E46 M3 CS - new owner few questions

[leeson660]

Last week I finally entered the //M fold and bought a e46 M3 CS

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

If anyone could help me out on any of the following questions that'd be great:

- I read in a recent post about an e60 M5 that it's good practice to select neutral when stationary for over 10 seconds. Is this true of the SMGII?

- Does the CS have CSL alloys or CSL style alloys? I read that the rear wheels on the CS have the same part number as the CSL so they are CSL wheels but I understand the front wheels are narrower?

- Related to the wheel question what is the actual weight of the CS? I've never seen any different figure for the CS but all the reviews refer to the lighter wheels on the CS compared to the heavy normal wheels. Not really important just be interesting to know (if your sad like me)!

- I live in the wild west (Cornwall), I'm not far from Plymouth and want to find a really good independent specialist. I'm prepared to drive a fair distance if required just to make sure the car is attended to by a reputable specialist. Any recommendations would be great.

I did extensive research before buying the car and have tried to search for the above questions but couldn't find anything definitive so any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

James

[sjj84]

As you've rightly said the rear wheels are the same but the fronts are narrower. CSL Style wheels to me are replicas rather than genuine BMW wheels.
I seem to recall reading something similar about putting the SMG into neutral, however never bothered with mine and it caused it no harm. Can't recall what it says in the seperatae SMG manual though.

[leeson660]

sjj84 said:

As you've rightly said the rear wheels are the same but the fronts are narrower. CSL Style wheels to me are replicas rather than genuine BMW wheels.
I seem to recall reading something similar about putting the SMG into neutral, however never bothered with mine and it caused it no harm. Can't recall what it says in the seperatae SMG manual though.

That's what I thought CSL style would mean. I don't seem to have the separate SMGII manual but in the main manual it doesn't say anything about selecting neutral as far as I could see.


Ref the wheel question:

From Evo review:

Okay, they're not quite as light as the genuine CSL rims but they still look great, and if the newfound composure and ride quality are anything to go by they're definitely a whole heap lighter than the ubiquitous 19-inchers that regular M3s roll on.

From Autocar review:

Although the CS might have two-thirds of a CSL’s nomenclature, realistically it’s about one quarter of the lightweight special. For an extra £2400 over the regular M3 coupé you get the CSL’s gorgeous 19-inch wheels, drilled brake discs, chubby Alcantara steering wheel and an M-track mode that dials back the stability control’s threshold.

Hence my confusion

Edited by leeson660 on Saturday 24th December 11:50

[steve_n]

I may be wrong but I believe the CSL wheels are made of a lighter metal, possibly magnesium. The CS wheels are definitely heavier, but as said not as heavy as the normal19s. Also the CSL might be forged, as opposed to cast, which makes them lighter as you need less material for the same strength.

[MattOz]

Congrats on your new car OP.

The alloys are made of the same material as CSL alloys. They're just standard alloy and not fancy magnesium. The fronts on a CS are meant to be 8" and the CSL has 8.5". Therefore the CS front alloys are actually a tiny bit lighter!

You may even find, as I did, that your CS has 8.5" fronts anyway. Some did. Some didn't.

I'd recommend putting the 'box in neutral if stopped for any length of time. You wouldn't ride the clutch on a normal manual, so it's best for the SMG to be in neutral. All IMHO, clearly.

Matt

[blondini]

steve_n said:

I may be wrong but I believe the CSL wheels are made of a lighter metal, possibly magnesium. The CS wheels are definitely heavier, but as said not as heavy as the normal19s. Also the CSL might be forged, as opposed to cast, which makes them lighter as you need less material for the same strength.

You are wrong wrong wrong.
They aren't lighter and they aren't magnesium.
The CS and CSL rear wheels are exactly the same wheel, same part number. Someone else has mentioned that the CS fronts are only different because they are narrower.
They aren't forged either, yet the standard 19s are 'spun forged'

[blondini]

leeson660 said:

- Does the CS have CSL alloys or CSL style alloys? I read that the rear wheels on the CS have the same part number as the CSL so they are CSL wheels but I understand the front wheels are narrower?

- Related to the wheel question what is the actual weight of the CS? I've never seen any different figure for the CS but all the reviews refer to the lighter wheels on the CS compared to the heavy normal wheels. Not really important just be interesting to know (if your sad like me)!

You read correctly. Same rear wheels as CSL which aren't lighter than the standard 19s, and narrower front wheels.

You know you have the quicker CSL rack, bigger CSL front brakes. and M-Track mode?

[BriC175]

MattOz said:

I'd recommend putting the 'box in neutral if stopped for any length of time. You wouldn't ride the clutch on a normal manual, so it's best for the SMG to be in neutral. All IMHO, clearly.

Indeed - the SMG box is essentially a manual with an electronically / hydraulically controlled clutch. To sit on the brakes in gear is like sitting with your foot on the clutch pedal whilst stationary. It's advisable not to do it, as you will wear out the clutch release bearing quicker.

