CSL for manual conversion

[Jonmitch]

Has anyone converted their CSL to a full manual? Plenty of SMGs have been converted, is there anything specifically difficult in doing this to a CSL?

Thinking it might be a nice project if I could find a good base car that has already been modified and has some miles on her. Anything out there?

[Mike RT4]

Has anyone converted their CSL to a full manual? Plenty of SMGs have been converted, is there anything specifically difficult in doing this to a CSL?

Thinking it might be a nice project if I could find a good base car that has already been modified and has some miles on her. Anything out there?

No-one has done it that I am aware of, as most would be too concerned about devaluing the car.

There is no more difficulties doing it than to a standard M3.

If it is what you want, just do it :blalalala:

[Chad]

No-one has done it that I am aware of, as most would be too concerned about devaluing the car.

There is no more difficulties doing it than to a standard M3.

If it is what you want, just do it :blalalala:

I’ve heard rumblings this could be happening , not sure if a chap very local me has actually bought another one,to do just this :smokin:

[Alx007]

I really considered doing that.

I even contacted BMW Classic, but they didn't answer back...

I am still interested doing that actually.

[Jonmitch]

A chap on cutters has just started the process, sounds like it is on his second CSL so he can have one of each. Watch this space.

[Chad]

A chap on cutters has just started the process, sounds like it is on his second CSL so he can have one of each. Watch this space.

Manual csl sounds ok ,, but I personally don’t believe it could be better than smg on the csl ,, but a stick shift manual csl sounds interesting ,kev I believe :thumbs:

[CSLManual]

These threads always go the same way. Most believe the SMG is either better or good enough not to bother. I wonder if the option had been available at new, how the split would have been?

I don't know the numbers from the 911 GT3, but I think they sold considerably more PDK than manuals, I suppose 10 years ago the split might have shifted.

I've talked about doing mine for years, I asked about it before I even bought the car but I was always worried about a)devaluation b)shift quality - the e46 manual box isn't great c) if it would be able to be coded properly.

If this chap on cutters goes though with it, I'd be tempted this year.

[Mike RT4]

If you use the car predominantly on track, then I suspect you will prefer SMG and if you use the car predominantly on the road, then I suspect you will want the extra involvement of a stick and clutch pedal......:whistle:

I know I find mine a bit boring on the road (driving normally), but in full out psycho mode (aka locked up if caught), I'd not want anything but the SMG.

Kev has the right idea of having both, but given they appear to be being converted to standard specs (just transmission being different), I suspect they will just be tootled around :gayfight:....

[monkeycsl]

Had a manual m3 rubbish shift very stiff and notchy.
Maybe improved with short shifter who knows?
I replaced oil,bushes and a m5 shorter stick very little improvement.
I personally would not bother.

[Alx007]

A (good) manual gearbox would be great.

I confess that I have been driving a lot more my 997.2 Carrera S (manual with limited slip differential), because it's a lot more fun and involving on the open road.

If the CSL existed in manual, I would have one...

[CSLManual]

That’s the thing isn’t it. If it were a rifle bolt action box like a mk1 mx5 it would be an easy decision. It’s the fact that you’d be changing to a sloppy, notchy thing that puts me off. I think the best option I’ve found is the UUC one because it will still look OEM unlike the crazy CAE ones.

I’ll probably never put my money where my mouth is though.

[breeze]

As others have said, the e46 M3 manual gearbox isn't amazing...

[Jonmitch]

Its great that the CSL came with SMG because everyone who now owns one prefers it.

Of course, if they had offered manual and SMG, the manuals would now be worth a fortune and tucked up as garage queen investments for all bar a tiny minority.

So in a funny way, SMG-only now works quite well if you want to use a manual CSL.

[terra]

Basic process is the same as converting any M3 to manual. Main complication is that there's no factory engine calibration meant for a manual CSL. But you only have to change a few bytes to get it to run in manual mode, so that's not really an issue anyway.

If you want a smoother gearbox than the M3 gearbox, the Z4M transmission is an option. You would use the shift linkage from a 330 6-speed to get that transmission to work.

[Alx007]

Someone is actually attempting to convert an M3 CSL with a manual gearbox:

https://instagram.com/mrdjd?igshid=hky54n97vqfi

https://instagram.com/theadventuresofchappers?igshid=1k7ql723uawdk

Looking forward to seeing the final result!