csl needed? track performance?
Discussion
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
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
Been impressed with mine on track.
www.bm3w.co.uk is the place to ask, loads of CSL owners on there.
Cheers
www.bm3w.co.uk is the place to ask, loads of CSL owners on there.
Cheers
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
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
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
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
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