E90 M3 or CSL, decisions decisions!!

[jim76]

So about almost a year ago to the day I broke away from BMW M3's (sold my 5th consecutive!) and took ownership of a 2002 911 C4S. Brilliant car, enjoyed the experience but I sold it yesterday. I've now decided to get back into BMW ownership, but am torn between the CSL or the new E92!! The CSL is a great car, and has the rarity behind it, but the E92 is an awesome car, and I'm sure will be very capable on track, with probably more practicality than the CSL. Decisions decisions! Has anyone here had good experiences with the E92 on the track?

[karbonkid]

We're up to £15k invested into our E92 M3 and have to say other than the engine (475bhp so a huge difference) the rest of it is still far behind a CSL.

Enough said! ;)

[Dan]

Enough said! ;)

Where the fook did that quote come from!? I'm very suprised, although it might just be 15k mis-spent! :bigcry:

[jim76]

Enough said! ;)

Yeah but that's a race car build, is it not? And are they comparing it to a race prepped CSL??

I'm looking for a fair comparison on standard cars really. I only do a handful of track days a year, so I'm wondering if I could justify having a CSL really. I feel it would get ruined by using it as an every day driver. I may be wrong but I'm sure the side bolster of the seat would take a beating if I were to be jumping in and out of it a few times every day! And I would feel bad putting the miles on it. I'm talking myself out of it here aren't I!!??? Lol.

[phat///M3]

Where the fook did that quote come from!? I'm very suprised, although it might just be 15k mis-spent! :bigcry:

LMAO :thumbs:

[Yanto]

Enough said! ;)

LMAO :thumbs:

+1 :hahaha:

[karbonkid]

Where the fook did that quote come from!? I'm very suprised, although it might just be 15k mis-spent! :bigcry:

:hahaha: I have always remembered that comment!

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2533&highlight=%A315k+invested


Yeah but that's a race car build, is it not? And are they comparing it to a race prepped CSL??

I'm looking for a fair comparison on standard cars really. I only do a handful of track days a year, so I'm wondering if I could justify having a CSL really. I feel it would get ruined by using it as an every day driver. I may be wrong but I'm sure the side bolster of the seat would take a beating if I were to be jumping in and out of it a few times every day! And I would feel bad putting the miles on it. I'm talking myself out of it here aren't I!!??? Lol.

You will find a lot of CSLs here are daily drivers. Im sure Tom will give him your thoughts as he has both.
I would say they are both as practical as each other, the E92 will drink fuel and oil quicker but the more comfortable. Regarding the bolster getting a pounding, you could always get yourself a seat cover. You are certainly talking yourself out of it! I have driven both and would choice the CSL 10x over! :thumbs:

[jim76]

I kinda feel as if I need newer now though. I've had 3 E46 M3's, and I know that a CSL is a completely different kettle of fish before I'm lynched, but the E92 is miles ahead I think, as an every day car. I would like a CSL if I had the money to keep it in the garage most of the time, I think the E92 might win this one people!!

[_Nathan_]

For a daily I'd have an e92 - that engine is awesome.

[nrb]

Agree, I would go for the E90 (saloon) all day long over the CSL if I needed one car to do everything. Although I would try a C63, convince myself I need a change from BMW, find a nice example, then bottle it and buy an E90!

[weedavey]

I kinda feel as if I need newer now though. I've had 3 E46 M3's, and I know that a CSL is a completely different kettle of fish before I'm lynched, but the E92 is miles ahead I think, as an every day car. I would like a CSL if I had the money to keep it in the garage most of the time, I think the E92 might win this one people!!

E92 m3 saloon if i was in the car everyday. But only use car in nice weather on weekends so csl is where i want to be sitting come the weekend.

