can't refuse.

ChrisW.

6,922 posts

263 months

Sunday 3rd October 2021
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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 ??




darreni

4,013 posts

278 months

Monday 4th October 2021
quotequote all
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.

Matthew7711

Original Poster:

104 posts

101 months

Monday 4th October 2021
quotequote all
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.

Matthew7711

Original Poster:

104 posts

101 months

Monday 4th October 2021
quotequote all
outnumbered said:
I don’t need the money, nor would I know what to replace it with that would be better at what it does.
This is the problem that so many CSL owners have.

As the value grows, hopefully they still get used.

CRA1G

6,780 posts

203 months

Monday 4th October 2021
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Good low mileage FSH E46 M3's are gathering pace now with prices rising.....rolleyes

CSL geezer

15 posts

42 months

Friday 8th October 2021
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Not withstanding all the great points of driving it, the CSL just looks great! It’s very timeless, understated but has just the right amount of special.

IMO, Like a good wine, it gets better with age.

LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

204 months

Friday 8th October 2021
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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 smile

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

905 posts

161 months

Friday 8th October 2021
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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.

Matthew7711

Original Poster:

104 posts

101 months

Wednesday 13th October 2021
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CSL geezer said:
Not withstanding all the great points of driving it, the CSL just looks great! It’s very timeless, understated but has just the right amount of special.

IMO, Like a good wine, it gets better with age.
Well said!

Matthew7711

Original Poster:

104 posts

101 months

Wednesday 13th October 2021
quotequote all
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.

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.

CSL geezer

15 posts

42 months

Saturday 16th October 2021
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Pip1968

1,362 posts

212 months

Sunday 17th October 2021
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A fabulous car but they should still have made a manual version.

Pip wink

Matthew7711

Original Poster:

104 posts

101 months

Tuesday 19th October 2021
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Pip1968 said:
A fabulous car but they should still have made a manual version.

Pip wink
Too slow.

Pip1968

1,362 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th October 2021
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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

Kettmark

905 posts

161 months

Wednesday 20th October 2021
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I'm on a WhatsApp group for csl owners and there are always members asking if anyone wants to sell as they have friends looking. One coming up for sale on collecting cars but naff all else.

CSL geezer

15 posts

42 months

Thursday 21st October 2021
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I think as per the post title, this is the era of the CSL.

However I think the era is only just beginning as the car approaches it’s 20th anniversary next year which will be another turning point.