CSL from standard M3
Discussion
Hope you can help. I have owned and loved my 2004 E46 M3 SMG since 2007, now on 46K with inpection 2 in 4K, new tyres about the same, warranty due etc etc.
Time to review ownership options. E92 = too expensive, VW R32, too slow, Ford Focus RS too asbo. I only do about 7k per year, but more trips abroad of late, so GT potential is required. I take the family (wife an 11-year old son, and we go camping a bit (or intend to).
So can the CSL cope with luggage, as a GT, or does the lack of luxury fixtures mean passengers suffer. 6 hours on the road in the back of the M3 seems to be OK, would my boy HATE the CSL? Can the boot cope. Will I miss HK?
If I thought the super special CSL could be practical for family, I get one as my next car.....a bit dearer than another standard car, but I hope would be slower depreciating. I probably would not track it though (I might).
It CSL that or a CS I guess, while some young-ish ones are left. I think the E46M3 is the best car built for my demands/budget/life style. Based on crude insights above could I live with CSL?
Time to review ownership options. E92 = too expensive, VW R32, too slow, Ford Focus RS too asbo. I only do about 7k per year, but more trips abroad of late, so GT potential is required. I take the family (wife an 11-year old son, and we go camping a bit (or intend to).
So can the CSL cope with luggage, as a GT, or does the lack of luxury fixtures mean passengers suffer. 6 hours on the road in the back of the M3 seems to be OK, would my boy HATE the CSL? Can the boot cope. Will I miss HK?
If I thought the super special CSL could be practical for family, I get one as my next car.....a bit dearer than another standard car, but I hope would be slower depreciating. I probably would not track it though (I might).
It CSL that or a CS I guess, while some young-ish ones are left. I think the E46M3 is the best car built for my demands/budget/life style. Based on crude insights above could I live with CSL?
Davidonly said:
Hope you can help. I have owned and loved my 2004 E46 M3 SMG since 2007, now on 46K with inpection 2 in 4K, new tyres about the same, warranty due etc etc.
Time to review ownership options. E92 = too expensive, VW R32, too slow, Ford Focus RS too asbo. I only do about 7k per year, but more trips abroad of late, so GT potential is required. I take the family (wife an 11-year old son, and we go camping a bit (or intend to).
So can the CSL cope with luggage, as a GT, or does the lack of luxury fixtures mean passengers suffer. 6 hours on the road in the back of the M3 seems to be OK, would my boy HATE the CSL? Can the boot cope. Will I miss HK?
If I thought the super special CSL could be practical for family, I get one as my next car.....a bit dearer than another standard car, but I hope would be slower depreciating. I probably would not track it though (I might).
It CSL that or a CS I guess, while some young-ish ones are left. I think the E46M3 is the best car built for my demands/budget/life style. Based on crude insights above could I live with CSL?
Whilst I love the CSL, based on above criteria, I would probably go CSTime to review ownership options. E92 = too expensive, VW R32, too slow, Ford Focus RS too asbo. I only do about 7k per year, but more trips abroad of late, so GT potential is required. I take the family (wife an 11-year old son, and we go camping a bit (or intend to).
So can the CSL cope with luggage, as a GT, or does the lack of luxury fixtures mean passengers suffer. 6 hours on the road in the back of the M3 seems to be OK, would my boy HATE the CSL? Can the boot cope. Will I miss HK?
If I thought the super special CSL could be practical for family, I get one as my next car.....a bit dearer than another standard car, but I hope would be slower depreciating. I probably would not track it though (I might).
It CSL that or a CS I guess, while some young-ish ones are left. I think the E46M3 is the best car built for my demands/budget/life style. Based on crude insights above could I live with CSL?
Regarding the family/holiday side of things, we have loaded up the car to the brim no problem and gone on holiday. Have even slept in the car overnight!
