Making M3 or M3 CS sound like CSL

[bass2rez]

What changes would you need to make to a standard E46 M3 or M3 CS to make it sound like a CSL?

I ask this question because I love the CSL sound, the induction roar sounds fantastic and utterly intoxicating, but I am not sure I could live with a CSL day to day. The seats look too uncompromising, and I want radio, air con, manual gearbox, and the other bits and pieces that are nice for when you are not in "race" mode.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Steve

[funtimee]

Man up and buy a CSL

In all seriousness though it depends how far you want to go, and whether you'll sell your M3 any time soon. A lot of people put a cheap copy of the CSL airbox on to achieve the sound.... this get's you part of the way there for no less than £2000. If you want a proper job and can find a cheap genuine airbox you'll probably get the job done for £3500 (£2500 for the box plus alpha N mapping and fitting)

But to achieve the true CSL sound you need...

CSL Air box
CSL Headers
CSL Cats (200 cell as opposed to 400)
CSL Backbox (thinner and a little louder than the standard M3)

And remove all sound deadening from under the carpets...

You may laugh about the sound deadening comment but even if you do all of the above you wont actually hear the noise like you would do in a CSL.

And the reason I asked if you were planning to resell - if you did all of the above it would probably set you back £5000 and I'd be surprised if the car was even worth £1000 more after all that and it will be alot harder to sell.

oh and for the record - CSL's do have A/C, CD players and a few other comforts if you find a well optioned one

Take that from someone who's just brought a CSL in place of their e46 M3

[octainejunkee]

a much cheaper alternative would be to buy a carbon fibre airbox and filter kit off ebay - i paid £250 for mine,
de cat pipes for £150 max.
get simpsons motorsport to re map and de restrict it.
it'l be such an improvement you wont care if it's identical to a csl -it'l sound and go like a beast.

[Pferdestarke]

octainejunkee said:

a much cheaper alternative would be to buy a carbon fibre airbox and filter kit off ebay - i paid £250 for mine,
de cat pipes for £150 max.
get simpsons motorsport to re map and de restrict it.
it'l be such an improvement you wont care if it's identical to a csl -it'l sound and go like a beast.

Listen to this. Don't go spending £3k plus on CSL bits which will stop anyone with sense buying your car in the future.

[thehos]

spend the money, keep oem bits, when you sell the car get it back to standard, sell csl bits, simple

[Cemesis]

I seem to recall the CSL and CS has a difference exhaust manifold that aids the noise. Best bet is to get a CS which is half way to a CSL.

[tjw110]

Steve, have you bought an E46?

[foz01]

Cemesis said:

I seem to recall the CSL and CS has a difference exhaust manifold that aids the noise. Best bet is to get a CS which is half way to a CSL.

It does but 99% is down to the ruddy great carbon air box

[Nords]

It might sound a bit like a CSL, but it won't be one. Buy a CSL...

[Pugsey]

Seriously. Fold the back seats/ski hatch down. Seriously. You'll be amazed how much difference hearing what effect that echo chamber of a boot has lol. Well, it's cheap anyway!

[bass2rez]

Thanks for all the replies. So, I get the feeling that I should really get a CSL, if I want the CSL sound. I shall think about it..

Cheers,
Steve

[bass2rez]

tjw110 said:

Steve, have you bought an E46?

Hi Ty,

I haven't bought an E46 yet, but I have the intention of getting one soon. Well, I have narrowed it down to either an E46 M3 CS or an E39 M5, but now also perhaps a CSL... but thats for another thread..

Cheers,
Steve

[Great Pretender]

bass2rez said:

Thanks for all the replies. So, I get the feeling that I should really get a CSL, if I want the CSL sound. I shall think about it..

Cheers,
Steve

Well either that or fork out for this little lot:

-CSL Air box (+ remap to run Alpha N)
-CSL manifold
-Titanium CSL exhaust system
-CSL Cats
-CSL Backbox

[shim]

It still wont sound the same without ECU and cams and software.

The only way as many have found out is to either by a CSL or get and iPod with recording of CSL noise and play it when driving your car

[B16JUS]

when i had my e46 m3 i bought a gruppe m carbon airbox to be honest for the money it was pony and not worth the money and got removed and sold on.

[foz01]

Evolve do a carbon airbox and mapping for about £2k fitted, sounds awesome by thr videos I have seen an good for about 20bhp.

Bit rich for me mind!

[mat205125]

Pferdestarke said:

octainejunkee said:

a much cheaper alternative would be to buy a carbon fibre airbox and filter kit off ebay - i paid £250 for mine,
de cat pipes for £150 max.
get simpsons motorsport to re map and de restrict it.
it'l be such an improvement you wont care if it's identical to a csl -it'l sound and go like a beast.

Listen to this. Don't go spending £3k plus on CSL bits which will stop anyone with sense buying your car in the future.

I've never seen airboxes for M3s at anything like £250. Anyone care to post a link to the kind of product that I might receive for my £250, should I fancy trying one.

[john_p]

Take the rear bench out, and leave the seats folded down.
Then it sounds great.


plus the centre of gravity is better so it handles better

[mat205125]

I'm not 100% sure if John P's suggestion is serious, however I do enjoy the extra noise from the exhaust rasp when I drive my car with the seats down ........ strictly for carrying my bike, or something, you must understand.

[Pugsey]

john_p said:

Take the rear bench out, and leave the seats folded down.
Then it sounds great.


plus the centre of gravity is better so it handles better

Wot, you mean like I suggested days ago? Although didn't add the joke re centre of gravity lol.