CSL Buying Advice

[Craig J]

Hello
I have been lurking for some time while dreaming of owning one of these great cars. I'm close to getting there and whilst searching for a mint M3 CS I thought I might just stretch the whole hog to a CSL if I can get the right car.
I have been looking at a few but keep stumbling over the cat c and ds that seem to be around my budget of low 20s. Please don't think I'm looking for the unrealistic bargain but I want a car to be used and enjoyed rather than the concours cars at the higher end.
Anyway, I've seen a few that I'd like to look at this weekend and wonderedif anyone knew the cars:

1st is in Lincoln at carsolutions reg number 69 AE
2nd is without a/c in Lancashire at SJ specialist cars reg number RN53 KYU

All cars were found on PH so thought you guys might know them?
Any help appreciated.
Craig

[Bounce]

Welcome to the register matey,someone off here will probably know a thing or 2 about these cars.:thumbs:

[Yanto]

Hello
I have been lurking for some time while dreaming of owning one of these great cars. I'm close to getting there and whilst searching for a mint M3 CS I thought I might just stretch the whole hog to a CSL if I can get the right car.

GOOD CALL, RIGHT DECISION DYNAMICALLY AND FINANCIALLY

I have been looking at a few but keep stumbling over the cat c and ds that seem to be around my budget of low 20s. Please don't think I'm looking for the unrealistic bargain but I want a car to be used and enjoyed rather than the concours cars at the higher end.

DONT BOTHER WITH CAT C. DONT BOTHER WITH CAT D UNLESS >£19K

Anyway, I've seen a few that I'd like to look at this weekend and wonderedif anyone knew the cars:

1st is in Lincoln at carsolutions reg number 69 AE
2nd is without a/c in Lancashire at SJ specialist cars reg number RN53 KYU

LINKS ?

All cars were found on PH so thought you guys might know them?
Any help appreciated.
Craig

Hope this helps :thumbs:

[Craig J]

I hope this works...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3282655.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3275359.htm

[Yanto]

First one looks OK, but would check and see if BMW warranty can be put on it (suggested at 67K) - possible if OEM bits used at recent service with specialist. Plate worth a few quid if it comes with it...

Second one looks better (mileage / BMW warranty) if you can make do w/out A/C....I couldn't but you're call (though I use it very rarely, its nice to have).

Dont jump too soon....;)

[Craig J]

Thanks for the feedback.
Do you feel mileage is critical with the CSL?

[Yanto]

Thanks for the feedback.
Do you feel mileage is critical with the CSL?

Only from a warranty perspective - price hike in premiums after 60K miles...search on the threads for info. For resale, there is a price divide between sub 30K mile cars and the rest. At the range you are looking at, not critical on resale but be mindful on warranty.

In terms of reliability, engines are strong but like all cars, there are exceptions. Pay your money & take your chances. From experience, the warranty aint cheap, but its good value for money....some have had massive benefit, others not. I wouldn't run one without when you consider an engine replacement fitted might me £15K+ its peace of mind.

[Yanto]

To add....

A CSL with a pooped engine is prob worth early-mid teens. They are getting to the point where the parts are becoming valuable.

Limited numbers and "exotic" carbon parts etc. = limited spares = premium value...

Therefore, it'll serve you better than a CS on depreciation.

[shimmy]

A second hand engine replacement could be done for as little as £3k but I'd say if you have £23k to spend you'll end up getting a good little £60k miler or if you have £28k to spend maybe a really tidy £30k car.

If you have £15k you can choose any SB CSL there is and get £2k change:thumbs:

[Yanto]

A second hand engine replacement could be done for as little as £3k but I'd say if you have £23k to spend you'll end up getting a good little £60k miler or if you have £28k to spend maybe a really tidy £30k car.

