CSL rear window glass-- NLA?

[Alx007]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading this thread with interest.

I think the problem lies with BMW and not with some guys trying to improve their cars.

Everyone is free to purchase the parts they want even if it bothers some of us.

Unfortunately nowadays, BMW is run more by accountants focused on numbers and spreadsheets than by passionate people trying to make great cars... They prefer making profits in the short term and sell as many SUVs as they can.

When they launched the Z8 they were promising that they would provide parts for the next 50 years:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z8_(E52)

A car like the M3 CSL would certainly deserve that.

Hopefuly, in a couple of years, we can count on "BMW Classic" (http://www.bmw-classic.com) to provide some M3 CSL parts. They already do it for older models.

Regards,
Alex

[alexk]

Congratulations on xenophobic thread of the year.

:thumbs: :thumbs: Spot on Nathan

[NZ_M3]

Congratulations on xenophobic thread of the year.

:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha: I'd have thought M3s and M3 CSL were of the same DNA and origin ... how can it be xenophobic?


I didn't really want to jump the gun ... but here's what I know so far (more confirmation to follow):

1. NLA I've been told basically means there's nothing in stock in the warehouses for cars under 15 years old - it does not mean it won't be restocked - although it sometimes does depending on demand for a particular part. (BMW has a couple of warehouses around the world that stock parts for different supply areas).

2. A low production volume car like the CSL will have a certain set number of parts made through the first 10 years - it will not be considered for "Classics" under the Mobile tradition banner until it has reached 15 years.

3. BMW keeps and stores "all" the tooling even if a part is manufactured by a third party (unless logistically difficult to do) - but BMW AG retains all rights and usage for such a part forever basically.

4. A general rule of thumb is BMW will put a part back into production when there's 200 orders received for a NLA part - sometimes more if the part is expensive to reproduce - he believes the roof is one of those parts.

5. The longest they have ever had a customer wait on an NLA part was 10 years :hahaha:

6. Apparently there's only one guy at Mobile Tradition that deals with NLA parts and decides whether they put it back into production - The Parts manager I spoke with have said he will contact him and find out for me what is happening with all the NLA parts for the CSL and have asked me to provide a list of the parts that I am concerned about currently and for the future.

7. Some parts that are interchangeable will be re-classed as 'standardisation' - this is what we are seeing with the rear glass. Even bespoke parts on limited production vehicles can end up being standardised. Most of the time the standardised parts will be the 'top spec' part only - I am lead to believe that all the rear glass produced from now on might be the CSL item (a bit like the headers from 2005 onwards were all CSL items).

8. BMW NZ is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG, so apparently they have pretty good access to information like this.

9. He did say if you are willing to pay for single productions they can always put an order through Mobile tradition for one single part - but it would mean perhaps paying 5000 euros for a roof panel ... LOL

I will update when I find out more.

[Brandtner]

Not exactly. Suffice to say it'll be more difficult for non owners to get parts however :supz:

:thumbs:

[digi]

good to see that M3 enthusiasts are so passionate about these limited run M3's. Without them, the cult status being built right now would be alot weaker.

Keep it rolling guys, remove the elitist egos, makes the world a nicer place.

:thumbs::smokin:

Definately do not want a xenophobic atmosphere here especially with our brothers with M3's.

[Obioban]

Shame BMW you didn't sell the CSL in the US.
We are missing the opportunity to see CSLs with 20 x 12J square setups and -5 deg camber :wanker:


:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

Weird, I could swear my car was on lightweight, forged 18s :wanker:

7. Some parts that are interchangeable will be re-classed as 'standardisation' - this is what we are seeing with the rear glass. Even bespoke parts on limited production vehicles can end up being standardised. Most of the time the standardised parts will be the 'top spec' part only - I am lead to believe that all the rear glass produced from now on might be the CSL item (a bit like the headers from 2005 onwards were all CSL items).

That would be nice for me... but I can't see it being true in this case. The CSL rear window isn't "better" so much as a different priority set. As in, it trades off increased cabin noise for weight. That is a trade off that I want to make (clearly from this thread), but I suspect it is not one that average BMW owner want to make. I (sadly) suspect the standardized version will be the non CSL version in this case.

good to see that M3 enthusiasts are so passionate about these limited run M3's. Without them, the cult status being built right now would be alot weaker.

Keep it rolling guys, remove the elitist egos, makes the world a nicer place.

:thumbs::smokin:

Definately do not want a xenophobic atmosphere here especially with our brothers with M3's.

I was pretty surprised with the response I got.

[digi]

thought I post this for a laugh, E46 M3 owners should flame me as recently I pickup a OEM tower bar for my CSL and there is one less on the market now. Was cleaning out the place and frigging maid threw the bar in the dumpsters under instruction from the mrs. :moan::hahaha:

[Sailorbaz]

Did I just read all that?

[Obioban]

Update: CSL rear window glass is still available. :thumbs:

[NZ_M3]

Update: CSL rear window glass is still available. :thumbs:

We already know ... I can even tell you how many there are in stock if you wanted to know.

As for the standardisation thing - I just got a full explanation on what that is: I quote

"As for standardisation… with previous experience the top of the range variant is supplied.. example: if other variants of same car had TV receiption, then TV spec’d screen is supplied, if not required, then don’t use tv wires, just tie back."

Basically it's just a note made on all part numbers that have been standardised - doesn't mean there's now TV wiring for the CSL rear glass as the CSL was never supplied with TV (at least not that I know of) ...

[shimmy]

So can I get tv in my CSL or not.

Don't want to miss an episode of Knots Landing

[LeinsCSL]

So can I get tv in my CSL or not.

Don't want to miss an episode of Knots Landing

I just pinned a few pictures up on the dash instead Shimmy. It's the lightweight approach :thumbs: