1M or M3 cs l for £50k?
Discussion
1m would get my vote. Brilliant daily, great for a sunday blast and with just enough mod cons DAB and heated seats.
Miss mine badly and only car I made money on. Just a bit tail snappy on the track due to the short wheel base and torque as a watch out if track days were on your agenda.
Miss mine badly and only car I made money on. Just a bit tail snappy on the track due to the short wheel base and torque as a watch out if track days were on your agenda.
The cars are completely different.
On balance, I would say that the 1M is a very good car and the CSL is a great car.
The CSL feels like it has been finessed whereas the 1M is a bit less developed, but this is also what gives it some of its character.
Only way to find out is to drive them yourself, but here are some notes I made:
Steering
- 1M steering is immediate partly due to the lack of roll across the front axle. In my experience, not much feel as you approach the limit. Steering is a little heavy, especially around town.
- CSL is light and not as direct around straight-ahead. But it weighs-up in a much nicer way as you push on and combined with the front roll communicates very clearly how much grip you have.
Balance
- Both have very similar point of balance around the driver, but the 1M is all about the nose of the car. To me the rear of the CSL seems to follow the front in a nicer way.
Suspension
- 1M is very stiff and has too little compliance, so you get jostled a bit more and it is hard to put the power down on an uneven surface. I would also say the rear rolls a bit too much across the axle too. Makes it more entertaining, but also frustrating at times. The CSL is much more compliant and weight is better controlled. Combined with the lower torque it does make for smoother progress.
Engine
- The torque in the N54 is impressive and it is a quick car. CSL counters with high-revving NA and fantastic induction noise.
Brakes
- 1M brakes are strong, but a bit grabby around town. Standard CSL brakes seem equally as good and for me have just the right amount of initial grab at all speeds.
Gearbox
- 1M manual box is okay - longish throw and quite light. SMG is SMG - I usually drive with the paddles anyway.
Throttle
- 1M has a bit of lag as expected (unless primed), but easy to balance the car on slight throttle through a corner. CSL throttle reacts quickly especially in sport mode.
Seats
- CSL seats are comfortable and you sit low. For me 1M seats sit higher and I have to sit at a slight angle on the seat to align myself with the pedals (clutch seems too far to the left).
On balance, I would say that the 1M is a very good car and the CSL is a great car.
The CSL feels like it has been finessed whereas the 1M is a bit less developed, but this is also what gives it some of its character.
Only way to find out is to drive them yourself, but here are some notes I made:
Steering
- 1M steering is immediate partly due to the lack of roll across the front axle. In my experience, not much feel as you approach the limit. Steering is a little heavy, especially around town.
- CSL is light and not as direct around straight-ahead. But it weighs-up in a much nicer way as you push on and combined with the front roll communicates very clearly how much grip you have.
Balance
- Both have very similar point of balance around the driver, but the 1M is all about the nose of the car. To me the rear of the CSL seems to follow the front in a nicer way.
Suspension
- 1M is very stiff and has too little compliance, so you get jostled a bit more and it is hard to put the power down on an uneven surface. I would also say the rear rolls a bit too much across the axle too. Makes it more entertaining, but also frustrating at times. The CSL is much more compliant and weight is better controlled. Combined with the lower torque it does make for smoother progress.
Engine
- The torque in the N54 is impressive and it is a quick car. CSL counters with high-revving NA and fantastic induction noise.
Brakes
- 1M brakes are strong, but a bit grabby around town. Standard CSL brakes seem equally as good and for me have just the right amount of initial grab at all speeds.
Gearbox
- 1M manual box is okay - longish throw and quite light. SMG is SMG - I usually drive with the paddles anyway.
Throttle
- 1M has a bit of lag as expected (unless primed), but easy to balance the car on slight throttle through a corner. CSL throttle reacts quickly especially in sport mode.
Seats
- CSL seats are comfortable and you sit low. For me 1M seats sit higher and I have to sit at a slight angle on the seat to align myself with the pedals (clutch seems too far to the left).
Was in the fortunate position to have to make the same decision myself earlier this year.
In the end, I went with the 1M on the basis of the below but, suffice to say, neither is a bad option!
