CSL wanted before Christmas

[Shake&Bake]

Hi folks, I'm a newbie so hello to all before I start! :notworthy:

I am currently looking for a:

04 Plate M3 CSL
Silver Grey
Preferrably a known members car with history (good history :wink: )
Low mileage
Standard (apart from possible AP upgrade)

I have been an e30 owner through the years (still am) but now want to move into e46 territory. This car will only be used occasionally so it will be lovingly cared for :smt055 !

I have also got this advert in Pistonheads in case anyone has seen it. It would be a straight sale as I am only back in this neck of the woods recently so there will be no PX.

Any help greatly appreciated :beer:

[windy]

I'd suggest you start by, er, looking? :wink: There's quite a few on PH, AutoTrader, etc, or do you really have to have a members car?

Always a debatable point that - a members car will generally be priced a little higher, and should have been well looked after, though I'd bet it's definitely been driven a lot harder as enthusiasts tend to be just that; rather enthusiastic. These car can take a punishing though.

Think CSL's are still a bit too hardcore/expensive to be owned by complete idiots just yet, so most will be well cared for.

[windy]

Just took me about 60 seconds to get this lot together; some stock, some not, some low mileage too. Easy really...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/743293.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/581494.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/754061.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/754684.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/754676.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/754676.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/731878.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/150169.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/787808.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/403271.htm

[Shake&Bake]

Thanks Windy.

Yes as I had said in my original post I have an advert in Pistonheads as well, so I saw those links you posted. You'll find most are 03 or modified, not the right colour I am looking for etc.

I have been away for a while so I am not familiar with the more reputable cars listed for sale. Hence coming to a dedicated forum for guidance.

I take your point on a members car being enthusiastically driven but at the same time I think it would be a much better cared for car.

Basically I don't want to buy a "Lemon". I am sure there are a lot of abused examples out there and I want to avoid wasting my time viewing them.

But thanks again for taking the time to post.

[windy]

Basically I don't want to buy a "Lemon". I am sure there are a lot of abused examples out there and I want to avoid wasting my time viewing them.

Don't know mate. When I decided to go for an M3, I looked at a few CSL's and they were all really genuine cars, with nearly every receipt, invoice, etc.

I certainly would suggest you don't set your heart on an 04 any you may rule out a much tidier 03 car. The CSL's I saw were priced purely on mileage and condition, mainly with regard to stonechips on the bumper/bonnet from track work.

Just my 2p's worth though!

[Shake&Bake]

Good point!

It might be worth my while broadening my circle. But you know yourself I don't want to jump in and buy the 1st one I come across.

Colour wise I find silver grey would be a much easier car to hide the odd stone chips that can be quite comon on CSL's and the reason I want it reasonably unmodified is I understand a car with a lot of mod's will be "generally" tracked quiet a bit as apposed to a standard one that would probably not have been tracked as much (don't get me wrong I know 90% will have been tracked just looking for one that hasn't seen too many days out.)

Appreciate the feedback :thumbs: ! Did you look at many yourself before you purchased? Did you buy through Autotrader Pistonheads etc.?

[Shake&Bake]

Windy this is a good example why I am here.

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=817

Only 422 CSL's (UK) between Pistonheads and here most would be known. Thanks again for the advice.

[windy]

I wasn't even looking for one. Was looking for a 997, and decided to get a 350Z in the meantime as a runaround, then a dealer took me out in an M3 and that was it!.

Looked at loads within the week, and ended up buying that one!

As I was doing a fair few miles, and I like my toys (buttons on the wheel!) and wanted red leather, it had to be an M3. I did look at CSL's just to make sure, but couldn't justify the extra outlay personally.

[deleted_user_0_csl]

What is your budget ?

[Shake&Bake]

For the right car I'm open to suggestions. For a good clean, low mileage example sub 31k seems to be the current market value, bar the rare 4k mile one :wink: .

[Andyk]

Hi shake&bake welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't get huge up on it being an 04 plate, if I was you, as all CSL's were produced in 03 but BMW struggled to sell them so some were registered in 04. History and condition is the most important factor. Good luck with purchase.

[Shake&Bake]

Thanks Andyk,

Appreciate your input the reason I was looking at an 04 was that I had heard obviously incorrectly that there was a software update done on the 04 models for the SMG box? That the 03 models didn't receive.
Is it the same box in all CSL's so? Apologies if that sounds like a stupiid question.

[Sailorbaz]

It is the same 'Box in all the CSL's yes, SMGII.

There was an update performed on the software for the SMG aswell as the Air filter element and another couple of things, but ALL CSL's were recalled and these were performed F.O.C. When enquiring about one, ask if its had the recalls done. (I am sure someone on here will know exactly what recalls were to be done and thier codes...Mine are at home and I Am not for a while otherwise I would check myself, sorry)

Even if they've not been done, BMW can tell you if they have and do them F.O.C if they haven't...I believe. :notworthy:

[Helli2020]

Hi shake and Bake look at mine, link on piston heads.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/754061.htm

If your interested let me know

[Shake&Bake]

Hi Helli2020,

Thanks for the link.

I have made a provisional deal on a 04 17.5k CSL that I hope to wrap up in the next 2 weeks. Hence my add still up. So all going well I will have the exact car I want. As soon as deal is finalised I will remove this thread.

BTW your car looks fanastic! Its a credit to you :notworthy: .

Rgds
S&B