e46: M3 CSL vs a modified M3
Discussion
Hey guys so an M3 CSL has been on the bucket list for some time now. But the prices have as good as doubled from when I was originally looking and it's thrown up a dilemma with 3 options.
I can afford a CSL - but for the price I wonder if there are other bucketlist cars that I'd potentially enjoy more for the money. ( I Could buy a nobel m12 AND a base M3 and have change. or an Exige and a ropey m3, or a gallardo with a little left to strip it out and modify)
I'd like to drive the thing too, residuals will be strong but I think that would always be muttering in the back of my mind unless I truly and utterly loved it and decided it's a forever car etc..
The middle ground seems to be an M3 CS - which comes in at a third of the price. Missing a few refinements eg the carbon roof, but has the CSL steering rack, rear brakes, ZCP logic and the later m3s share things such as the headers with the csl so might be a '85% there' approach
And the other end of the spectrum, buying as cheap a solid m3 as possible (e46 or e92), and having a budget to modify it into something special, strip out as much weight, change the roll bars and springs, steering rack if I Can source one, intake and the usuals.. OK the m54 will always be that extra %, I wonder how much I'll notice by the time I've modified it
I guess the question is has anyone experienced both a CSL And a modified M3 and can share a perspective? I don't need a car to be soft and daily drivable, the more hardcore the better, Does a csl feel as special as it should, and is it one of those things where you can build a car that's just as enjoyable for far less?
I can afford a CSL - but for the price I wonder if there are other bucketlist cars that I'd potentially enjoy more for the money. ( I Could buy a nobel m12 AND a base M3 and have change. or an Exige and a ropey m3, or a gallardo with a little left to strip it out and modify)
I'd like to drive the thing too, residuals will be strong but I think that would always be muttering in the back of my mind unless I truly and utterly loved it and decided it's a forever car etc..
The middle ground seems to be an M3 CS - which comes in at a third of the price. Missing a few refinements eg the carbon roof, but has the CSL steering rack, rear brakes, ZCP logic and the later m3s share things such as the headers with the csl so might be a '85% there' approach
And the other end of the spectrum, buying as cheap a solid m3 as possible (e46 or e92), and having a budget to modify it into something special, strip out as much weight, change the roll bars and springs, steering rack if I Can source one, intake and the usuals.. OK the m54 will always be that extra %, I wonder how much I'll notice by the time I've modified it
I guess the question is has anyone experienced both a CSL And a modified M3 and can share a perspective? I don't need a car to be soft and daily drivable, the more hardcore the better, Does a csl feel as special as it should, and is it one of those things where you can build a car that's just as enjoyable for far less?
Hmm.
A modded M3 will never feel as special as a CSL, because it's not a CSL. Part of the CSL experience is sitting in the buckets with the carbon door cards etc etc. Any you'll always know in your head that this is the case.
But... What I found. As much as I loved my CSL............. It wasn't a 997 GT3. And at today's prices that is where I would put my money. I bought my shabby CSL for £22k. Drove it hard whilst retuning it to near mint condition (Reddish refurb etc etc). Sold it for £35K. That price felt about right for the car that it was. But today at £60/70/80K, no way. They are just not that good.
A modded M3 will never feel as special as a CSL, because it's not a CSL. Part of the CSL experience is sitting in the buckets with the carbon door cards etc etc. Any you'll always know in your head that this is the case.
But... What I found. As much as I loved my CSL............. It wasn't a 997 GT3. And at today's prices that is where I would put my money. I bought my shabby CSL for £22k. Drove it hard whilst retuning it to near mint condition (Reddish refurb etc etc). Sold it for £35K. That price felt about right for the car that it was. But today at £60/70/80K, no way. They are just not that good.
GregorFuk said:
Hmm.
A modded M3 will never feel as special as a CSL, because it's not a CSL. Part of the CSL experience is sitting in the buckets with the carbon door cards etc etc. Any you'll always know in your head that this is the case.
But... What I found. As much as I loved my CSL............. It wasn't a 997 GT3. And at today's prices that is where I would put my money. I bought my shabby CSL for £22k. Drove it hard whilst retuning it to near mint condition (Reddish refurb etc etc). Sold it for £35K. That price felt about right for the car that it was. But today at £60/70/80K, no way. They are just not that good.
Fancy meeting you here!A modded M3 will never feel as special as a CSL, because it's not a CSL. Part of the CSL experience is sitting in the buckets with the carbon door cards etc etc. Any you'll always know in your head that this is the case.
But... What I found. As much as I loved my CSL............. It wasn't a 997 GT3. And at today's prices that is where I would put my money. I bought my shabby CSL for £22k. Drove it hard whilst retuning it to near mint condition (Reddish refurb etc etc). Sold it for £35K. That price felt about right for the car that it was. But today at £60/70/80K, no way. They are just not that good.
Jonstar said:
I don't even think they were rated that well at launch, not sure why they are so expensive other than being a limited edition BMW. If you actually want to drive get an M3 and modify it. Then get a boxster Spyder or other 2 seater sports car for the rest.
Supported. I went to a 987 Spyder after the CSL. A much better car for driving if a tad impractical. 
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