If you have £15k you can choose any SB CSL there is and get £2k change:thumbs:

Is this a speed thing ?? :hahaha:

There must only be ~60-70 decent RHD SB's about now :bigcry:

[Craig J]

Thanks to you all for the input.
I do love the SB vs SG debate. Reminds me of the FIA when red cars were always the fastest!

[E30M3SE]

Craig, are you only looking at cars at dealers, as there are a few cars currently for sale privately at around the the £23k mark.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

How many of the slower SG ones are left :hahaha::hahaha:

[Craig J]

Not particularly focused on dealers and have spoken to a few of the owners of the private cars for sale at the moment. Didn't help that I put my back out at the weekend (again!) and after looking at 2 on Saturday I had to call off on the Sunday. What I am learning is that these are true high performance and highly tuned cars and therefore lots of research and patience might well be required to find the right car.

[Craig J]

I should also add that the more I learn about them the more I wonder about their suitability for my intended usage. I want to use one as an everyday car for a cross country (great roads) 30mile round trip commute. I am concerned about the potential running costs and the reliability risk. What are other people's experiences? I'd rather know now rather than stretch to buy one and then find it's just too much (I already have a motorsport addiction for that!). I guess that's where a CS or standard m3 is less risk. I'm worried i must be getting old and sensible!

Not particularly focused on dealers and have spoken to a few of the owners of the private cars for sale at the moment. Didn't help that I put my back out at the weekend (again!) and after looking at 2 on Saturday I had to call off on the Sunday. What I am learning is that these are true high performance and highly tuned cars and therefore lots of research and patience might well be required to find the right car.

[Streetwise Hercules]

You want to watch those 30 mile round trips. Brutal!
:hahaha:

[andye30m3]

I'm not sure a CSL would cost all that much more than a standard M3 to run, less if you include devaluation, there has been a couple of 100k mile csl's up for sale at £20k recently so even reasonably high millage doesn't stop them selling.

I'd have thought consumables and servicing will cost much same as the standard M3. The expensive parts of the CSL seam to be the trim and all of the carbon bits so as long as you don't go knocking these bits off I expect the CSL can be run for reasonable money.

Looking at what my car has cost me over the year and what it cost the previous owner it wouldn't have been any cheaper to run a standard M3.

[shimmy]

From my years of ownership and day to day driving, the only circumstances. would say I would not look forward to day to say driving of a CSL would be possibly city driving in the winter (so you can't put the window down).

It's not the best vehicle for passengers either day to day

Otherwise 30 miles a day cross country, get it bought!

[Craig J]

You want to watch those 30 mile round trips. Brutal!
:hahaha:

You've not seen me drive ;)

[Yanto]

Not particularly focused on dealers and have spoken to a few of the owners of the private cars for sale at the moment. Didn't help that I put my back out at the weekend (again!) and after looking at 2 on Saturday I had to call off on the Sunday. What I am learning is that these are true high performance and highly tuned cars and therefore lots of research and patience might well be required to find the right car.

I also have a fooked back (2 slipped discs, twice in 4 years) and the seats are mega for it

[shane@mbtech]

I also have a fooked back (2 slipped discs, twice in 4 years) and the seats are mega for it

Mega for giving a bad back, or mega for healing it?

[Yanto]

From my years of ownership and day to day driving, the only circumstances. would say I would not look forward to day to say driving of a CSL would be possibly city driving in the winter (so you can't put the window down).

It's not the best vehicle for passengers either day to day

Otherwise 30 miles a day cross country, get it bought!

couldn't disagree more...

in my experience, these are the best driving circumstances. Rear wheel drive and British winter means I can slip it into S and cruise central London at 10 mph, heaters up, window down, bangin choones, checkin the pooonaaaani bruv.

What CSLs were really built for innit :smokin:

[Yanto]

Mega for giving a bad back, or mega for healing it?

One of the few seats I can get in, drive +200/300 miles and feel tip top mate.

[shane@mbtech]

One of the few seats I can get in, drive +200/300 miles and feel tip top mate.

