CSL as a daily driver?
Discussion
Morning chaps.
Am sorely tempted by a CSL now that the prices are pretty reasonable. Couple of questions;
I've had two M3s in the past (E36 and E46). Is the CSL different enough to warrant a 10k premium that I'd notice in daily driving or, as some reviews suggest, unless its bought more as a track car, is the extra not worth the money?
What are they like as a daily driver? I don't mind sacraficing some comfort for a little gain in precision and performance but at the same time, I like my fillings where they are.
What about access to the back seats? Is it a pain or perfectly useable (I have a teenage son)?
My quandry is, I like my S3 at the moment and my current plan is (was) to keep that and get something cheaper (than the CSL) and a little more hardcore for wazzing around at weekends and such. Can the CSL do both admirably or is my original plan better?
Am sorely tempted by a CSL now that the prices are pretty reasonable. Couple of questions;
I've had two M3s in the past (E36 and E46). Is the CSL different enough to warrant a 10k premium that I'd notice in daily driving or, as some reviews suggest, unless its bought more as a track car, is the extra not worth the money?
What are they like as a daily driver? I don't mind sacraficing some comfort for a little gain in precision and performance but at the same time, I like my fillings where they are.
What about access to the back seats? Is it a pain or perfectly useable (I have a teenage son)?
My quandry is, I like my S3 at the moment and my current plan is (was) to keep that and get something cheaper (than the CSL) and a little more hardcore for wazzing around at weekends and such. Can the CSL do both admirably or is my original plan better?
I use mine (for sale in the classifieds) as a daily driver. I love it. I am intimately acquainted with every contour of the roads on my commute, but happy with that. It is not a temperamental cr. As long as you don't expect a soft ride, it is fine for daily use. I have plenty of opportunity on the way home to get the revs up to 5000 in 2nd or 3rd without doing silly speeds and that gives me my daily dose of aural pleasure. Then there are the weekends...
I haven't lost a filling due to the car!
There is more room in the back seats than in the normal M3 because the front seat backs are thinner. Access to the back seats is fine for anyone able-bodied, not much different to a normal M3.
>> Edited by Zod on Thursday 9th March 10:23
I haven't lost a filling due to the car!
There is more room in the back seats than in the normal M3 because the front seat backs are thinner. Access to the back seats is fine for anyone able-bodied, not much different to a normal M3.
>> Edited by Zod on Thursday 9th March 10:23
Zod said:
Very sorry. I thought I'd responded to all emails. When did you send it?
Yesterday.
Don't apologise, I'm the world's worst....).
Smart
Or you could send me your work email through my profile?
Well I was one of those that paid list price when new and the price seemed reasonable to me then and still does. Prior to that I owned 2 E46 M3s. The difference in ride comfort is marginal, the CSL is no GT3 when it comes to driving on bad roads, I would have no qualms about using it regularly on that basis. The carbon fibre body panels and alcantara trim do make it seem less robust on a daily basis, but provided you're careful it's not a problem. It is a BMW after all. I don't use mine daily, and the main reason apart from me being a garage-queen is that the CSL is 150% more 'alert' than the M3. For some people that makes it too much on a daily basis, whilst other relish in the excitement it adds to a humdrum routine journey. It depends on your perspective. The M3 feels soft, lazy and introvert after the CSL. I also have 6ft tall teenage sons and they never have any problems getting in and out of the rear seats - in fact it's there favourite car to travel in.
Have a look at Charlies (Zod) it's a good one with a nice spec.
Have a look at Charlies (Zod) it's a good one with a nice spec.
The Dude said:
Thanks Steve.
Another quick one : did the 6-pot APs not come as standard? I think I maybe just presumed they did because all cars I'd looked at seemed to have them.
No, us owners shelled out £2500 to fit them afterwards. They're such a brilliant modification that 'feel' OEM that I can't praise them highly enough. They're not just of benefit on track, they perfectly balance the whole character of the car.
DoctorD said:
Thanks Steve.
Another quick one : did the 6-pot APs not come as standard? I think I maybe just presumed they did because all cars I'd looked at seemed to have them.
No, us owners shelled out £2500 to fit them afterwards. They're such a brilliant modification that 'feel' OEM that I can't praise them highly enough. They're not just of benefit on track, they perfectly balance the whole character of the car.
The Dude said:done
Very sorry. I thought I'd responded to all emails. When did you send it?
Yesterday.
Don't apologise, I'm the world's worst....
Smart
Or you could send me your work email through my profile?
Dude,
If you've got an S3 and had M3's. The CSL has what I would call a real EDGE which those other cars do not offer. It's a serious car if you really enjoy your driving. It's a great car that I use as a daily driver and as a track weapon. You have to drive one. I personally am prepared to give up a bit of comfort for the EDGE factor. This is what you need to decide on.
Chris
M3 CSL
ex M5, 993 TT, S4, Boxter S, Elise S1 (modified), Elise S2, Caterham SS
If you've got an S3 and had M3's. The CSL has what I would call a real EDGE which those other cars do not offer. It's a serious car if you really enjoy your driving. It's a great car that I use as a daily driver and as a track weapon. You have to drive one. I personally am prepared to give up a bit of comfort for the EDGE factor. This is what you need to decide on.
Chris
M3 CSL
ex M5, 993 TT, S4, Boxter S, Elise S1 (modified), Elise S2, Caterham SS
Chris_s said:
Dude,
If you've got an S3 and had M3's. The CSL has what I would call a real EDGE which those other cars do not offer. It's a serious car if you really enjoy your driving. It's a great car that I use as a daily driver and as a track weapon. You have to drive one. I personally am prepared to give up a bit of comfort for the EDGE factor. This is what you need to decide on.
Chris
M3 CSL
ex M5, 993 TT, S4, Boxter S, Elise S1 (modified), Elise S2, Caterham SS
I've had a T350 and an Elise too, previously, so a little "edge" doesn't put me off at all. The opposite in fact.
Zod said:
Very sorry. I thought I'd responded to all emails. When did you send it?
Yesterday.
Don't apologise, I'm the world's worst....
Smart
Or you could send me your work email through my profile?
Back at ya, Zod.
The Dude said:
Dude,
If you've got an S3 and had M3's. The CSL has what I would call a real EDGE which those other cars do not offer. It's a serious car if you really enjoy your driving. It's a great car that I use as a daily driver and as a track weapon. You have to drive one. I personally am prepared to give up a bit of comfort for the EDGE factor. This is what you need to decide on.
Chris
M3 CSL
ex M5, 993 TT, S4, Boxter S, Elise S1 (modified), Elise S2, Caterham SS
I've had a T350 and an Elise too, previously, so a little "edge" doesn't put me off at all. The opposite in fact.
Dude,
In that case you'll love it. In many ways the CSL reminds me of an Exige in the way it drives (but more practical but still raw edge).
Chris
Couple of questions from my weekend's reading;
1) RTAB degradation/faliure. At what kind of mileage have people been needing to replace the bushes?
2) Clutch/SMG/Software not compensating for clutch wear issue. Same question really, at what kind of mileage are people experiencing this?
3) What exactly is the front bumper made of? Is it purely carbon fibre or some kind of composite? Are small cracks easily repairable?
1) RTAB degradation/faliure. At what kind of mileage have people been needing to replace the bushes?
2) Clutch/SMG/Software not compensating for clutch wear issue. Same question really, at what kind of mileage are people experiencing this?
3) What exactly is the front bumper made of? Is it purely carbon fibre or some kind of composite? Are small cracks easily repairable?
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