Non-CSL M3 - Who's owned one?

Craig · 06-10-2010, 04:17 PM

Just wonderd if anyone has had a manual non-CSL M3 and what were their thoughts of the car compared to the CSL? Friend wants to build a track and road car and I suggested going for an e46 M3 and then fitting some KW V3's, loosing some of the interior and fitting two decent bucket seats plus harnesses and maybe a half / full cage.

My thoughts are that a non-CSL with KW's, decent brakes, decent geometry, decent tyres and a bit less weight will give just as much fun as the CSL just without the 'sense of occasion' sound.

**shimmy** · 06-10-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Just wonderd if anyone has had a manual non-CSL M3 and what were their thoughts of the car compared to the CSL? Friend wants to build a track and road car and I suggested going for an e46 M3 and then fitting some KW V3's, loosing some of the interior and fitting two decent bucket seats plus harnesses and maybe a half / full cage.

My thoughts are that a non-CSL with KW's, decent brakes, decent geometry, decent tyres and a bit less weight will give just as much fun as the CSL just without the 'sense of occasion' sound.

i agree, with some moeny spent an E46 M3 would give the same performance but without the airbox!!!

Dan · 06-10-2010, 09:31 PM

I had one, had a Steel Grey Manual M3 Coupe with all the toys, very compatent car in all area's really, still very fast, exhaust is raspy, nice drive, handles well, good stability, brakes so so as usual on M3's but modded as a track would be a damn quick car in the right hands!

titan · 06-10-2010, 09:36 PM

That was my original idea. Take a stock M3 and convert it to a track toy. Sadly it met a very early demise and I so I started over again, but with a CSL. Mainly because I originally wanted a CSL but managed to get talked out of it by friends/wife.

So, whats different that is of (arguable?) worth?

Well - yes the airbox which translates to a slight uplift in power and a more responsive engine. I believe the SMG and DSC programs are slightly altered (CSL "track button"). You've a slightly different steering rack, different suspension, brakes (moot points since both probably get changed still) and the rest is really weight/styling etc

each to their own. I really like the interior of the csl and will be less inclined to rip it all out and turn it into a shitter!

You can't argue with the financial side though. I paid £13k for a 55k miles 2003 M3 which was in great condition. Same condition/mileage CSL is literally going to be double.

**DazBlackCSL** · 07-10-2010, 12:55 AM

There is a reason for that

NZ_M3 · 07-10-2010, 12:59 AM

Best base to start with would be a M3 CS - basically a CSL missing a couple of things.

You get bonus CSL parts like the headers/extractor, brakes, steering wheel, steering rack, CSL DSC module just to name a few. It's a CSL parts bin special if you like without the CSL price tag.

However, chances are your mate will end up "CSL"ing the new track car anyway ... so maybe best just to buy a CSL in the first place (rather than longing for that sexy airbox afterwards)

**shimmy** · 07-10-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Best base to start with would be a M3 CS - basically a CSL missing a couple of things.

... so maybe best just to buy a CSL in the first place (rather than longing for that sexy airbox afterwards)

A1+ NZM3

The only real downside to turning a CSL into a track beast is that you are destroying a CSL

Up side is if you buy a 60K MILER for say £23k you could sell seats, interior, rims, suspension, brakes and make yourself £6k towards the mods and have to do far less to it to get weight saving etc

DuncanR · 07-10-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

Best base to start with would be a M3 CS - basically a CSL missing a couple of things.

You get bonus CSL parts like the headers/extractor, brakes, steering wheel, steering rack, CSL DSC module just to name a few. It's a CSL parts bin special if you like without the CSL price tag.

However, chances are your mate will end up "CSL"ing the new track car anyway ... so maybe best just to buy a CSL in the first place (rather than longing for that sexy airbox afterwards)

With regard to the steering rack, personally I would probably put up with an M3 one, easily available from the breakers. The CSL rack is about double the price (£950) of the std M3 one !! And regular tracking WILL see you needing one im sure.

danp · 07-10-2010, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titan

You can't argue with the financial side though. I paid £13k for a 55k miles 2003 M3 which was in great condition. Same condition/mileage CSL is literally going to be double.

Yes but CSL's are going up in value ;-)

Dan · 07-10-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danp

Yes but CSL's are going up in value ;-)

Are they!? I think they are still falling mate, if I'd waited until now to buy one then personally I would be a few K better off and I didn't get too bad a deal on the one I have now!

Granted they will always be more than a normal M3 obviously but I can't see it!?

06-10-2010, 04:17 PM	#1
Craig S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Guisborough Posts: 453 Casino cash: $4472	Non-CSL M3 - Who's owned one? Just wonderd if anyone has had a manual non-CSL M3 and what were their thoughts of the car compared to the CSL? Friend wants to build a track and road car and I suggested going for an e46 M3 and then fitting some KW V3's, loosing some of the interior and fitting two decent bucket seats plus harnesses and maybe a half / full cage. My thoughts are that a non-CSL with KW's, decent brakes, decent geometry, decent tyres and a bit less weight will give just as much fun as the CSL just without the 'sense of occasion' sound.

06-10-2010, 09:31 PM	#3
Dan Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2,058 Casino cash: $6689	I had one, had a Steel Grey Manual M3 Coupe with all the toys, very compatent car in all area's really, still very fast, exhaust is raspy, nice drive, handles well, good stability, brakes so so as usual on M3's but modded as a track would be a damn quick car in the right hands! __________________

07-10-2010, 12:55 AM	#5
DazBlackCSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Shaboogling Posts: 7,199 Casino cash: $28478	There is a reason for that __________________ CSL Register Lifestyle Coach and Social Secretary

06-10-2010, 09:36 PM	#4
titan S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 268 Casino cash: $1363	That was my original idea. Take a stock M3 and convert it to a track toy. Sadly it met a very early demise and I so I started over again, but with a CSL. Mainly because I originally wanted a CSL but managed to get talked out of it by friends/wife. So, whats different that is of (arguable?) worth? Well - yes the airbox which translates to a slight uplift in power and a more responsive engine. I believe the SMG and DSC programs are slightly altered (CSL "track button"). You've a slightly different steering rack, different suspension, brakes (moot points since both probably get changed still) and the rest is really weight/styling etc each to their own. I really like the interior of the csl and will be less inclined to rip it all out and turn it into a shitter! You can't argue with the financial side though. I paid £13k for a 55k miles 2003 M3 which was in great condition. Same condition/mileage CSL is literally going to be double.

07-10-2010, 12:59 AM	#6
NZ_M3 S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,434 Casino cash: $13579	Best base to start with would be a M3 CS - basically a CSL missing a couple of things. You get bonus CSL parts like the headers/extractor, brakes, steering wheel, steering rack, CSL DSC module just to name a few. It's a CSL parts bin special if you like without the CSL price tag. However, chances are your mate will end up "CSL"ing the new track car anyway ... so maybe best just to buy a CSL in the first place (rather than longing for that sexy airbox afterwards)