Tuesday 10th June 2003

M3 CSL

The M3 is no longer the must-have BMW. Say hello to the 360bhp M3 CSL

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A lighter, more powerful version of the legendary BMW M3 is ready for the UK. First unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March, the new M3 CSL is quicker and more responsive than the M3.

A limited run will be built in Munich between June and December this year. Five hundred are destined for the UK and dealer order books are already full. First deliveries of the car, which is priced at £58,455 on-the-road, will begin in August.

CSL stands for Coupe, Sport, Lightweight and it's a slightly stripped out version of the more luxurious M3. Engineers at BMW’s M division succeeded in stripping 110 kg from the M3.

Like all BM's, the top speed of the CSL is limited to 155mph. In a gimmicky manouvre though, BMW have agreed that they'll remove the limiter for holders of a racing licence.

Changes are more thorough than just ripping out weighty items though. A range of power and handling improvements have been included and now BMW claim the car will break the eight minute lap time at the famous North circuit of the Nurburgring.

Weight savings have been made through use of carbon fibre reinforced plastics, lightweight aluminium and glass fibre. Power is up from an already useful 343bhp to a tantalising 360bhp and 7900rpm. Changes include:

- Thinner exhaust walls
- Larger air intake opening and carbon fibre air collector
- Camshafts with longer valve opening periods
- Air intake and volume calculated according to F1 principles
- Optimised exhaust valves
- Modified exhaust emission manifold

Power is transmitted through the paddle shifting, six speed SMG gearbox. The chassis has been modified too with a wider front track and modified suspension geometry, including bespoke springs and dampers. The steering has been tighted too. 19 inch wheels come as standard.

[m-five]

500 to come to the UK - I thought this was supposed to be a rare, limited edition model.

Wouldn't mind one though!

Do you think BMW will take my 'ultra-rare' e34 M5 as a swap?

[pdV6]

Ted said:
CSL stands for Coupe, Sport, Lightweight

[pedant]
I thought it was 'ClubSport' Lightweight?
[/pedant]

[Terminator]

This site says Ted is correct

www.bm3w.co.uk/gallery/press/csl/index.htm

[clubsport]

There were CSL Bmw in the early '70s....Porsche first used Clubsport in 1987 for stripped out lighter versions of standard cars..When BMW use the term Clubsport,they put extra equipment on the cars over standard spec to make them heavier...Pure marketing attempt...

[Bodo]

This is the original CSL, called 'Batmobile', which is indeed a Coupe/Sport/Leicht, a derivate of the roadcar 3.0 CS

[iguana]

clubsport said:

Porsche first used Clubsport in 1987

Clubsport you poor thing, you must feel violated

[lucozade]

£58K is a lot to spend instead of the standard M3 unless you really are going to use it for the track.

Just look at the picture, it doesn't even have fog lights for the money!

Still, it does look good.

[Donut]

lucozade said: £58K is a lot to spend instead of the standard M3 unless you really are going to use it for the track.

Just look at the picture, it doesn't even have fog lights for the money!

Still, it does look good.

I sujest that you take a look at the full spec of the CSL and you will see that it is worth every penny!

[castex]

I love to see cars jump. What a beauty!

[david_f]

Hasnt it got just 2 seats?

To be honest id never get one being a current M3 owner theyre great cars but i wouldnt get one for the track, id do it properly and get a Caterham or the like.

[Peritas]

It comes with 4 seats and rear seat belts
Beats me why you would want to sit in the rear though

[simonrockman]

I had a 'nornal' M3 for a couple of days from the Classic Car Club. It was my third choice after a 3000 GTO and a 996. I was stunned at how good the M3 was. I'm really looking forward to takeing on the MZ3 Coupe.