CSL rear window glass-- NLA?

[Obioban]

Just noticed this note on RealOEM-- are CSL owners getting standard M3 glass when they order replacements now?

REAR WINDOW GREEN W. ANTENNE 1 51317895441
Important notice on standardization!
The window supplied as a replacement
part is equipped with more plugs than the
original and also differs in appearance.
Reason:
Only the top-level version is now
being supplied. Any plugs that will not
be used on the individual vehicle must
be tied back out of the way.

[NZ_M3]

No, but I am sure the legitimate CSL owners would appreciate it if you guys over the pond stop buying parts that aren't destined for non-CSLs

You guys are basically ruining it for all the CSL owners and any future possibility of keeping these genuine CSLs running in the future.

Lot of the parts are now supplied as a kit rather than as individual components - which is what that note denotes.



Perhaps time to start restricting USA access to the website : P

[alexk]

I think we should start sending some emails to BMW about this situation.

Its ridiculous that so many CSL wannabes have original CSL parts and we are exposed.
In case we have an issue/accident we might not be able to replace the parts with CSL parts because some people got them to CSLize their simple M3s.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

No, but I am sure the legitimate CSL owners would appreciate it if you guys over the pond stop buying parts that aren't destined for non-CSLs

You guys are basically ruining it for all the CSL owners and any future possibility of keeping these genuine CSLs running in the future.

Lot of the parts are now supplied as a kit rather than as individual components - which is what that note denotes.



Perhaps time to start restricting USA access to the website : P

Ha, I don't think you're going to stop that flow. That said, might be better to focus your annoyance at BMW-- they could make more parts, if they decided to.

If there were factory parts available for your car that were better, I doubt you wouldn't install them

Originally Posted by alexk

I think we should start sending some emails to BMW about this situation.

Its ridiculous that so many CSL wannabes have original CSL parts and we are exposed.
In case we have an issue/accident we might not be able to replace the parts with CSL parts because some people got them to CSLize their simple M3s.

You realize every CSL is a CSLized simple M3?

I agree you should email BMW, though. Not making parts for a car that has only been out of production for 10 years is an absurd situation. I wouldn't expect to curb the flow to non CSL owners, though-- they're all already going through legitimate CSL owners. What can they do beyond that?

[chrisburns]

Just out of curiosity do you guys not need a CSL chassis number to order genuine parts ?

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by chrisburns

Just out of curiosity do you guys not need a CSL chassis number to order genuine parts ?

There's websites and individuals that sell CSL parts. They go through legitimate CSL owners in other countries, where CSLs were sold. We can't order CSL parts directly from BMW.

[NZ_M3]

Originally Posted by Obioban

Ha, I don't think you're going to stop that flow. That said, might be better to focus your annoyance at BMW-- they could make more parts, if they decided to.

If there were factory parts available for your car that were better, I doubt you wouldn't install them

They have with the M3 GTS and have managed to stop those parts from being installed on non GTS cars - bar a few (I know as I've been following what's been happening with it and BMW have been quite proactive about keeping those parts out of non legitimate owners - even to go as far as to actually not assign part numbers and the requirement that any replacement parts only be issued when the broken part is returned - where possible)

Put yourself in our shoes mate - if you owned a real CSL and spare parts that were made and destined for us were being pawned off to others that don't actually own a CSL how would you feel?


I have heard but have not been able to confirm that the reason BMW have started to put NLA on a lot of CSL parts is because of the very reason that parts are being sold to places that weren't suppose to get them (i.e. USA).

Did any of you guys that attended the 10th anniversary find out anything more about it?

Originally Posted by Obioban

There's websites and individuals that sell CSL parts. They go through legitimate CSL owners in other countries, where CSLs were sold. We can't order CSL parts directly from BMW.

That's bullshit ... ecstuning have been able to order CSL parts directly for a couple of years now - they don't lodge orders with CSL owners and then put a margin on it. That's now all changing however - I have had one order rejected from BMW AG once because the dealership failed to supply confirmed ownership status - it was only when this was actually supplied that the parts were released. So hopefully this is pointing to a changing of policy and the beginning of locking down CSL parts for legitimate owners.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

They have with the M3 GTS and have managed to stop those parts from being installed on non GTS cars - bar a few (I know as I've been following what's been happening with it and BMW have been quite proactive about keeping those parts out of non legitimate owners - even to go as far as to actually not assign part numbers and the requirement that any replacement parts only be issued when the broken part is returned - where possible)

Put yourself in our shoes mate - if you owned a real CSL and spare parts that were made and destined for us were being pawned off to others that don't actually own a CSL how would you feel?


I have heard but have not been able to confirm that the reason BMW have started to put NLA on a lot of CSL parts is because of the very reason that parts are being sold to places that weren't suppose to get them (i.e. USA).

Did any of you guys that attended the 10th anniversary find out anything more about it?




That's bullshit ... ecstuning have been able to order CSL parts directly for a couple of years now - they don't lodge orders with CSL owners and then put a margin on it. That's now all changing however - I have had one order rejected from BMW AG once because the dealership failed to supply confirmed ownership status - it was only when this was actually supplied that the parts were released. So hopefully this is pointing to a changing of policy and the beginning of locking down CSL parts for legitimate owners.

I do see how it sucks, but it's also not something that's going to stop... so campaign BMW to make more.

If it makes you feel better, I almost never end up going with OEM BMW CSL parts. The only OEM CSL parts on my car are the cabin air filter housing and, if I get it, the back window. Almost always the aftermarket version seems to be better in some way (e.g. brembos instead of OEM CSL brakes, lightweight forged 18s instead of cast CSL 19s, half the weight carbon fiber CSL trunk, Full supersprint exhaust instead of OEM BMW exhaust track, etc). But, in certain cases, there is no valid aftermarket alternative-- like the back window.

[cossack]

Wow, didn't realize there was gonna be this much hate. I see your guys point about us yanks buying up CSL parts. However we can also blame BMW for not bringing the damn car over in the first place. How do you think we feel being left out. Trust me when i say i can afford the CSL. I'd gladly own one too. I just never found an easy way to bring one over. Your CSL wouldn't exist if the regular E46 M3 didn't come out first. The CSL was a standard M3 that they added all the extra pieces to to make it unique. The reason why so many M3 owners in the states want oem csl parts is primarily due to quality of products.

[alexk]

Originally Posted by Obioban

You realize every CSL is a CSLized simple M3?

I agree you should email BMW, though. Not making parts for a car that has only been out of production for 10 years is an absurd situation. I wouldn't expect to curb the flow to non CSL owners, though-- they're all already going throw legitimate CSL owners. What can they do beyond that?

I am not sure I am following your logic.
The CSL had serious development and a lot of unique parts from the factory.
The production line was modified to produce CSLs, and it was not just normal M3s fitted with some extra parts.

Why the CSL was not sold in your country is not my problem, it is yours and this no excuse to take parts not intended to be fitted in your cars.
I know that I paid 3 times more to get a CSL rather than a normal M3.
I also know that I pay much higher insurance premium to insure a CSL rather than a normal M3 (due to the cost of parts).
And I know that I will be totally pissed of if I need to get replacement parts for my car and they are not available because some CSL wannabes fitted them in their simple M3s to make them look like a CSL.

And to put things in perspective, imagine every 316-330 owner putting all the M3 parts.
Then you have an issue and you need a front bumper and BMW says, sorry you can't have the M3 bumper, it's sold out (to all simple 3 series owners), we can only supply to you the bumper of the 328ci, how would you feel ?


Guys, let's draft a letter and we collect all the CSL onwers including their original VIN numbers and we send it to BMW.

This stupidity needs to stop !