M3 or M3 csl????

[shane@mbtech]

Few questions,

Im pondering on a standard m3 or go with the csl

Im wanting it 85% for track 15% road.

2 choices...........as follows

choice 1.... buy a csl put big brakes and suspension on it, 25k plus mods as estimate

choice 2.... buy a standard m3, strip it out, lighten it somewhat, big brakes, suspension, bucket seats etc etc, 12k plus mods minus sale of original seats, tv etc etc.

opinions welcomed


no matter what i do i cant shake the idea of an m3, keeps calling me.

[shimmy]

Im wanting it 85% for track 15% road.

if this is the real split it is not even a close call. find the money and get a CSL or you will for ever be wishing you had.

you wont buy an M3 and make it as quick as a CSL with the change and you wont make the same money back

plus the experience of a CSL foir 90% is one you remember for life

[englebert]

I would get an M3 if you are prepared to go for extreme modifications.

[NZ_M3]

you wont buy an M3 and make it as quick as a CSL with the change and you wont make the same money back

Sorry but I must respectfully disagree with your take on this.

I would say bang for buck get the M3 and strip it and mod it if it's going to be a track car 85% of the time. If you are just going to do the odd track day then the CSL would be a great all rounder.

But you CAN DEFINITELY mod a M3 and make it go MUCH QUICKER than a CSL ... EASILY!! No doubt about it.

If prices of M3s and CSL is anything like it is here in New Zealand then your initial outlay would be less than half of what it'll cost to buy a CSL - strip the interior and sell it you'll get even more back (not a lot, but enough to get you a bucket seat, harnesses and a few bits and pieces if you are lucky).

Tackle the suspension, brakes, exhaust system, buy the lightest 18s you can find and slap some semi slicks on it (Michelin cups if you can) and get proper geo done and then a chip and retune to bring it up to 360hp if you can, oh and strip the interior of all excess weight - I swear you will be quicker than a stock standard CSL. And if you want to beat a modified CSL, slap a supercharger on it - you'll run circles around it.

And at the end of the day I am of the opinion you'd have spend the same or less than buying a CSL - resale values aside, fun factor as a primary consideration.

[Jeff]

As per the above, the CSL is about those who want to get in and drive, lightweight. If you are happy to have a hacked up, cutdown toy then the M3 is the better way to go. You'll have so much spare change, but you won't have a CSL

If I was after a track toy that I'd cage etc, I'd probably sell the CSL and buy a normal M3 as well, gut it, cage it and then for the same money as a CSL I'd have a fully prepped track toy. (And that might still happen in the future )

[TANKSLAPPER]

This reminds me of the Porsche dilemma, you buy a Boxster/Cayman and people say could you afford a 911

There is no substitute for a CSL, you get what you pay for.

I had a e46 M3 before the CSL and I wouldn’t go back to one. (Second best)

If you want a track slag buy M3

[shimmy]

Sorry but I must respectfully disagree with your take on this.

bollocks :beer:

[shimmy]

bollocks :beer:

just kidding, couldnt resist it!


still buy a CSL its better, faster and will save yoiu all the hassle and you will get your money back (which bit do you respoectfuly disagree with?)

[csl_mba]

CSL all the way, regardless of how quick the stripped out M3 is it still isnt a CSL

[mattbedford]

Ive driven the current M3 and while it is a fantastic car it isnt the same driving experience as the CSL. When stripped out and race prepped then its a different story i suppose but will it have the same feel and sound of the CSL. You cant beat that noise........:drool:

[NZ_M3]

just kidding, couldnt resist it!


still buy a CSL its better, faster and will save yoiu all the hassle and you will get your money back (which bit do you respoectfuly disagree with?)

Cheeky SOB ... :birdman: :hahaha::hahaha:

Disagree with the part where you said a M3 can't be made quicker than a normal CSL ... Sure out of the box it's quicker - but the price difference between the two now suggests that buying a M3 to mod is definitely a worth while consideration (resale value aside)