RE: BMW E46 M3 CSL: Spotted
Discussion
Alpinestars said:
The balance of both cars is the main difference, with the CSL having a much more mobile chassis, and it feels like a 50:50 front to rear balance - not sure if it is.
It can be a real hooligan car, and the reduced weight, noise, seats, steering, mapping, seats etc make is significantly different to a standard E46 M3.
^ this. The CSL is just a brilliant car imo. The car as a package just works awfully well (other than the brakes would could do with some improvement...)It can be a real hooligan car, and the reduced weight, noise, seats, steering, mapping, seats etc make is significantly different to a standard E46 M3.
And I'd never take a E9X M3 over a CSL, probably not over a standard E46 either tbh. The v8 in the E92 is superb but the rest of the car was for me very significantly worse. Big, floaty, heavy and detached - everything that the E46 nevermind CSL isn't.
LaSource said:
They are nice cars with a good back story and intent from BMW (a bit like a 911 RS vs GT3)
Being a manual gearbox obsessive I went the route of getting a nice manual (non sunroof) E46 M3 and making suspension, weight, brakes, seats, intake, exhaust, etc mods to give something that works on road and track. Some of this you would need to do to a CSL as well if intending to track it (which I suspect with rising values less people will do).
If the CSL had been available with a manual option then it would have been irresistible
Great for those who are happy with semi-automated gearboxes.
The red one; bloody gorgeous!!!!Being a manual gearbox obsessive I went the route of getting a nice manual (non sunroof) E46 M3 and making suspension, weight, brakes, seats, intake, exhaust, etc mods to give something that works on road and track. Some of this you would need to do to a CSL as well if intending to track it (which I suspect with rising values less people will do).
If the CSL had been available with a manual option then it would have been irresistible
Great for those who are happy with semi-automated gearboxes.Edited by LaSource on Wednesday 9th January 08:24
Bit of a strange one the CSL.
The vast majority of those that own one love the thing and have no plans to sell.
The vast majority of those that don't decry it as overpriced and not worth the difference cash wise. Maybe they ought to have an extended drive in one.
I bought mine a few years ago purely as an investment and sold it 20 months later. It paid off well, did 7000 miles in it and loved every one of them.
Would I buy another?..definitely not. Would I like another?...without a doubt. Just not lucky enough to be able to afford one as a keeper and use it whenever.
As a drivers car it's outstanding. The SMG suits the car perfectly if you learn how to use it.
Now run a Clio V6 and the popular opinion is they're overpriced and not fast enough. There is more to a car than how quick it is, much more.
The vast majority of those that own one love the thing and have no plans to sell.
The vast majority of those that don't decry it as overpriced and not worth the difference cash wise. Maybe they ought to have an extended drive in one.
I bought mine a few years ago purely as an investment and sold it 20 months later. It paid off well, did 7000 miles in it and loved every one of them.
Would I buy another?..definitely not. Would I like another?...without a doubt. Just not lucky enough to be able to afford one as a keeper and use it whenever.
As a drivers car it's outstanding. The SMG suits the car perfectly if you learn how to use it.
Now run a Clio V6 and the popular opinion is they're overpriced and not fast enough. There is more to a car than how quick it is, much more.
Edited by moktabe on Wednesday 9th January 11:36
Edited by moktabe on Wednesday 9th January 11:37
I remember looking at CSLs when I was 23 or 24 (5 years ago) and remember them being around £25k. It would probably have crippled me financially at the time in terms of borrowing to buy it, and then upkeep/maintenance, but part of me wishes I did, given the values now! Obviously I would have driven it so mileage would have gone up, but would still have made money.
You can get a low mileage E92 comp pack for about £25k-£30k these days, would rather put money into one of those than a CS or pay double for a CSL I think, though even comp pack M3s look expensive compared to regular E92s at the moment.
You can get a low mileage E92 comp pack for about £25k-£30k these days, would rather put money into one of those than a CS or pay double for a CSL I think, though even comp pack M3s look expensive compared to regular E92s at the moment.
mackay45 said:
I remember looking at CSLs when I was 23 or 24 (5 years ago) and remember them being around £25k. It would probably have crippled me financially at the time in terms of borrowing to buy it, and then upkeep/maintenance, but part of me wishes I did, given the values now! Obviously I would have driven it so mileage would have gone up, but would still have made money.
