optionless csl's

[bmwcsl]

Hi Guys, I plan to get hold of an m3 csl one day but when I do I will want one with as few options such as air con as possible as to my mind they are not in the spirit of the car and I dont like air con anyway!

How many of them do we know were sold as such because when Im looking at ads they all seem to have options like a/c.

Thanks

[MrOnTheRopes]

Sadly they are quite rare, but good luck with your search. There are a few (very few!) out there. Keep an eye on the classifieds both here and Mtorque.

[trawler]

I was also going to buy one without air con until I went for a drive with it turned off. The car gets very hot inside. As much as I hate it, I have to turn it on more than I expected & thats not counting summer months.

[The Dude]

It's a noble pursuit but come resale time expect a great deal less interested parties. They do get very hot in the cabin - probably to do with very little to prevent heat soak through the bulkhead.

[bmwcsl]

Yeah i guess you would get hit in the next few years but down the road its likely to reverse as it has done with most lightweights. If i buy one I would be keeping it long term most likely.

[Andyt25]

There are a few without options out there but most are BMW fleet/press cars as I understand it. These cars have had a pretty hard life so much sure you get the car checked etc....good luck with the search.

Edited by Andyt25 on Sunday 1st June 05:59

[dustyjustin]

i bought one with out air con, i have to say i do wish i had it. It gets hot. But on the other hand it is only when it is very hot outside (not that often then) The plus side is that i did not pay as much for the car

[TimJMS]

There good reasons why the optionless cars are referred to as being "kiss of death" spec.

With the exceptions of an Atom / Caterfield et al, I wouldn't be without a/c. Mine needs regassing and the cabin is not a pleasant place to be with current humidity levels.

[Dave Dax builder]

Hi Tim.
There was a trick to overcome the "In cabin" problem with heat, I am going back a while, maybe 20-30 years but it might still work today....



....have you tried putting the window down a bit?
There's a button that does this automatically for you next to that switch that looks like a gear lever.

I must admit that I too like my A/C, but what is happening to us all (Including me) these days that we can't live without A/C, power steering, electric windows, ABS and traction control etc.
All these toys are stealing out precious horsepower, now what would a "Kiss of death spec" E30 go like with a CSL motor in it I wonder. Could be fun on a whole new level.

[TimJMS]

Dave - meh

I do drive with windows down. I'm a smoker. Its the best way to get rid of the disgusting fug, but opening the windows on a warm humid day does little for comfort levels.

Now if BMW had offered swiveling front quarterlights with the delete aircon option to deliver a proper blast of air towards the driver I'd have been more tempted.

[pizzacheaze]

here is a basic one

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/520206.htm

[MarkM3Evoplus]

E30 M3's without options now sell at a premium - maybe this will be the case with CSL's in a few years, as I think they are a modern interpretation.

[Dave Dax builder]

TimJMS said:

Now if BMW had offered swiveling front quarterlights ....

Bl00dy hell Tim, you must be as old as me to remember them!

[dawsongr]

Interesting point. 993 RS without a/c, elec windows etc seem more in demand than ones with. I can see a point as the car, like the CSL was about less weight, but only in part.

Given these are not race cars and the last 10th is not important I for one find sweating like a pig on the way to trackdays/ Nurburgring and winding down windows for ticket machines (esp in a LHD car) tedious and it does not add much to the driving experience but the flip side is I am happy to admit I am unable to detect the blunting of performance the a/c and elec windows have when out on the track (with a/c off).

I wonder if the new owners thought that too which is why the optionless ones are so rare!

[robm3]

My view is the optionless ones will actually fetch a high premium but this will be a good 20 years down the track so if you can put up with a hot cabin (and Sh$t headlights) plus the odd prang when you reverse then go for it (no PDC)....

The weight difference is around 45Kg between the two (fully optioned and none) but most is over the front end, truly wonder if anyone could spot the difference though.

[redsportt]

better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it........

[bmwcsl]

better to not have to need to service it and carry the weight around

[Rags]

buffly said:

I work in a BMW dealership, and have seen many CSL`s, but never seen one without aircon and radio`s, ect....

Not sure what point you are making but they do exist!

I think cars with aircon are most certainly a requirement, cars get stuffy at the best of times.

[bobd]

bmwcsl said:

Hi Guys, I plan to get hold of an m3 csl one day but when I do I will want one with as few options such as air con as possible as to my mind they are not in the spirit of the car and I dont like air con anyway!

How many of them do we know were sold as such because when Im looking at ads they all seem to have options like a/c.

Thanks

You will b e able to have mine next year - May - when the GTR arrives if you can wait that long