Best modern NA M3, E92, E46 M3 CSL or CS?
Discussion
So I'm looking for advice from people who have owned these cars if possible but I am trying to make a decision on buying an M3 as a weekend car. I am planning on keeping it very long term and I am wondering which one will go down as the ultimate "modern" (so not E30) naturally aspirated M3. I am considering the following 3:
1. E92 M3. This is the last NA car and has the awesome V8. Never really seemed to be as loved as the E46 though as perhaps it is too heavy and the steering isn't as good? Is it better than the others though?
2. E46 M3 CSL. Everyone loves this car, but for me being NA and being manual go hand in hand, because these are two things you can't get with new cars (even M3/4s soon enough I'm sure). Should I get over it though and live with the SMG because the CSL is by far the best?
3. E46 M3 CS. The CSL light has most of the CSL features (but no ragingly expensive carbon airbox sadly) and can be found in manual. Is this therefore the best of all worlds?
Thanks in advance! (and apologies for another "what car" but hey they are fun right?)
1. E92 M3. This is the last NA car and has the awesome V8. Never really seemed to be as loved as the E46 though as perhaps it is too heavy and the steering isn't as good? Is it better than the others though?
2. E46 M3 CSL. Everyone loves this car, but for me being NA and being manual go hand in hand, because these are two things you can't get with new cars (even M3/4s soon enough I'm sure). Should I get over it though and live with the SMG because the CSL is by far the best?
3. E46 M3 CS. The CSL light has most of the CSL features (but no ragingly expensive carbon airbox sadly) and can be found in manual. Is this therefore the best of all worlds?
Thanks in advance! (and apologies for another "what car" but hey they are fun right?)
I have owned both the E92 and CSL in that order.
As a road car the CSL is seriously flawed, as a sports car it is a different story. Most frustrating car I have owned, and I still say the worst due to its shortcomings.
The CSL will be the one remembered as a classic, but don't try to use it daily.
As a road car the CSL is seriously flawed, as a sports car it is a different story. Most frustrating car I have owned, and I still say the worst due to its shortcomings.
The CSL will be the one remembered as a classic, but don't try to use it daily.
I'd agree whole heartily, I truly miss it as a car and toy but as a car to use regular it is flawed. Without starting a major argument or debate it was the gearbox that ruined it for me, not bad when you're making progress but I found myself wishing it was manual ever time I drove it.
If I had to choose though it would be the CSL, may sound hypocritical but it was and still is a dream car of mine in many ways. Truly unique and a one off.
If I had to choose though it would be the CSL, may sound hypocritical but it was and still is a dream car of mine in many ways. Truly unique and a one off.
dufflecoat said:
I have owned both the E92 and CSL in that order.
As a road car the CSL is seriously flawed, as a sports car it is a different story. Most frustrating car I have owned, and I still say the worst due to its shortcomings.
The CSL will be the one remembered as a classic, but don't try to use it daily.
As a road car the CSL is seriously flawed, as a sports car it is a different story. Most frustrating car I have owned, and I still say the worst due to its shortcomings.
The CSL will be the one remembered as a classic, but don't try to use it daily.
dufflecoat said:
I have owned both the E92 and CSL in that order.
As a road car the CSL is seriously flawed, as a sports car it is a different story. Most frustrating car I have owned, and I still say the worst due to its shortcomings.
The CSL will be the one remembered as a classic, but don't try to use it daily.
I've used my CSL daily for the last 4 years & it's been great. As a road car the CSL is seriously flawed, as a sports car it is a different story. Most frustrating car I have owned, and I still say the worst due to its shortcomings.
The CSL will be the one remembered as a classic, but don't try to use it daily.
I always look forward to driving it, without fail.
The e92 still has a way to fall in value, if that matters to you. But it's the most sophisticated of the 3, the V8 is a brilliant engine and a lovely chassis. I really want another. But I'd go DCT rather than manual (having owned both) - the DCT suits the engine better IMO.
The CSL is the best weapon. But it's not a car my OH would have enjoyed as a conveyance to travel across France in on holiday to the Dordogne (for example). So whether it's the weekend car for you depends how you like spending your weekends,
The CS is a superb all rounder. It's more like a standard M3 with useful enhancements, rather than a CSL-lite. But I often say the e46 CS is the best all rounder I've ever owned. The combination of space, pace, comfort, noise, economy on a long cruise, etc made it ideal for my needs.