You can get a low mileage E92 comp pack for about £25k-£30k these days, would rather put money into one of those than a CS or pay double for a CSL I think, though even comp pack M3s look expensive compared to regular E92s at the moment.
It depends on what you value from a car. Neither the CS or the 92CP feel as special as a CSL. You can get a low mileage E92 comp pack for about £25k-£30k these days, would rather put money into one of those than a CS or pay double for a CSL I think, though even comp pack M3s look expensive compared to regular E92s at the moment.
really nice cars
-110kg is a proper weight saving although unfortunately everyone spec'd aircon back in (even though it's not necessary in the uk)
when you think about the 911 T and Cayman T with -5kg and door pulleys calling themselves lightweight driver focused editions, it looks a joke in comparison
-110kg is a proper weight saving although unfortunately everyone spec'd aircon back in (even though it's not necessary in the uk)
when you think about the 911 T and Cayman T with -5kg and door pulleys calling themselves lightweight driver focused editions, it looks a joke in comparison
WCZ said:
really nice cars
-110kg is a proper weight saving although unfortunately everyone spec'd aircon back in (even though it's not necessary in the uk)
when you think about the 911 T and Cayman T with -5kg and door pulleys calling themselves lightweight driver focused editions, it looks a joke in comparison
This with spades on, that it a massive saving and they didn't even bin the rear seats which is why I find it a bit laughable nowadays when companies release "lightweight" versions and only manage to shave a nats b-110kg is a proper weight saving although unfortunately everyone spec'd aircon back in (even though it's not necessary in the uk)
when you think about the 911 T and Cayman T with -5kg and door pulleys calling themselves lightweight driver focused editions, it looks a joke in comparison
k of weight off.Am sure they are fantastic but boat has sailed for most of us, think its easy to call it overpriced if you haven't got the kind of money to spend on one, but iconic cars will usually find a buyer as BMW only made what, 1500 or so ? Its the ultimate evolution of a landmark car, normal E46 M3's are going up, E30s have been expensive for ages, I guess the E90 V8 is next, even E36's arent cheap any more.
So, 1500 cars worldwide and though BMW only made a small amount, more money is made every day and there are only so many things to spend it on, cars like this sort of transcend the normal boundaries of the car hierarchy, i.e. someone very wealthy may be tempted to add one to a collection where they might not bother with its peers from the time or a normal E46 M3.
So what I think its worth doesn't matter, I don't have that much money spare to buy it, I don't have anywhere to put it safe and warm.
I think, on a smaller budget, if you box clever you can replicate, or improve on the original with a thoughtfully modified version, and leave stuff like this to the collectors, speculators and wealthier enthusiasts, but it will never be an original, not something I am overly bothered about but is that because I set my expectations based on my budget ?
So, 1500 cars worldwide and though BMW only made a small amount, more money is made every day and there are only so many things to spend it on, cars like this sort of transcend the normal boundaries of the car hierarchy, i.e. someone very wealthy may be tempted to add one to a collection where they might not bother with its peers from the time or a normal E46 M3.
So what I think its worth doesn't matter, I don't have that much money spare to buy it, I don't have anywhere to put it safe and warm.
I think, on a smaller budget, if you box clever you can replicate, or improve on the original with a thoughtfully modified version, and leave stuff like this to the collectors, speculators and wealthier enthusiasts, but it will never be an original, not something I am overly bothered about but is that because I set my expectations based on my budget ?
Still looks like there's plenty about at 40k mark with other ones stretching to nearly 100k depending on mileage/condition/seller. They're obviously worth 4ok upwards to a fair few people as they seem to sell at around these prices
The original CSL is going for well over double the price of this E46 variant and the E36 ones are going for around $90k in the U.S seemingly
The original CSL is going for well over double the price of this E46 variant and the E36 ones are going for around $90k in the U.S seemingly
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