CSL as Daily Driver
Discussion
All
My first post - apologies if I m beating an old drum and asking a common question. I ve been driving a Laguna for 12 months having sold up an EliseSport 160, 72 Porsche 911 and Audi Quattro S-Line to pay for a house build, now thats nearing completion I m allowing temptation to come back and looking at what I might buy.
I was suprised how low M3 and CSL prices have gone for such fantastic cars, I ve driven numerous M3's many times, but never even sat in a CSL. I do about 10-15k a year, have a 2 year old and would use what ever I buy very regularly, I may keep a work horse, but cant afford a garage prima dona weekender quite yet.
Was thinking M3 as the ideal, enough room for my daughter and sensible for child seat, decent enough boot to put a pram in, and totally useable regularly what ever the weather, but in the week when on my own a fantastic car to enjoy those UK A and B roads. Really is an everyday hero.
But CSL prices make buying the hyper version very tempting. I was nervous because of stories about the Pilot tyres, but seems most have upgrades to Goodyears (?) and I think I d look for a set of regular 19" M3 alloys with more weather freindly tyres for the winter anyway to save the CSL alloys. And looks like AP brakes are a common mod and something to look for.
But my question - sorry to waffle - is the CSL suitable for regular use or should i really be aiming at the M3, is the CSL to hardcore to be civilised when I need it to be and to support family duties?
I dont want to just buy a 911, but need a 2+2 minimum, a boot would be a bonus and all year round driving potential?
Any and all advice is appreciated, oddly EVO magazine etc focus on the CSL as a point to point monster rather than a family wagon so struggling for references to its useability.
Thank you James
My first post - apologies if I m beating an old drum and asking a common question. I ve been driving a Laguna for 12 months having sold up an EliseSport 160, 72 Porsche 911 and Audi Quattro S-Line to pay for a house build, now thats nearing completion I m allowing temptation to come back and looking at what I might buy.
I was suprised how low M3 and CSL prices have gone for such fantastic cars, I ve driven numerous M3's many times, but never even sat in a CSL. I do about 10-15k a year, have a 2 year old and would use what ever I buy very regularly, I may keep a work horse, but cant afford a garage prima dona weekender quite yet.
Was thinking M3 as the ideal, enough room for my daughter and sensible for child seat, decent enough boot to put a pram in, and totally useable regularly what ever the weather, but in the week when on my own a fantastic car to enjoy those UK A and B roads. Really is an everyday hero.
But CSL prices make buying the hyper version very tempting. I was nervous because of stories about the Pilot tyres, but seems most have upgrades to Goodyears (?) and I think I d look for a set of regular 19" M3 alloys with more weather freindly tyres for the winter anyway to save the CSL alloys. And looks like AP brakes are a common mod and something to look for.
But my question - sorry to waffle - is the CSL suitable for regular use or should i really be aiming at the M3, is the CSL to hardcore to be civilised when I need it to be and to support family duties?
I dont want to just buy a 911, but need a 2+2 minimum, a boot would be a bonus and all year round driving potential?
Any and all advice is appreciated, oddly EVO magazine etc focus on the CSL as a point to point monster rather than a family wagon so struggling for references to its useability.
Thank you James
melhuishjames said:
Was thinking M3 as the ideal, enough room for my daughter and sensible for child seat, decent enough boot to put a pram in, and totally useable regularly what ever the weather, but in the week when on my own a fantastic car to enjoy those UK A and B roads. Really is an everyday hero.
But CSL prices make buying the hyper version very tempting. I was nervous because of stories about the Pilot tyres, but seems most have upgrades to Goodyears (?)Most I know of run Pilot Sport 2s for the road, Pilot Sport Cups for the track and I think I d look for a set of regular 19" M3 alloys with more weather freindly tyres for the winter anyway to save the CSL alloysDon't do it - the regular 19" polished alloys are more expensive than the CSL alloys and are much more susceptible to oxidation under the lacquer particularly if chipped in winter use with the salt. And looks like AP brakes are a common mod and something to look for.AP brakes are a huge improvement over the standard ones in terms of feel but not really necessary if you're only using the car on the road
But my question - sorry to waffle - is the CSL suitable for regular use or should i really be aiming at the M3, is the CSL to hardcore to be civilised when I need it to be and to support family duties?Many CSLs do see daily use - I use mine normally 3 times a week and it is not too raw or unrefined for me. It's as tame as a standard M3 when you want it to be. Only drivers who like their toys such as satnav etc will miss anything. The only areas that it may not meet your requirements over a standard M3 are difficult access to the rear as the seats don't rake forward as much, and the carbon interior scratches easily - something to consider before letting young kids loose in the back.
I dont want to just buy a 911, but need a 2+2 minimum, a boot would be a bonus and all year round driving potential?
Any and all advice is appreciated, oddly EVO magazine etc focus on the CSL as a point to point monster rather than a family wagon so struggling for references to its useability.
Thank you James
Try and get a drive in a CSL and M3 to compare both, but if you love driving, I bet you prefer the CSL! Depending on your budget, you really need to be looking at cars in the £32k+ bracket to find a good one. Lower priced CSLs will either be high mileage, no warranty or have some sort of adverse historyBut CSL prices make buying the hyper version very tempting. I was nervous because of stories about the Pilot tyres, but seems most have upgrades to Goodyears (?)Most I know of run Pilot Sport 2s for the road, Pilot Sport Cups for the track and I think I d look for a set of regular 19" M3 alloys with more weather freindly tyres for the winter anyway to save the CSL alloysDon't do it - the regular 19" polished alloys are more expensive than the CSL alloys and are much more susceptible to oxidation under the lacquer particularly if chipped in winter use with the salt. And looks like AP brakes are a common mod and something to look for.AP brakes are a huge improvement over the standard ones in terms of feel but not really necessary if you're only using the car on the road
But my question - sorry to waffle - is the CSL suitable for regular use or should i really be aiming at the M3, is the CSL to hardcore to be civilised when I need it to be and to support family duties?Many CSLs do see daily use - I use mine normally 3 times a week and it is not too raw or unrefined for me. It's as tame as a standard M3 when you want it to be. Only drivers who like their toys such as satnav etc will miss anything. The only areas that it may not meet your requirements over a standard M3 are difficult access to the rear as the seats don't rake forward as much, and the carbon interior scratches easily - something to consider before letting young kids loose in the back.
I dont want to just buy a 911, but need a 2+2 minimum, a boot would be a bonus and all year round driving potential?
Any and all advice is appreciated, oddly EVO magazine etc focus on the CSL as a point to point monster rather than a family wagon so struggling for references to its useability.
Thank you James
I use mine pretty much every day and it's fine. It's not the best over bumps at slow speed but apart from that is fine/quiet (even with the full Milltek system I have installed). Have the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tyres on (275/30 and 245/35 (as 235/35 wasn't available to match rolling circumfrences)) which are excellent wet and dry. Also quiet.
We're fortunate to have an M3(conv) and a CSL. The two are miles apart.Chalk & Cheese! Try them both and you'll see what I mean. I cannot see any problem having a CSL for the use you'll put it to. My only concern is getting the child seat in. In the Conv. we put the roof down, seat in and then roof up. In the CSL, we'll Gill wouldn't let the boys in with me. She says I turn into a monster when driving it. 
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