Picking a Winner

[Velux]

The main concern around buying a CSL for me is its usage history (not service history which is a fundamental requirement for any "questor"). I am informed by one reputable dealer that 1 track mile equates to 25 road miles, which means that a 35k mile tracked CSL has an astronomical mileage in road terms. Whether buying privately or from a dealer, there are no guarantees to be had around usage history and that is what is concerning me most at the minute. I would rather buy a 70k road mileage car than a 35k tracked one. Of course it would be naïve to assume that a CSL has never been near a track - there may be a couple out there granted, but I am highly unlikely to find one.

What should I be looking out for to pick the right car aside from a warranty?! Thanks in advance for any advice. I want to take the plunge this year but am just a bit tentative as you can see. Some of you have had at least one CSL so I know you will have seen it all before and know what good looks like for a new buyer like me.

[Rick H]

The main concern around buying a CSL for me is its usage history (not service history which is a fundamental requirement for any "questor"). I am informed by one reputable dealer that 1 track mile equates to 25 road miles, which means that a 35k mile tracked CSL has an astronomical mileage in road terms. Whether buying privately or from a dealer, there are no guarantees to be had around usage history and that is what is concerning me most at the minute. I would rather buy a 70k road mileage car than a 35k tracked one. Of course it would be naïve to assume that a CSL has never been near a track - there may be a couple out there granted, but I am highly unlikely to find one.

What should I be looking out for to pick the right car aside from a warranty?! Thanks in advance for any advice. I want to take the plunge this year but am just a bit tentative as you can see. Some of you have had at least one CSL so I know you will have seen it all before and know what good looks like for a new buyer like me.

No point buying a nice piece of steak if you're not going to eat it :hahaha:

A car with sound service history, previous warranty and stands up to scrutiny in the here and now is the best you can hope for - particularly if you can trace previous owners which isn't too difficult.

A showpiece sub-10k car is expensive and its unlikely to be bought to rag, whereas a 60-70k example will be much cheaper and give a driver far more than the £25-30k it will cost to buy.

One has to look at the motivation for buying a CSL in the first place. Mine had 75k on it and so I can do anything I want with it without worrying about the next owner; if I break it - I have to fix it.

I paid for the experience not the piece of metal.

Hope this helps :thumbs:

[Mark CSL]

Not all CSLS that have been tracked
some have been on track but not driven like a race car :hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

Just check condition and how it drives its all about the drive and condition
not how many miles and owners after all its a 10 year old car now :thumbs:

[still no worries]

25 track miles = 1 road mile maybe the tyres and brakes but not the rest !

[chrisburns]

I know for certain that mine has never ever seen a track. Bit of a waste yes but I get enough of hammering around tracks without having to use my pride and joy for the same.

The main things you should be looking for IMO is a car that has no crash evidence and one that has been with its owner for quite some time as chances are it will have been well looked after in that case. Only snag is getting someone to sell.
Also I think tyres are very important, a car with rubbish tyres would to me indicate one that has not been cared for.

Track use would not bother me in the slightest either really if im honest. Always buy on condition and personally I would rather buy a car from a nice honest owner rather than a supposed minter from some chap who is perhaps a bit of a tit

[Rick H]

Not all CSLS that have been tracked
some have been on track but not driven like a race car :hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

Just check condition and how it drives its all about the drive and condition
not how many miles and owners after all its a 10 year old car now :thumbs:

I think how it drives is difficult to assess once you get beyond it going in a straight line - its "agricultural" nature at normal speed could be quite a shock for the un-initiated :hahaha:

[LeinsCSL]

A few years ago

Me: "Hello, I'm calling about the CSL you're selling?"
Dealer: "Yes, it's a good car, 48k miles, 2 owners"
Me: "And has it ever been tracked?"
Dealer: "Of course it has!" :hahaha:

Saw it, drove it, bought it, love it! :smokin:

[Trawler]

I

Track use would not bother me in the slightest either really if im honest. Always buy on condition and personally I would rather buy a car from a nice honest owner rather than a supposed minter from some chap who is perhaps a bit of a tit

+1

I bought mine from someone who said straight away it had been tracked (spa & ring mostly). Turned down a one owner car who had obviously not looked after it. That was 8 years ago. At the time I looked at five all over England, mrs was not impressed.

[Trawler]

I think how it drives is difficult to assess once you get beyond it going in a straight line - its "agricultural" nature at normal speed could be quite a shock for the un-initiated :hahaha:

Basic with no toys may be a better description. I don't know just after a few hundred yards you can tell the difference between Cesil & a standard M3, it's just so much more alive.

[Neil M]

'Raw' just about sums it up. :thumbs:

[cslsuperfan]

The main concern around buying a CSL for me is its usage history (not service history which is a fundamental requirement for any "questor"). I am informed by one reputable dealer that 1 track mile equates to 25 road miles, which means that a 35k mile tracked CSL has an astronomical mileage in road terms. Whether buying privately or from a dealer, there are no guarantees to be had around usage history and that is what is concerning me most at the minute. I would rather buy a 70k road mileage car than a 35k tracked one. Of course it would be naïve to assume that a CSL has never been near a track - there may be a couple out there granted, but I am highly unlikely to find one.

What should I be looking out for to pick the right car aside from a warranty?! Thanks in advance for any advice. I want to take the plunge this year but am just a bit tentative as you can see. Some of you have had at least one CSL so I know you will have seen it all before and know what good looks like for a new buyer like me.

Velux

totally understand your concerns about buying a "pup". If you're looking to buy in 2014 then keep your eyes on forum cars coming up for sale. Any register owner selling their cesil will be more than up front with you about the car's history. Ideally for your peace of mind spend a few bob on a comprehensive check of the car before you take the plunge. it might involve a bit of extra hassle for an owner selling but any genuine seller would agree. Monkey and giraffe(both members on here and M Tech mechanics/CSL specialists) would be happy to help.

[GregorJP]

From my experience of buying my car (I've had it for 3 years now), I was less bothered about whether it had been tracked and more bothered about whether it had suffered any of the common ailments that can afflict the CSL, and whether these ailments had been fixed. Unfortunately, my car suffered many of them and I have had to have them fixed (most under warranty). The things I am aware of are:

- Subframe cracking
- Graunching in the SMG box (especially between 3rd and 4th)
- Dodgy brakes (remedied by upgrading to BBK)
- Alternator failure
- Top end overheating/VANOS issues (can be caused by heating up on track use/oil cooling issues)
- Knackered or tired trim (carbon flippers, CSL kickplates and front badging, rear seat console, wheel scuffing or deterioration, worn steering wheel)
- Excessive clutch slur
- Missing pieces from airbox (ie. flap removed but not sold with the car)

Without a warranty, fixing these things can be very expensive. A thorough scout on the Technical Area of this forum can be instructive in terms of finding out the common issues and what to look for.

I've tracked my car only a few times, and I fully expect that its had the odd track excursion when owned by others. The critical thing to look for is whether they have skimped or economised on upkeep and maintenance. I'd rather buy one with AP brakes, KWs and a Supersprint that has been on track but been carefully and expensively maintained than a standard example that has second-rate tyres, worn trim and a questionable service schedule.

[LeinsCSL]

^^^ Don't forget the interior mirror waiting to feck up the centre console