Real world difference between an M3 and a CSL...

[The Animal]

we wernt talking about the driver we were talking about the car properly set up intrax will generate way more mechanical grip then a CSL. The chassis is identical so are all the pick up points if you spend 6K wisely on an M3 it will be quicker then a csl
drop the weight out seats etc as well. roll bars suspension and some other stuff job done.

[Steviebee]

Just my 2p's worth and not a dig at M3 owners in anyway...

I would push a 10k M3 with 4-5ks worth of mods MUCH harder than a 25 - 28k CSL round a track. Its not just the value - its getting another good CSL! You would have to spend days traveling all over, where as an M3 can be sourced much easier.

I was on KH at the same time as a lad in a 8k M3 with rock solid suspension and slicks and I could get no where near!!

It was my first time out in the car, but he was attacking corners like there was no tomorrow!

Oh, an it arrived on a trailer - I was driving home and going to work in it the next day

Stevie

[shane@mbtech]

If you are creating a track only car that can drive too and from tracks. Buy an M3

If you want a better road/track car without sacrificial mods, but still be fast, buy a CSL.


Just remember anything you can fit to an M3 can be fitted to an already better base car, a CSL.

You already know the answer to your questions.

[funtime]

Originally Posted by Steviebee

Just my 2p's worth and not a dig at M3 owners in anyway...

I would push a 10k M3 with 4-5ks worth of mods MUCH harder than a 25 - 28k CSL round a track. Its not just the value - its getting another good CSL! You would have to spend days traveling all over, where as an M3 can be sourced much easier.

I was on KH at the same time as a lad in a 8k M3 with rock solid suspension and slicks and I could get no where near!!

It was my first time out in the car, but he was attacking corners like there was no tomorrow!

Oh, an it arrived on a trailer - I was driving home and going to work in it the next day

Stevie

You raise a very good point and of course it's not a dig at M3 owners, however to be honest as soon as I'm on a track the value of my car escapes my mind and always has done. Bottom line is, everyones car is their pride and joy, no matter how much it's worth.

I've never held back on track no matter how much the car has been worth but I totally see your point as a lot of people worry about binning it, I just try and get round as quick as I can.

It sounds by the general comments that more of the focus about the CSL is the feel of the whole car and the capability out of the box as opposed to a standard M3. However, you pay a premium for this, and all I am trying to figure out is if I will get any real benefit round a track from a CSL over my M3 once I've spent some money improving it, besides it feeling more 'special'.

Decisions decisions...

[s.mac]

we wernt talking about the driver we were talking about the car properly set up intrax will generate way more mechanical grip then a CSL. The chassis is identical so are all the pick up points if you spend 6K wisely on an M3 it will be quicker then a csl
drop the weight out seats etc as well. roll bars suspension and some other stuff job done.

I'm not technical enough to agree or disagree

would I go back to an E46 M3 smg and spend 6k on it to see if I could get it running better than a standard CSL and pocket the difference

no

[funtime]

Originally Posted by lawsy

If you are creating a track only car that can drive too and from tracks. Buy an M3

If you want a better road/track car without sacrificial mods, but still be fast, buy a CSL.


Just remember anything you can fit to an M3 can be fitted to an already better base car, a CSL.

You already know the answer to your questions.

I think you might have just summed it up perfectly... I don't want to create a track only car, however I do want a car that will be quicker both fast road and on track.

However I wasn't talking about making what I would call any 'sacrificial' mods, suspension, brakes etc - i'd still leave the heated leather in

[s.mac]

You raise a very good point and of course it's not a dig at M3 owners, however to be honest as soon as I'm on a track the value of my car escapes my mind and always has done. Bottom line is, everyones car is their pride and joy, no matter how much it's worth.

I've never held back on track no matter how much the car has been worth but I totally see your point as a lot of people worry about binning it, I just try and get round as quick as I can.

It sounds by the general comments that more of the focus about the CSL is the feel of the whole car and the capability out of the box as opposed to a standard M3. However, you pay a premium for this, and all I am trying to figure out is if I will get any real benefit round a track from a CSL over my M3 once I've spent some money improving it, besides it feeling more 'special'.

Decisions decisions...

Track days are a bit of fun in your own car (or someone elses) would I drive my car to the max on a track day, nope.
Would I buy a track only car and race to the max, yes no problem, that's where my 6k would be going

[Mark CSL]

I had 2 M3 CSLs then bought the M3 M3 was sold after 5 days then Back in a CSL

The M3 is a great car but feels heavy, If you drive a CSL after the M3 you will love it they are miles apart unless you like heated seats

[Bounce]

Originally Posted by s.mac

I've had both the M3 smg and the csl. I dont think you can compare them. Yes you can mod the M3, as I did, but the driving experience is totally different. They handle differently, sound differently they are so different. Until you actually drive one you wont understand or believe the difference. I DIDN'T

+1

[funtime]

Originally Posted by s.mac

Track days are a bit of fun in your own car (or someone elses) would I drive my car to the max on a track day, nope.
Would I buy a track only car and race to the max, yes no problem, that's where my 6k would be going

Yeah see that's the thing, I don't want a track only car as me and my girlfriend use my car when we go anywhere really so a track only car would be as popular as a $hit sandwich with her...

I think I just need to drive a CSL, although I just want to think about my options before I drive one - I dont want the carbon airbox howl blinkers to take hold of me and buy the CSL there and then on impulse!