Comparison with standard M3 coupe

[MisterCorn]

I went straight from an M3 cabriolet ( this is not cutters so I will not call it a 'vert') to a CSL. I was suprised a little by how big the change was. The weight difference is over 300kg and obviously the chassis is massively stiffer. But I do wonder what the difference is like compared to a late M3 coupe with the CSL SMG software, where the weight difference is.much smaller and the chassis is stiffer. The CSL was nearly 50% more than the same car when new, but is now 200% more. Who has experiences of the differences and what are they like?

MC

[Mark CSL]

Had 2 M3 CSLs then thought i would save cash and buy the e46 m3 coupe
it was sold after 5 days :hahaha: then back in a CSL :smt055

Night and day the CSL is so much more the car feels light and nimble
better on fuel quicker and sharp turn in not to mention the noise and the downshift blips :thumbs:

[Bounce]

Night and day the CSL is so much more the car feels light and nimble
better on fuel quicker and sharp turn in not to mention the noise and the downshift blips :thumbs:[/QUOTE]+1,No comparison ;)

[shimmy]

Coupe has comfy seats and sat nav!:thumbs:

[Bounce]

Coupe has comfy seats and sat nav!:thumbs:Cup holder and arm rest:hahaha:

[CSLScot]

Apart from the physical differences, anything limited in supply, with a proper brand pedigree will always retain & increase in value. Looks like the smart time to buy a CSL was 2010-12 (& hold on to it since!).

[still no worries]

If you were going to buy an m3 coupe and not the csl save your self even more money and buy a 330.

[Yanto]

If you were going to buy an m3 coupe and not the csl save your self even more money and buy a 330.

Please post this on cutters :hahaha:

[Bounce]

Please post this on cutters :hahaha::hahaha:

[nw99]

Having owned all of them I can say how much better the CSL is from the M3 and my M135I is just beyond words ...

[MisterCorn]

If you were going to buy an m3 coupe and not the csl save your self even more money and buy a 330.

Wow, I had no idea the difference was that pronounced. That might indeed upset a few cutters. TBH I couldn't believe the cooking M3 was as good, the CSL is just amazing, the more I drive it the more I like it. I am off to the Lake District at the end of next week to get another 500 miles of fun under my belt. These really are generally under-appreciated classics so far as I can see.

MC

[glendog74]

I owned a near standard M3 coupe and my CSL for a while.

Yes, whilst there are many similarities, the CSL is very different beast from the standard car - much sharper and driver focused and driving it is a real occasion every time unlike driving the standard car.

The standard car was great as a more comfortable commuting hack though, although I found the manual gearshift a real chore in traffic compared to the SMG in the CSL.

[glendog74]

:smokin:

[digi]

If you were going to buy an m3 coupe and not the csl save your self even more money and buy a 330.

:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha::hahaha::hahaha::hahaha::h ahaha::hahaha::hahaha::smokin::thumbs:

[mattCSLnut]

:smokin:
Much :smt055 and :drool: for the LSB M3 :smokin:

[cslsuperfan]

Rob

Hope you've decided to hang on to her

Those black rims were responsible for at least 2 of us going the same route

Be good to see ya' at some point this year

[Marv968]

The only time I've been driving the CSL and felt it was a bit heavy, was when I was following an Exige S down a very twisty Scottish road!

[glendog74]

Rob

Hope you've decided to hang on to her

Those black rims were responsible for at least 2 of us going the same route

Be good to see ya' at some point this year

Lol! She's going nowhere just yet... I hope to do something later this year :smokin:

[GregorFuk]

The only time I've been driving the CSL and felt it was a bit heavy, was when I was following an Exige S down a very twisty Scottish road!

Yes, Elises make most things feel leaden. But a CSL feels like a Rolex watch in comparison.

[LeinsCSL]

Much :smt055 and :drool: for the LSB M3 :smokin:

Agreed, great colour for an E46

[0836whimper]

I had both for a while too.

I had high expectations, but the first driving experience was even better. Made the M3 feel like a tank in comparison and that's nothing against the e46 m3, it's a great car.

It's just the CSL feels and drives like a race-car, regardless of how fast or slow it is in comparison to modern machinery.

And that in a world of refined, synthetic audio'd, blown, shared platform, shared engine identicars is priceless.