higher mileage CSLs - what to look for.

[Das Chin]

hi all.

looking to get back into a CSL. Derek on here has my old black 53 plate car.

currently have an 88 e30 M3 which is a bit of a garage queen but I have the CSL itch back after having a track e30 with the s50 3.2 engine. do love a straight six.

I have read about the cracked rear subframe, wear on clutch and flywheel and some have had a hard life but to be expected

it would be a 4th car and for high days/holidays so no more than 1500 - 2k miles per year.

any inputs thoughts? or go the extra mile for a mid 50s/60s car.

thanks, DC

[LeinsCSL]

You sound like you're in a similar position to me, and as such the CSL makes the perfect choice of car

My car is currently on 54k miles and have owned it for a couple of years now. For me it's about trying to get a decent one (which mine seems to be so far, fingers crossed) and then doing as much of the preventative stuff as you can, especially as I don't have a warranty. So I replace the oil every year not just when it asks to be serviced, got the interior mirror gel replaced, the subframe is getting reinforced soon, etc. The small mileage per year also helps, but then I suppose you still never know

Any pics of the E30 btw? I have one, but it's an Alpina not an M3. I love it as much as the CSL

[Neil M]

Whatever the mileage the Service History is top priority, if it's been serviced in accordance with the manual, then it's been looked after by the former owner/s.
One recently sold on PH 120K with full BMWSH a 2 owner car, last owner 7 years, to me that speaks volumes :supz:

Good luck with the search :119: they are becoming as rare as hens teeth and prices have risen steadily over the past 6 months and continuing.

[Das Chin]

ok thanks chaps.

so good full BMW FSH or at least specialist.

I always remember having the 1200 mile in the service book was always key.

what is a decent price for a 100k mile car for example in private hands?

pics of the e30:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/NLW73/e30%20M3/IMG_4241.jpg





http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/NLW73/e30%20M3/IMG_4245.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/NLW73/e30%20M3/IMG_4248.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/NLW73/e30%20M3/IMG_4250.jpg


http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/NLW73/e30%20M3/WP_000172.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/NLW73/e30%20M3/WP_000173.jpg

[Steve B]

Loving the E30..... always been a dream of mine:smokin:

[LeinsCSL]

Yeah, the 1200 service seems to be fairly critical, and it was certainly something I wanted to see evidence of. But it's not just about the stamps in the book, as there are still some dogs out there which on paper sound fine. But find one with straight panels, clean interior and that's clearly been shown some love and you won't go too far wrong I think. Not sure about the 100k stuff, but the 60k cars represent decent value at the moment I think around the £25k+ mark AFAIK. Depends what you want to do regarding warranty too and how risk-averse you are

Ooofff, loving that M3 btw! :notworthy: Here's my old bus. The E30s make a great combination to have with the CSLs IMO:

[thrashermax]

Mine had 77k when I bought it, full BMW history with warranty. I thought I'd be ok but the head gasket needed replacing 2 weeks ago at 84k miles and the boot floor crack is going to be repaired by Elms soonish...

I'd say check boot floor, head gasket, first service, service book with the invoices, number of owners, software updates for SMG.

Mileage is not an issue, a careful owner who has loved it for more than 3 years speaks volumes.

I love my CSL and will keep her in top condition and I will be doing 16-18k miles in her every year. Mileage has never been an issue to me... E46 330i 166k miles, Porsche 944 Turbo 216k miles, E34 M5 165k miles... all strong engines and looked after.

Sometimes a high mileage car that is used regularly is better than a low mileage one that is hardly used... but I'm biased! :smt002

[Neil M]

Sometimes a high mileage car that is used regularly is better than a low mileage one that is hardly used... but I'm biased! :smt002

Couldn't agree more, better to use it than loose it.:thumbs:
The ones to avoid IMO are the low mileage cars with 4/5 owners, invariably the SH is cocked up.

6 months ago you could have had a nice 50/60K example for £24-25.5.
High Mileage examples over 100K are now fetching £22K and rising, previously they were under £20K.

Strange in some respects to see them rising as they approach their 10th Birthday.

[E46CSL]

Here's my old bus.


Nice, very nice.

[LeinsCSL]

Nice, very nice.

Ta very much! :thumbs:

[E30M3SE]

If we're doing E30 pictures,

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o40/devm3/08212.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o40/devm3/DSC_5820-1.jpg

[CraigMillwardCroft]

If we're doing E30 pictures,

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o40/devm3/08212.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o40/devm3/DSC_5820-1.jpg

Very nice :thumbs:

[sjb]

Fantastic looking cars the E30 M3 :supz:

[E46CSL]

If we're doing E30 pictures,


http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o40/devm3/DSC_5820-1.jpg

Very nice. :thumbs:

Fogs on a Sport Evo?

