New member M2 Comp to M3 CSL

[Sarsonic]

Earlier this week I traded in my M2 Competition for an M3 CSL. People were asking why. As often these things are it is subjective and personal but I'll try and share why I decided made the move.

1: The Experience. This is not my only car and it isn't my daily driver. When I jump in the M, I want it to feel like an occasion. Frankly the M2 Comp as it comes, is too capable, too refined, ultimately too compromised as a package for what I want out of it. With EU regs around emissions making it so quiet, all the creature comforts, the fake piped in sound, it was almost too good at everything and I felt designed to be good at everything. Don't get me wrong I did like the car a lot, on track (Palmersport not my car) it was the most fun I've probably ever had on track. When compared to the CSL, which was designed to be quick and light, the styling and experience came as a by product. With the M2 Comp the experience and styling were added on purpose. This may not make sense to most but I have friends spending money on their comps to make it the car they and I would want it to be, I wasn't willing to do that.
2: The fact the e46 still looks a great shape, meant I have always wanted one of some kind. I test drove a CS about 10 years ago. I liked it but it didn't feel special enough at the time.
3: Prices are not sky high, they may even fall a little more (lets hope not) but I felt it was as good a time as any to buy one.
4: The M2 Comp is currently depreciating faster than the CSL. With the M2 CS on the horizon for next year that is unlikely to change in the short term. I wasn't willing to hold onto my Comp for 3 - 5 years. I will consider the M2 CS when it arrives though.
5: I know people are divided on this forum with this one but I wanted a BMW AUC. I appreciate it may not be worth it on a car of this age but after having a 911 997.2 PDK with a gearbox that went bang and finding out the replacement cost was £15k, this was my preference. I appreciate the warranty is no way full proof, I had my eyes kept open by you helpful lot on here! However I feel this is better than nothing.
6: I have bought this car to drive. It isn't going into a collection, I want to enjoy it, drive it and keep it in tip top condition. Life's too short.

I look forward to being on this forum too!
Thanks for reading

[Chad]

Congratulations hope you got a good one,, sure you will Just love the thing ,

[Trawler]

Congratulations. Enjoy the car, I know I still do.
Hopefully, a few of us can meet up somewhere before winter comes round.

[Mark CSL]

Enjoy your new car the CSL is a fantastic car





I am looking to buy an M2C at the moment can you Pm me what you got for it as a trade in if you dont mind me asking

[glendog74]

Welcome Sarsonic

[alexk]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum !

[Mike R]

Sound reasons for the change

The CSL is not staggeringly fast, but boy does it have character - I hope you won't be disappointed .

It would be interesting to see your continued ownership thoughts

[rstoughy]

Welcome to CSL ownership

I hope to have the same pic sometime this week as I pull the CSL out of storage and aim to get a pic of it beside my M5 and the old mans M2C

[Chad]

Originally Posted by rstoughy

Welcome to CSL ownership

I hope to have the same pic sometime this week as I pull the CSL out of storage and aim to get a pic of it beside my M5 and the old mans M2C

Hopefully to drive the thing, not just take a picture

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Welcome to the mad house and enjoy your car