330d to CSL??

[anonymous-user]

Heres an impossible to answer question (!), I currently do an over 100mile commute daily in my 330d sport, and tbh it's pretty dam brilliant, enough of a sports car when i need it for the very occasional roundabout pendulum-ing, and then a decent cruiser for the rest of the "follow-the-leader" M way driving (and it returns just about 40mpg)

I am about to change jobs, which will be less than 20miles a day, is it worth what is likely to be in the order of £15k to get into an E46 CSL???

objectively: i have about 90% of one already
subjectively: i only have about 5% lol!

Anyone else made this jump from an oil burner to CSL??? Or basically, do you actually get the chance to use the increased performance on the road? (i am not worried about track use as i have a specific track car for that, so road use only for the CSL)

Opinions valued!

ta

MaxT

[shim]

dont get it....youll hate it

stick with the 95% model and leave the CSL to those that like driving

[Brainy]

I did the same transition approx 18 months ago, but always planned an everyday car in addition. I miss the 330d in some ways, so ended up with a 120d M sport as well for everyday.

You will miss the all round lazy ability of the 330d, but really they are chalk and cheese. Totally different. CSL is magnificent and much more of an occasion to drive and just teeny bit more fun ;-)

Dont buy a CSL to replace the 330d, just buy one cos you want to enjoy driving it. Should be reserved for 'special' journeys only IMO.

[anonymous-user]

Special journeys??? Trouble is i have a 560bhp track car for those! lol!

Does this mean i shouldnt use a CSL everyday?? I was trying basically to find a car to use all the time that is also really good to drive and practical etc, with the 330d being swung slightly too much towards comfort.

[M3desmo]

If you need to ask that question, you clearly haven't driven a CSL yet. Drive one and you will be converted. You might think the oil burner is 95% of the CSL but you couldn't be more wrong. I currently use my CSL nearly every day (even though I have another car to use too). Driving the CSL is truly addictive and it's still a practical car too.

[Brainy]

If money was no object, i'd drive the CSL everyday. It's a magnet when you go to the key drawer and soooo much fun.

BUT, for me, its pride & joy and i dont trust the ignorant tw*ts with Trolleys at Tescos etc to permit the daily commute and everyday chores.

If I had money to burn, then yep, i could live with it everyday, easy.

[shim]

M3desmo said:

If you need to ask that question, you clearly haven't driven a CSL yet. Drive one and you will be converted. You might think the oil burner is 95% of the CSL but you couldn't be more wrong. I currently use my CSL nearly every day (even though I have another car to use too). Driving the CSL is truly addictive and it's still a practical car too.

M3desmo - i think that is what i was getting at too.

CSL a good everyday car and i use it for that but for some strange reason i dont want to as i have this voice in my head nagging me saying 'not realy fair on the poor old gal'. Never had it before and M5, RS6 etc tc all been driven and ragged until braking point but i guess the little more limited nature of the CSl keeps telling me not to keep putting the miles on her.

[Miss Escobar]

I started with a 330 which I loved... until I tried the E46 M3! Now I have a CSL and you cannot compare the 330 to it - completely different drives from both of them, naturally. I use my CSL nearly every day, in traffic too and truly enjoy every journey! Depending on what type of drive you enjoy it's definately worth the extra cost, in my opinion.

[brianharvey]

A csl is an extremely usable everyday car,just remember it isnt just an M3 with everything stripped out,its a completely different animal to an M3,and therefore if its completely different to an M3,then its miles apart from a 330d.Drive one and youll understand.I however drive an M3 and find it more than practical but i would equally advise a csl being just as practical,i know folks who have fitted satnav to theirs just for that extra bit of practicality(the widescreen bmw one)