CSL 1st RWD?

[Pete]

Hi Guys

My first post so best say hello, I'm Pete currently have an mk2 focus RS mountune mr375 Clubsport I won't bore you with the spec unless somones interested, it's just got 5 stars in this months evo mag though :) I do around 6 track / car exercise events a year, I only get to have 1 car that must be a jack of all trades as I have a van for work and a mk1 golf in the garage

I like my more track focused cars and am hankering after an e46 csl but I won't admit to my driving / ring buddies that im nervous it may be too extreme for my first RWD? My phobia comes after following numerous rwd's on track only to watch them fly off seemingly out the blue, has the csl been a first for anybody else? Is it a bad idea or should I just man up and get the he'll on with it? :)

Thanks

Pete

[shimmy]

I can think of a whole loads of names that can give you some first hand advice on this matter.:)

[CraigMillwardCroft]

I can think of a whole loads of names that can give you some first hand advice on this matter.:)

Go on then :whistle:

[Yanto]

It's was my real first rwd (discounting a Sierra Sapphire I had as a student car years ago) and I am the best driver on this site. I say go for it :thumbs:

[Trawler]

With Yanto on one thing. Go for it. You can always take some lessons to learn about the cars limis & not what to do.

[flow]

I went from an integra Type-R to a CSL .
With the M-tracl mode on you still have a safety margin .

[plumber vic]

We all learn from our mistakes [even if it's expensive] :banghead:

[glendog74]

The CSL was my first RWD car having come from a Civic Type R and mainly FWD cars before that.

I found it a little daunting at first but a few trips to the Ring, some driver training and some hooning later i began to be at one with the car (ok sort of... Jim!) :-D

[Mark CSL]

They are safe with all the driver aids traction on and it can fly round roundabouts in the wet you would have to be a nutter to bin it with it on

When you get the hang of it turn every thing OFF S6 SPORT ON :thumbs:

[Pete]

Thanks guys, I will go test drive one on Saturday although it's a shame i cant do it on track as thats where it will shine over the RS, the RS has 410 lb/ft so unfortunately n/a cars feel a bit gutless even if there actually faster if you know what I mean, I'm sure the ex Honda owners will :)

[shimmy]

Thanks guys, I will go test drive one on Saturday although it's a shame i cant do it on track as thats where it will shine over the RS, the RS has 410 lb/ft so unfortunately n/a cars feel a bit gutless even if there actually faster if you know what I mean, I'm sure the ex Honda owners will :)


It's sounds to me as if you should stick with the RS.P if it's got so much torque. You obviously love it:thumbs:

[Pete]

It's sounds to me as if you should stick with the RS.P if it's got so much torque. You obviously love it:thumbs:

Haha! :birdman: Its a great car but it's no BMW. :)

[northernjim]

Pete I could give you tons of advice.... Instead i'm just gonna say MTFU!

The CSL was my first RWD car having come from a Civic Type R and mainly FWD cars before that.

I found it a little daunting at first but a few trips to the Ring, some driver training and some hooning later i began to be at one with the car (ok sort of... Jim!) :-D

I am a little envious the way you learned to drive your car actually rob - buy a Csl and learn to drive it whilst learning the ring :smokin: and I've gotta say you are really fast and smooth nowadays at the ring ( not that I am an expert at being fast or on the ring either ) - I really enjoyed our chase laps last year mate :beer:

[Barry C]

Thanks guys, I will go test drive one on Saturday although it's a shame i cant do it on track as thats where it will shine over the RS, the RS has 410 lb/ft so unfortunately n/a cars feel a bit gutless even if there actually faster if you know what I mean, I'm sure the ex Honda owners will :)

I say go for the CSL but don't be surprised if the CSL is slower round a track for a about a year until you learn how to drive it properly.

[phoenixcsl]

Hi Guys

My first post so best say hello, I'm Pete currently have an mk2 focus RS mountune mr375 Clubsport I won't bore you with the spec unless somones interested, it's just got 5 stars in this months evo mag though :) I do around 6 track / car exercise events a year, I only get to have 1 car that must be a jack of all trades as I have a van for work and a mk1 golf in the garage

I like my more track focused cars and am hankering after an e46 csl but I won't admit to my driving / ring buddies that im nervous it may be too extreme for my first RWD? My phobia comes after following numerous rwd's on track only to watch them fly off seemingly out the blue, has the csl been a first for anybody else? Is it a bad idea or should I just man up and get the he'll on with it? :)

Thanks

Pete

Welcome Pete :)

Very nice, I had a 370bhp JMS tuned RS MKII myself about 18 months ago, great cars, but missing soul imho, I only had mine 6 months before I got bored of it.

