skoobidude

These 2 vehicles are now well in my price range
Question is, what would you all go for?

I love the CSL for it's exclusivity, noise etc but is it getting too old? Will the value stabilise and return a good investment when it's time to move on?
I realise the brakes are a weak point so it would be ideal to find one with APs.

The Audis are newer and have more creature comforts.. Still sound good but are they as good/better to drive than the Beemer?

I'll need a drive in both to find out.

Has anyone experienced either - or, ideally both?

Discuss..

Nick

edited - running/servicing costs may swing it for me too.

ScoobyDoo555

Whilst 2 similar cars, IMHO they're different animals. The CSL is a sports car and built as such (lightened everything, specialist tyres, boot floor plan made of cardboard), whereas the Audi is a more substantial car..

Whilst I like the CSL and it's slightly quicker, I'm an Audi man, and that would be my preference (but that's just my opinion!)

Dan

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

If you like both just buy the newest of either that you can afford. CSL is a cracking car but I still prefer 4 wheel drive so the audi would be my choice purely on that.

RyanSTI

iTrader: (1)

rs4, however id also have the csl but then again i dont think i could live with it. the audi is more refined, and to be fair its 4x4 which will be alot more fun to drive day to day.

HankScorpio

I couldn't get my **** into CSL seats so RS4 for me

stilover

I guess it's like the Ford v Vauxpoo debate. You're either a Audi man or a BMW man.

Me? I'm an Audi man, and would take the RS4. Old man had one, and what a lovely car to drive. The BMW is more a drivers car, due to RWD, so power oversteer out of corners is always a prod of the loud peddle away.

However, if your driving style is getting from A to B, and fast as possible in any weather condition, then the RS4 is the car you'll want.

Running costs of the RS4 ain't cheap though. Mind you, I dare bet the cost of running an M3 isn't exactly cheap either.

The RS4 V8 does like to drink fuel (average 20mpg) and it like to drink oil too. As much as a litre or so every 3000 miles. Engines do vary though, as my old mans R8 (same engine) is using far less oil than his RS4.

richs2891

Not driven a CSL but was left disappointed with a M3 - I've got a RS4 on a weekend loan, have to say its very good, lovely noise, effortless to drive - only downside is its drinking habit - but did expect that ! Driven over the same road as the BMW - completely different car, - quicker - feels more secure, more solid, more composed.
Do have a preference to newer cars as well so be leaning towards the more modern car before driving the two, after driving - I would choose the Audi.

Richard

RB5 Boyo

CSL is fantastic car, but i drove an RS4 and was well impressed, it just seemed to have so much to offer, a great package and looks the bizz to.

It would be the RS4 for me im afraid, but then again they are quite common now....how many M3 CSL's do you see compared to RS4's??

RRH

CSL is much more fun if you're brave, and comfortable with rear wheel drive; they're a touch lively. They do feel a little dated now compared to an RS4.

In the dry I'm fairly sure I'm quicker in a CSL, in the wet (probably) the RS4- but the CSL would be much more fun.

Daily driver - RS4. Toy - CSL.

**** room is pretty tight in both - I struggle (being an ****)

thesyn

Test drove an M3 which was good but rattled my fillings! Haven't driven an RS4 but in general like how Audis are put together and their general vibe ie don't **** other people off and appear fairly subtle.
However saw a CSL in the flesh in black and have to say that it appeared incredibly hardcore I mean where else have you seen a carbon fibre roof?
I would like to bet that the CSL will give you back a higher proportion of your cash but who knows???
All things being equal and not having driven either for equal cash CSL for me.

zs_phil

iTrader: (1)

wow just found an rs4 06 plate for 26k .
think id have the rs4 over the csl but do like the seats in the csl

Spooky Mulder

Just remember what they say on Top Gear.

BMW = **** has now been replaced by Audi = ****

I couldn't agree more

Hoppy

Oi!

RS4 and CSL are completely different cars and I can't think that honestly anyone would have too much difficulty choosing between the two. Obviously, Snetters seem pretty clear on the issue

Problem with the CSL is you will struggle to find out how good it is without buying one and really pushing it. The Audi will beat it hands down every time - until you get it to a track, and even there you will have to be pushing pretty hard before the CSL's fundamental quality shines through.

That's the time when you might actually do something very silly, and buy one

Richard.

pippyrips

If you plan to track it a lot the CSL, if not and plan to use it as an everyday ca the RS4.

