M3 CSL......should I...
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M3 CSL......should I...
Hi,
Probably been flogged to death but, I will do it again:
Does anyone here own, or has ever owned a M3 CSL?
Have heard some good things, then heard some not so good things.....any opinions would be nice.
Thnks
Probably been flogged to death but, I will do it again:
Does anyone here own, or has ever owned a M3 CSL?
Have heard some good things, then heard some not so good things.....any opinions would be nice.
Thnks
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Just make sure you get a full warranty and update it every year. M3 engines are notorious for going `Bang`. Mods should have been done at service intervals, so check these have been done.
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
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Just make sure you get a full warranty and update it every year. M3 engines are notorious for going `Bang`. Mods should have been done at service intervals, so check these have been done.
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
As far as performance goes, the CSL does not seem to "go" much more than the "regular" M3, but yet the price even second-hand
#5
afaik the engines going bang were standard ones and the CSL is pretty reliable, it is considerably quicker than a standard car and extremely special but uncompromising having said that there are a lot of people out there who use them everyday, it will go round the ring in well under 8 mins, a standard M3 is lucky to do it in 8.30mins. Also as opposed to the standard engine these consistently make over the 360bhp quoted
the other option would be to buy a run out CS model which has many of the CSL mods but lacks the engine enhancement and lightweight but many journalists say this is the best M3, you should also post on pistonheads as they have a CSL dedicated forum page:
PH: Gassing Station
the other option would be to buy a run out CS model which has many of the CSL mods but lacks the engine enhancement and lightweight but many journalists say this is the best M3, you should also post on pistonheads as they have a CSL dedicated forum page:
PH: Gassing Station
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afaik the engines going bang were standard ones and the CSL is pretty reliable, it is considerably quicker than a standard car and extremely special but uncompromising having said that there are a lot of people out there who use them everyday, it will go round the ring in well under 8 mins, a standard M3 is lucky to do it in 8.30mins. Also as opposed to the standard engine these consistently make over the 360bhp quoted
the other option would be to buy a run out CS model which has many of the CSL mods but lacks the engine enhancement and lightweight but many journalists say this is the best M3, you should also post on pistonheads as they have a CSL dedicated forum page:
PH: Gassing Station
the other option would be to buy a run out CS model which has many of the CSL mods but lacks the engine enhancement and lightweight but many journalists say this is the best M3, you should also post on pistonheads as they have a CSL dedicated forum page:
PH: Gassing Station
All that carbon, the bucket seats......no messing about!
#7
here's a sad fact for you:
BMW official weights are measured with a full tank of gas and driver on board and I think even a certain amount of luggage, so you can take at least 100kilos off to compare to other cars...
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Just make sure you get a full warranty and update it every year. M3 engines are notorious for going `Bang`. Mods should have been done at service intervals, so check these have been done.
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
#9
#10
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I`d get an EVO 9 GT instead, great car......i`ve been in one, i was looking at one when i sold my Tommi Mak, but the misses didn`t want another 20k car sitting in the garage all year hardly being used so i got myself a nice RA instead....
#13
Just make sure you get a full warranty and update it every year. M3 engines are notorious for going `Bang`. Mods should have been done at service intervals, so check these have been done.
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
Evo magazine did a second hand buying guide. If you can get hold of a copy it's worth reading.
BMW have put up the cost of warranties lately............. wonder why?
1. Engines produced in a 12-18 month period had faulty con rod bearings. These were replaced under warranty. A quick call to BMW will confirm this has been done. However AFAIK the CSL production was well outside this period hence are not affected. They don't just go "bang". This was not something done in service intervals but was an immediate recall. Not a great show from BMW but there we go, at least they fixed the problem.
2. Yep warranties are expensive. Unfortunately this is as a consequence of cars becoming more sophisticated... Its not just BMW. Audi is the same. Surprisingly the Porsche warranty is about a grand (for now)... well done Porsche.
