My new CSL - Leg stretch in France (pic heavy)

[0836whimper]

Hi All,

Firstly hello, I'm a new member who bought a CSL in May. I had been lusting after one for three years, ever since I bought a normal e46 M3 with all the toys.

I had heard so many good things about them, they just looked so right, the sound is spine tingling and seem to have a very passionate following. There must be something in there somewhere. Then I coincidentally sat next to member jibm on a plane to Austria and got talking.........we discussed E90 M3 v CSL and based wanting a rawer more GT3 experience, he convinced me that a CSL was the right car (plus there's the low depreciation bonus). So it's all his fault !

So, I had a look round PH and the CSLR and phoned DIB17 who seemed to have a nice one for sale. It looked in fine fettle and after a test drive I was convinced. A sharper, leaner, meaner, faster, noisier M3 that was somehow greater than the sum of it's parts. Sale agreed.


Here she is

First up I got it serviced at Sytners Nottingham. More on that in a second.

A road-trip to France was planned and so after hooking up with two mates, one in a Z4M and one in an S2000, we took the tunnel and headed towards the Vosges mountains.

On the way over I noticed that the oil was reading +0.1L, that didn't look good, sure it was supposed to be +1.0 (or thereabouts). Sytners insisted that an M3's oil level was supposed be at +0.0, but after I quoted the manual to the technician who worked on the car, he conceded and said to put in 0.75ltrs of oil and they'd refund me once I was back in the UK. No damage done, but driving about on minimum oil

Now, Castrol Motorsport 10-60 oil is not readily available in your average French petrol station so we had to detour to BMW Rheims where I managed to get some oil, as well as check out a GTS and especially it's chunky brakes and no-compromise wheel bolts. Mean car that.



Onwards to the Vosges, and some proper leg stretching revealed all the great things you lot are all already familiar with, what a joy to drive...

...until descending the Ballon d'Alsace and I heard some horrible noises from a rear wheel. Pulled over and saw that a brake caliper had lost a bolt and was undriveable.



So a call to BMW and the car was loaded onto the back of a rescue truck, and not before a motorbike had nailed it out of the village and almost into the back of the truck ! It swerved, crashed into a field and sent goats scattering. Rider's leather's saved him, but not nice



We figured it needed a new bolt (and some threadlock this time), but as it was M specific and a Saturday we had to wait until Tuesday to have the ordered bolt fitted by BMW Belfort. They were great, much friendlier than the UK and I was allowed to wander around the work-shop and check out the car in more detail. I also now know Belfort and the campsite there quite well now...



Back on the road finally and we headed south to some of the great driving roads south of Grenoble. Took the Route Napoleon down to Digne Les Bains and camped.





Next day headed to the Gorges du Verdon and some rafting, and then split up as the S2000 and I headed back up to the alps via the Routes de Cretes.





Then had to head back to England. But keen to get some good roads in on the way, we went via the Chartreuse (north of Grenoble) and found some great driving roads, and good views.



So, some initial problems, but then a great trip. The car has more than lived up to expectations, it's just the right side of a track car for everyday driving and the performance, handling and noise is just awesome.

However, there are a couple of things I would appreciate some advice on. One is the seats. I absolutely love them, at 6ft and of slim build I find them miles more comfortable that the heavyweight adjustable oned in the M3. However, the backs are ridiculously fragile and prone to scuffing. As I put bikes and camping gear in all the time, I need a solution to protect them, so any options there welcome.

The other is the exhaust. I have corrosion where the middle section and the rear section join, and BMW are telling me that I need both new components which is expensive. I know it's not a warranted item either.
Pic below of the extent of the issue, but I would have thought that there must be a sensible welding option somehow. Doing some research it's a common problem so anyone with any advice would be much appreciated.



Anyway, enough of the negatives, it's a superb car, I had high expectations and it's exceeded them, different car totally to an M3. I can't think of anything remotely near that price range that can also accommodate bikes and camping gear and still provide the thrills.

I know DIB17 said he couldn't imagine selling it, but I can't now either. Some video from France.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZBtQ...1&feature=plcp

It's a keeper.

Mark