ex csl owners post here
Discussion
ok this will either go on & on or just fizzle out lol
so if you used to have a csl & used to post here but have now moved on what are you driving? what car did you own & how did you find it?
i've moved on to a r26r megane & i still drop in here occasionally but there seem to have been very few posts in the last few months, are the new owners not pistoheads members or something?!
by the way i used to own lf53ykg in black, still missing that induction roar
(but not the gearbox!)
so if you used to have a csl & used to post here but have now moved on what are you driving? what car did you own & how did you find it?
i've moved on to a r26r megane & i still drop in here occasionally but there seem to have been very few posts in the last few months, are the new owners not pistoheads members or something?!
by the way i used to own lf53ykg in black, still missing that induction roar
(but not the gearbox!)
Yep - mine was a great car and practical to boot. Had it upgraded with Alcons, Supersprint, etc.
Must admit the CSL always felt a bit fragile though - especially compared to the GT3 that preceded it. Whilst you had absolutely no worries about thrapping the GT3 around a track, all day every day, the CSL always gave the impression that something would break if you pushed it too hard or for as long as you did the GT3. I had the GT3 over 3 years during which it never threw a fault or broke down on its own in over 30k road and track miles. The CSL, in comparison, had a small variety of fault codes/electrical gremlins which the excellent BMW Warranty always took care of, although bit of a PITA.
I don't miss the CSL although it remains one of the smartest looking BMWs till this day imho.
Must admit the CSL always felt a bit fragile though - especially compared to the GT3 that preceded it. Whilst you had absolutely no worries about thrapping the GT3 around a track, all day every day, the CSL always gave the impression that something would break if you pushed it too hard or for as long as you did the GT3. I had the GT3 over 3 years during which it never threw a fault or broke down on its own in over 30k road and track miles. The CSL, in comparison, had a small variety of fault codes/electrical gremlins which the excellent BMW Warranty always took care of, although bit of a PITA.
I don't miss the CSL although it remains one of the smartest looking BMWs till this day imho.
BladeAde said:
Yep - mine was a great car and practical to boot. Had it upgraded with Alcons, Supersprint, etc.
Must admit the CSL always felt a bit fragile though - especially compared to the GT3 that preceded it. Whilst you had absolutely no worries about thrapping the GT3 around a track, all day every day, the CSL always gave the impression that something would break if you pushed it too hard or for as long as you did the GT3. I had the GT3 over 3 years during which it never threw a fault or broke down on its own in over 30k road and track miles. The CSL, in comparison, had a small variety of fault codes/electrical gremlins which the excellent BMW Warranty always took care of, although bit of a PITA.
I don't miss the CSL although it remains one of the smartest looking BMWs till this day imho.
Interesting review... Given the price difference between the GT3 and CSL and how well the CSL can perform on track, surely it's flaws could be forgiven and it can be remembered as one of the best cars BMW have ever made?Must admit the CSL always felt a bit fragile though - especially compared to the GT3 that preceded it. Whilst you had absolutely no worries about thrapping the GT3 around a track, all day every day, the CSL always gave the impression that something would break if you pushed it too hard or for as long as you did the GT3. I had the GT3 over 3 years during which it never threw a fault or broke down on its own in over 30k road and track miles. The CSL, in comparison, had a small variety of fault codes/electrical gremlins which the excellent BMW Warranty always took care of, although bit of a PITA.
I don't miss the CSL although it remains one of the smartest looking BMWs till this day imho.
I always wonder what happened to the CSL owners from BM3W...
SonnyM said:
BladeAde said:
Yep - mine was a great car and practical to boot. Had it upgraded with Alcons, Supersprint, etc.
Must admit the CSL always felt a bit fragile though - especially compared to the GT3 that preceded it. Whilst you had absolutely no worries about thrapping the GT3 around a track, all day every day, the CSL always gave the impression that something would break if you pushed it too hard or for as long as you did the GT3. I had the GT3 over 3 years during which it never threw a fault or broke down on its own in over 30k road and track miles. The CSL, in comparison, had a small variety of fault codes/electrical gremlins which the excellent BMW Warranty always took care of, although bit of a PITA.
I don't miss the CSL although it remains one of the smartest looking BMWs till this day imho.
Interesting review... Given the price difference between the GT3 and CSL and how well the CSL can perform on track, surely it's flaws could be forgiven and it can be remembered as one of the best cars BMW have ever made?Must admit the CSL always felt a bit fragile though - especially compared to the GT3 that preceded it. Whilst you had absolutely no worries about thrapping the GT3 around a track, all day every day, the CSL always gave the impression that something would break if you pushed it too hard or for as long as you did the GT3. I had the GT3 over 3 years during which it never threw a fault or broke down on its own in over 30k road and track miles. The CSL, in comparison, had a small variety of fault codes/electrical gremlins which the excellent BMW Warranty always took care of, although bit of a PITA.
I don't miss the CSL although it remains one of the smartest looking BMWs till this day imho.
I always wonder what happened to the CSL owners from BM3W...
On track and in terms of driving dynamics, the CSL is an absolute riot! Far more 'fun' than a GT3 ever will be, and it can deliver 98% of the speed - only on the straights and power circuits does the GT3 show its superior muscle - and only by a fraction. At places like the 'Ring, the CSL and GT3 are evenly matched - I was clocking near identical times through traffic. Of course, the CSL is much easier to drive too.
But reliability is not a 'flaw' from an ownership proposition. Lack of reliability is a PITA and can sour even the most wonderful of drives. The CSL was a brilliant piece of engineering to show what BMW could do at the time, but it does not have the depth of engineering or resolve that the GT3 has benefitted from over time.
