New member looking to buy a csl

[custom-d]

Hi everyone, ive been dreaming owning a csl for as long as i can remember and finally in a position to do so now. I have been doing lots of reading over the last few weeks on here so thought it about time i joined. I have seen a car advertised that i'm interested in but have a couple of questions i wonder if you could help me with:

1. The car doesn't have 'full' bmw service history, some main dealer and some specialist, is this something that would be a problem if and when i came to sell the car again?

2. The car has continental tyres on now from what i have read these arnt the correct tyre's that the car would have originally had so have these been put on as a cheaper option?

3. The steering wheel is looking a bit worn on the alcantara area, is there someone who reconditions these?

Also anything in particular i should look out for when viewing the car apart from the normal m3 issues ie subframe etc. The car has done 50k miles.

I see alot of people upgrade the suspension and brakes on these and is it worth waiting for one to come along with these mods already done? or is the standard brake/suspention ok for read use and the odd trackday. Thanks.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Welcome to the mad house :thumbs:

[custom-d]

Welcome to the mad house :thumbs:

Thanks Craig is very kind of you :)

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Is the owner a member on this forum.

[Neil M]

Welcome to all things CSL!

Who carried out the Main Inspection Services is the important one, intermediate services doesn't matter that much, more importantly is the servicing being carried out in accordance with the schedule 15,000mls or biannual?

Tyres are just bits of rubber, consumables that get replaced dependent on available budget. Most of use Michelin Pilot Sports, for everyday use and for summer/fair weather and any track use Sports Cups.

A steering wheel re-trim is not a big issue, there are several companies who can do this, one in Oxford: http://royalsteeringwheels.com/ who have done several for members in the past.:thumbs:

[custom-d]

Welcome to all things CSL!

Who carried out the Main Inspection Services is the important one, intermediate services doesn't matter that much, more importantly is the servicing being carried out in accordance with the schedule 15,000mls or biannual?

Tyres are just bits of rubber, consumables that get replaced dependent on available budget. Most of use Michelin Pilot Sports, for everyday use and for summer/fair weather and any track use Sports Cups.

A steering wheel re-trim is not a big issue, there are several companies who can do this, one in Oxford: http://royalsteeringwheels.com/ who have done several for members in the past.:thumbs:

Thanks for the reply and pm Neil is much appreciated, i will make sure i find out the service details tomorrow when i view the car,
Was it true that when new the csl came with two sets of alloys? or is that just something ive read on the internet and not true?
The car im interested in is the one for sale below,
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e46-m3-00-06/bmw-m3-csl/1541686

I was all set to go and see a black one a couple of days ago which had uprated suspension and ap brakes but just before i left home the owner called me to say it had just sold. He had dropped the price i believe so not surprised it went pretty quickly.

[custom-d]

Is the owner a member on this forum.

Im not to sure if the owner is a member on here or not to be honest.

[HFLagos]

I'm aware of someone who has been to see this car (and a few others for sale) at the moment, I'll PM you his contact details, he knows CSLs very well. :wink:

[custom-d]

I'm aware of someone who has been to see this car (and a few others for sale) at the moment, I'll PM you his contact details, he knows CSLs very well. :wink:
Thanks dude that's a great help and much appreciated

[glendog74]

Welcome custom-d :-D

[Neil M]

Was it true that when new the csl came with two sets of alloys? or is that just something ive read on the internet and not true?

I was all set to go and see a black one a couple of days ago which had uprated suspension and ap brakes but just before i left home the owner called me to say it had just sold. He had dropped the price i believe so not surprised it went pretty quickly.

No, it came with a choice of 2 wheel types, what we now know as the CSL Wheel the other was the M3 double spoke type.

The Black one, you missed it by about a week, don't worry you'll soon see it on here! :hahaha: Not to worry, one will come along that has your name on it.
Perhaps the one with slightly higher mileage, which belongs to a member of this auspicious community? :whistle:

[Das Chin]

responded to Custom-d.

I had a look at them all for sale out there and they have various pluses and minuses.

the SG one in Walsall for 26k was a nice car - very standard and full BMW SH and warranty.

the black one in Cambridge with the APs and KW clubsports is good value too. no warranty but close to Elms for an inspection if needed.

[_Nathan_]

A lot of CSLs did come with a second set of wheels as original buyers were offered a second set cheap. However as soon as they went near a dealer they got parted, likewise now if a dealer, BMW or specialist, got a CSL you can be sure the wheels wouldn't be free with the car.

Good luck in your search.

[custom-d]

responded to Custom-d.

I had a look at them all for sale out there and they have various pluses and minuses.

the SG one in Walsall for 26k was a nice car - very standard and full BMW SH and warranty.

the black one in Cambridge with the APs and KW clubsports is good value too. no warranty but close to Elms for an inspection if needed.
Thanks for taking the time to reply to me is much appreciated, the one in Cambridge sold 2 days ago after the guy dropped the prices believe.

[Mark CSL]

Welcome and good luck with the hunt :thumbs:

[sailorbaz]

Welcome to the Board mate, and good luck with your search. Enjoy the looking, it's all part of the fun.

