Talk to me about the e46 m3 CS, thinking maybe next car...

[gibbon]

Right, i want to buy a new car. Budget, well, im not too sure somewhere between 10-20k. £15k sits ok with me, i hope not too much more really, but im paying cash, so if something super special came up i could consider spending more.

I was thinking about a z3m coupe, ticks a lot of boxes for me...pretty much depreciation proof, i love the looks, a bit different, fast, modernish and reliable. Only worry is finding a lowish miler, would prefer an s54 engined one but again seems hard to find the right car for not silly money. I'd be happy around 12-15k in one of these, much more and i think i would start to look at 996s etc etc, maybe even z4m coupe, but im not so sold in its shape oddly as its dad.

The other thing i have now noticed is the m3 cs. Seems like a nice solution, a bit more 'special' than the regular m3, manual box i like, do they hold their value any better? Could a sneak into one for £15k you think?

Or should i just get a £12k m3 with sub 50k miles and enjoy it for what it is.

Sorry for the ramblings. All input appreciated.

Cheers

[ASR1]

Personally I don't think it's worth the premium over a standard M3

The modifications are quite minor - different steering rack, wheels, steering wheel, colours ... anything else?

[gibbon]

It has an M sport track mode kind of thing which reduces the traction control interference etc. I suspect its the little changes that polish an already great car? Maybe not though, hence the question. :-)

Or is it just a poor mans csl?

[Gizmo!]

I don't think the M3 CS is well enough "known" to command a premium over a 'normal' M3 in the right colour, FSH, low miles etc.

edit: in that range I'd definitely be looking at a Z4M. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1990618.htm

Edited by Gizmo! on Tuesday 21st September 12:48

[gibbon]

Gizmo! said:

I don't think the M3 CS is well enough "known" to command a premium over a 'normal' M3 in the right colour, FSH, low miles etc.

edit: in that range I'd definitely be looking at a Z4M. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1990618.htm

Edited by Gizmo! on Tuesday 21st September 12:48

Thats kind of what im trying to establish, do they actually trade at a premium? Or is it simply a case that they are fairly rare and i have only seen fairly low mile highly prices ones.

The z4m is nice, seems a good price, but i would only consider its hardtop brother. Thanks.

[mat205125]

The CS has the potential to hold its value slightly better than a regualr M3, however it'll never be CSL strong on residuals.

[Rawhide]

When I had my M3 and took it on track I found the worst thing about it was the steering rack.

The CS sounds like it would sort that perfectly. I think for normal driving extra goodies would be preferable over the CS which I think has less options.

[BenGismo]

Well the cheapest M3 CS on pistonheads is around 17k

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674732.htm

and thats a 88K miles car with half the extras of a normal M3!! After that most of the CS's go for 18K+. 12K would get you a lower milage (<50k) well equiped standard M3 easily.

Just my opinion, but the M3 CS is not worth it at all. They are rare but have the exact same performance as the standard M3. Weight and power are the same.

Only the steering rack is an improvement (M-Track isnt, as you would probably turn off all DSC on the track anyway). I wouldnt want the CSL steering wheel as I like having cruise control, volume, radio controls at my fingertips. Most M3's come with 18" or 19" CSL wheels these days (Reps are mega common now). Its probably cheaper to buy a well equiped low miles M3 and pay to have the CSL rack put in - it has been done before too. The CSL brakes (which the CS has) are only slightly better then standard. I would go for aftermarket (Brembo, AP Racing etc instead)

Z3M is a good alternative!

Edited by BenGismo on Tuesday 21st September 18:48

[Soovy]

BenGismo said:

Well the cheapest M3 CS on pistonheads is around 17k

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1674732.htm

Best advert ever said:

We are pleased to offer this beast of a BMW, the BMW M3 CS.(2005/05).

This CS is finished in Silver Grey metallic with contrasting Imola Red Nappa leather interior and has cover 88000 miles by two meticulous owners backed by a full BMW Service History.

Based on the Standard M3, The CS has borrowed bits from the unforgivable BMW CSL and kept some of the (standard / optional extra) luxuries, with the bonus being the option of having a manual gearbox.

C0ckends!!!

[RatBoy M3CSL]

CS is a great car fella... some CSL bits on it.. the brakes are better, but still need looking at for the track, the half traction off button will teach you loads, and keep you out of trouble.. 1540kg on full fuel.. and 3 pedals in the footwell..! really enjoyed mine..!

[Slurms]

Yeah i've owned both and the CS is worth the money over the stock M3. It's not as much of a difference as the CSL is (obviously) but definatly an upgrade.

[e12mat]

I've driven both, in the end brought standard M3 saved a bit of cash and wanted the steering wheel with all the toys like cruise control.

Steering does feel better, brakes didn't abuse enough to feel the difference. Wheels do look much better imho though

[ferrisbueller]

ASR1 said:

Personally I don't think it's worth the premium over a standard M3

The modifications are quite minor - different steering rack, wheels, steering wheel, colours ... anything else?

Suspension, brakes.....

It is worth the premium (somewhat obviously IMO) and is considered by some to be the finest variant of the E46 as an all-rounder. I think they'll get quite a following, in manual form at least, in years to come.

