Evo 340 or BMW M3 CSL
Discussion
I posted a question on the BMW forum as to which car you would choose from these two and thought it fair to see what people here would buy and why.
Two cars on a dealer's forecourt in London last week.
A 2003 (53) BMW M3 CSL, 2003 for £36K and a Lancer Evo 340, 2005 (55) for £29K.
For a balanced view, which should my friend have bought, in your opinion?
Thanks.
Two cars on a dealer's forecourt in London last week.
A 2003 (53) BMW M3 CSL, 2003 for £36K and a Lancer Evo 340, 2005 (55) for £29K.
For a balanced view, which should my friend have bought, in your opinion?
Thanks.
The BMW is likely to feel much more 'special' and be more a pure drivers car (being rwd etc), on-road performance probably not that different all up, evo will be better on bumpy/slippy/twisty stuff while the CSL may prefer smoother roads (no direct experience though, just based on what I've heard). If you plan to do trackdays with it the CSL could be more rewarding there I guess, but I get the impression that brakes may need upgrading for track work with either car.
The CSL is only available with SMG, so whether you prefer sequential or regular manual may be worth considering too.
Thats still a 7k difference in price though which isn't to be sneezed at either, the Evo with 7k of upgrades would be quite a weapon...
The CSL is only available with SMG, so whether you prefer sequential or regular manual may be worth considering too.
Thats still a 7k difference in price though which isn't to be sneezed at either, the Evo with 7k of upgrades would be quite a weapon...
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 23 June 09:05
They're both magnificent, focused cars.
I've been a passenger in a Evo VI on country roads (tuned to about 375bhp) and it was astonsihingly quick. Minimal turbo lag, ferocious acceleration and amazing grip. A truly exhilarating car, that really does live up to the hype. On the downside, I think for everyday use, things would be a little different - turbocharged cars can be hard work and less fun when driving at normal speeds with the 'masses'. They can be noisy as they drone on long motorway trips and part thottle driving just on the boost threshold can be annoying.
Even though I haven't driven one, an M3 CSL is one of a handful of cars I'd love to own one day. I think it's BMWs finest effort. If I had to choose between the two it would be a CSL. They're awesome - naturally aspirated so sharp throttle response, as quick round a track as a Porsche GT3 (another car I'd love to sample one day) and special too. Even though it would probably be a tad too harsh for everyday driving, I would have one in a shot. Actually, I remember when Clarkson test drove one on the Isle of Man - he was blown away by it. It actually brought out a serious review from him. I seem to remember him saying that it was 20% better than he thought it was going to be - BMW at it's best and a car perfect for the fast roads on the Isle of Man. That's saying something coming from Clarkson
I've been a passenger in a Evo VI on country roads (tuned to about 375bhp) and it was astonsihingly quick. Minimal turbo lag, ferocious acceleration and amazing grip. A truly exhilarating car, that really does live up to the hype. On the downside, I think for everyday use, things would be a little different - turbocharged cars can be hard work and less fun when driving at normal speeds with the 'masses'. They can be noisy as they drone on long motorway trips and part thottle driving just on the boost threshold can be annoying.
Even though I haven't driven one, an M3 CSL is one of a handful of cars I'd love to own one day. I think it's BMWs finest effort. If I had to choose between the two it would be a CSL. They're awesome - naturally aspirated so sharp throttle response, as quick round a track as a Porsche GT3 (another car I'd love to sample one day) and special too. Even though it would probably be a tad too harsh for everyday driving, I would have one in a shot. Actually, I remember when Clarkson test drove one on the Isle of Man - he was blown away by it. It actually brought out a serious review from him. I seem to remember him saying that it was 20% better than he thought it was going to be - BMW at it's best and a car perfect for the fast roads on the Isle of Man. That's saying something coming from Clarkson
They're 2 completely different cars IMO. That cant really be compared without more details.
One is a stripped out, race spec'd version of an astonoishing road car, and the other is a road version of an astonioshing rally car.
If its everday comfort etc he's after, then it would be the Evo, as IIRC the CSL doesn't even have a radio or electric windows.
But if he wants to stand out from the crowd and show that all he wants is a car that puts a smile on his face, then it would be the CSL.
If it were me, I'd go with the CSL, because Evo's are everywhere in various states of tune, and I also love the CSL
One is a stripped out, race spec'd version of an astonoishing road car, and the other is a road version of an astonioshing rally car.
If its everday comfort etc he's after, then it would be the Evo, as IIRC the CSL doesn't even have a radio or electric windows.
But if he wants to stand out from the crowd and show that all he wants is a car that puts a smile on his face, then it would be the CSL.
If it were me, I'd go with the CSL, because Evo's are everywhere in various states of tune, and I also love the CSL
i had the opportunity to spend a weekend with an IX FQ340 recently and it was astonishingly quick, but maybe you would get annoyed in everyday situations with it when you cant plant it, as it only comes alive at speed, servicing of them is very regular and jap bits arent cheap.
The CSL is sublime, fast focused but still fun to be had pootling around, especially in the wet! i think servicing would break even between the two models.
Id go CSL although id miss the button that says Tarmac/Gravel/Snow!!! but then it does have a carbon roof!
The CSL is sublime, fast focused but still fun to be had pootling around, especially in the wet! i think servicing would break even between the two models.
Id go CSL although id miss the button that says Tarmac/Gravel/Snow!!! but then it does have a carbon roof!
CSL out of those two easily. I'd say the CSL will end up retaining it's value much better as well, it dropped a lot initially but seem to be holding steady now as it's potential becomes more appreciated.
If it was an NSX-R it was compared to though, now that would be a real head scratcher
If it was an NSX-R it was compared to though, now that would be a real head scratcher
Gazboy said:
MrFlibbles said:
richycsl said:
That isn't a nsx type-r.
Correct - Its a normal NSX in "type r white" which is a beat of cheat
Damn. Trying to find a fliplight NSX-R for sale is very, very difficult. I'd imagine most/all are in Japan.
I thought all the NSX-R's were fixed light?
Oh, and i've have the CSL.. sorry
turbo-tastic said:
r988 said:
If it was an NSX-R it was compared to though, now that would be a real head scratcher
Like this one
That interior certainly isn't based on a 3 series BM or a 4door saloon.
Anyone know who bought that car? It sat around for an awful long time. Made me think there must've been something iffy about it.
ETA. To answer the original question; M3 CSL.
Edited by ferrisbueller on Tuesday 11th July 02:00
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