As for getting the CSL: I've not driven one, but owned a normal E46 M3. During trips to the Nurburgring and UK trackdays there is usually at least one CSL. Man they are quick and sound lovely. Quite a focused and effective tool. Great cars, and a bargain at their current price - whihc these days is holding steady.
Last edited by Skittles; 27 March 2007 at 08:04 PM.
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@ chippy 17 : only thing I dont like on this comparision is the fact, that the CSL comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres as standard and the normal M3 has Bridgstone RE050's I think.
Serge
Serge
#15
A fair point mate - Evo reckoned the standard M3 on cup sports would be almost as quick as the CSL. One of the magazines actually did a test but I can't remember which
#16
Drive one and see what you think. I thought the seats were too uncomfortable and unadjustable. That may sound really pedantic but if I can't get comfortable then I can't drive fast simple as that. Best induction noise I've ever heard though...
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The real story is:
1. Engines produced in a 12-18 month period had faulty con rod bearings. These were replaced under warranty. A quick call to BMW will confirm this has been done. However AFAIK the CSL production was well outside this period hence are not affected. They don't just go "bang". This was not something done in service intervals but was an immediate recall. Not a great show from BMW but there we go, at least they fixed the problem.
2. Yep warranties are expensive. Unfortunately this is as a consequence of cars becoming more sophisticated... Its not just BMW. Audi is the same. Surprisingly the Porsche warranty is about a grand (for now)... well done Porsche.
As for getting the CSL: I've not driven one, but owned a normal E46 M3. During trips to the Nurburgring and UK trackdays there is usually at least one CSL. Man they are quick and sound lovely. Quite a focused and effective tool. Great cars, and a bargain at their current price - whihc these days is holding steady.
1. Engines produced in a 12-18 month period had faulty con rod bearings. These were replaced under warranty. A quick call to BMW will confirm this has been done. However AFAIK the CSL production was well outside this period hence are not affected. They don't just go "bang". This was not something done in service intervals but was an immediate recall. Not a great show from BMW but there we go, at least they fixed the problem.
2. Yep warranties are expensive. Unfortunately this is as a consequence of cars becoming more sophisticated... Its not just BMW. Audi is the same. Surprisingly the Porsche warranty is about a grand (for now)... well done Porsche.
As for getting the CSL: I've not driven one, but owned a normal E46 M3. During trips to the Nurburgring and UK trackdays there is usually at least one CSL. Man they are quick and sound lovely. Quite a focused and effective tool. Great cars, and a bargain at their current price - whihc these days is holding steady.
Yes their value holds about €20,000 more than a normal M3.
I am tempted to get one in Germany (left-hand drive) seeing that the new 3 series coupé prices are stupid, and the CSL seems to be a no BS car.
Thanks for the input!
Last edited by Janspeed; 28 March 2007 at 02:14 AM.
#23
Cup tyres are awesome and if it means going quicker and having more fun then I do not understand the problem, you would not buy, for example, an old M6 and stick with the 80s metric tyres they came with you would slap modern rubber on them
I have heard many owners say they are not as bad in the wet as they say but a few owners out there do possess two sets of wheels one with cups and one with tyres more biased towards everyday road use
#24
#26
#27
The CSL is currently one of the biggest bargains out there.
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Got a CSL about 3 weeks ago. Deep Singh, the seats are adjustable, you need spanners etc.
As mentioned before, the car sounds fantastic. They are good value, but seem to be going up in price recently, as they only made a few of them.
I'm still getting used to the car but so far I've found that the accleration is great and the chassis feels very solid. They do handle very well once the geo and tyres pressures are correct.
Great car, go for it!
As mentioned before, the car sounds fantastic. They are good value, but seem to be going up in price recently, as they only made a few of them.
I'm still getting used to the car but so far I've found that the accleration is great and the chassis feels very solid. They do handle very well once the geo and tyres pressures are correct.
Great car, go for it!
#29
#30
if I had 30k to spend on a car, this really is the only choice IMO