Remarkable BMW M3 CSL for sale
Ultimate E46 caused shockwaves at £60,000 new; now you can add another £100,000 to that figure...
There’s a belief that I share, along with fellow PH contributor Stephen Dobie, that 2003 represented the absolute pinnacle of fast cars. And not just because the Compact is on an '03 plate. For those 12 months or so, probably extending a bit into 2004 to scoop up a few extra gems, just about every manufacturer at every price point delivered something incredible. Not just cars that were incredible for the early 21st century, either, but models that have stood the test of time as brilliant performance machines or totally new dawns for this maker. Sometimes both.
It’s hard to know where to start. The first GT3 RS, the 360 Challenge Stradale, the first Bentley Continental GT, the Aston DB9, the Nissan 350Z, the Mazda RX-8, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Ford GT, the Clio V6 255, the Smart Roadster… it goes on and on, before even thinking about the super exotics. All arrived at a time when technology, safety and performance intersected almost perfectly, offering up cars that’ll still feel fantastic today (in good condition) while delivering some old school interaction as well.
Then, of course, there’s the M3 CSL, the best version of everyone’s favourite 3 Series. It was notable even in an extraordinary year for a few things. The first being that BMW had even made such a thing, 2003 being decades since the Coupe Sport Lightweight badge was used; second, was just how extreme it was, using such newfangled tech as a carbon roof on a 3 Series Coupe. Third was the sound, the carbon airbox for the S54 3.2 (that contributed to the 17hp power gain, to 360hp) making for a delightfully demonic intake honk adored the world over. Finally, the price was unavoidably significant, at £58,455 against a standard M3’s £39,735. Even in a pre-social media world, the CSL felt like the only car being talked about. Not least given some suggested it wasn’t really worth £20k more than standard…
Nevertheless, this E46 has always clung onto its very special status like its original Pilot Sport Cups did to dry tarmac. Subsequent M3s retired the nat-asp straight-six, never looked quite as good and never resurrected the badge. There were alternative takes on the lightweight M car, though the M3 CSL moniker remained unsullied by any other association. Indeed, it only made a return for the 3.0 CSL, at £750,000 or whatever. Having the CSL prior to that looked smart.
As BMWs, and M cars in particular, became more complex, so the relative simplicity of the old days appealed more. Especially when it looked like this. It’s a phenomenon that’s affected all car makers, it just seems to be more keenly felt (or more loudly vocalised) on planet BMW. So E46s have been on the rise for a while, with CSLs still at the top of the tree; even in 2015 they were up to £70k for a ‘no-options’ car, having bottomed out at less than half that, so it’s hardly a recent phenomenon. And think what’s happened to BMW in the 10 years since then…
So this one’s another £100,000 on top. £169,950 to be precise, the most expensive M3 CSL we’ve ever seen. Though not by much, it feels worth saying. Predictably, of course, it’s sensational, just 8,000 miles old and having been with its current owner since these cars could be bought (admittedly not in this condition) for less than £40,000. Otherwise known as 2013.
Understandably, they’ve used it sparingly since then, with fewer than 2,000 miles added since that year’s MOT and this summer’s one. Meaning the CSL looks just as good as it would have then, if not better, time only further highlighting the brilliance of the visual upgrades: the wheels, the ducktail, the carbon made a great looking coupe even better - you wouldn’t change a thing.
So while this probably isn’t the M3 CSL to go exploring the Isle of Man with in a Top Gear tribute, it would fit into a collection of BMW’s greatest hits just perfectly. Then rolled out for a pull through third gear every now and then, a reminder of why the CSL (and 2003) is still loved so much.
as an aside, I used to live close to this dealership, they do have some lovely stock and if I was still living down south, I’d certainly have a look at this CSL, a cool thing 
M3 CSL had brake issues on track, and the gearbox although maligned at the time actually adds to the experience. The cardboard boot covering was another issue drawn by hacks at the time, with some saying what's the point of 4 seats if you can't use the boot.
However, a simple replacement with the standard M3 boot covering would resolve the problem.
So today the M3 CSL is praised yet at the time hacks moaned and didn't fully appreciate the car. Sounds similar for the most recent M4 CSL which will be the last ICE only version.
My thoughts exactly, Ferrari F12 all day long vs this BMW.
Honestly can’t see this car selling at this price. If it was box fresh with zero miles I would understand the potential appeal to a deep pocket collector. But for something average looking….
I had one of these new, dealer gave me a 30k discount as they couldn’t sell them.
I sold it after 6 months, wasn’t as good as a standard car.
SMG is a horrid thing, the carbon seats and door panels just made it considerably noisier than a standard car.
Was told not to put anything substantial in the boot, due to the cardboard floor.
I sold it after 6 months, wasn t as good as a standard car.
SMG is a horrid thing, the carbon seats and door panels just made it considerably noisier than a standard car.
Was told not to put anything substantial in the boot, due to the cardboard floor.
I sold it after 6 months, wasn t as good as a standard car.
SMG is a horrid thing, the carbon seats and door panels just made it considerably noisier than a standard car.
Was told not to put anything substantial in the boot, due to the cardboard floor.
Mad price for this ornament though IMO
That's how I remember them too, and nobody was interested in them back then as you say. Yet they are now known as an icon though? People are fickle aren't they?
Nobody wanted them because of the list price over standard, but when they got discounted to basically 5k more than standard car, sold no problem. Like most things they became iconic later after seeing the engine route BMW took for M3.. no different with Porsche, 997 Sport Classic comes to mind. Have no doubt that car sells at 150, and agree with buy the best M3 E46 Manual plus CSL bits for 40k is a great option, I think these too will go up because not a lot of cared for ones out there, these were generally thrashed cars to really enjoy them. Good article Matt.
I sold it after 6 months, wasn t as good as a standard car.
SMG is a horrid thing, the carbon seats and door panels just made it considerably noisier than a standard car.
Was told not to put anything substantial in the boot, due to the cardboard floor.
I have to say I preferred the 330, it was just more useable and drivable
Like so many things .. sometimes less is more and it was one of the reasons why, when I bought a Z4, I went for the 3.0Si over the M, a decision I don't regret at all
Do I need to hand in my ph card ?
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