RE: BMW E46 M3 CSL: Spotted

[WCZ]

numb steering? shame really, you'd expect the opposite

[Alpinestars]

cerb4.5lee said:

It still has that high pitch scream to it that I don't like. It makes a noise of a much smaller engine than it actually is to me. The induction noise did sound good when it was coming back down the road though.

We are all different, but I think that noise defines the E46, and personally, I love it.

[JaredVannett]

cerb4.5lee said:

MikeyC said:

cerb4.5lee said:

The S54 is too much of a screamer(tinny and like a Honda VTEC) for me, and I much prefer engines with a much deeper tone. An American V8 is more to my taste...l think I must be old fashioned!

I kinda agree, can sound a bit 'tinny'

Someone on m3cutters forum had their back-box modded: video here
Sounds a nice improvement

It still has that high pitch scream to it that I don't like. It makes a noise of a much smaller engine than it actually is to me. The induction noise did sound good when it was coming back down the road though.

This might be more your thing....probably the best setup I've heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jRxtmi61aI

^ custom header and exhaust setup on the E46 M3... but they never made it into production.

[MikeyC]

Alpinestars said:

cerb4.5lee said:

It still has that high pitch scream to it that I don't like. It makes a noise of a much smaller engine than it actually is to me. The induction noise did sound good when it was coming back down the road though.

We are all different, but I think that noise defines the E46, and personally, I love it.

Actually, that's a very good point - reminds me of this video

[InductionRoar]

cerb4.5lee said:

It still has that high pitch scream to it that I don't like. It makes a noise of a much smaller engine than it actually is to me. The induction noise did sound good when it was coming back down the road though.

I think the fact that the Z4M has separate back boxes, whereas the E46 M3 had a "sausage silencer" that both banks converged into, goes some way to explain the difference in sound between the two. This and the fact the Z4M has the CSL exhaust manifolds fitted.

IMO the Z4M has a slightly deeper tone than the standard M3 and sounds less frantic. The tone is even deeper with aftermarket backboxes fitted - I understand these can rattle the kitchen cupboards on cold start up.

[Alpinestars]

MikeyC said:

Actually, that's a very good point - reminds me of this video

Thanks for posting. F40, 360 and those legs please.

[GregorFuk]

MDL111 said:

obscene said:

MDL111 said:

am now back to looking at the classifieds... still tempted to buy one of the cheap RHD ones to keep (one of the ones in the 35-45k bracket) and use as a trackday/mountain road car.

I assume the seating position is fine in RHD given no clutch pedal?
Any stories re engine rebuild requirements at high mileage (would buy one with 80k plus miles on the clock already)?

No different to any other E46 M3's to my knowledge. Main problems are rod bearings need replacing 80-100k miles (can grenade the engine if not done) and the Vanos looked at. Oil pump can have the sprocket fall off of it and the guides/tensioners loosen up but seems rare. Head gasket as mentioned but I'd say higher mileage than 70k, it's the rear cylinders keeping the heat in and the gasket will split between cylinders 1 and 2.

I think as long as you're aware of the problems you know what you're in for. Get on M3cutters and have a good read about all the problems.

Thank you - will do some reading on the issues

The S54 in the CSL is strung out to the max, plenty to go wrong over and above the usual M3 issues. Camshafts weren't out of stock for several years for no reason..... But you'll not know till you're an owner and in the know.

[cerb4.5lee]

JaredVannett said:

cerb4.5lee said:

MikeyC said:

cerb4.5lee said:

The S54 is too much of a screamer(tinny and like a Honda VTEC) for me, and I much prefer engines with a much deeper tone. An American V8 is more to my taste...l think I must be old fashioned!

I kinda agree, can sound a bit 'tinny'

Someone on m3cutters forum had their back-box modded: video here
Sounds a nice improvement

It still has that high pitch scream to it that I don't like. It makes a noise of a much smaller engine than it actually is to me. The induction noise did sound good when it was coming back down the road though.

This might be more your thing....probably the best setup I've heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jRxtmi61aI

^ custom header and exhaust setup on the E46 M3... but they never made it into production.

Yes and that does sound much more meaty and more up my street.

[cerb4.5lee]

InductionRoar said:

cerb4.5lee said:

It still has that high pitch scream to it that I don't like. It makes a noise of a much smaller engine than it actually is to me. The induction noise did sound good when it was coming back down the road though.

