Whats your story?

[select]

I recently talked with tom how we both ended up with the CSL and i thought this would make for an interesting topic.

So how did you guys end up with an CSL or what made you buy one?

Mine was basically that i was looking for roughly a year for an normal E46 M3 without sunroof but those are very rare as it turns out. In germany at least.

So i saw this ad of a reasonably priced CSL.. and i thought i could just take a look at it. Not necessarily planned to buy it. Because I had planned to look at a few other cars too..to see what i like best.
But as soon as the previous owner took me for a ride and eventually let me drive it too, all those thoughts went out the window and i bought it the same day.

Turns out he was an amateur racing driver and his driving together with the induction noise which i only knew from youtube videos before just blew me away.

[shimmy]

I was in 2006 and had been on a trackday in my E39M5 and decided i needed a replacement car that was a buit more compliant for the next trackday (the E39M5 was also kicking out loads of limp modes and codes).

Not sure how i heard about the CSL but had decided one Friday to look for one just curious, drive to St.albans to a private seller on the Saturday, loved it but it was black and RIng Tool so decided then and there to drive to one in Stratford, saw better grey one, bought it.

[Trawler]

I was invited by a car magazine to bring my car along for an article they were writing.
They said as part of the deal I would get to drive the csl. As it was only just launched it was too good an offer to turn down.
The rest as they say is history.
I only waited for just over two years to buy as I was advised the price would keep dropping. Luckily, price wise I made the right decision & have enjoyed every mile in the old girl.

[monkeycsl]

Top gear sealed the deal for me.
Bought one 3 years later and another one a week ago.

[ZKMI]

Watching the M3 CSL in the 5th gear episode with Tiff Needell stayed in my brain for many years..Top gear version with JC was even better.

[Yanto]

Originally Posted by ZKMI

Watching the M3 CSL in the 5th gear episode with Tiff Needell stayed in my brain for many years..Top gear version with JC was even better.

And then once taken out in one by a highly skilled driver, that just sealed it ?

[Chad]

2004 Christmas period, wife food shopping for turkey in marks n sparks, don’t do shopping, so called a bmw wilmslow, had r32 at the time, spotted csl , thought fookin having that for Christmas. Month later they got us the other one for the lad. Was quizzed by bmw finance asking why I had signed for another,... we all know the answer to that

[Yanto]

I think it was a mix of looks, Top Gear, a step up into a new motoring bracket as it was quite a few quid for me at the time and buying something made in lower numbers I thought it might have half a chance of remaining in demand (and thus price stability). Became interested in TDs also.

Downside is the melts from here with that you fall in with.....but the trade off is worth it (just)

[MisterCorn]

I owned an E46 M3 convertible and wanted to see what all the fuss was about for a car which was a bit lighter with a few different bits on it. If ever a car was more than the sum of its parts this is it. The contrast to the standard M3 is stunning, a real event every time I drive it.

MC

[select]

Thanks guys, certainly very interesting to read your storys.

@Trawler.. now of course i have to ask what the car was you were invited for?

Yes the CSL bit JC did on Top Gear was awesome.. i think i have watched that uncountable times prior to buying it. I think he really liked it as i remember it appeared on two of his DVDs.