2002 CSL Prototype

[LeinsCSL]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but just been reading through an old copy of Autocar I have and found the original review by Chris Harris of the prototype

Couldn't find the article on-line, but here's the AutoExpress one. Although it's one of the other 5 prototypes, as Harris drove "4045", pictured below

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/15194/bmw-m3-csl

Not sure what the colour is as doesn't look like SG. Also, they seem to differ from the production models in the following ways:

- no M-trak
- half-leather buckets (made of CF?)
- CF bonnet?
- no integrated "duck-tail" boot

[mattCSLnut]

Good find mate :thumbs: THANX for sharing.
IIRC the CSL pre-launch prototype cars @ the Nurburgring F1 GP circuit were mostly, if not all, that colour... "Stahlgrau" I think.

[Alx007]

Nice, thanks for sharing!

[3wheels3]

Nice find

[Pkumarm3]

awesome find!

does that manual climate control panel work w/cars that have the digital one?

i'd love to have a manual climate control for some odd reason.

[mattCSLnut]

awesome find!

does that manual climate control panel work w/cars that have the digital one?

i'd love to have a manual climate control for some odd reason.

That's NOT manual climate control or even basic Air Con... it's NO Climate Control or Air Con of any kind, bare bones, option less car with "Old Skool" ventilation.

[LeinsCSL]

I really like that "CSL" cover where the radio should be too

[mattCSLnut]

I really like that "CSL" cover where the radio should be too

IIRC you can still buy carbon one like it from BMW, minus the CSL script

[Sailorbaz]

Great find mate, makes interesting reading. Reminds me what the steering wheel 'should' look like. :'(

[Straightsix]

I have the BMW M3 Ultimate Portfolio Book that I bought from the BMW Car Club GB in 2008. There is an article in there on one of the prototypes .... From Car Magazine from 2002.

[LeinsCSL]

I was also having a read through Autocar's Car of the Year 2003, where the CSL came third behind the 360CS and mk2 996 GT3 (the Zonda decided to cr@p itself on the first day, so was ruled out)

The interesting thing was in the classifieds at the back of the mag though, with a new CSL available at £59,995 from a private seller. Best of luck with that one!

[NZ_M3]

In case you've not seen this thread

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/csl-register/general/csl-photo-gallery/490824-csl-concept-photo-collection-photo-intensive

[0-60motorsports]

Nice find.love the prototype CSL buckets.

[Straightsix]

I was also having a read through Autocar's Car of the Year 2003, where the CSL came third behind the 360CS and mk2 996 GT3 (the Zonda decided to cr@p itself on the first day, so was ruled out)

The interesting thing was in the classifieds at the back of the mag though, with a new CSL available at £59,995 from a private seller. Best of luck with that one!

I have that particular magazine great read :-)