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...