[leeson660]

Thanks for all the info much appreciated.

blondini said:

You know you have the quicker CSL rack, bigger CSL front brakes. and M-Track mode?

Oh yes my friend The quicker rack is the biggest plus point for me it feels amazing in my opinion - super sharp and responsive.

Unfortunately despite doing a large amount of go-karting when I was younger I've spent the past 4 years driving my 88bhp 1998 1.4 Honda Civic (great little car) so I'm taking my time to learn the car and get used to 343bhp RWD so the M-track mode is staying off at the moment with the DSC firmly on!!

We have some amazing roads down in Cornwall with comparably very little traffic and I am just absolutely loving going out just to drive. Trying to get that smoothness flowing through the corners slow in fast out etc watching again the top gear episode with Jackie Stewart tutoring James May in a TVR. What a car though I just cannot believe the balance and feel for a 1500kg car, when you do get it right and the car loads up perfectly in the corner then letting that ferocious straight six go on the exit - I'm in heaven spend half the time grinning and chuckling to myself to be honest

I have the company Renault Laguna 1.9 Dci for going too and from work and that really is a eye opener after being out in the //M the night before!! It must be one of the worst chassis ever made along with steering that manages to have absolutely no feel to it whatsoever - very frigtening car actually.

[e46m3c]

Not sure i can comment on the csl wheels. however most 04 onwards M's can have m-track enabled.

Also. Im not sure about all this switching it to neutral.

When your at the lights its dis-engaged. I read about it wearing the clutch release bearing but i dont think its significant ware enough to warrent any extrordinary behaviour. Your not riding the clutch be leaving it in first. As you will see. Lift off the brake and it goes nowhere. Only when you apply gas.

Sitting at the lights in SMG is not like sitting at the lights in an Auto. When you give it some gas it then starts to apply the clutch. It is after all, basically a manual..


Also try this. When you want to hill start, hold down the left paddel for the 3 seconds and it will hold it perfect.


And if you ever think this SMG lark could be a bit better, get a recalibration done when its Stone Cold (overnigiht) and you will have the dexterity of manual clutch control via the throttle.

Looks like awesome car mate. Enjoy

Edited by e46m3c on Sunday 25th December 21:21

[blondini]

M-Track mode enable is on my 'must do' list for my 'ordinary' e46 M3. I would never advocate running with DCS off but I had the use of an e92 M3 for a couple of weeks recently and had M-Dynamic mode switched on the whole time with the utmost confidence.

[danyeates]

blondini said:

M-Track mode enable is on my 'must do' list for my 'ordinary' e46 M3. I would never advocate running with DCS off but I had the use of an e92 M3 for a couple of weeks recently and had M-Dynamic mode switched on the whole time with the utmost confidence.

I spun my Z4M on zigzag hill the first time I turned off DSC! Oops. Luckily I just ended up facing the wrong way and didn't clip anything. Need more training!

[djon]

leeson660 said:

Unfortunately despite doing a large amount of go-karting when I was younger I've spent the past 4 years driving my 88bhp 1998 1.4 Honda Civic (great little car) so I'm taking my time to learn the car and get used to 343bhp RWD so the M-track mode is staying off at the moment with the DSC firmly on!!

I wouldn't be too worried about using M-track as it's still pretty tame and stops play far too early really, and still works as DSC rather than just TC. As long as you drive it with respect you'll be fine and it helps you find the (very) exploitable limits nicely. I'd recommend heading to a www.dwyb.co.uk day as they are very cheap way of getting to play in a nice open space legally.

How's the state of the alcantara wheel?

[mat205125]

BriC175 said:

MattOz said:

I'd recommend putting the 'box in neutral if stopped for any length of time. You wouldn't ride the clutch on a normal manual, so it's best for the SMG to be in neutral. All IMHO, clearly.

Indeed - the SMG box is essentially a manual with an electronically / hydraulically controlled clutch. To sit on the brakes in gear is like sitting with your foot on the clutch pedal whilst stationary. It's advisable not to do it, as you will wear out the clutch release bearing quicker.

Exactly as above ... It's not essential, however its good practice.

[ant man]

blondini said:

steve_n said:

I may be wrong but I believe the CSL wheels are made of a lighter metal, possibly magnesium. The CS wheels are definitely heavier, but as said not as heavy as the normal19s. Also the CSL might be forged, as opposed to cast, which makes them lighter as you need less material for the same strength.

You are wrong wrong wrong.
They aren't lighter and they aren't magnesium.
The CS and CSL rear wheels are exactly the same wheel, same part number. Someone else has mentioned that the CS fronts are only different because they are narrower.
They aren't forged either, yet the standard 19s are 'spun forged'

You are correct. So many people believe the CSL wheels to be made from magnesium alloy but alas they are regular cast wheels. The 19" optional wheels on the regular E46 M3 may well be lighter as they are forged.