[cslwannabe]

Suspension? I thought it was just brakes and quicker steering rack (plus cosmetics). Evo and other publications reckon it was the best overall variant (including CSL).

[gibbon]

Yes, EVO do seem to like it. In principle i can see why, it might suit my weekend car to do everything citeria and have strong residuals. That was my thought. This is my first foray into bmw ownership also i guess its worth noting.

Yes the suspension is different, i believe both spring rate and dampers were tweaked.

[Beardy10]

Friend of mine that is in the trade, knows his BMW's inside out and like driving them hard reckons the CS is the dogs danglies. I think the steering rack in particular is a big upgrade over the standard car.

[BenGismo]

ferrisbueller said:

ASR1 said:

Personally I don't think it's worth the premium over a standard M3

The modifications are quite minor - different steering rack, wheels, steering wheel, colours ... anything else?

Suspension, brakes.....

Suspension is the same as the standard M3- thats what I read
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive... "BMW has not uprated the suspension any further"
http://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews.html?mode=art...

and the info below says the same.

What is the E46 M3 CS Competition Package?
The E46 M3 Competition Package, known by the internal designation "ZCP", was initially offered in December of 2004 as an exclusive option for the North American market. It was then expanded to other markets beginning with September 2005 production. Available only on the M3 coupe, the option package consisted of the following equipment (most of which is derived from that of the limited-production M3 CSL):
-Cross-drilled brake rotors (enlarged to 13.7 inches in front) with two-piece compound rotors (aluminum hat and outer portion connected by steel pins) = Same as CSL
-Steering ratio reduced to 14.5:1
-M Track Mode setting for Dynamic Stability Control (raises—but does not eliminate—the threshold at which the DSC intervenes)
-19-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels (8x19-inch front, 9.5x19-inch rear)
-Alcantara-wrapped M three-spoke steering wheel with M Track Mode activation button (audio and cruise control buttons deleted)
-Specific aluminum interior trim with milled effect
-Exclusive Interlagos Blue metallic (A30) paint option

I could of course be wrong but I havent read anything that does say the suspension is uprated???

Steering rack upgrade can be done to standard M3 for £1549.00
http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/products/produc...

I wouldnt want the CS Steering wheel, but if you did want it, you can have your standard M3 wheel recovered in alacantra and it costs £264. You then still have radio and cruise control buttons!
http://www.simpsonmotorsport.co.uk/bmw-tuning/shop...

CSL brakes can be added to an M3 too. Not too expensive but even better to go with aftermarket brakes.

Just the M-Track mode which to my knowledge cant be added. It is reportedly very good but not sure its worth the extra price. The CS model was only £2400 more then the standard M3 when originally sold! Seems the premium these days is the same or more!!

Just my opinion, but if your on a track (dry) then you shouldnt have any TC turned on,.....at all!!

In any case M3 or M3CS both great cars!!

Edited by BenGismo on Wednesday 22 September 19:10

[ferrisbueller]

BenGismo said:

I could of course be wrong but I havent read anything that does say the suspension is uprated???

Evo Review of the M3 CS said:

The CS is essentially an M3 that's borrowed a few tasty bits from its exotic, expensive and now out-of-production CSL sibling. Bigger brake discs, the quicker steering rack, revised springs and those gorgeous 19in forged alloys.

Though that review isn't 100% factual either AFAIK, specifically in relation to the wheels.

In the Evo COTY issue 2005, the M3 CS placed above the Cayman S. They repeatedly praise it as being appreciably better than the standard car and refer to the difference in dynamics, including the differences courtesy of the suspension.

[gareth h]

I think my money would be spent on a standard m3 with the difference in cash spent on a KW V3 coilover set (and 18"rims), that and a decent geometry set up with spacers on the front to widen the track makes a huge difference to steering response.

[daz4m]

ferrisbueller said:

BenGismo said:

I could of course be wrong but I havent read anything that does say the suspension is uprated???

Evo Review of the M3 CS said:

The CS is essentially an M3 that's borrowed a few tasty bits from its exotic, expensive and now out-of-production CSL sibling. Bigger brake discs, the quicker steering rack, revised springs and those gorgeous 19in forged alloys.

Though that review isn't 100% factual either AFAIK, specifically in relation to the wheels.

In the Evo COTY issue 2005, the M3 CS placed above the Cayman S. They repeatedly praise it as being appreciably better than the standard car and refer to the difference in dynamics, including the differences courtesy of the suspension.

Whilst I 100% agree the CS is the better car over the M3, if you put residuals to the side I concur that it isn't really worth the premium on paper. Let's be honest the M3 is a very good car in standard form and a few sensible modifications will see it driving and feeling just as well as its upgraded sibling whilst still leaving some money left over.

The biggest plus points on the CS are the wheels and the steering rack the rest of the package can be improved upon in better ways imho. The CSL brakes are not what I would call special although the discs look good.

I decided against the E46 on the basis of it's size, weight and image and went down the E86 route which shares a few parts with the CS. I have made minor modifications to the way it rides, its geometry and looks and I am now very very very happy with it. The CSL was not considered on the basis of its age and it's gearbox which I would not have enjoyed using as a daily driver.

Either way, whichever M3 you choose I doubt you will not be disapointed they are all great cars.