I think the fact that the Z4M has separate back boxes, whereas the E46 M3 had a "sausage silencer" that both banks converged into, goes some way to explain the difference in sound between the two. This and the fact the Z4M has the CSL exhaust manifolds fitted.

IMO the Z4M has a slightly deeper tone than the standard M3 and sounds less frantic. The tone is even deeper with aftermarket backboxes fitted - I understand these can rattle the kitchen cupboards on cold start up.

The Z4M does sound different to the M3 and I liked mine on cold start up next to the garage wall. I was still very disappointed by how quiet it was though even with the roof down. If I'd kept it I would have looked into changing the exhaust for something with a more deep and meaningful tone.

[racinggeorge]

Bought my CSL new in 2004 and have done some 80k with utmost pleasure. The CSL fits me like a glove. It is not acceleration or top speed which today is not outstanding but the way the CSL performs on twisty roads. Overall handling is simply superb and very close to my competition cars. I will never part and can only suggest to buy a decent low mileage CSL now. They are getting scarce.

[F1GTRUeno]

Chapppers said:

Well if we're doing show and tell...I've also taken mine around europe, and to the ring, and trackdays, and all sorts really. It gets used and if anything goes wrong it gets fixed.

Wow, which road is that?

[s m]

One for the CSL fans in Autocar next week

[s m]

Still preferred the CSL over the M2 Comp in yesterday’s article

[cerb4.5lee]

I'd much prefer the M2 as a daily, but I'd go for the CSL on a racetrack I think.

[Kev_Mk3]

I have loved the CSL since it was released. I love the look, the noise everything. I have always said one day I will own one and recently (or stupidly) I thought "right i've got the money lets get looking" Yeah stupidly I hadnt looked at costs for a few years.......................................



So rather than the £30k I was planning on spending they are now double / triple that. I could still do it but that means no new bigger house & TBH its not worth it. I'll just stick to a nice poster or possibly a M3 E46 once a new house is bought.

[e46m3Mark]

Always had a soft spot for the CSL and BMW did a great job of shedding weight yet still leaving a perfectly usable car.

Unfortunately they're well out of my price range but a few choice mods (to a regular M3) can get you pretty close.

Edited by e46m3Mark on Thursday 24th January 12:04

[s m]

Kev_Mk3 said:

So rather than the £30k I was planning on spending they are now double / triple that. I could still do it but that means no new bigger house & TBH its not worth it. I'll just stick to a nice poster or possibly a M3 E46 once a new house is bought.

Have you looked in the Classifieds on here? There's at least 6 or 7 under 45k, a few under 40k, plus I'm sure there's a bit of haggling money built into the prices?

I guess you can spend 60-90k if you'd rather on one though - or as Mark suggests buy an ordinary M3 or M3 CS and add the bits you want

[GregorFuk]

s m said:

Kev_Mk3 said:

So rather than the £30k I was planning on spending they are now double / triple that. I could still do it but that means no new bigger house & TBH its not worth it. I'll just stick to a nice poster or possibly a M3 E46 once a new house is bought.

Have you looked in the Classifieds on here? There's at least 6 or 7 under 45k, a few under 40k, plus I'm sure there's a bit of haggling money built into the prices?

I guess you can spend 60-90k if you'd rather on one though - or as Mark suggests buy an ordinary M3 or M3 CS and add the bits you want

I'd second that. Lots of cars sitting round not selling. You could get your bum into a higher milage example for mid to high 30's for sure.

[Guvernator]

GregorFuk said:

I'd second that. Lots of cars sitting round not selling. You could get your bum into a higher milage example for mid to high 30's for sure.

The problem with that is with a car like a CSL, do you really want to be going for the cheapest one you can find or plowing all your money into it with nothing left over for bork factor? As with a lot of highly strung cars, there are a string of expensive things that can potentially go wrong and this rises proportionally with age and mileage.

Even normal maintenance might cost a few quid, personlly I wouldn't be stretching myself to the limit with this type of car then finding I couldn't fix or maintain it properly.

[Kettmark]

Where have all the csl's gone?! Only cars for sale are circa £60k now..
Tucked up in collectors garages?
I'm after a highish mileage one to use as a daily.
Bonkers idea??