csl needed? track performance?

[gavinp]

Hi

I was strongly considering a CSL to replace my Exige. I need 4 seats but still need to be able to let off steam at the track. Maybe once a month.

I would appreciate some honest appraisals of on track performance. Speed, chuckability, steering feedback - anything welcome. I was at Bedford today and the one their looked very tidy.

Also, have there been problems with the SMG gearbox?

Thanks

G

[m12_nathan]

Been impressed with mine on track.

www.bm3w.co.uk is the place to ask, loads of CSL owners on there.

Cheers

[doctorD]

Gavin, I used to own a Series 1 Exige and drove a few Series 2s recently. There are two things a CSL needs to be fully enjoyable on track, brakes (either a pad upgrade to Pagid Rs-19s, or the full AP 6-pot upgrade), set-up the Camber must be increased from the standard -0.5 to as close to -2 degrees on the front. With these two changes it can lap your favourite track all day and bring a great big grin to your face. I personally rate the CSLs steering feel higher than the Exige (with the camber set properly), it is millimetre precise and really accurate to place in a corner. At full track speeds there is more understeer than you'd be used to in your Exige, but that's perhaps the only limiting factor. It is possible to fit wider tyres on the front, but only with adjustable top mounts that allow a -3 degree camber set-up. The CSL turns in very nicely and unlike the Exige you can exploit its balance by playing around with oversteer on entry and exit (if you wish). It doesn't feel as light as the Exige (obviously) but the chassis is more stable IMO and can be driven equally as hard. Wear and tear is more, particularly on tyres and brakes, but then you'd expect that with a heavier car. It sounds just as loud (if not louder) and is equally game when it comes to going around roundabouts sideways. I would highly recommend it if you need 4-seats but want to keep the feel of the Exige. In fact, there isn't any other car out there that qualifies so well.

There are no problems with the SMG gearbox apart from an issue some of us have had with the clutch pressure plate not adjusting for wear (and therefore providing some slip on change-ups), most owners have had a new clutch or flywheel replaced under warranty. I've owned 3 M3s/CSLs with SMG gearboxes and not had a problem with any of them, it's just a hyrdaulic actuator operating on a standard manual gearbox so it's a 'fairly' simple device.

>> Edited by doctorD on Saturday 17th December 20:07

[gavinp]

bought one this afternoon!

[doctorD]

Wow, that was decisive. Well done!

[gavinp]

Test drove one this afternoon down country lanes. Feels so light for a 3 series! I just had a ball and surely the fastest I have ever driven down country lanes - much faster than the Exige. And that was with the dealer sitting next to me!

Can't wait to start upgrading bits on it.

Only prob is a chip out of the leading edge of the roof. Dealer says he can fix. We'll see.

g

[hunttheshunt]

Put it in sport.... and I defy anyone to get out of one without grinning from ear to ear, signing the cheque.......and a few more points on the licence!!!

[Zod]

A bit cold at the moment (more power though), but country lane + sport button + open windows + exit from bend = aural exstacy.

[m12_nathan]

AP brakes and geo setup to DoctorD's settings are a must!

Congrats.

[doctorD]

Just to tempt you further, replace the kats with 100 cell race items and the sound it makes is even more amazing, but still entirely subdued if you choose to cruise. Never before has the expression "..pressing the 'loud' pedal.." been so accurate

[gavinp]

I have read a little about the "m" button but have to say I didn't spot this on the test drive (although wasn't paying much attention). Do they all have it?

g

[m12_nathan]

The do but it doesn't say M - M Track is turned on using the I/O button on the steering wheel.

[gavinp]

that's the little button I can see in other photos but don't remember seeing yesterday. I presume if it has an alcantara wheel (which it has) there is a pretty high chance that button is there!

[m12_nathan]

it'll be there for sure, unless it isn't a csl

[gavinp]

Got it!

WOW...

Best bit was cruising along the M25, then just after the other 3 series has cruised past you thinking oh just another 3 series....

Grinning all the way home.

So, how do I wire my ipod in to my Business Radio?

g

[m12_nathan]

Dension do a kit for about £100 that displays the tracknames on the radio disply.

[gavinp]

is there a thread showing how you wire it in to a CSL? cheers

g

[m12_nathan]

I believe there is a thread on bm3w.co.uk with instructions on how to do it, it plugs in to the multichanger socket and replicates a cd changer. I think you end up removing the trim above the glovebox to get the radio out but am not sure.