Can I also throw into the mix the ZM Coupe? (The Z3, not the Z4). I never got round to owning one, but I wish I had.
The CSL is the best weapon. But it's not a car my OH would have enjoyed as a conveyance to travel across France in on holiday to the Dordogne (for example). So whether it's the weekend car for you depends how you like spending your weekends,
The CS is a superb all rounder. It's more like a standard M3 with useful enhancements, rather than a CSL-lite. But I often say the e46 CS is the best all rounder I've ever owned. The combination of space, pace, comfort, noise, economy on a long cruise, etc made it ideal for my needs.
Can I also throw into the mix the ZM Coupe? (The Z3, not the Z4). I never got round to owning one, but I wish I had.
turboman786 said:
I've read in many places about the csl not being a good road car
In what ways Is it flawed?
Flawed no, but it is a little firmer and rattles so is not the motorway cruiser some want in an M3. Saying that I've done all round europe in mine a few times and the noise was the best bit about it. Depends if you want to drive to get somewhere, or just drive for the sheer enjoyment In what ways Is it flawed?
Having tried the SMG in a normal M3 I'm not sure I could get on with the CSL with this in mind. The 'best modern' would have to be the E92 M3, as is most modern, easiest to live with and fastest if that matters to you. But it's certainly not a weekend toy. How about the M3 GTS as the best mordern M3?
turboman786 said:
I've read in many places about the csl not being a good road car
In what ways Is it flawed?
It's a great road car, but there are compromises, firm suspension (really poor potholed roads can be tiring), bucket seats, no nav, no toys etc.In what ways Is it flawed?
That said, its superb on uk roads & the suspension is perfect when driving on A & B roads etc. It has the right amount of power too & usable & fun within legal limits. With the standard exhaust, it'll cruise at 90 on the motorway in near silence & return 30 to the gallon.
Its fairly discreet too, most people assume its just an old BMW.
Drive a CSL for yourself and see if you like the SMG, you'll never get your answer on an internet forum Just read up on how to use it properly, rather than sticking it in D and expecting it to drive like an automatic.
And seriously, who cares about the radio/satnav when you have that induction noise
Also depreciation wise, you're never going to lose money with a CSL.
Just read up on how to use it properly, rather than sticking it in D and expecting it to drive like an automatic.And seriously, who cares about the radio/satnav when you have that induction noise
Also depreciation wise, you're never going to lose money with a CSL.
dufflecoat said:
The SMG gearbox is truly awful when driving at anything less that 8/10ths.
You need conviction to drive one daily, respect.
I drove mine daily for over 12 months without any problems whatsoever.. What it lacks in creature comforts it more than makes up for in other ways IE noise, drama, excitement, epic epic car in so many ways.You need conviction to drive one daily, respect.
I've had two E92's (early one and CP), a CS and have driven a number of CSL's.
The CSL is the best car for handling and sheer drama by far but would be too harsh for most as a daily. I've driven a lot of M's and the CSL in my opinion is the best.
The E92 is the opposite as in there's not a lot of drama and in daily driving situations (traffic, commute etc) will feel like a nice riding 3 series. The engine is fantastic but too rarely you get to use it to it's full potential.
I found the CS a good compromise, it's pretty much a standard E46 M3, a bit more exciting day to day than the E92 but the slight enhancements they made in steering and front track/wheel weight make it feel a much sportier car than the standard E46 M3.
The CSL will continue to rise in value, the E92 will drop in value but if you pick up a decent CS at a fair price I think it will hold it's value fairly well.
The CSL is the best car for handling and sheer drama by far but would be too harsh for most as a daily. I've driven a lot of M's and the CSL in my opinion is the best.
The E92 is the opposite as in there's not a lot of drama and in daily driving situations (traffic, commute etc) will feel like a nice riding 3 series. The engine is fantastic but too rarely you get to use it to it's full potential.
I found the CS a good compromise, it's pretty much a standard E46 M3, a bit more exciting day to day than the E92 but the slight enhancements they made in steering and front track/wheel weight make it feel a much sportier car than the standard E46 M3.
The CSL will continue to rise in value, the E92 will drop in value but if you pick up a decent CS at a fair price I think it will hold it's value fairly well.
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