CSL + manual box or M3 + mods

[jollygreen]

Say, for example, I wanted a hot E46 M3 but it had to be a manual?

Would you either:

A: Buy a CSL and retrofit the 6 speed manual box

or

B: Buy an M3 manual and fit the steering rack/air box and spend the difference on brakes, an exhaust and chip?

M3's sem so cheap these days option B seems pretty good. Would retrofitting the manual box destroy the value of the CSL?

[MB 1]

I'd never butcher a CSL by fitting the box.

A DIY CSL may be the better way to go - with some good brakes, suspension, intake and a remap it won't be far off, but obviously not the full package.

[johnnyboy101]

Without question B, and plus you'll get hit far to hard on resale values if you retrofit a manual box

[jollygreen]

I'd be interested to hear if anybody had tried to build a manual-CSL spec spec car from an M3. Apart from the interior changes, carbon roof, boot lid, steering rack and wheels, what are the other changes?

Cheers
iain

[RMac]

Have you tried the box on the csl / m3?

I was always anti anything other than manual and I do still like a manual. However, I have been pleasantly surprised that I enjoy the box in the csl. It definatly works on track.

If you are worried about the potential repair bills then stick a warranty on it.

If you have tried the smg and still need a manual, I would go for a standard m3. I still wonder whether I would be better off with a standard m3 with loads of mods compared to the csl. I can't see there being much in it by the time you have pulled a bit of weight out, changed the suspension and stuck csl bumpers on it.

[Slippydiff]

RMac said:

Have you tried the box on the csl / m3?

I was always anti anything other than manual and I do still like a manual. However, I have been pleasantly surprised that I enjoy the box in the csl. It definatly works on track.

If you are worried about the potential repair bills then stick a warranty on it.

I too was opposed to to the whole concept of the SMG box fitted to the CSL.
I've had my car just over six weeks and done over 5,000 miles in it (nearly 4,000 of which were on a Euro hoon)
The SMG box is superb (and to my way of thinking an intrinsic part of the car)for real hardcore hooning it is the perfect ally.

I always heel and toe in a manual car, the SMG box in the CSL does away with the need for that and allows such quick downshifts (and multiple downshifts at that) I'd find it hard to go back to a "normal" gearbox now !

[bromers2]

B - don;t mess with a CSL box.

[RatBoy M3CS]

Why not make me an offer for mine.. which sounds like everything your looking for ..!!