I've had mine for 15 months and there is still nothing that ticks as many boxes imho.

scoobberdoo

Oh yeah, the world according to Clarkson - must be true then!

scoobberdoo

I think that's debatable. The new M3 is perhaps slightly quicker, I would question whether tho CSL with 360bhp is! IMHO.

Agree with Pippyrips, Track = M3, but everyday, RS4. M3 a bit too minimalistic as an everyday car me thinks.

rickya

iTrader: (18)

CSL is:

Far more exclusive; hardcore; track orientated; hardcore image; great sounding engine & is the ultimate M3.

More importantly than all that, it will be worth a lot more money in years to come than the Audi, in fact it will eventually appreciate in value. The Audi will only depreciate.

Hoppy

Weight! CSL has higher power to weight ratio. It also has Mich PS Cup tyres I think, along with fully track tuned running gear.

Smooth track on a dry day, RS4 wouldn't see which way it went. At all other times, I'd rather be in the Audi.

Mitchy260

Both are starting to show their ages, lets not forget the E46 M3 was released all the way back in 2001, so the car is getting on a bit now. The whole car is looking dated to me.

A well driven new age hot hatch (usually with a remap) will easily keep pace if not out accelerate an E46 M3. CSL version slightly quicker, although not by much.

RRH

There's a cheap low mileage CSL on Pistonheads here ... tempted myself as I do love them, but no a/c or xenons would kill the resale value IMHO

scoobberdoo

[QUOTE=Hoppy;8475016]Weight! CSL has higher power to weight ratio./QUOTE]

Accepted! However, surely the superior torque, which is not part of the PTW Ratios counts for something.

Hoppy

[QUOTE=scoobberdoo;8475357]Yes and no. In everyday driving, the RS4 will likely be quicker. As I say, in every situation other than flat out on track I think the RS4 is probably the better bet, and certainly more comfortable.

But on a dry track the CSL will be faster. Torque doesn't come in to it there, as you're always running around peak bhp.

rickya

iTrader: (18)

You gota be joking!!!!!!
Iv been on track with 997 GT3's & Rs's where the only production car to keep right up with them was a well driven M3CSL. The CSL is an awesome car that would blow 99% of road cars away. Also an E46 M3 would cane most if not all hot hatches IMO

RS Grant

I was going to say CSL after hearing a pair of them (father and son I believe) tearing **** round Knockhill.. plus the exclusivity factor.

However, after listening to a non-resonated Milltek RS4 on youtube, I am not so sure... and I'm more of an Audi man (no relation to AudiLover ).


Cheers,
Grant

G-string

iTrader: (1)

The Audi for me mate, but I think its as said above, Ford/ Vauxhall, Scooby/ Evo, I like both but know I would want the RS4.

Aaron1978

iTrader: (12)

My mate has got a M3 csl and my boss used to have one and now owns a RS4, i've got to be honest here and say the CSL is so much more race/track focused than the RS4 handles a lot better too. You don't feel as confident going fast in the Audi as you do in the Csl IMHO. To be honest there quite different cars the Audi is very luxurious and the Csl has been designed with none other than air con, the seats only adjust back an forwards.

For the record if you would like a 53 reg black Csl £27k let me know , apparently the black ones are wanted more than the grey too.

Aaron

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Doubt that you'll ever be able to pick up a RS4 for a few Grand!

TX.

scoobberdoo

Agreed! That sums it up! end of! But I continually get a bit miffed by everyone going on about "better track handling", "but on a track" etc etc. How often do most people actually take their car to a track, really (and I know some will say "I do" - but I'll bet they are a in a minority - that do it regularly)!

Unless your a "regular" track purist, the difference in handling would be very marginal as it could seldom be explored on the open roads. You would have to be going into dangerous territory to explore both these cars at full cornering chat in public. So is this minor difference in handling and on the limit "fun factor" a real criteria. Surely on our rain sodden roads the 4wd would in most cases render the CSL inferior. The RS4 has more creature comforts without losing much if any ground in out right grunt, rides better, more sure footed and is probably better screwed together.

Agreed the CSL may hold on to it's value better, but at Terminator x says, your never going to get a RS4 cheap unless it's a complete bucket.

I'm not knocking the beemer, it's a very desirable car. Unless I was very rich and could afford one for the very occasional track use as a second car, as an everyday proposition, it would just have to be the RS4 IMHO.

@azz250478 - You don't feel as confident going fast in the audi - what nonsense - say that on a wet road!

andys

aren't the tyres for the CSL something like 400 quid each?