View Full Version : Newbie saying hi
paulo
15-09-2009, 09:22 PM
Hi,
I've been directed here by a friend (a CSL owner). I've just recently sold my Audi B7 RS4 and am on the lookout for a CSL.
I've found quite a few possibilities on PistonHeads, but I feel I need a bit of a browse on here before I know exactly what I'm after.
So far I'm pretty sure I want a grey CSL without modification and preferably with warranty. It's going to be a family car so AirCon is a must but that's probably about it so far (this may change the more I read on here).
I'll try not to ask too many annoying questions, but I'm sure there will be a couple.
Thanks,
Paul
azrael
15-09-2009, 09:27 PM
Hello Sir, I'm sure you'll fit right in. I think M5_Powered just bought the car you were after though :)
Jaw_F430
15-09-2009, 09:57 PM
Welcome to the forum:thumbs:
glendog74
15-09-2009, 09:58 PM
Welcome Paul :thumbs:
Bealo
15-09-2009, 10:19 PM
Hello and welcome Paul, were a friendly bunch on here so fire away with your questions. Have a go with the search facility.
Good call regarding colour :thumbs: :hahaha:
shimmy
15-09-2009, 10:21 PM
hi paulo
so far youve probabaly got 50% for sale still within your spec
good luck:thumbs:
what budget?
paulo
15-09-2009, 10:28 PM
Thanks everybody.
Just had a read through the buyers guide (wish all car forums had one of those).
So do many of you keep buying the Michelin Cup tyres? Is it still true that there are no other tyres available in the size of the Cups?
I guess I need to add to my list that I also want:
Stereo
Xenons
19" CSL Wheels (didn't realise some have 18's)
Standard Exhaust/Shocks
Do many have the limiter removed? I guess this would be a "nice to have" as would the AP's (less important).
I see some have an interior carbon upgrade. What does this consist of, and was this a factory option?
I think apart from that I'm looking for something as unmarked as possible. I'm not looking for a ultra low mileage car as I will probably be doing average miles in it. I'm pretty fussy when it comes to keeping things tidy, but I have two small children. I'm therefore being realistic and not wanting a "show car" as I will struggle to maintain it to a level to justify the extra cost.
Is it worth getting one that has had the inspection 2 done? I'm guessing this is done at pretty low mileage?
Sorry for all the questions already. :(
Paul
paulo
15-09-2009, 10:33 PM
hi paulo
so far youve probabaly got 50% for sale still within your spec
good luck:thumbs:
what budget?
Well, I sold my RS4 for £30k, but the more of that I can hold onto for my wife to spend on shoes the better. I'm not daft.... keeping her in shoes keeps her sweet and allows me to buy nice cars. ;)
To be honest, I'm looking around the £26k mark, but depending on how carried away I get with spec, that might go up. If I can find something I'll be happy with for under £25k I'll be laughing though (long shot, I know). :D
Paul
shimmy
15-09-2009, 10:45 PM
paulo
for a day to day drive as mine was for 2 years, i agree i would have
airconditioning
xenons
(Bealo would have pdc but he's blind)
CSL rims (not standard M3 rims- ALL 19, not 18 inch)
BMW or decent a/m stereo with ipod connect
all interiors are carbon panelled
standard exhaust and suspension are perfect for road use (anybody who says otherwise is either selling his CSL or used to own a 650bhp Scooby;)
inspection 2 is pricey so better not buy one just before it is due
if you are gonna track it at all look for AP or other a/m brakes
i wouldnt worry about delimiting it. unless you are driving to the Ring and running out of time, you'll never notice
good luck:beer:
paulo
15-09-2009, 10:48 PM
Ok, a couple of last questions for now.
I read somewhere that the CSL has a sports button, and somewhere else that they have a track button. Are these one and the same? If not what is the difference between them? or more importantly what do they do? I think I remember reading that the track button eased the traction control a bit (without turning it off), does it do anything else?
Also, do all CSL's have this, or was it an option (as only some adverts state they have it).
I also saw a CSL with built in SatNav. I'm certain this has been retrofitted. Would this negatively effect the price of the car? I'm not sure I see it as a good thing?!?!
azrael
15-09-2009, 10:57 PM
Where abouts are you, have you been in one? That might answer all questions :) Ah your friend has one so I guess thats a yes!
Sat Nav has been retrofitted, but is not a standard option. Wouldn't affect the value as it can be put back to normal.
The Mtrack button is standard and does exactly as you describe.
You should have plenty of choice within your budget
Be nice to get in a car with stated BHP :clown: only joking love the RS4 just as much, well almost.
shimmy
15-09-2009, 11:11 PM
Ok, a couple of last questions for now.
I read somewhere that the CSL has a sports button, and somewhere else that they have a track button. Are these one and the same? If not what is the difference between them? or more importantly what do they do? I think I remember reading that the track button eased the traction control a bit (without turning it off), does it do anything else?
?!?!
'Sport' button on centre dash only changes the responsiveness of the electronic throttles, so that less input with your foot on the accelerator pedal yields more output from the throttles than when in normal mode. Flap opens at lower revs.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7088/dsc02577si6.jpg
M Track button on steering wheel puts the Dynamic Stability Control to 40%. Next to Sport button with the DSC button you can turn DSC off as well.
[pic not CSL but probably CS]
http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/pics/3er/e46/m3/17018_1024.jpg
All standard on CSL:thumbs:
I also saw a CSL with built in SatNav. I'm certain this has been retrofitted. Would this negatively effect the price of the car? I'm not sure I see it as a good thing?!?!