Changing from the RS to a CSL is an easy option you won't regret it, they are really tractable and the RWD is not scary as some people might think, to be honest I can drive my CSL faster day to day than I could the RS, even on standard suspension the CSL is far less crashy than the RS was. plus you sit lower (I hated the Recaro's in the RS, far too high).

I had a normal E46 for 5 years before the RS, to be honest I wish I'd gone straight to the CSL.

I was in the same boat when I did my first track days in my old M3, take it easy and build up, you'll be surprised at how much grip the CSL has, even if you're nowhere near the fastest person on the day you'll still be pretty quick, they don't bite unless you have a lead foot!

Btw you'll miss the brakes on the RS they are superb as standard! and the popping of the exhaust!

[glendog74]

I am a little envious the way you learned to drive your car actually rob - buy a Csl and learn to drive it whilst learning the ring :smokin: and I've gotta say you are really fast and smooth nowadays at the ring ( not that I am an expert at being fast or on the ring either ) - I really enjoyed our chase laps last year mate :beer:

Love you man! :partyman:

[northernjim]

Love you man! :partyman:



thats another babycham you owe me mate:smokin::beer:

[Pete]

Welcome Pete :)

Very nice, I had a 370bhp JMS tuned RS MKII myself about 18 months ago, great cars, but missing soul imho, I only had mine 6 months before I got bored of it.

Changing from the RS to a CSL is an easy option you won't regret it, they are really tractable and the RWD is not scary as some people might think, to be honest I can drive my CSL faster day to day than I could the RS, even on standard suspension the CSL is far less crashy than the RS was. plus you sit lower (I hated the Recaro's in the RS, far too high).

I had a normal E46 for 5 years before the RS, to be honest I wish I'd gone straight to the CSL.

I was in the same boat when I did my first track days in my old M3, take it easy and build up, you'll be surprised at how much grip the CSL has, even if you're nowhere near the fastest person on the day you'll still be pretty quick, they don't bite unless you have a lead foot!

Btw you'll miss the brakes on the RS they are superb as standard! and the popping of the exhaust!

Awesome was hoping somebody had made the switch I have the 6 pot Alcon kit on the RS and yes it stops lol! Driving position is terrible and the car feels super cheap at best, can't wait to get in one at the weekend.

Thanks for the comments all :)

[s.mac]

Love you man!
Rob you've been out at sea too long.......

[sailorbaz]

Welcome to the forum Pete and good luck with the CSL at the weekend. You mention build quality/ or quality of materials in the FRS as being cheap feeling? You will not have that issue on the CSL, the car oozes class and build quality.

Rob you've been out at sea too long.......
Less of the 'sea' and 'sailor' comments, that's two this week! :birdman: :hahaha:

[glendog74]

Rob you've been out at sea too long.......

Uh huh! :119:

[phoenixcsl]

Awesome was hoping somebody had made the switch I have the 6 pot Alcon kit on the RS and yes it stops lol! Driving position is terrible and the car feels super cheap at best, can't wait to get in one at the weekend.

Thanks for the comments all :)

Went from E46 M3 > RS > CSL, I still think the RS has immense road presence, ah very nice, I bet it stops very well then! Standard they were not bad tbh!

They do feel a bit cheap, I thought at first that it was nearly quite well made, but after a month and things like the sat nav dying or never being able to connect the bluetooth correctly I soon changed my mind.

The driving position is awful, I was really disappointed with the seat height, felt like a MPV!

You won't feel that in the CSL, much lower, build quality is spot on and the car has so much soul / personality.

I know you said you'll miss the torque, but you won't notice it so much, the CSL is much more tractable than the RS ever was, so you can use the power more of the time.

Hope your search goes well on the weekend :thumbs:

[dr.sticky]

I went from a Renault Sport Spider to a TVR T350T ( that was a bastard if you even slightly got the rear out of shape ) and now the CSL, to be honest its not that intimidating at all, just treat it with respect when DSC is off and enjoy. A driver training course really lets you learn the limits, and beyond, without ending up on fire, backwards, in a ditch, upside down looking like a total nobend ( yes that was what I did with the TVR, I expect at least 20 "NobEnd" post from you lot. :bigcry: