M3 CSL opinions please.....

[Escobar]

I have recently started to wander about the sanity of having my 964 RS parked up 90% of the time.

I drive a lot for work and do far too many hours (as most people in the UK do) and most of the time cannot bring myself or be bothered to make the effort to get the RS out which seems like a waste.

I have considered changing it for a CSL as it offers more power, ultimatley I would guess a faster car and maybe easier to live with...certainly moves away from manual gearbox (I drive an auto during the week to make life a easier in traffic)

Any owners on here that can offer an insight into CSL ownership would be apprecaited greatly!!

Also as I have only just started to consider the change, how does a CSL measure up to the zero depriciation of a 964 RS. They seem to have levelled off at around £30k-£35k after the fall from nearly £60k from new!?

Thanks.

[escobar]

I am looking to test drive one in the very near future.

I am aware of the need for brakes and suspension. The few CSL's I have seen have changed the front brakes,to what I presume to be 4 or 6 pot AP racing. Not sure of what people do to the suspension?

How do people find the SMG box? I know a lot of people dont like paddle shifts but I have to admit to prefer not to change manually in any car if at all possible.

Edited by escobar on Monday 12th June 11:51

[escobar]

Thanks Ollie, I already have a daily driver. I wouldnt consider anything but the CSL. Normal M3, as impriessive as it is from the factory, just isnt the kind of car I would want to put my money into. They will be in the same postion as the E36 in the next few years...being available for sub £10k etc!!! Lost plenty of money on cars in the past and dont plan on doing that again in a rush.

CSL appeals because it is as close to the RS Porsche as a car can get. Lightweight approach with weight savings wherever possible (although I would probably further reduce that by removing the rear seats and carpets) with improved power and limited availability.

The RS would very difficult to get rid of (mine is a Clubsport, only circa 150 ever built) and is bullet depriciation. However I am not a collector and want to use the car. The trouble I am finding is that I drive around the country during the week and find it difficult to get motivated to take the car out at weekends or evenings. I feel the CSL will be easier to live with and offer similar or better performance for the same or slightly less money.

Also if anybody has ever owned an RS (LHD are the real ones ) If you are unfortunate enough to buzz the engine I have heard that it costs around £3,000 to £3,500 for a top end rebuild. Wouldnt be my first use of that amount of money and I believe its VERY easily done but dont want to be held back with that thought in my mind!!!

Reading above I get the impression that people are very happy with the CSL and aside from brakes, exhaust and suspension set-up, the cars are a great factory machine.

Has anybody had their car on the dyno to see how true the 360bhp is?

Also is the SMG box reliable?

Does the CSL have a limited slip diff?

[escobar]

Cant see a Monaro being in the same league as a CSL. I know they cant get near my RS...went to Isle of Man recently with PorscheClubGB and somebody had one. Didnt see it once on the trip over the mountain road

Any truth in the rumours that BMW are going to make a CSL in the E90 range (with the V8) and it be 420bhp!!! Surely that will really hurt the residuals of E46 CSL's?

Edited by escobar on Wednesday 14th June 18:06