Z3M Coupe to CSL..

[UJM3]

Has anyone owned both and what are their opinions after doing so?

I've had my M Coupe for 3 years now and it is a different car than when I bought it. It is handling as I think it should (kw v3, arbs, strut brace etc ) Love the car in fact,but I am getting a bit tempted by CSL's lately. Are they worth the difference? a clean one seems to be on average 10-12k more than an M coupe.

The CSL would be a second car like the M Coupe is and would only do 5k per year max with the odd track day thrown in here and there.

So basically anyone buy one and think that was the best 10k I ever spent! or think that maybe the m coupe was just as much fun (preferably a non standard one as standard the don't handle imo)

Edited by UJM3 on Thursday 30th December 13:37

[api330]

I went from Csl to Z4m coupe with a few in between, Csl was bloody great and i think if you buy at right price you will not loose a penny and have some fun as well, Only had Z4m coupe about 3 weeks so still getting to know it, but i am very much enjoying it and i think Z4m coupes will hold price well, I think your main choice will be manual (Z4mc) or smg (csl) and you will get a much newer low milage Z4mc for your money, Both have a simlier ride and handing both have csl brakes and both are very quick, I think you will enjoy both, Cheers Tim. (Obviously you will know much of this info)

Edited by api330 on Thursday 30th December 23:16

[2skiddy]

Hi, Went from CSL to Z3MC, with a few other cars in between. Both great cars for track use. My CSL was standard and the Z had a few mods. Have sold the Z now and was going to go back to a CSL, but bought a standard manual E46 M3 instead. The CSL is the one you will always remember for being loud and hard. I actually liked the SMG by and large, although mine didn`t get the SMG gremlins. I think some trackdays can be an issue now with noise. This is why I went the normal M3 route, as I already have a noisy car for road/track. If you go for the CSL, I would try and get a decent warranty.

[manand38]

Own a Z3M and a CSL.

CSL, clinical on track. M Coupe gets more attention, far more challanging to drive.

Both classic //Ms in my opinion, but I prefer the Z3M as it's so raw. I'd keep the Z3M, unless you can maintain them both

[UJM3]

Thanks for the replies and info..

I'm leaning more towards keeping the zm (unfortunately running both would not be a viable option for me at the moment, would be great to have the best of both worlds though ) for the outlay to change I would be expecting it to be leagues ahead which doesn't seem to be the case going on the replies. Have been a passenger in a modified csl around the ring and it was a very quick and seemingly extremely focused (at least from the passenger seat which is hard to gauge) which is what got me thinking a few months ago.

There is one at at a dealers close enough to me which I may go and have a look at and take it from there.

But I reckon at the moment I might put a few quid into the zm to keep me entertained for another year or two instead and keep saving for the gt3.

[adamb]

I owned an S54 M coupe for 2 years and a CSL for 5 - considered going down the upgrade route on the MC as I was doing more trackdays, but decided on the CSL instead (which I then ended up modifying heavily anyway). I found the CSL far more capable, although it's possible that in part this was due to my driving abilities improving, and never regretted the switch. The only thing I would say was that the MC was a nicer place to do a lot of road miles, with more soundproofing, softer suspension, comfier seats, better stereo etc.. If you intend to do many trackdays I would say definitely go for the CSL.

[clabcon]

A CSL will run circles around a Z3M anyday. Lighter, newer engine with more power and a better induction sound. Bigger brakes. More modern suspension design.

Only downside is the SMG box.

[Rags]

I went from a z3mCoupe to a CSL in 2008 and as much as I love the Z3MC the CSL was another level.

Light years ahead in terms of balance and handling.

The Z3MC is a great car, don't get me wrong but what the Z3MC does well, the CSL does better!

[M400DPC]

UJM3 said:

Has anyone owned both and what are their opinions after doing so?

I've had my M Coupe for 3 years now and it is a different car than when I bought it. It is handling as I think it should (kw v3, arbs, strut brace etc ) Love the car in fact,but I am getting a bit tempted by CSL's lately. Are they worth the difference? a clean one seems to be on average 10-12k more than an M coupe.

The CSL would be a second car like the M Coupe is and would only do 5k per year max with the odd track day thrown in here and there.

So basically anyone buy one and think that was the best 10k I ever spent! or think that maybe the m coupe was just as much fun (preferably a non standard one as standard the don't handle imo)

Edited by UJM3 on Thursday 30th December 13:37

Almost same dilemma as you mate except thinking of adding the CSL to the 'future classic' M fleet. Got a cosmos black Z3MCoupe totally un-moded but have plans to sort the handling out this year (along with a few other tweaks) - just can't bring myself to sell her after 7 years of ownership

[M400DPC]

manand38 said:

Own a Z3M and a CSL.

CSL, clinical on track. M Coupe gets more attention, far more challanging to drive.

Both classic //Ms in my opinion, but I prefer the Z3M as it's so raw. I'd keep the Z3M, unless you can maintain them both

Mana

What colours are your ZMCoupe and CSL - interested in the mix you've gone for as I am wondering whether to add another black car to the family or introduce some silver/grey....

[Rags]

SG for sure!

[UJM3]

Im going to go look at the one near me as soon as I have some time spare, very busy at the moment. I've yet to drive one too so that will hopefully make the decision a bit easier.

Only two things putting me off is the price to change ( it will be nearly twice the price of an m coupe taking local taxes into account) not sure if it's worth it, a test drive should sort that out though. The other thing is it wouuld be my 3rd M car in a row, but I suppose thats for a reason

[UJM3]

M400DPC/quote said:

Almost same dilemma as you mate except thinking of adding the CSL to the 'future classic' M fleet. Got a cosmos black Z3MCoupe totally un-moded but have plans to sort the handling out this year (along with a few other tweaks) - just can't bring myself to sell her after 7 years of ownership

If I was in the position to add one and hold on to the MC , I have one tomorrow! SB all the way though, think it suits the lines of the car much better, and black looks excellent when polished up.


I sorted the handling of my zm with some kw variant 3's and h&r arbs, massive difference and well worth the money. Particuarlly the ARB's for only a few hundered quid.

Edited by UJM3 on Wednesday 5th January 11:09

[manand38]

Mana

What colours are your ZMCoupe and CSL - interested in the mix you've gone for as I am wondering whether to add another black car to the family or introduce some silver/grey....
[/quote]

Got a red Z3M and SG CSL.

When I drove the CSL, it was the sound of the engine that blew me away!
Seriously, there is no car that sounds like it. Love it when I take it to the Ring and blast past people, they look around thinking it's a Super car, only to see an E46

[635djimmy]

Sorry, cant comment on the Z4 but had a CSL for while as a daily driver. Such a special car, the interior is a lovely place to be with the carbon fibre and alacantara,

and that noise, I was grinning like a cheshire cat every time I gave it some beans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyzQhFlIaNA&fea...

Its the one car I would have back in a heart beat.