[E30M3SE]

Very nice. :thumbs:

Fogs on a Sport Evo?

Mr P. which fogs?

There's no fogs on my car.

[LeinsCSL]

If we're doing E30 pictures,

Lovely SE :thumbs:

[Das Chin]

no fogs on a SE. They have the brake ducts instead
these clear lenses in the bumper are for indicators.
lovely lovey SE. Super rare and super expensive these days!!

[Das Chin]

a very nice SE for sale on PH:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e30-m3-86-92/bmw-e30-m3-sport-evolution/1186341

70 grand. bonkers!! :supz:

[Neil M]

That's what a CSL will cost in a few years time, back to what they cost new - what an investment, only two ways it can go: 1. the scappers :bigcry: or 2. up in value:thumbs:

[Roland]

Just did a testdrive with a 202.000km CSL. One owner car and good serviced. :thumbs:

[HFLagos]

a very nice SE for sale on PH:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e30-m3-86-92/bmw-e30-m3-sport-evolution/1186341

70 grand. bonkers!! :supz:

Some of those pics were taken in the Lagos family driveway, I know the car and it's a nice example.

Long way for CSL prices to go, but we'll get there!

[E30M3SE]

Some of those pics were taken in the Lagos family driveway, I know the car and it's a nice example.

Long way for CSL prices to go, but we'll get there!

That's Sal's car, right.

[hoshy]

Roland - how much was the 200km CSL up for?

I'm probably not selling mine but interested to know how the high miler german market looks. Btw - I'll be moving to Munich in less than 4 weeks, I'll give you and Levente a shout :)

[Roland]

Roland - how much was the 200km CSL up for?
I'm probably not selling mine but interested to know how the high miler german market looks. Btw - I'll be moving to Munich in less than 4 weeks, I'll give you and Levente a shout :)

Hi hoshy,
nice to hear that you move to Munich. :beer:
The CSL was 21.500€.

[sfh3l]

Ah memories.....

Reminds me of my Black Sport Evo. Then again, my SB CSL was a lovely car too. Nothing lasts for ever and you can't have too many cars and remain married..................

[hoshy]

Hi hoshy,
nice to hear that you move to Munich. :beer:
The CSL was 21.500€.

Jeez that's cheap!!!! for a left hand drive?

I'll take mine back to the uk sell it, go to thailand for two weeks and get a car that germans don't laugh at me in (I have a RHD :))

Where did you find it advertised?

[Roland]

Jeez that's cheap!!!! for a left hand drive?

I'll take mine back to the uk sell it, go to thailand for two weeks and get a car that germans don't laugh at me in (I have a RHD :))

Where did you find it advertised?

mobile.de

[hoshy]

mobile.de

interesting - the lowest I saw on there for a long time was in the 40+ bracket.

[gazzzar]

as you said E30……the red was mine

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3310/img5258g.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5075/viki3.jpghttp://img714.imaghttp://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8417/sss8763.jpg

[The JC]

Were there ever any Throttle Valve Actuator issues with the S54 in the CSL? I've had issues with these on both my e92 M3 and e39 M5.

[steveH]

Yeah, the 1200 service seems to be fairly critical, and it was certainly something I wanted to see evidence of. But it's not just about the stamps in the book, as there are still some dogs out there which on paper sound fine. But find one with straight panels, clean interior and that's clearly been shown some love and you won't go too far wrong I think. Not sure about the 100k stuff, but the 60k cars represent decent value at the moment I think around the £25k+ mark AFAIK. Depends what you want to do regarding warranty too and how risk-averse you are

Ooofff, loving that M3 btw! :notworthy: Here's my old bus. The E30s make a great combination to have with the CSLs IMO:


Assume it's a C2.7 ?? Looks stunning. was this a car sold by WLN at one time??

[LeinsCSL]

Assume it's a C2.7 ?? Looks stunning. was this a car sold by WLN at one time??

Thanks Steve. It's actually just the C2.5, with Alpina C2/3 engine conversion of ECU, camshaft & exhaust for about 190bhp. Sytners built it in Feb 1991

Yep, WLN sold it back about 2005 (still have the advert in the file), and it's been through Munich Legends a couple of times too. I've been speaking to both Andrew Wilson & Barney Halse and they say they remember it quite well

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a589/e36318is/DSC_0006_zps570467d3.jpg

http://thumbsnap.com/s/X87kcW4x.jpg