Buying my first CSL....??

[shepp80]

Hi,

I'm finally going to buy my first M3 CSL!

I want to buy a reasonably priced one, but the best for my money. My limit is around 24k or maybe 25k at a push.

Can anyone advise me of what to look out for when buying, any good tips. ie history, mileage, servicing etc.

i think for this money i will be looking at around 50 to 60 thousand on the clock?

Also are there good sign as whether it has been massively tracked?

How essential are A.P brakes? i will be doing some track work, The Ring, The Spa ,Donnington etc....

Would appreciate any advice and help.

Thank you!!

[thehos]

went to see a csl last w/e, dont think i could live with it, far to uncomfortable, quite clearly a track only car

Edited by thehos on Saturday 30th January 21:39

[Porscheplayer]

thehos said:

went to see a csl last w/e, dont think i could live with it, far to uncomfortable, quite clearly a track only car

Edited by thehos on Saturday 30th January 21:39

Thanks for the really useful post

[Yanto]

First, dont listen to thehos - talking bks and clearly has no idea what csl's are about....thehos, dont be such a gayer....

Secondly, go here and see my post when I started looking:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... hand CSL - What's realistic ?

Third, go here and get familiar with like minded enthusiats... http://www.cslregister.co.uk

A great site - we are all off to the ring and Spa for a giggle at the end of May.

Finally, regarding upgrades....brakes and exhaust are generally the priority (brakes are an acknowledged weak spot) . I am about to fit Pagid R29's pads which (I hope) shoud improve stopping significantly.

Finally, regarding budget, you should get a 40-60K miler depending how good your negotiating skills are.......

I have had mine for 8 months and I have NO REGRETS. This is a 360 BHP car that feels very special for less than half its original value at 6 yrs old. Its pretty much depreciation proof. Nearest rival is 996 GT3 at + £10K . Get one with a warranty if possible..

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:05

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:06

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:07

[thehos]

Yanto said:

First, dont listen to thehos - talking bks and clearly has no idea what csl's are about....thehos, dont be such a gayer....

Secondly, go here and see my post when I started looking:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... hand CSL - What's realistic ?

Third, go here and get familiar with like minded enthusiats... http://www.cslregister.co.uk

A great site - we are all off to the ring and Spa for a giggle at the end of May.

Finally, regarding upgrades....brakes and exhaust are generally the priority (brakes are an acknowledged weak spot) . I am about to fit Pagid R29's pads which (I hope) shoud improve stopping significantly.

Finally, regarding budget, you should get a 40-60K miler depending how good your negotiating skills are.......

I have had mine for 8 months and I have NO REGRETS. This is a 360 BHP car that feels very special for less than half its original value at 6 yrs old. Its pretty much depreciation proof. Nearest rival is 996 GT3 at + £10K . Get one with a warranty if possible..

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:05

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:06

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:07

pleasec tell me what they are about then if not built for the track!

[droop snoop]

They are an epic road car when driven well and can also be used every day as i do with mine. I think the balance is perfect between on road comfort and track ability which is the clever thing about them (a car that does both quite well). Then changes to the brakes and some mild suspension work can make them feel super special on track.
All IMHO.

[Yanto]

Thehos - you suggest they are track only in your first post. I suggest not. There is the explanation.

The OP is clearly excited about a car purchase and is seeking advice. As others suggest, I don't think your post is helpful in answering the original question.

Now, back on topic

[shepp80]

OK great! thanks for all the positive comments, i am fully aware that the CSL is a road/Track car, and realise that the ride is not going to be overly comfortable, but this is not my concern.

Thanks Yanto, your thread has been very helpful, i just cant wait to start looking around.

I've been told that a good indication of heavy track work is a very worn steering wheel, shiny and flat. is that this true??
I under stand that this is a track car but don't particularly want a heavy abused track car.

[Yanto]

shepp80 said:

OK great! thanks for all the positive comments, i am fully aware that the CSL is a road/Track car, and realise that the ride is not going to be overly comfortable, but this is not my concern.

Thanks Yanto, your thread has been very helpful, i just cant wait to start looking around.

I've been told that a good indication of heavy track work is a very worn steering wheel, shiny and flat. is that this true??
I under stand that this is a track car but don't particularly want a heavy abused track car.

You're welcome chap. To be honest, you are probably better off posting on cslregister for the info you need - gets more traffic than this forum and you'll get some very specific / detailed answers from those more knowledgeable than me !

Not sure about the steering wheel question - the alcantara doesnt generally wear very well. I know some owners have changed the wheel (I believe mine was changed twice) and in some cases, under warranty. Some firms do also offer a retrim service.

Am pretty sure they can take some stick so I wouldnt worry if the car has been on track a handful of times. Try to buy a known forum car if you can...the guys are generally enthusiasts and may have driven the car in a spirited way, but they will have been looked after and maintained accordingly. I bought mine off a well known Porsche enthusiast on here, but also contacted the previous owner who owned the car for a significant period of time.