I do love the sound of the v8 though..:drool:

[NZ_M3]

Well this is a csl forum, so you'll no doubt get unbiased opinions :whistle:

The V8 will be thirsty on fuel ... very thirsty. In fact I often wonder how on earth BMW can ever claim that the new V8 was more economical than the inline 6 :banghead: (I average 14.1l/100km vs the 11.8l/100km in the CSL - and I don't even track the V8!!) - really should qualify this with the fact that I do a lot of city driving - on the motorway it'll do less than 10l/100km)

The new M3 is one of those cars that the more you use it the more you'll like it. To me it really wasn't a fall in love with it straight away sort of a car, but it is one of those cars that is VERY EASY to live with on a day to day basis. So much so that I find myself missing some of the creature comforts when I step back into the CSL (bluetooth, awesome stereo - don't get the upgrade, the stock 10 speaker system actually sounds better than the 12 speaker system, sat nav ect ect)

It has plenty of if not way more grunt than the CSL and you really don't notice the weight in the car.

The engine really is the master piece helped by the compliant ride.

I'd say if you are not a hard out tracker, then the E9X M3 is the way to go - the value of these have some what stablised now and it'll be the last Naturally Aspirated "M" engine to be produced (next M3 is coming out with a twin turbo inline six) - and the lack of choice on the market at the moment means that people are starting to realise 'value' in the E9X M3.

Another thing to consider is age - the new E9X M3s (except for the DCT) have proven to be a rather reliable car without any major concerning issues, unlike the E46 chassis.

[jim76]

I know, I should have known better than to ask on here about buying anything other than a CSL!!! Lol.

I was looking for some valued opinions from someone who has experienced both. Cheers.

[NZ_M3]

I know, I should have known better than to ask on here about buying anything other than a CSL!!! Lol.

I was looking for some valued opinions from someone who has experienced both. Cheers.

If I had absolutely no choice but to only get one car - it'll be the E92 M3 for me. Technology has advanced quite a bit since 2003 and truth be told I don't actually agree with Thorney's observation on the E9X chassis - our local BMW instructor's just bought a E92 M3 racecar and that thing is blizing everything else on the track at the moment in competitive events.

The E46 has had quite a number of years of track experience already and there's a lot of support and knowledge out there for it compared to the E9X - give it time and you'll start to see lot more E9X related components coming out - it'll run rings around the E46s in no time.

[_Nathan_]

The e46 chassis really shows it's age IMO - it is just a small evolution of the e36 and the e9x and e87 feel like a huge jump in chassis stiffness to me, I imagine an e9x would provide a stunning platform for decent dampers to work their magic.

[DazBlackCSL]

The e46 chassis really shows it's age IMO - it is just a small evolution of the e36 and the e9x and e87 feel like a huge jump in chassis stiffness to me, I imagine an e9x would provide a stunning platform for decent dampers to work their magic.

+1 cant fight age ... no matter how im trying :hahaha:

[Phatgixer]

For the track (although E92 with pads is likely to as quick) and nice to have in garage - CSL

Everything else, E92 all the way. Much nicer day to day car.

[DazBlackCSL]

Eve PG :hahaha:

Nice to have someone else up late ;)

[Phatgixer]

I know, I should have known better than to ask on here about buying anything other than a CSL!!! Lol.

I was looking for some valued opinions from someone who has experienced both. Cheers.

My current daily car is E92 M3 and is miles better than I ever expected. Looking better as time goes by, as well.

I replaced my CSL with a 996RS which is of course not an everyday shitter. CSLs are for occasional high days and not to be worn out on daily schleps to the office etc. Also, if they are set up nicely for track they are truly awful road cars! Handsome but bloody annoying on a journey.

E92 all the way for your needs I would say. And it is quite a bit faster on the road in the real world. 8,400rpm in a V8 is erectile!

[kbird]

Decided today to sell my CSL (details in For Sale section shortly) and my daily driver, an Audi V10 S6 and buy an E92 Saloon with the new Competition Pack. I will use it daily plus the the odd track day, looks like a good compromise?

[DazBlackCSL]

Also, if they are set up nicely for track they are truly awful road cars! Handsome but bloody annoying on a journey.

You big girl, getting soft in your old age :hahaha: Must admit mine can be a tad OTT sometimes :whistle:

[Dan]

You big girl, getting soft in your old age :hahaha: Must admit mine can be a tad OTT sometimes :whistle:

In what way Daz?