One non-M3 item includes the Airbox flap - Make sure it operates correctly. At around 2300rpm (iirc) in Sport mode, you should hear the induction noise get notably louder and cause a slight tingle in the nether regions.

[custom-d]

Welcome to the Board mate, and good luck with your search. Enjoy the looking, it's all part of the fun.

One non-M3 item includes the Airbox flap - Make sure it operates correctly. At around 2300rpm (iirc) in Sport mode, you should hear the induction noise get notably louder and cause a slight tingle in the nether regions.

I like the sound of that :smt055 will make a note to listen out for it. Are they logged as a "csl" on the V5? thanks

[mattCSLnut]

I like the sound of that :smt055 will make a note to listen out for it. Are they logged as a "csl" on the V5? thanks
Yes they are logged on the V5C document (in the D.3 Model subsection) as M3 CSL and the last 7 digits of the chassis number will start with JC98*** :smokin:
Good luck with your Cecil hunt and remember that Full, "Bang On schedule " Service History and actual good physical conditions of the CSL are far more important then the little numbers on the Odometer ;)

[custom-d]

Yes they are logged on the V5C document (in the D.3 Model subsection) as M3 CSL and the last 7 digits of the chassis number will start with JC98*** :smokin:
Good luck with your Cecil hunt and remember that Full, "Bang On schedule " Service History and actual good physical conditions of the CSL are far more important then the little numbers on the Odometer ;)

Thanks thats very helpful and i shall make sure i check this, should these be service stamped in the book every 10k miles or is it 15k? thanks

[mattCSLnut]

Thanks thats very helpful and i shall make sure i check this, should these be service stamped in the book every 10k miles or is it 15k? thanks
10 to 15 K miles, depending on how the car has been driven but they must NOT exceed 2 years in between services regardless of mileage as BMW will not warranty it not they be willing to help with any good will gestures.

[custom-d]

10 to 15 K miles, depending on how the car has been driven but they must NOT exceed 2 years in between services regardless of mileage as BMW will not warranty it not they be willing to help with any good will gestures.
Thanks and at least the service schedule is every other year and not yearly as i will more than likely only do 3-4k per year in it.

[Mike R]

Thanks and at least the service schedule is every other year and not yearly as i will more than likely only do 3-4k per year in it.

I thought that, but since owning it since March, I've already done 4k :hahaha:. Keeping out of it is the hardest thing :wink:.

[custom-d]

I thought that, but since owning it since March, I've already done 4k :hahaha:. Keeping out of it is the hardest thing :wink:.

Hi Mr Rainbird :wink: yours does look very nice i saw it at ford fair this year

[Das Chin]

so the black one in Cambridge went down even more? I thought he was firm at 25k or would keep it.

let me know if you need any other details or questions. Nick

[Mike R]

Hi Mr Rainbird :wink: yours does look very nice i saw it at ford fair this year

E30 Matt?

[custom-d]

so the black one in Cambridge went down even more? I thought he was firm at 25k or would keep it.

let me know if you need any other details or questions. Nick

Thanks Nick, im not sure what it sold for but dont think it would have been alot under 25k if anything at all. Just got back from seeing the sg one you looked at that i mentioned. Lets just say its not the car for me by a country mile, Shame a 5 hour round trip wasted but was the first one id viewed.

[custom-d]

E30 Matt?

no but have always been a ford guy at heart, have an rs1600i tucked up in the garage. Always have loved your escos that and Martin Hadlands one, the csl must seem a snail in comparison.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Thanks Nick, im not sure what it sold for but dont think it would have been alot under 25k if anything at all. Just got back from seeing the sg one you looked at that i mentioned. Lets just say its not the car for me by a country mile, Shame a 5 hour round trip wasted but was the first one id viewed.
You will look at quite a few before buying, you will know when you find the right one :thumbs:

[bluebro]

Just got back from seeing the sg one you looked at that i mentioned. Lets just say its not the car for me by a country mile, Shame a 5 hour round trip wasted but was the first one id viewed.

Anything major wrong with it?

[custom-d]

Anything major wrong with it?

I will pm you

[cslsuperfan]

no but have always been a ford guy at heart, have an rs1600i tucked up in the garage. Always have loved your escos that and Martin Hadlands one, the csl must seem a snail in comparison.

Now that's a first!!! :whistle:

[Mike R]

no but have always been a ford guy at heart, have an rs1600i tucked up in the garage. Always have loved your escos that and Martin Hadlands one, the csl must seem a snail in comparison.

Cheers and as I'm sure you are aware, I too love my Fords (love 16is - what colour?) :). Yes it feels like its missing two cylinders rather than having two more :wink: . However, the CSL has aircon and is more refined / practical and feels just as special :).

[custom-d]

Cheers and as I'm sure you are aware, I too love my Fords (love 16is - what colour?) :). Yes it feels like its missing two cylinders rather than having two more :wink: . However, the CSL has aircon and is more refined / practical and feels just as special :).

They are a lovely car and a future classic without a doubt. My 16i is in sunburst, only comes out on sunny days mind you :)

[Mike R]

Two appreciating cars is just greedy ;).

[custom-d]

Two appreciating cars is just greedy ;).
Fingers crossed, will make a change not to be loosing money on a car :bigcry: