BMW e46 M3 CSL: driving test and video

Posted on 08-08-2015 to 18:00 by CasperH – 114 Comments”

By many is the BMW e46 M3 Coupe Sport Leichtbau seen as the best rijdersauto. But because there are only a limited number of M3 CSL’s from the factory is rolled, it is now a real verzamelstuk become. We went with them away to find out if the M3 CSL is really so magical.

Let us to begin a misverstandje out of the way: the BMW e46 M3 CSL was not the first M3 CSL. There was even a lightweight e36 M3, on some markets, CSL was called. There are only a piece or 120 delivered and lovers is a highly sought-after variant. Fortunately for lovers of the CSL-label there are more (about 1400) e46 M3 CSL’s built in the second half of 2003 and with which variant we go today on the road.

The standard e46 M3 had 343 hp, but the CSL has 17 hp more. 360 pieces. That is not a world of difference, but the difference was also achieved with the “L” in CSL: Leichtbau. It began with the removal of insulation materials, navigation, air conditioning and radio. The last two could not be mounted otherwise and that was by a lot of customers also done. In addition to these modifications were the electric chairs replaced by simpler instances without electronics. There was also some weight savings with a thinner rear window and a number of body components made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). The roof is also replaced by a carbon fiber copy.

The base is substantially adjusted and also the system is optimized compared to the regular M3. The brakes are also companion for the mature, for extra stopping power. There were also special 19-inch BBS wheels with semi-slicks for the CSL, but if desired you could also use the standard M3 rims and tires get a little better suited for regular use. Finally, there was a special M Track mode for the DSC, allowing you to get closer to the limits of the available grip can come in before the electronics intervene.

Motor seen thus, there was the 360 horsepower 3.2 six in line. That block was also good for a torque of 370 Nm, 5 Nm more than the standard e46 M3. The capital gain was earned by a larger air intake with carbon fiber manifold, other camshafts and a custom uitlaattraject to assemble. A SMG II with switching points that are not longer than 0.08 seconds in the most aggressive mode, provided for the transfer of the power to the rear wheels. Switch could with flippers behind the steering wheel, or with the poker. Also, it was with the CSL possible to get Launch Control to use. The limiter at 250 km per hour, the factory must be removed. The story goes that this could only if there is a valid racelicentie shown could be with the purchase, but if you have enough money. to Munich, it was probably not a problem at all.

Thanks to the custom bodykit would, according to BMW’s 50% more downforce is present at higher speeds. Most recognizable is the tailgate which with the CSL an integrated spoiler for more downforce. In the interior there is also a lot changed, mainly by a lot of carbon to use in place of the standard materials. The most eye-catching are the alcantara-clad steering wheel and the sportkuipen.

All of these changes make sure that you are in 4,9 seconds to the hundred can sprint. The CSL is a rather brilliant car, it turned out years later, when BMW came out with the spiritual successor of the CSL: the BMW E92 M3 GTS. This orange monster (we drove there recently) was only two seconds faster on the Nürburgring, 7:48 for the GTS compared to 7:50 for the CSL.

The tray is adjustable in different levels of aggressiveness, but even the most soft is not quite relax as you quietly want to drive. We have been greatly spoiled by machines with duplicate links, but this tank is a little less subtle: switching points are going pretty rough. Actually like the best to fry in its most sporty mode and then the gas lifts on the moment of switching. Just like you have with a manual gearbox would do, say. That in itself is not illogical, the SMG 2 box that this CSL is basically a robotized manual gearbox. Incidentally, catch I myself I prefer the pookje use the flippers behind the steering wheel. Now I’m anyway more a lover of manual cars, but funny enough I grab also if we gepassioneerder driving towards the flippers, while that really is more obvious.

In comparison to the regular e46 M3 is the CSL a lot purer. All influences to come unfiltered to the cab, especially if you have more gas going. In particular, the engine to make its voice heard. The combination of the aanzuiggeluid for you and the shrieking exhaust behind you delivers time and time again with goose bumps. Guaranteed. This is the type of car that you are not quiet wíl drive. However, it may be, but you don’t want to. And at full speed the car is completely in his element. Where you at low speed sometimes a little heavy on the steering wheel will need to pull the chassis, what did you can feel, and the differential ensures that your wheels, sometimes a bit of scribbling, have you on speed no longer suffer from these inconveniences.

A bend dispatch is going to suddenly, with a nice weight in the steering, the nose sends tight to the inside of the bend and the rear wheels provide for a tank grip to give you a turn to stairs like few cars can. Even the clunky SMG 2 bak is suddenly all the way up to his right and gives you each opschakelmoment a staircase in the back where Bruce Lee its best for to do. What a terribly nice device, say.

The people who claim that the e46 M3 CSL be the best M3 of all M3’s ever, I think I they are equal. I want to be in kanttekenen that you of attacks. Are you looking for a car to also bring to your work commute, then you might be better off with a new flavour. For example, an e46 M3 with manual gearbox. Personally, I would however like to inconvenience dealing for that extra rush if you have more than 80%. Because the grin that the CSL in that range provides, there is one that you with battery acid not of your face burned.

The BMW M3 CSL is a piece of candy. This black copy (only silver and black could be delivered) from Gina Classics has of 37,000 kilometres on the clock and is equipped with a number of options, including the aforementioned air conditioning and stereo with cd player. There are ultimately 1383 pieces produced (excluding pre-production copies), of which 841 with the steering wheel on the left side, which ensures that the CSL is a real collector’s item. The prices of M3 CSL’s rise, therefore, enormous, in a year’s time, they almost doubled and they are still up. Annoying for the enthusiast, great for investors!

Gallery: BMW e46 M3 CSL

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