[DazBlackCSL]

In what way Daz?

Well im not running a std clubsport kit :whistle: which is pretty much as hard as you'd want to go, bearing in mind I use mine everyday in all weather, it's a custom build clubsport / race set up, race springs and components from the two way race kit, a little bit like my old race car, so to say its hard on the crappy roads is an understatement :hahaha: with a fair bit of camber ..(check the front on the pics) think its 2.5 from memory, needs some tweaking when im at silverstone next month and the ring/spa trip, as I may soften it off a notch ... ;)

Should be spot on for track when I finally get going ... not had a chance since it's been pissing it down / snow etc ... well except for when these were taken the weekend they were fitted and we happened to pop past this place in the wet ! lol ... thanks Jochen ;-)

[shane@mbtech]

Well im not running a std clubsport kit :whistle: which is pretty much as hard as you'd want to go, bearing in mind I use mine everyday in all weather, it's a custom build clubsport / race set up, race springs and components from the two way race kit, a little bit like my old race car, so to say its hard on the crappy roads is an understatement :hahaha: with a fair bit of camber ..(check the front on the pics) think its 2.5 from memory, needs some tweaking when im at silverstone next month and the ring/spa trip, as I may soften it off a notch ... ;)

Should be spot on for track when I finally get going ... not had a chance since it's been pissing it down / snow etc ... well except for when these were taken the weekend they were fitted and we happened to pop past this place in the wet ! lol ... thanks Jochen ;-)

I know all the csl's look the same, but with them wheels yours is the nicest Ive seen so far. Perfect IMO for the car/colour:thumbs::smt055

[DazBlackCSL]

I know all the csl's look the same, but with them wheels yours is the nicest Ive seen so far. Perfect IMO for the car/colour:thumbs::smt055

Cheers ;)

Decided to not change the wheel colour now.. think I was just being a tart .. gonna leave as is :hahaha:

[shane@mbtech]

Cheers ;)

Decided to not change the wheel colour now.. think I was just being a tart .. gonna leave as is :hahaha:

Do you fancy a bum;):gayfight::smt055 and then a :smokin:

[glendog74]

Do you fancy a bum;):gayfight::smt055 and then a :smokin:

:hahaha: :hahaha: :hahaha:

[DazBlackCSL]

Do you fancy a bum;):gayfight::smt055 and then a :smokin:

:hahaha: we can have a german style loving in may :whistle:

[AlexGTT]

:hahaha: we can have a german style loving in may :whistle:

http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/adult/homoswitch.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php) :hahaha:

[DazBlackCSL]

http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/adult/homoswitch.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php) :hahaha:

:hahaha: love that little fella :hahaha:

[_Nathan_]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDeKKbrGngE

[Nords]

E92 all the way for your needs I would say. And it is quite a bit faster on the road in the real world. 8,400rpm in a V8 is erectile!

You know very well that it isn't!

:clown:

A CSL at full chat with an open flap is better audio too...

[outnumbered]

CSL looks better too !

http://www.krakar.co.uk/pix/rears.jpg

[spanner]

from experience the csl is a lot quicker round a track (Spa) and has the rarity thing and looks good.

As a road car the e92 is superior and a great all rounder - I'm keeping the csl but fancy an e90 saloon too! But then again, I fancy lots of cars...

[kpkpkp]

I nearly bought the new M3 but it seemed dull compared the 997 C2S and slow compared to the GTR (most things seem slow after that)

I love my CSL it is a wicked little road car - the seats are really comfortable and that is also the opinion of my wife (she has a really bad back). Looks great, sounds great and is most importantly makes me smile. I know it is 6 years old but who cares it is a cracking car.

If they make a decent version of the new M3 I will wade in for one but as someone said on here the other night the next revision is a turbo. Don't get me wrong turbos are great but the CSL for me will always be a better car than the E92/90. If I had to drive 50 miles to work and back I would not own one but mine is 15 mile round trip so fits the bill nicely.

Oh and did I mention the noise - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :smt055

Kp