M3 CSL and other vehicles
Discussion
The acquisition of a new family wagon prompted me to start a thread in here.
I've had the CSL for three and a half years now, and it's been an absolute blast. It's enormous fun to drive, and yet hugely practical, with a decent boot and space for the whole family when required.
I don't use it every day as I normally go to work on my bike, but any drive still feels like an occasion, especially when the induction roar comes in at 7000+. I've done about 5000 miles a year in it, including the CSL Register trip to Munich back in May that was covered on PH.
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2783...
That was a 2000 mile trip, the car ran perfectly, and was amazingly comfortable on smooth European roads, the kids were in the back for hours and didn't complain once.
It's not been that cheap to run, needing a few normal E46 issues sorting in the first few months, but I could sell it at the moment for around the price I paid, which is good news.
Then there's the 5GT... definitely a vehicle that divides opinion. Or more realistically, almost everyone hates
We just bought this to replace the Mrs' E61 525d Touring. We were also considering an F11 Touring, but they're still really expensive used, almost all 2 litre diesels, and then I realised you can get a similar age GT for pretty much the same money. So this is a 530d with Dynamic Pack (which gives 20" wheels, sports seats etc), Pro Nav and one or two other bits and pieces. It's a massive step up in quality from the 5 series, as it's based on the 7 series platform, with lots of standard kit like reclining rear seats, 4 zone climate control, panoramic roof. It's a big heavy thing though, with a higher CofG, so doesn't handle quite as well as the normal 5er. Not that it matters as it'll rarely be seeing a B road. So far we're loving it. First longish motorway trip tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to a waft-tastic journey.
Cars by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Cars by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Cars by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Me at the Ring by tw_tvam, on Flickr
I've had the CSL for three and a half years now, and it's been an absolute blast. It's enormous fun to drive, and yet hugely practical, with a decent boot and space for the whole family when required.
I don't use it every day as I normally go to work on my bike, but any drive still feels like an occasion, especially when the induction roar comes in at 7000+. I've done about 5000 miles a year in it, including the CSL Register trip to Munich back in May that was covered on PH.
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2783...
That was a 2000 mile trip, the car ran perfectly, and was amazingly comfortable on smooth European roads, the kids were in the back for hours and didn't complain once.
It's not been that cheap to run, needing a few normal E46 issues sorting in the first few months, but I could sell it at the moment for around the price I paid, which is good news.
Then there's the 5GT... definitely a vehicle that divides opinion. Or more realistically, almost everyone hates
We just bought this to replace the Mrs' E61 525d Touring. We were also considering an F11 Touring, but they're still really expensive used, almost all 2 litre diesels, and then I realised you can get a similar age GT for pretty much the same money. So this is a 530d with Dynamic Pack (which gives 20" wheels, sports seats etc), Pro Nav and one or two other bits and pieces. It's a massive step up in quality from the 5 series, as it's based on the 7 series platform, with lots of standard kit like reclining rear seats, 4 zone climate control, panoramic roof. It's a big heavy thing though, with a higher CofG, so doesn't handle quite as well as the normal 5er. Not that it matters as it'll rarely be seeing a B road. So far we're loving it. First longish motorway trip tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to a waft-tastic journey.Cars by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Cars by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Cars by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Me at the Ring by tw_tvam, on Flickr
melvster said:
The CSL 
not much more to say to be honest, such a sexy car. BMW absolutely nailed it with that car.
The way their design has been going over the last ten years I cant see that car ever being bettered for looks, I think it looks better than all previous as well, including Batmobiles and the like. not much more to say to be honest, such a sexy car. BMW absolutely nailed it with that car. outnumbered said:
jcremonini said:
That's my old CSL. God I miss it. Nice to see it is , clearly, well looked after.
Hi James, nice to see you pop up here. Not selling ! Drove to work in it today, it's going well.
Not just because it is so good, but also because the prices are only ever going one wayAnother fleet update (new bike), and having washed the car today prompted me do a quick update.
The CSL has done quite a lot less mileage since the 10 year Munich anniversary trip in 2013 - probably a couple of thousand a year since. It's still my daily driver when I can't use the bike, but given the allegedly increasing value and age of the car, it's starting to feel a bit daft to be using it that way. At least it hasn't needed much spending on it recently, just an Inspection service last year.
My V12 Vantage-owning neighbour saw me taking the pics today and asked if I was selling it, as he'd like first dibs if I was. I had to disappoint him, as it's a keeper
Anyway, I'm now on the lookout for a cheap-ish shed to use as a daily, so I can put the CSL on a low mileage classic policy, and keep it off the road in the winter.
DPP_4782 by tw_tvam, on Flickr
Along with a few others the Silverstone SS earlier this month:
Pistonheads SS Silverstone Oct 2015 by tw_tvam, on Flickr
The CSL has done quite a lot less mileage since the 10 year Munich anniversary trip in 2013 - probably a couple of thousand a year since. It's still my daily driver when I can't use the bike, but given the allegedly increasing value and age of the car, it's starting to feel a bit daft to be using it that way. At least it hasn't needed much spending on it recently, just an Inspection service last year.
My V12 Vantage-owning neighbour saw me taking the pics today and asked if I was selling it, as he'd like first dibs if I was. I had to disappoint him, as it's a keeper
Anyway, I'm now on the lookout for a cheap-ish shed to use as a daily, so I can put the CSL on a low mileage classic policy, and keep it off the road in the winter.
DPP_4782 by tw_tvam, on FlickrAlong with a few others the Silverstone SS earlier this month:
Pistonheads SS Silverstone Oct 2015 by tw_tvam, on FlickrI am thinking about something like a 5 series touring to sit alongside my 911 for family duties but you have got me wondering about the GT now. How does the boot size compare to the touring, I am sure 4 suitcases would fit in a touring, but would they fit in a GT?
The prices of used 7series are surprisingly comparable the 5series, did you consider the full size 7 ?
The prices of used 7series are surprisingly comparable the 5series, did you consider the full size 7 ?
jkh112 said:
I am thinking about something like a 5 series touring to sit alongside my 911 for family duties but you have got me wondering about the GT now. How does the boot size compare to the touring, I am sure 4 suitcases would fit in a touring, but would they fit in a GT?
The prices of used 7series are surprisingly comparable the 5series, did you consider the full size 7 ?
The GT boot is a fair bit smaller than the Touring when it's in "saloon mode". It can be expanded more in "hatchback mode" by flipping forward the panel between the interior and the boot, and pushing the back seats forward, which gives quite a bit more space. Even like this, it's not as big as the Touring. I'm not sure you'd get 4 large suitcases in, but we've never had any problem fitting in necessary stuff for a family holiday.The prices of used 7series are surprisingly comparable the 5series, did you consider the full size 7 ?
The Touring is probably the better car TBH, but my Mrs liked the semi-elevated driving position in the GT, and the GT interior is a bit nicer-feeling than the standard Touring, so it's not all bad. E.g., reclining rear seats, 4 zone climate. When we bought it, used Tourings were stupidly expensive, and the GT was a bargain by comparison, so that was another factor.
We didn't look at the 7, the GT is quite unwieldy enough !
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