M3 Models

[BullFace]

Hi

Probably a silly question, I'm looking at selling my Jag & Elise for a M3. Can someone explain the different models or point me to a good website. I'm looking for a 2002 - 2004.

Thanks

[Olie Baxter]

That would be the E46 M3, Try autotrader, or the classified section on this site.

[BullFace]

Olie Baxter said:

That would be the E46 M3, Try autotrader, or the classified section on this site.

Thanks, but what do all the "E" numbers stand for?

[m3evo2]

The E number stands for Entwicklung the German word for development. Each model, 3,5,7 etc has it's own E number to help differentiate between a 3 series of 1989 (E30) and 1999 (E36) for example.

[BullFace]

Ok so what does SMG & CSL stand for?

Edited by BullFace on Wednesday 12th September 18:46

[m3evo2]

Its a sequential manual gearbox, some people love them others hate them. The E36 M3's version was nasty but later versions, E46 were much improved.

[Baldylocks]

Super Manual Gearbox

Or something like that. Its a semi-automatic paddle system I believe.

[m3evo2]

BullFace said:

Ok so what does SMG & CSL stand for?

Edited by BullFace on Wednesday 12th September 18:46

CSL Coupe Sporting Lightweight, the ultimate version of the E46 M3 and was also used to describe the E9 3.0CSL of the 70's.

[BullFace]

So I should be looking for a M3 E46 or M3CSL E46?

[m3evo2]

How much do you want to spend?
What will the car be used for? Daily driver or Sunday fun/track car?
Private or main dealer purchase i.e. backup/warranty
Manual or Semi Auto

Although the cars are similar they are also very different. Basically M3 fast road car CSL fast track/road car in that order.

[BullFace]

Ok this in my Dilemma.

I have posted this on my Lotus forum but I would like to know what you guys think.

Ok, I'm thinking of a change and need some advice. I currently have a 2006 Jag X-Type 2.2 Diesel for work and a standard S1 lotus Elise for track days and the odd bit of weekend hooning.

I'm thinking selling both to buy a Boxter S or M3. I Love the Jag and the Lotus. The reason for the change is (1) I'm moving and the new house only has one garage and I'm a bit anal about where I park. (2) I'm changing jobs and will be going from 20k business miles to less than 10k (3) I'm starting to long for more power and fun in my day to day drive.

My questions are.

1) Is the Boxster S/M3 a good compromise?
2) Will I miss the Elise on the track or will the Boxster/M3 be as good?

Any thoughts, opinions and advise I would be grateful.

Thanks

[blackcab]

I use my M3 with SMG gearbox every day for work, it takes a day or two to get used to, but had no complaints or problems, fantastic in town, motorways etc and driven sensible averages about 25mpg, the great thing about the m3 is that when you do want some fun it is awesome, superb handling and loads of power, I have driven one of the recent elises (111R) and it was a little dissapointing I expected it to be faster, great handling as with all elises, but I dont think it would give the m3 a run for its money in the right hands.

try and get as low mileage as possible even if it means buying a slightly older car, avoid strong colours like leguna seca and pheonix yellow and if looked after should hold its money well, and finally make sure it has a proper BMW warranty and service record they are quite costly when and rarely they do go wrong.


Good Luck

[Dave Dax builder]

BullFace said:

So I should be looking for a M3 E46 or M3CSL E46?

If you like your luxuries like Heated electric seats, leather, sat nav and bling, go for the regular M3. If you want fixed back bucket seats, an induction roar to die for (I kid you not), more nimble, more power, better handling (Comparable with a 911GT3) then the CSL is the car for you. Typically priced between £30-£35K.
I've had both and can live with the rawness of the CSL and would not go back to the regular M3 now. The CSL is only available with the SMG (Sequential manual Gearbox (i.e No clutch pedal, having said that this is no automatic slush box although it does have an auto mode. Confused??? try to get to a dealers and get a test drive in both.))

[BullFace]

Dave Dax builder said:

BullFace said:

So I should be looking for a M3 E46 or M3CSL E46?

If you like your luxuries like Heated electric seats, leather, sat nav and bling, go for the regular M3. If you want fixed back bucket seats, an induction roar to die for (I kid you not), more nimble, more power, better handling (Comparable with a 911GT3) then the CSL is the car for you. Typically priced between £30-£35K.
I've had both and can live with the rawness of the CSL and would not go back to the regular M3 now. The CSL is only available with the SMG (Sequential manual Gearbox (i.e No clutch pedal, having said that this is no automatic slush box although it does have an auto mode. Confused??? try to get to a dealers and get a test drive in both.))

I’m getting moist for the CSL sound great! I have rung a dealer to try and arrange a test drive. The guy did not sound that enthusiastic! He is going to ring me back. Why do you always get treated like a tyre kicker when you ask for a test drive? I feel like they look down there nose at you some times.

[BullFace]

Is there a difference between CS & CSL?

[Baldylocks]

BullFace said:

Is there a difference between CS & CSL?

Yes. The CS is not as hardcore (or expensive!) as the CSL.

It takes some of the good bits from the CSL - suspension geometry (?), CSL replica wheels and some other stuff. But does not have the carbon fibre roof, added power (?), extra induction roar, lightweight boot lid with larger spoiler, such lightweight wheels, track biased tyres.

I'm sure theres some details I've missed/got wrong but thats the general jist.

[HONEYMON57ER]

If your a fat bald bloke go for the regular M3 as
the lightweight CSL will be negated - and it would
be faster than my 911 - and we can't have that now
can we Pete?

[BullFace]

HONEYMON57ER said:

If your a fat bald bloke go for the regular M3 as
the lightweight CSL will be negated - and it would
be faster than my 911 - and we can't have that now
can we Pete?

Let's face it Barry, I'm faster than you in my Elise!

Edited by BullFace on Thursday 13th September 12:51

[Olf]

BullFace said:

Dave Dax builder said:

BullFace said:

So I should be looking for a M3 E46 or M3CSL E46?

If you like your luxuries like Heated electric seats, leather, sat nav and bling, go for the regular M3. If you want fixed back bucket seats, an induction roar to die for (I kid you not), more nimble, more power, better handling (Comparable with a 911GT3) then the CSL is the car for you. Typically priced between £30-£35K.
I've had both and can live with the rawness of the CSL and would not go back to the regular M3 now. The CSL is only available with the SMG (Sequential manual Gearbox (i.e No clutch pedal, having said that this is no automatic slush box although it does have an auto mode. Confused??? try to get to a dealers and get a test drive in both.))

I’m getting moist for the CSL sound great! I have rung a dealer to try and arrange a test drive. The guy did not sound that enthusiastic! He is going to ring me back. Why do you always get treated like a tyre kicker when you ask for a test drive? I feel like they look down there nose at you some times.

The CSL went out of production 3 years ago (ish) Any CSL will be second hand. It may or may not have a warranty. There is only one in the whole BMW dealer network at this time so expect the guy to come back with an offer of a bog M3 or and M3 CS.

You might have to go private or independant for a CSL now. The dealers don't seem to like them that much.

[HONEYMON57ER]

BullFace said:

HONEYMON57ER said:

If your a fat bald bloke go for the regular M3 as
the lightweight CSL will be negated - and it would
be faster than my 911 - and we can't have that now
can we Pete?

Let's face it Barry, I'm faster than you in my Elise!

Edited by BullFace on Thursday 13th September 12:51

Are we talking XBOX or real life now?