Making a manual CSL...?

Chappers · 07-04-2017, 12:18 PM

I've asked M3Cutters and I've asked Pistonheads, I should probably ask the actual experts on the matter. I think I now what's coming and I'm not sure I'm going to like it. People have postulated it over the years, nobody has every really done it properly, the closest someone came was by making a blue one out of a normal M3.

My car has hit 131,000 miles, I've had it for 3 years and I'm thinking about a change. I've driven a Z4MR and quite liked it, I quite fancied buying one and sticking a carbon airbox on it and I'm sure it would be all the car I would want or need for some time…

…However, a crazier part of my brain keeps popping up. I've thought about it for 3 years now, maybe longer, probably before I owned a CSL in fact. The SMG is good in some circumstances but it also pretty crap in a lot of others. I really love a manual gearbox and Porsche have just admitted that hey, maybe quite a few other people do too by allowing it to be optioned on the GT3.

CSLs came with an SMG for the same reasons the 991 GT£ was only fitted with a PDK... it made the car quicker on track specifically probably a good few seconds quicker round the 'ring. It wasn't to make the car more pleasant to drive or lighter. It's 15-20kg heavier and can be a right old pig at times...arguably all the times you're not using a CSL as a CSL, I suppose.

The CSL is however also a wonderful road car, the lightness over the standard car, the interior, the sharpness, the noise, the engine, but with the SMG it's not quite my perfect car. Just nearly. So I’m thinking about biting the bullet and converting mine. If you were going to do it to one, why not to one with most of the value already taken out of it by high mileage?

What’s the consensus from those with actual experience rather than 3rd-hand keyboard expertise? Am I mad or is it worth a shot? If I fancy selling it in a year when I need the money am I going to have put an already niche buying prospect into its own sub-niche or opened it up to an SMG-hating market that currently isn’t accessible to people wanting a CSL? Should I go buy a Z4MR and live with for a while and see if I use the CSL at all during that time?

07-04-2017, 12:18 PM	#1
Chappers S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 388 Casino cash: $9894	Making a manual CSL...? I've asked M3Cutters and I've asked Pistonheads, I should probably ask the actual experts on the matter. I think I now what's coming and I'm not sure I'm going to like it. People have postulated it over the years, nobody has every really done it properly, the closest someone came was by making a blue one out of a normal M3. My car has hit 131,000 miles, I've had it for 3 years and I'm thinking about a change. I've driven a Z4MR and quite liked it, I quite fancied buying one and sticking a carbon airbox on it and I'm sure it would be all the car I would want or need for some time… …However, a crazier part of my brain keeps popping up. I've thought about it for 3 years now, maybe longer, probably before I owned a CSL in fact. The SMG is good in some circumstances but it also pretty crap in a lot of others. I really love a manual gearbox and Porsche have just admitted that hey, maybe quite a few other people do too by allowing it to be optioned on the GT3. CSLs came with an SMG for the same reasons the 991 GT£ was only fitted with a PDK... it made the car quicker on track specifically probably a good few seconds quicker round the 'ring. It wasn't to make the car more pleasant to drive or lighter. It's 15-20kg heavier and can be a right old pig at times...arguably all the times you're not using a CSL as a CSL, I suppose. The CSL is however also a wonderful road car, the lightness over the standard car, the interior, the sharpness, the noise, the engine, but with the SMG it's not quite my perfect car. Just nearly. So I’m thinking about biting the bullet and converting mine. If you were going to do it to one, why not to one with most of the value already taken out of it by high mileage? What’s the consensus from those with actual experience rather than 3rd-hand keyboard expertise? Am I mad or is it worth a shot? If I fancy selling it in a year when I need the money am I going to have put an already niche buying prospect into its own sub-niche or opened it up to an SMG-hating market that currently isn’t accessible to people wanting a CSL? Should I go buy a Z4MR and live with for a while and see if I use the CSL at all during that time? __________________ 5.3 earth circumferences done, roll on number 6...