- I could get a lower mileage, mint 1M vs a pretty leggy CSL for the same money
- I wanted a car I wouldn't worry about using - the 1M is that bit more modern and a bit less 'precious' than a CSL, meaning it would be more fun more of the time.
- I wanted a manual. My daily is dual-clutch so fun car had to be manual. There's a roaring trade in CSL manual conversions at the moment but it's an additional cost and potentially a bit sacrilegious.
- A 1M is faster
IMHO, a CSL is undoubtably more 'special' than a 1M. But that's a double-edged sword sometimes.
EDIT: Why not both?
In the end, I went with the 1M on the basis of the below but, suffice to say, neither is a bad option!
- I could get a lower mileage, mint 1M vs a pretty leggy CSL for the same money
- I wanted a car I wouldn't worry about using - the 1M is that bit more modern and a bit less 'precious' than a CSL, meaning it would be more fun more of the time.
- I wanted a manual. My daily is dual-clutch so fun car had to be manual. There's a roaring trade in CSL manual conversions at the moment but it's an additional cost and potentially a bit sacrilegious.
- A 1M is faster
IMHO, a CSL is undoubtably more 'special' than a 1M. But that's a double-edged sword sometimes.
EDIT: Why not both?
Edited by MDifficult on Tuesday 10th November 13:06
I'm torn between the 2, mainly undecided what gearbox I want. Other cars I have, have either manual or auto boxes so I'm not missing out either way.
I'm in a black E46 currently & like the idea of the upgrade to the ultimate E46.
As said above, I need to get out (after lockdown) and try a 1M and re-acquant myself with a CSL. I drove one about 10 years ago & wished I'd got it then.....
I'm in a black E46 currently & like the idea of the upgrade to the ultimate E46.
As said above, I need to get out (after lockdown) and try a 1M and re-acquant myself with a CSL. I drove one about 10 years ago & wished I'd got it then.....
Kettmark said:
Update: current 246th 330 ci sport now moved on so search has begun in earnest. Current daily now the 997.1 manual with occasional use of the Maserati gt auto.
What would be the best fit with these 2 out of the 1m and csl?
M2 competition manual for me - reminded me of a modern version E46 m3 csl.What would be the best fit with these 2 out of the 1m and csl?
Failing that the E46 m3 csl - it worth driving all three back to back if you can.
However the 997.1 manual is in a different league to the BMWs - I regret getting rid of my 997.2 and as much as I hate Porsches the handling, noise, running costs and general looks are hard to match.
I went Ariel Atom for my 3rd car to get my sensory overload (other similar luny British makes are available)
tjlees said:
Kettmark said:
Update: current 246th 330 ci sport now moved on so search has begun in earnest. Current daily now the 997.1 manual with occasional use of the Maserati gt auto.
What would be the best fit with these 2 out of the 1m and csl?
M2 competition manual for me - reminded me of a modern version E46 m3 csl.What would be the best fit with these 2 out of the 1m and csl?
Failing that the E46 m3 csl - it worth driving all three back to back if you can.
However the 997.1 manual is in a different league to the BMWs - I regret getting rid of my 997.2 and as much as I hate Porsches the handling, noise, running costs and general looks are hard to match.
I went Ariel Atom for my 3rd car to get my sensory overload (other similar luny British makes are available)
Significantly more 'special' than an M2 Comp and will be a much safer place for your money assuming occasional use.
Would only consider an M2 Comp as a daily over a 1M.
bencollins4 said:
Have you driven a 1M? I suggest having a go in one if you can before discounting it. Unusually there are a few in the BMW network at the moment so they may be best bet for a test drive once showrooms reopen.
Significantly more 'special' than an M2 Comp and will be a much safer place for your money assuming occasional use.
Would only consider an M2 Comp as a daily over a 1M.
Trouble with an m2 would be depreciation. You are right, I need to try a 1m. My brother thinks I should go for one of those over a csl.Significantly more 'special' than an M2 Comp and will be a much safer place for your money assuming occasional use.
Would only consider an M2 Comp as a daily over a 1M.
I might tire of a manual though after so many years in an e46 auto!
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