I agree they are comfy, but many disagree. It seems its the main point for people disliking them, as seats are non adjustable.

[Yanto]

I agree they are comfy, but many disagree. It seems its the main point for people disliking them, as seats are non adjustable.

Yep - usually moany chicks (exception:cslgirl) and moany fags (exception: Glendog) :hahaha:

I think they're ace :thumbs:

[olly22n]

I love the seats.

The only limitation I have found it my little girls child seat has to enter through the boot as the seats can't tip forward enough as they are fixed.

Regarding buying one, do what I did. I had never driven one, or even an M3 (and only an e46 once 4 years ago), and bought it unseen, over the phone!

Worked out ok!

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Take your time to find one, I spent nearly two years looking until I found the right one then you know its the right one. I don't think running costs will not be any more than an M3. I ran one for a couple of years reliable but services are not cheap, but the CSL it will put a big grin on your face every time you use it. :thumbs:

[shimmy]

I spent 3 hours looking one Saturday :thumbs:

[andye30m3]

The only limitation I have found it my little girls child seat has to enter through the boot as the seats can't tip forward enough as they are fixed.

First one I looked at the back of the seats were absolutely buggered where someone had taken child seat in and out.

[rstoughy]

Ref the seats, I also find them quite good. I drive a fair bit to get to decent venues every year (9hrs each way to snetterton) and they are ok.

I have a mate who is an ex armed security dude from Iraq who had his back destroyed over there and he has been passenger to Croft with me. He recons that they are really good givin that they keep your back straight.

I have NO hesitation jumping in mine for a hike over the country.

Oh I also browsed the market for near on 18 months then bought the 1st one I viewed within 2 hrs of leaving the house.

[cslgirl]

Have to agree, the seats are fine for me. But then I am a short arse so that might have something to do with it.

The test was when I spent nearly a whole fecking day in them when I got caught up in the M25 fiasco (10 hours). Not even a twinge when I finally got to my destination. :smt055

[CraigMillwardCroft]

The seats are very comphy and supportive, but I tend to move about a bit on the track :thumbs:

[toplad]

I should also add that the more I learn about them the more I wonder about their suitability for my intended usage. I want to use one as an everyday car for a cross country (great roads) 30mile round trip commute. I am concerned about the potential running costs and the reliability risk. What are other people's experiences? I'd rather know now rather than stretch to buy one and then find it's just too much (I already have a motorsport addiction for that!). I guess that's where a CS or standard m3 is less risk. I'm worried i must be getting old and sensible!


Hi
I haven’t had mine that long and think it’s just on the right side austere. I personally wouldn’t run one every day as a daily shitter, it’s too unembellished for most. The suspension is too firm and the lack of soft seats with little adjustability or toys means the CSL can be a bit wearing round town at lower speeds when you can't stretch its legs, a bit crashy over pot holes etc. There’s isn’t even an arm rest for your right arm, (I’m still getting used to it:smt083)
On the upside its probably the best handling car I’ve owned (Cayman S included), feels special, is still quick by even today’s standards, sounds absolutely fantastic when wound up, has 4 seats and a big boot , probably won’t lose much money and is collectable rare . I’m not sure what you could buy that ticks as many boxes for the money, (Carbon Fibre panels produced by BMW M division, limited edition, the list goes on and on)
Running cost are comparable with the other E46 M3’s, unless you smash up the door trim or rip the front bumper off it isn’t a concern. An E46 M3 is not cheap to run and the CSL is no different.
Only you can decide if it’s for you or not, I know some muppets who think nothing of driving to work everyday in Exige, fook that. :smt009

[LeinsCSL]

Have to agree, the seats are fine for me. But then I am a short arse so that might have something to do with it

Well I'm a long arse, and they're brilliant for me too! Comfiest seats I've ever had in a BM :thumbs:

[cslgirl]

Well I'm a long arse, and they're brilliant for me too! Comfiest seats I've ever had in a BM :thumbs:

:hahaha: