Goodbye 335d; Hello CSL

[LeinsCSL]

Hiya all, picked up a CSL yesterday morning and would have shared my thoughts with you earlier but was too busy driving the thing.

It's a SG Nov 2003 48k mile example, with aircon, Business CD and xenons, and sold my E92 335d for it. That was probably the most competent car I've ever driven, and I'd highly recommend one to anyone doing >15k miles pa. However, I still found it a bit soulless, and as I don't need a dd anymore it had to go for something with a bit more character.

So then, did I make the right decision with the CSL? Too right (although I know this probably wouldn't be the best forum to admit if I now thought I hadn't ), and the first thing that hit me was the noise. I drove the 25-odd miles across the Wicklow hills with the windows down just to hear it better, despite it being 2C outside.

Then there's other people's reactions, from the guy in the silver E46 M3 who gave me a nod when passing, to the group of bikers waiting at the village petrol station who all turned around in unison to see what the hell was barrelling down the road towards them. Plus no sign of anyone giving me the yet. That must just be for newer BMs?

But best of all is the handling and performance. I used to love charging across the Cat & Fiddle in my 325ti when I was working in Manchester, knowing I was driving something with just enough power to shift the little car along well, but a balance that made it a joy to fling though corners. However, this thing is just phenomenal, and if anyone on here is still in two minds about whether to take the CSL plunge, then all I can say is don't even risk taking it for a test drive as the decision will then be made for you.

I walked past a 993 C2 at lunchtime today, which was the other motor I was considering. Did I worry I'd made a mistake? Did I f...

[shimmy]

welcome

good choice

[LeinsCSL]

Cheers shimmy. Just need to make sure I don't turn it into a 148k mile example now

[toofastforyou]

well done mate, enjoy

[sailorbaz]

Welcome onboard Leins, hope to see you at Mondello sometime. Look out for Mark, (whopwop) he's around the Dublin area too and frequents Mondello quite regularly aswell as the Ring of course, which you have to get to sometime.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen or heard of Whopwop for a while.

[Yanto]

Nice one Leins

[alexk]

Welcome Leins

[LeinsCSL]

Thanks for all the welcomes folks

Originally Posted by sailorbaz

Welcome onboard Leins, hope to see you at Mondello sometime. Look out for Mark, (whopwop) he's around the Dublin area too and frequents Mondello quite regularly aswell as the Ring of course, which you have to get to sometime.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen or heard of Whopwop for a while.

I grew up in Naas, and used to cycle out there on my BMX as a kid to watch the mighty Ritmos and Fiestas battle it out

However, I'm a complete track day novice, but will defo come along and give it a go.

I'm also thinking of a little trip to the Isle of Man sometime (only to get a cliched pic of my car sitting on the dock of course ) And I suppose it would be sacrilege not to pay a visit to the 'Ring

BTW, did anyone see that Evo Mag finally track tested a CSL this month? They ran it against an Evo X RS in a £27k shootout. The Evo was over a second quicker (around Bedford I think?), and the CSL was a good bit down on an E92 M3 too. No mention on whether the CSL was still on Cups though

[AlexGTT]

Wasn't on Cups so not really a good comparison. Probably worth 2 seconds round there, at least.

[niall1]

Originally Posted by LeinsCSL

Hiya all, picked up a CSL yesterday morning and would have shared my thoughts with you earlier but was too busy driving the thing.

It's a SG Nov 2003 48k mile example, with aircon, Business CD and xenons,

Welcome. Was that the one for sale in Kellys, Wicklow?

Enjoy. I've a set of Conti's on order as cups have been 'fun' in the cold & crap weather we've had lately!