E90 M3 or CSL, decisions decisions!!

[jim76]

So about almost a year ago to the day I broke away from BMW M3's (sold my 5th consecutive!) and took ownership of a 2002 911 C4S. Brilliant car, enjoyed the experience but I sold it yesterday. I've now decided to get back into BMW ownership, but am torn between the CSL or the new E92!! The CSL is a great car, and has the rarity behind it, but the E92 is an awesome car, and I'm sure will be very capable on track, with probably more practicality than the CSL. Decisions decisions! Has anyone here had good experiences with the E92 on the track?

[karbonkid]

We're up to £15k invested into our E92 M3 and have to say other than the engine (475bhp so a huge difference) the rest of it is still far behind a CSL.

Enough said!

[Dan_csl]

Enough said!

Where the fook did that quote come from!? I'm very suprised, although it might just be 15k mis-spent! :bigcry:

[jim76]

Enough said!

Yeah but that's a race car build, is it not? And are they comparing it to a race prepped CSL??

I'm looking for a fair comparison on standard cars really. I only do a handful of track days a year, so I'm wondering if I could justify having a CSL really. I feel it would get ruined by using it as an every day driver. I may be wrong but I'm sure the side bolster of the seat would take a beating if I were to be jumping in and out of it a few times every day! And I would feel bad putting the miles on it. I'm talking myself out of it here aren't I!!??? Lol.

[phat///M3]

Where the fook did that quote come from!? I'm very suprised, although it might just be 15k mis-spent! :bigcry:

LMAO :thumbs:

[Yanto_csl]

Enough said!

LMAO :thumbs:

+1 :hahaha:

[karbonkid]

Where the fook did that quote come from!? I'm very suprised, although it might just be 15k mis-spent! :bigcry:

:hahaha: I have always remembered that comment!

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/csl-register/csl-register-main-discussion-centre/384348-e92-m3-for-a-week-so-far

Yeah but that's a race car build, is it not? And are they comparing it to a race prepped CSL??

I'm looking for a fair comparison on standard cars really. I only do a handful of track days a year, so I'm wondering if I could justify having a CSL really. I feel it would get ruined by using it as an every day driver. I may be wrong but I'm sure the side bolster of the seat would take a beating if I were to be jumping in and out of it a few times every day! And I would feel bad putting the miles on it. I'm talking myself out of it here aren't I!!??? Lol.

You will find a lot of CSLs here are daily drivers. Im sure Tom will give him your thoughts as he has both.
I would say they are both as practical as each other, the E92 will drink fuel and oil quicker but the more comfortable. Regarding the bolster getting a pounding, you could always get yourself a seat cover. You are certainly talking yourself out of it! I have driven both and would choice the CSL 10x over! :thumbs:

[jim76]

I kinda feel as if I need newer now though. I've had 3 E46 M3's, and I know that a CSL is a completely different kettle of fish before I'm lynched, but the E92 is miles ahead I think, as an every day car. I would like a CSL if I had the money to keep it in the garage most of the time, I think the E92 might win this one people!!

[_Nathan_]

For a daily I'd have an e92 - that engine is awesome.

[nrb]

Agree, I would go for the E90 (saloon) all day long over the CSL if I needed one car to do everything. Although I would try a C63, convince myself I need a change from BMW, find a nice example, then bottle it and buy an E90!

[weedavey]

I kinda feel as if I need newer now though. I've had 3 E46 M3's, and I know that a CSL is a completely different kettle of fish before I'm lynched, but the E92 is miles ahead I think, as an every day car. I would like a CSL if I had the money to keep it in the garage most of the time, I think the E92 might win this one people!!

E92 m3 saloon if i was in the car everyday. But only use car in nice weather on weekends so csl is where i want to be sitting come the weekend.

I do love the sound of the v8 though..:drool:

[NZ_M3]

Well this is a csl forum, so you'll no doubt get unbiased opinions :whistle:

The V8 will be thirsty on fuel ... very thirsty. In fact I often wonder how on earth BMW can ever claim that the new V8 was more economical than the inline 6 :banghead: (I average 14.1l/100km vs the 11.8l/100km in the CSL - and I don't even track the V8!!) - really should qualify this with the fact that I do a lot of city driving - on the motorway it'll do less than 10l/100km)

The new M3 is one of those cars that the more you use it the more you'll like it. To me it really wasn't a fall in love with it straight away sort of a car, but it is one of those cars that is VERY EASY to live with on a day to day basis. So much so that I find myself missing some of the creature comforts when I step back into the CSL (bluetooth, awesome stereo - don't get the upgrade, the stock 10 speaker system actually sounds better than the 12 speaker system, sat nav ect ect)

It has plenty of if not way more grunt than the CSL and you really don't notice the weight in the car.

The engine really is the master piece helped by the compliant ride.

I'd say if you are not a hard out tracker, then the E9X M3 is the way to go - the value of these have some what stablised now and it'll be the last Naturally Aspirated "M" engine to be produced (next M3 is coming out with a twin turbo inline six) - and the lack of choice on the market at the moment means that people are starting to realise 'value' in the E9X M3.

Another thing to consider is age - the new E9X M3s (except for the DCT) have proven to be a rather reliable car without any major concerning issues, unlike the E46 chassis.

[jim76]

I know, I should have known better than to ask on here about buying anything other than a CSL!!! Lol.

I was looking for some valued opinions from someone who has experienced both. Cheers.

[NZ_M3]

I know, I should have known better than to ask on here about buying anything other than a CSL!!! Lol.

I was looking for some valued opinions from someone who has experienced both. Cheers.

If I had absolutely no choice but to only get one car - it'll be the E92 M3 for me. Technology has advanced quite a bit since 2003 and truth be told I don't actually agree with Thorney's observation on the E9X chassis - our local BMW instructor's just bought a E92 M3 racecar and that thing is blizing everything else on the track at the moment in competitive events.

The E46 has had quite a number of years of track experience already and there's a lot of support and knowledge out there for it compared to the E9X - give it time and you'll start to see lot more E9X related components coming out - it'll run rings around the E46s in no time.

[_Nathan_]

The e46 chassis really shows it's age IMO - it is just a small evolution of the e36 and the e9x and e87 feel like a huge jump in chassis stiffness to me, I imagine an e9x would provide a stunning platform for decent dampers to work their magic.