The split folding rears seats create lots of room. The coupe has a bigger boot than the 4 door. I have 2 kids under 2 in the back which is sometimes a bit time consuming loading up, but if your son is 11 then there would be no problem. In fact, if he likes cars, he would love the csl and the noise it makes.
Comforts, well there aren't many but for the sake of a few holidays a year, I know what I would choose. It isn't uncomfortable, but it is a hard ride on bumpy roads, especially on cups.
The split folding rears seats create lots of room. The coupe has a bigger boot than the 4 door. I have 2 kids under 2 in the back which is sometimes a bit time consuming loading up, but if your son is 11 then there would be no problem. In fact, if he likes cars, he would love the csl and the noise it makes.
Comforts, well there aren't many but for the sake of a few holidays a year, I know what I would choose. It isn't uncomfortable, but it is a hard ride on bumpy roads, especially on cups.
Thanks to you all for the insight so far, very useful. My wife looked at some interior pics of the CSL and was a bit worried about the noise and 'race' look of the seats. In her view we should keep the normal car (she likes the heated seats for her back sometimes....I am torn tbh 
She also said its not worth spending more money on something so similar, lol. I guess she doesn't 'get' the CSL.
Mind you, not a bad choice to have to make really....I might go look at one as the clincher, have a seat in it and listen to the extra roar from the 360bhp lump.
I guess the 'must have' options on CSL are shorter: climate+xenons would be my guess? Can you even get HK sound in them? Never rated BMW SAT NAV either, so wouldn't miss that or a TV. Indeed I avoided those in my current car quite deliberately. Presume there is 12V available in the cabin for my snooper etc?
I guess at 30K mile care would be around £28k now?
Thanks again all!
She also said its not worth spending more money on something so similar, lol. I guess she doesn't 'get' the CSL.Mind you, not a bad choice to have to make really....I might go look at one as the clincher, have a seat in it and listen to the extra roar from the 360bhp lump.
I guess the 'must have' options on CSL are shorter: climate+xenons would be my guess? Can you even get HK sound in them? Never rated BMW SAT NAV either, so wouldn't miss that or a TV. Indeed I avoided those in my current car quite deliberately. Presume there is 12V available in the cabin for my snooper etc?
I guess at 30K mile care would be around £28k now?
Thanks again all!
Edited by Davidonly on Sunday 24th January 19:05
Regarding your options, yes Climate (particularly for Europe) and Xenons.
30K miler would go for about £28K yeah, I would think so anyway.
No HK in the CSL. That's adding more weight mate, lol And there is a 12V outlet in the same place as your M3. Some have Ashtrays, some don't Apparently! Mine was specced with a 'Smokers package' from new! Mental.
30K miler would go for about £28K yeah, I would think so anyway.
No HK in the CSL. That's adding more weight mate, lol And there is a 12V outlet in the same place as your M3. Some have Ashtrays, some don't Apparently! Mine was specced with a 'Smokers package' from new! Mental.
If you want pace & space why not get an M5?
Like so - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1480997.htm
4doors, huge boot & 507bhp.
Like so - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1480997.htm
4doors, huge boot & 507bhp.
You mention your wife's back. You do realise the front seats are fixed back so are bolt upright and do not recline. My wife had a big issue with this and the violent nature of how the CSL drives (no slack, very rigid). I loved it, my wife hated it. The CSL is a road and track toy not a family car!
BTW I loved it as my only car for a year!
BTW I loved it as my only car for a year!
The seats can be made to recline after a bit of tinkering with the mounting runners. You can also raise/lower the seat height too doing the same.
I have also taken my wife and baby to Germany several times and drove to Italy and back when she was still pregnant, so it's more practical and comfortable than you might imagine as a long distance tourer.
Stelvio Pass
Nappy change in the back!
I have also taken my wife and baby to Germany several times and drove to Italy and back when she was still pregnant, so it's more practical and comfortable than you might imagine as a long distance tourer.
Stelvio Pass
Nappy change in the back!
Edited by glendog74 on Tuesday 9th February 21:16
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