1M to csl.... Dangerous?

[Tinker]

Hello and thanks for advice.
I bought I stunning 1m last year. It's black with 9k miles every option and BMW performance seats and led steering wheel. But it sits in the heated garage not being driven.
I have recently bought a 55plate 60k mile e46 m3 which is completely standard and only 2 owners. Love driving this as I can drive it hard, park it anywhere and it is fun to drive.
I'm now debating whether to finally get a csl or not and sell the 1m and e46.
I spotted this one today. EK53 AFS.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410067987515?atmobcid=soc4

Full BMW service history with only one large gap on the servicing from late 08 to late 11 (but only 9k miles in this period)

8 previous owners. Does anyone know it and any thoughts on what I should do would be helpful.

Cheers

[LeinsCSL]

Dangerous? Only if you scare the crap out of some pedestrian bigger than you and then get caught at the lights

Sell the 1M, buy a CSL for the weekend and drive the std M3 the rest of the time

[Tinker]

Haha
Sorry I guess I should have been a little more clear.
I guess I'm slightly worried in terms of potential bills, servicing, warranty and then eventually selling it. The 1m is very very easy to sell given the age and mileage. I just worry that the csl will be costly to maintain and then be pretty difficult to sell on afterwards.

Does anyone know that plate btw?
Cheers

[Tinker]

Clearly I was too late. Car sold today!

[Rick H]

The CSL's a track car. If not used on a track most or at least some of the time, then I don't see a point in ownership - your M3 is a long way towards where you want to be I think. I don't think its that far off a CSL so any weekend advantage would be marginal.

I sometimes drive mine on the road, sometimes I show it but the bulk of the driving time it's on a track and that's where I get the reward for parting with my hard-earned dosh. That's its purpose.

My daily is a 520i Touring I bought 2 years ago for £400 so the weekend advantage the CSL brings is high but a good M3 would be more realistic if I didn't track it. Than again with my driving skills, the difference would be questionable anyway :bigcry:

Investment wise, a very low-miler in standard form will gain some ££££ in the coming years, few doubt that, but there is a large cost in storage and running costs (whether run or not) so any return will be eroded by these and be at best highly speculative. For normal to high milers, at best there is a benefit in low depreciation allowing for costs. Investment is purely subjective.

It's a great track car that, if the only car owned, is bearable as a daily. On UK roads, and assuming you're a decent driver rather than exceptional, an M3 will take you there, and as you say, it can be driven without worrying too much about residuals and hard-to-source parts.

[PeteGray]

I don't know the plate I'm afraid, With regards to reliability and running costs you don't have anything to worry about over and above any other performance car.

I'm incredibly lucky to have two CSL's, one with 60k and one with 39k and they are both as strong and tight as you'd like.

Whilst these are in many ways different to a standard E46 M3 they do share a huge amount with the standard car which gives them everyday usability and reliability.

In my view you really have the best of both worlds with the engineering might and resources of one of the worlds finest car producers plus their best race engineers being given scope to make the ultimate version of for me the best M3.

There's no doubting that the M1 is a wonderful car but, I think the CSL offers something very different and would not disappoint at all.

Resale shouldn't be a problem either as each year one or two get stuffed into a tree, exported or tucked away in a garage. The collector market for BMW's is maturing as well as less are on the road and their engineering integrity stands the test of time so well.

[PeteGray]

The CSL's a track car. If not used on a track most or at least some of the time, then I don't see a point in ownership - your M3 is a long way towards where you want to be I think. I don't think its that far off a CSL so any weekend advantage would be marginal.

I sometimes drive mine on the road, sometimes I show it but the bulk of the driving time it's on a track and that's where I get the reward for parting with my hard-earned dosh. That's it's purpose.



With respect I have to disagree with the view that a CSL is pointless unless used on a track. Personally neither of mine are tracked and I just enjoy them as exciting road cars.

It's true to say that their performance potential can only be fully realised on the track and it may be that this is their true purpose.

Again, I'm not looking to be argumentative but, in my view there is a stark difference between an M3 and a CSL (again I'm not talking about performance limits just everyday driving). This starts before you get in with the changed exterior look of the car, to the seats, the noise, the reduced interior trimmings, the noise, the lower driving position, the noise and the overall visceral relationship you have with the car.

[MCSL]

I had a 1M as well as the CSL up until a few months ago when i sold the 1M. The 1M is okay, but nothing special - a bit overhyped maybe? The CSL is much more driver-focused. All depends what you want from the car - if using daily and you like the latest toys and gizmo's then i'd say keep the 1M, but if you're looking for something to feed you a bit (lot?) more excitement, then the CSL will give you the 'motorsport' feeling that you can still sensibly use on the road. The e46 m3 was already a great car - the CSL made it an icon. Sadly one of the past that'll never be repeated.

eta - i've also owned an e43M3 CS - the CSL is night&day different - think C2S vs GT3 'different' to understand

[Rick H]

With respect I have to disagree with the view that a CSL is pointless unless used on a track. Personally neither of mine are tracked and I just enjoy them as exciting road cars.

It's true to say that their performance potential can only be fully realised on the track and it may be that this is their true purpose.

Again, I'm not looking to be argumentative but, in my view there is a stark difference between an M3 and a CSL (again I'm not talking about performance limits just everyday driving). This starts before you get in with the changed exterior look of the car, to the seats, the noise, the reduced interior trimmings, the noise, the lower driving position, the noise and the overall visceral relationship you have with the car.

Don't worry - this isn't cutters! People are allowed to have differing views :beer:

[mattCSLnut]

I had a 1M as well as the CSL up until a few months ago when i sold the 1M. The 1M is okay, but nothing special - a bit overhyped maybe? The CSL is much more driver-focused. All depends what you want from the car - if using daily and you like the latest toys and gizmo's then i'd say keep the 1M, but if you're looking for something to feed you a bit (lot?) more excitement, then the CSL will give you the 'motorsport' feeling that you can still sensibly use on the road. The e46 m3 was already a great car - the CSL made it an icon. Sadly one of the past that'll never be repeated.

eta - i've also owned an e43M3 CS - the CSL is night&day different - think C2S vs GT3 'different' to understand

Well said that man :beer: I'm in total agreement, being E46 Fun boy :smokin:

[s1csl]

When is the price of the 1M going to come down so I can buy 1

[s.mac]

I agree with Peter :smokin:

[Pip1968]

Shimmy is the number plate/history icon for future queries.

As for CSL being a track car only for enjoyment purposes I disagree. Progressive driving on the road and open roads are also best enjoyed in a CSL. If you want a raw driving experience get a CSL.

There must be a few others around for sale. I did a review of prices of them earlier this year that Mark put in the member's section. There must have been 10-15 for sale then. Surely they are not all gone - ??

Pip

[billyboysm3]

I had a 1M as well as the CSL up until a few months ago when i sold the 1M. The 1M is okay, but nothing special - a bit overhyped maybe? The CSL is much more driver-focused. All depends what you want from the car - if using daily and you like the latest toys and gizmo's then i'd say keep the 1M, but if you're looking for something to feed you a bit (lot?) more excitement, then the CSL will give you the 'motorsport' feeling that you can still sensibly use on the road. The e46 m3 was already a great car - the CSL made it an icon. Sadly one of the past that'll never be repeated.

eta - i've also owned an e43M3 CS - the CSL is night&day different - think C2S vs GT3 'different' to understand

Did you ever take the 1M on track?

For something less hardcore, to use a couple of times during the week, 3-5 track days a year and Europe trips, stack miles on it and the piece of mind that it can be fixed quickly, -apart from the Csl would you say it's worth buying?

[SMD]

Mod the 1M and then you have a special car?

[outnumbered]

My CSL is entirely used on the road.. And it's great. I don't drive it everyday, but it makes every trip an occasion. Even if it's just taking the kids to school.

I can see it being a bit wearing if you had to do long distances regularly on crap UK roads though. My kids did 900 miles in it coming back from Munich, and they only started complaining when we got on to the M20!

[s1csl]

Mod the 1M and then you have a special car?

Are they the same mods that some people put on there CSL, ie cats, remap, brakes, exhaust, suspension, to make it special and quicker

[MCSL]

Did you ever take the 1M on track?

For something less hardcore, to use a couple of times during the week, 3-5 track days a year and Europe trips, stack miles on it and the piece of mind that it can be fixed quickly, -apart from the Csl would you say it's worth buying?

Never took it on track. To be fair i did own it through Winter which is not the best climate for a rwd that already spins up at the best of times. The traction issue pissed me off - it suffered massively from grip at the rear. Apparently better rubber and a geo is supposed to help? Standard seats are a bit naff. A bit too quiet from the drivers seat too. Overall though it did look good, and was very quick in a straight line (makes me wonder if mine was remapped - it felt very quick for a 340hp car!). I possibly would of kept it longer but prices went up and i sold it for a small profit - first time i've ever made money on a car!!

But, I think for the rarity, looks, pace, minimal-deprecation and running costs - it's a good shout, but i have had and enjoyed other similar-priced cars more i.e. C63, Boxster-Spyder, and obviously - CSL.

[shimmy]

i have never driven the 1M whereas i think i have driven most other post 1990 M cars

i do wonder about having one occasionally i have to admit.

[GregorJP]

I test drove a 1M about a year ago with a view to perhaps trading in the CSL for it. It was very nice to drive, quick, torquey and felt like a mini-M3 on steroids. The interior was nicer than I had expected and I love small cars, so it had me sold. The fact that the dealer didn't really know what a CSL was didn't help the discussions about trade-in, and the financials didn't cut it for me.

But give me a choice between a 1M and a CSL and I'd take the CSL every time. :smokin:

[Rick H]

There was one at Anglesey Circuit the other week with the strangest of registrations . . .

[mattCSLnut]

There was one at Anglesey Circuit the other week with the strangest of registrations . . .

That plate makes almost perfect sense if it's seen in rear view mirror :thumbs:

[Rick H]

That plate makes almost perfect sense if it's seen in rear view mirror :thumbs:

Yep, I was sad enough to test it out too - but is that where a 1M owner expects to be?

[mattCSLnut]

Yep, I was sad enough to test it out too - but is that where a 1M owner expects to be?

It's amazing to what lengths some will go to let others know it's not just a blinged up 118d up ones chuff ;)

[glendog74]

There was one at Anglesey Circuit the other week with the strangest of registrations . . .

You sure it was a 1M? I can't see quad exhausts...? :whistle:

[shimmy]

Rick

You were done by a 118d MSport :)

[Rick H]

Hahahaha - quite possibly !

Don't you just hate it when that happens.

[Rick H]

'tis a 1M

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=28603&view=previous

[Loaded]

Keep the 1M for daily use and get a CSL for track visits!