Woppum has a built in Sat Nav but imho it detracts frm the car. Tom Tom etc are just as good these days and have camera databases so def dont fit one. But as az says above, it can be returned to standard after so why not :)
paulo
15-09-2009, 11:13 PM
Where abouts are you, have you been in one? That might answer all questions :) Ah your friend has one so I guess thats a yes!
Sat Nav has been retrofitted, but is not a standard option. Wouldn't affect the value as it can be put back to normal.
The Mtrack button is standard and does exactly as you describe.
You should have plenty of choice within your budget
Be nice to get in a car with stated BHP :clown: only joking love the RS4 just as much, well almost.
Ooh low blow! :hahaha:
The RS4 was/is a lovely car and suited a purpose (needed 4 doors). Now I want a bit more fun. To be honest I've always wanted rare cars that will hold their value. Before the RS4 I had a Nissan Skyline GTR V-Spec (R33). Lovely car, rare (at the time), and fun. I only lost £3k on it in 3 years. I bought the RS4 thinking it was going to hold it's value as well. Unfortunately for me, Audi had other ideas and extended production due to demand and they became very common (there were 4 in the same station car park as me every day!!). I lost £23k in 3 years. :bigcry:
I'm pretty sure the CSL is going to change all that for me, and get me back to the rare cars I love, and hopefully stop me losing so much money.
My friend has taken me out in his (in fact he drove me to the station today as I'm currently car-less). I love it. I was almost considering buying a cheap M3 (>£15k) just to tide me over for a bit, but since going back in the CSL I know I'd regret it.
Oh, and I'm in Caterham in Surrey.
Paul
shimmy
15-09-2009, 11:23 PM
http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2669
GT TWO
16-09-2009, 09:26 AM
Hey Paul,
Seems you have managed to narraow down your selection. There is not a lot to choose from as there were only a small amount of options which makes it easier when buying.
All I knew was that it had to have aircon and xenons would be nice.
I have only seen one CSL without the CSL rims too.
Sorry I could not take you for a proper drive this morning but hapy to this evening.
Cheers
Lee
shimmy
16-09-2009, 09:54 AM
I have only seen one CSL without the CSL rims too.
yes, 3 years ago every 3-4 one seemed to have M3 19 inch rims (i think thye were supplied when you opted for PS2 tyres OEM)
most i guess have now swapped to CSL rims, a bit like all the M3s as well:birdman:
4CSL4
17-09-2009, 12:38 AM
Before you go and buy one, put up the details of the one that you are interested in as there is a very good chance someone on here will know something about it, or has owned it. There are not many of them about....
sailorbaz
17-09-2009, 09:12 AM
Bit late on the uptake Paul, but Welcome to the Forum.
As mentioned, feel free to ask any number of questions, I would too when spending this kind of dough!
Roland
17-09-2009, 10:38 AM
Welcome Paul:thumbs:
M5 Powered
17-09-2009, 11:59 AM
Hi Paul,
Welcome to the board - I've just recently joined myself.
I've just bought a very well cared for 25K mile CSL (pics to follow) along the same lines with all options excluding the PDC. Having had it on other cars, it tends to annoy anyway!
The car I ended up with was de-limited by BMW from factory (a rarer option) but as mentioned in an earlier post, it's more a kudos thing, than of any practical value.
After spending 6 months properly looking for a none weekly tracked car, good examples are out there, but you will need patience. Also, I saw some rather 'tired' looking low mileage cars at the usual CSL dealers.
From what I've seen, the private cars ARE selling quickly. In fact some Tw*T tried to Gazump me, so ensure your first to see and take a deposit with you.
Finally, on the topic of mileage, while I did set out with the 'low mileage is everything' attitude, in reality, from what I now (especially talking to Rob aka GlenDog at Donnington) I wouldn't have discounted a well cared for 40 or 50K model. Just make sure it has a Full BMWSH and warrenty, and keep in mind that what is covered changes slightly after 60K miles.
Hope that helps.
Best
M5 Powered.
paulo
17-09-2009, 12:34 PM
Thanks everybody, and thanks for the warm welcome too.
I've been chatting to Lee about my wants, and can't wait to start looking.
I've always seen 'average miles' as good. Call me mad, but there is something un-nerving about a 6 year old car that has only done 20k miles. Less than 5k a year means it's been sitting for far too long, or just used for short journeys (or even worse just track use).
I know there are always exceptions, but I think I'd want somebody to look over a ultra low mileage car just as hard as they would a high mileage car.
I think the only things I don't want to go without are:
Air-Con
Xenons
Stereo
and the only things I don't want are:
Non CSL wheels
Remap
Miltek
Holes in the dash from phone/ipod cradles.
All the rest will be 'nice to have'.
I'm going to be doing average mileage in it, so I'm looking for the same. There is no point paying a premium for low miles if I end up putting a load on it.
I'm just looking for something as close to how it came out of the showroom as I can. Something that has been looked after, by an enthusiast, and hasn't been neglected. Sometimes cars like this can end up being scrimped on, as most people want them, but not many can afford to maintain them the way they should.
Paul
paulo
02-11-2009, 07:24 PM
Thank you all for your help, but after a bit of looking around I have come to the conclusion that the CSL isn't going to make the family car I need.
I've ended up getting myself a E60 M5 and am very happy with it.
Maybe at some point in the future I won't need something with the extra comfort, and might look at CSL's again as I have always wanted to own one.
Paul
englebert
02-11-2009, 10:32 PM
TBH i would never have gone for a CSL as a family car. It can seat 4, but not exactly in comfort and i would hate to have people scratching up all the carbon...
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