Good luck in the search - thats half the fun !

[shepp80]

Brilliant, thanks again.

Ive just signed up to CSL register!

No doubt i will be speaking to Anthony at Simpsons to get the brakes and suspension sorted!!

[AA121]

droop snoop said:

They are an epic road car when driven well and can also be used every day as i do with mine. I think the balance is perfect between on road comfort and track ability which is the clever thing about them (a car that does both quite well). Then changes to the brakes and some mild suspension work can make them feel super special on track.
All IMHO.

Absolutely.....I drive mine everyday (about 9-10k a year). It has a decent boot, does around 27 mpg if sensible (!) and really doesn't cost any more to run than a regular M3 but has bags more character and kudos. Best BMW since the E30 M3 IMO (I had one of those too, about 15 years ago and, again, it was an everyday car) I wouldn't get too hung up about a warranty tbh...great if it comes with one but mechanically they aren't too different from a regular E46 M3...and I'm not sure many would insist on a BMW warranty if purchasing one of those??

[Sailorbaz]

I've had mine coming on 4 years and still not considering selling anytime soon. There isn't much out there that can do what it does aswell as it does. And that's after 150 mile trip today, coming through the Tyne Tunnel to complete my journey made my spine tingle, in a great way.

Good luck in the search and as Yanto as suggested, head over to www.cslregister.com

Regarding the Alcantara, the wheel in particular doesn't wear the best. I think mine is on its 3rd from new and it's only done 40K. At £800, they're not cheap but BMW have replaced mine twice under warranty but the last time I bought one of Ebay and fitted it myself. The seats should be fine though.

[CRB1]

I've driven 28000 miles in mine and not 1 of those was on track. So clearly it is only good for the track!!!!!!

I'm fortunate to have a few nice cars. Fortunate to be able to choose 'which one today'. The CSL, quite simply, puts the biggest smile on my face. AND it is the second best sounding car I've ever heard (Stradale beats it).

Go get one!

Chris.

[thehos]

Yanto said:

First, dont listen to thehos - talking bks and clearly has no idea what csl's are about....thehos, dont be such a gayer....

Secondly, go here and see my post when I started looking:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... hand CSL - What's realistic ?

Third, go here and get familiar with like minded enthusiats... http://www.cslregister.co.uk

A great site - we are all off to the ring and Spa for a giggle at the end of May.

Finally, regarding upgrades....brakes and exhaust are generally the priority (brakes are an acknowledged weak spot) . I am about to fit Pagid R29's pads which (I hope) shoud improve stopping significantly.

Finally, regarding budget, you should get a 40-60K miler depending how good your negotiating skills are.......

I have had mine for 8 months and I have NO REGRETS. This is a 360 BHP car that feels very special for less than half its original value at 6 yrs old. Its pretty much depreciation proof. Nearest rival is 996 GT3 at + £10K . Get one with a warranty if possible..

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:05

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:06

Edited by Yanto on Sunday 31st January 00:07

I find this reply a little offensive, the OP was merely asking advice on the possible purchase of a CSL and I was offering MY opinion on the car, and yes I do have an idea of what the CSL is about and in no way am I gay.

Again, to me the CSL would only be a track car, I found it awkward to get in and out, it would be ruined if the rear seats were used a lot, very mileage sensitive, ie price, as with all M3's.

CSL's are not for everyone

[Yanto]

Thehos - if offence caused, I'll take it back - only a bit of banter

[shim]

thehos said:

Again, to me the CSL would only be a track car, I found it awkward to get in and out, it would be ruined if the rear seats were used a lot, very mileage sensitive, ie price, as with all M3's.

CSL's are not for everyone

gawd you must be a real porker or all skin and bone as i even felt comfy in the CSL seats over a 6 hour non stop drive

Edited by shim on Monday 1st February 09:57

[thehos]

shim said:

thehos said:

Yanto said:

Again, to me the CSL would only be a track car, I found it awkward to get in and out, it would be ruined if the rear seats were used a lot, very mileage sensitive, ie price, as with all M3's.

CSL's are not for everyone

gawd you must be a real porker or all skin and bone as i even felt comfy in the CSL seats over a 6 hour non stop drive

I didnt say the seats were uncomfortable!

Porker? dont think so

Edited by thehos on Monday 1st February 07:55

[Yanto]

shim said:

thehos said:

Yanto said:

Again, to me the CSL would only be a track car, I found it awkward to get in and out, it would be ruined if the rear seats were used a lot, very mileage sensitive, ie price, as with all M3's.

CSL's are not for everyone

gawd you must be a real porker or all skin and bone as i even felt comfy in the CSL seats over a 6 hour non stop drive

hahaha - Shim, I never said that ! Whats happening with your quoting ??

Edited by Yanto on Monday 1st February 09:11

[Yanto]

eh...whats happened with mine ??

[shim]

Yanto said:

eh...whats happened with mine ??

mines all right!