Anyone in London got one handy?

[E36GUY]

Hello CSL owners.

Been planning to race up my current e36M3 evo however, the CSLs still makes me dribble.

Having looked at the sums it's looking doable so is there anyone in London that would be good enough to show me around their CSL and take me for a spin? The most important thing is I want to see how the flappies work and if they are something my mrs could get to grips with with some practice as heaven knows she hates the Evo with the slightly notchy 1st/2nd gear!

Thanks

Guy

[robmug]

BMW Highgate in London have one...easy enough to go along and drive theirs surely...

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...

Edited by robmug on Sunday 19th October 17:46

[Slippydiff]

In my very humble experience even a decent length roadtest will be insufficient to establish whether or not you get on with the FPG (flappy paddle gearchange)

I'd drove two CSLs a couple of years ago, the first left me hating the FPG, the second which had had all the latest FPG software upgrades was vastly superior.

I purchased a car three weeks ago and for a roadtest took it on a thrash around the country lanes near Oxford and thoroughly enjoyed it.
When the same car was delivered to me a few days later and I drove it normally around town I started to think I'd made a big mistake . . .

The day after it was delivered however I took a (planned) trip around France and Italy in the car. In the process I covered 3000 miles and practically lived in the car for ten days.
I now love the FPG whether it be driving around town or hardcore hooning, it's a fantastic system and I think it suits the CSL perfectly (especially as a weapon for the twisty gorge roads of southern France)

Don't let a brief road test put you (or more importantly your missus) off the car/gearbox, it needs time to learn, and a quick drive with a salesman watching over you and trying to sell the car too you isn't (in my experience) conducive to feeling at ease with the FPG.

Best of luck, and if you do go ahead with the purchase I'm sure you'll love it !.

Slippy

[E36GUY]

Thanks guys. I'm not fussed about the flappies but the idea was to find out if it has like a fully auto function but I understand it almost does.

Very good mate of mine has (irritatingly) just put a deposit down on one so will get a great opportunity for a very good look round and proper blast in a couple of weeks. Then it'll be time to de-wrap the "General M3" and get her sold. Then it's CSL party time

[robmug]

Hi Slippy

Interesting comment...so what are the 'top tips' for the gearbox.

I've only driven a CSL on a dealer test drive, and I played around with partial throttle list between shifts etc, but am planning another test drive in the next week or two so would appreciate any tips.

I'd also be interested to hear your hill-start technique. Leave in gear or not?

Rob

Slippydiff said:

In my very humble experience even a decent length roadtest will be insufficient to establish whether or not you get on with the FPG (flappy paddle gearchange)

I'd drove two CSLs a couple of years ago, the first left me hating the FPG, the second which had had all the latest FPG software upgrades was vastly superior.

I purchased a car three weeks ago and for a roadtest took it on a thrash around the country lanes near Oxford and thoroughly enjoyed it.
When the same car was delivered to me a few days later and I drove it normally around town I started to think I'd made a big mistake . . .

The day after it was delivered however I took a (planned) trip around France and Italy in the car. In the process I covered 3000 miles and practically lived in the car for ten days.
I now love the FPG whether it be driving around town or hardcore hooning, it's a fantastic system and I think it suits the CSL perfectly (especially as a weapon for the twisty gorge roads of southern France)

Don't let a brief road test put you (or more importantly your missus) off the car/gearbox, it needs time to learn, and a quick drive with a salesman watching over you and trying to sell the car too you isn't (in my experience) conducive to feeling at ease with the FPG.

Best of luck, and if you do go ahead with the purchase I'm sure you'll love it !.

Slippy

[Rags]

Since when has ANYONE ever called it FPG!?

LOL

[m12_nathan]

robmug said:

Hi Slippy

Interesting comment...so what are the 'top tips' for the gearbox.

I've only driven a CSL on a dealer test drive, and I played around with partial throttle list between shifts etc, but am planning another test drive in the next week or two so would appreciate any tips.

I'd also be interested to hear your hill-start technique. Leave in gear or not?

Rob

I would suggest in gear.

If you try a hill start and you aren't in gear you'll end up rolling backwards down the hill

[Rags]

if on a hill and you want to balance the throttle, try foot on brake and pull the left hand paddle back for 2-3 seconds. Sorted

[MC99]

I purchased a car three weeks ago and for a roadtest took it on a thrash around the country lanes near Oxford and thoroughly enjoyed it.
When the same car was delivered to me a few days later and I drove it normally around town I started to think I'd made a big mistake

Slippy - I'm seriously considering a CSL (vs z4M) approx how much did you pay (miles+ colour would be great).... Mine wouldn't be for the daily commute but would have to be out on the kerbside...I drove a few SMG M3s back in 2005 and didn't mind the 'box at all..what won you over with the CSL?

[Slippydiff]

Alex, sorry I've been away playing in the car since Tuesday
I've sent you a PM with regards to answering your questions.

Slippy

[Slippydiff]

robmug said:

Hi Slippy

Interesting comment...so what are the 'top tips' for the gearbox.

I've only driven a CSL on a dealer test drive, and I played around with partial throttle list between shifts etc, but am planning another test drive in the next week or two so would appreciate any tips.

I'd also be interested to hear your hill-start technique. Leave in gear or not?

Rob

Slippydiff said:

In my very humble experience even a decent length roadtest will be insufficient to establish whether or not you get on with the FPG (flappy paddle gearchange)

I'd drove two CSLs a couple of years ago, the first left me hating the FPG, the second which had had all the latest FPG software upgrades was vastly superior.

I purchased a car three weeks ago and for a roadtest took it on a thrash around the country lanes near Oxford and thoroughly enjoyed it.
When the same car was delivered to me a few days later and I drove it normally around town I started to think I'd made a big mistake . . .

The day after it was delivered however I took a (planned) trip around France and Italy in the car. In the process I covered 3000 miles and practically lived in the car for ten days.
I now love the FPG whether it be driving around town or hardcore hooning, it's a fantastic system and I think it suits the CSL perfectly (especially as a weapon for the twisty gorge roads of southern France)

Don't let a brief road test put you (or more importantly your missus) off the car/gearbox, it needs time to learn, and a quick drive with a salesman watching over you and trying to sell the car too you isn't (in my experience) conducive to feeling at ease with the FPG.

Best of luck, and if you do go ahead with the purchase I'm sure you'll love it !.

Slippy

Rob, give me a ring I've sent you my number via a PM.

[houlbt]

Interesting to see you've got a CSL Slippy... we seem to have similar taste in cars. Shoot me a PM would be interrested to know what you did with the porkers or if you have kept them.

[Slippydiff]

houlbt said:

Interesting to see you've got a CSL Slippy... we seem to have similar taste in cars. Shoot me a PM would be interrested to know what you did with the porkers or if you have kept them.

Hi Tom

PM sent.