Don't forget that the GT3's GT1-based engine was evolved through winning FIA-level motorsport since the 964, 993, up until the basic engine+turbos won Le Mans in 1996 and then Porsche's last outright win in 1998, coming 1st and 2nd. Then the following year it became the 6GT3, GT1 engine minus turbos. That evolved history of engineering is why the GT3 generally has bulletproof reliability, whereas the CSL is questionable in areas (woefully underbraked, oil coolers required etc). Take nothing away, however, the CSL is a brilliant car and one I do not regret having had the ownership experience of.
At current prices, the CSL is justifiably £10-12k cheaper than an equivalent 996 GT3. The CSL's highly strung engine and drivetrain are true to the original ethos of the M-division, perhaps BMW's purest form since and ever (especially with the new turbo'd 'M' engines...).
Edited by BladeAde on Saturday 16th January 12:17
Rags said:
CPU - interesting you are complaining about the M3 economy!?
The E92 was *awful* on the economy side. On a long run, it'd scrape up to maybe 19/20mpg. It averaged 15.8mpgCSL would average 22-24mpg, hitting 30mpg on a long run.
My driving style hasn't really changed.
Maybe mine was a dud, but the novelty wore off after a few visits to the pumps.. and ~£1200 in fuel in 3 months (3500 miles) was beyond a joke.
Hence it went, and I've a 123d msport coupe on the way. The savings will pay for holidays, and perhaps some racing.
cpufreak said:
Rags said:
CPU - interesting you are complaining about the M3 economy!?
The E92 was *awful* on the economy side. On a long run, it'd scrape up to maybe 19/20mpg. It averaged 15.8mpgCSL would average 22-24mpg, hitting 30mpg on a long run.
My driving style hasn't really changed.
Maybe mine was a dud, but the novelty wore off after a few visits to the pumps.. and ~£1200 in fuel in 3 months (3500 miles) was beyond a joke.
Hence it went, and I've a 123d msport coupe on the way. The savings will pay for holidays, and perhaps some racing.
Miss my CSL big time! I found it perfect for me, but it was just a little too compromised for my missus and non-car loving friends. I was also very precious over it.
My stop gap is a Mini JCW at the moment, but as you may guess from my username, i'm an NSX fan so plan to buy our 3rd at the end of the year and do an NSX-R replica.
The CSL is hard to beat though, great fun, noise and currently rock solid residuals. I would certainly have another, but avoids a concours one and go for one that is ripe for some trackday abuse.
Also, i thought the SMG was great. Took a week or so to get used to but once you left foot brake, it irons out any issues with juddering and hill starts!
My stop gap is a Mini JCW at the moment, but as you may guess from my username, i'm an NSX fan so plan to buy our 3rd at the end of the year and do an NSX-R replica.
The CSL is hard to beat though, great fun, noise and currently rock solid residuals. I would certainly have another, but avoids a concours one and go for one that is ripe for some trackday abuse.
Also, i thought the SMG was great. Took a week or so to get used to but once you left foot brake, it irons out any issues with juddering and hill starts!
Edited by hondansx on Thursday 21st January 12:22
Mermaid said:
hondansx said:
Miss my CSL big time! I found it perfect for me, but it was just a little too compromised for my missus and non-car loving friends.
What do your non-car loving friends have to do with your choice of car?
Nothing to do with mine what I buy, she can please herself.
Dan S said:
Mermaid said:
hondansx said:
Miss my CSL big time! I found it perfect for me, but it was just a little too compromised for my missus and non-car loving friends.
What do your non-car loving friends have to do with your choice of car?Funny that a lot of people are saying the same reason as me for changing, the car just felt too special to abuse. Maybe not fragile but there was a definate lack of solidity from the car, certainly compared to gt3s etc.
Definately the one car I feel most proud of owning though,it'll be the car you see at a classic car show with your grandkids & say I used to have one of those!
Definately the one car I feel most proud of owning though,it'll be the car you see at a classic car show with your grandkids & say I used to have one of those!
Loved mine and miss it.
Had a Clio Trophy after that and an Exige track toy.
then a Porsche Cayman S with 340BHp+
Now a Noble 3R
all have plus and minus points, loads of great cars to try :-).
CSL is a machine though, bar the mpg, the RTAB issues and s
t front brakes.
Cayman S was perfect when tuned a very well sorted car with a tad more power, no issues.
NOble is just grin city fast and you can blow any thing away for a laugh.
Had a Clio Trophy after that and an Exige track toy.
then a Porsche Cayman S with 340BHp+
Now a Noble 3R
all have plus and minus points, loads of great cars to try :-).
CSL is a machine though, bar the mpg, the RTAB issues and s
t front brakes.Cayman S was perfect when tuned a very well sorted car with a tad more power, no issues.
NOble is just grin city fast and you can blow any thing away for a laugh.
I had a CSL for over 3 years and 36000 miles, brill car never missed a beat and I never had any warranty problems apart from the stone chips on the bumper. Moved onto a standard M3 and stripped it out and turned it into a Track road car, I dont know what its was but the CSL felt far more track focused and far more of a thrill to drive than the M3. Moving on to a Cayman S wanted a change after having a BMW for the last 8 years looking forward to early March
dontdobends said:
I had a CSL for over 3 years and 36000 miles, brill car never missed a beat and I never had any warranty problems apart from the stone chips on the bumper. Moved onto a standard M3 and stripped it out and turned it into a Track road car, I dont know what its was but the CSL felt far more track focused and far more of a thrill to drive than the M3. Moving on to a Cayman S wanted a change after having a BMW for the last 8 years looking forward to early March
Would be interesting to hear your comparison of the Cayman S vs the CSL. Obviously the Porsche is Porsche and has certain qualities the BMW doesn't but he CSL is such an epic car and track legend that it is not easy to beat.Gassing Station | CSL | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff