CSL's in the US

[Slicktop]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1zP7Qp3Qa/?utm_medium=copy_link

Am I missing something here? How is this being imported before 25 years old?

[Epsilon]

HOW TO IMPORT A MOTOR VEHICLE
FOR SHOW OR DISPLAY

https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/showdisplay/howtosd072003.html

[Slicktop]

HOW TO IMPORT A MOTOR VEHICLE
FOR SHOW OR DISPLAY
https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/imp...osd072003.html

https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/magazine-article-pool/the-bmw-m3-csl.html

Over 500 produced, doesn't qualify

[Epsilon]

#4) Whether more than 500 of the vehicles were produced.

*If the answer to item 4 is affirmative, the applicant must establish that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance.

[Slicktop]

#4) Whether more than 500 of the vehicles were produced.

*If the answer to item 4 is affirmative, the applicant must establish that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance.

I appreciate your help in trying to decipher how that car is coming here, but it is not through Show and Display or the 25 year rule.

Here is the information that shows it Ineligible

https://www.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle

https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/vehic...how-or-display

[Duck360198]

I appreciate your help in trying to decipher how that car is coming here, but it is not through Show and Display or the 25 year rule.

Here is the information that shows it Ineligible

https://www.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle

https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/vehic...how-or-display

Everything I had read about show and display also indicates that a vehicle still must pass all EPA (I.e.federalized). No way the CSL is passing EPA. However, EPA requirements go away after 21 years so technically after 21 years someone could apply for show and display and bring it in a bit earlier than 25 years.

Of course we are still at the mercy of the government approving it when that time comes.

Someone on IG has indicated that a Pennsylvania CSL is the only one imported LEGALLY in the States. IF that’s true, that tells me that car was federalized and would not have parts like cf door cards (wouldn’t meet DOT standards, no airbox (wouldn’t meet EPA standards), etc. Guess they could have just gotten another airbox at some point and door cards. Does anyone know anything about this car?

Wouldn’t federalizing a CSL completely defeat the purpose? Or am I overthinking it?

[Slicktop]

Everything I had read about show and display also indicates that a vehicle still must pass all EPA (I.e.federalized). No way the CSL is passing EPA. However, EPA requirements go away after 21 years so technically after 21 years someone could apply for show and display and bring it in a bit earlier than 25 years.

Of course we are still at the mercy of the government approving it when that time comes.

Someone on IG has indicated that a Pennsylvania CSL is the only one imported LEGALLY in the States. IF that’s true, that tells me that car was federalized and would not have parts like cf door cards (wouldn’t meet DOT standards, no airbox (wouldn’t meet EPA standards), etc. Guess they could have just gotten another airbox at some point and door cards. Does anyone know anything about this car?

Wouldn’t federalizing a CSL completely defeat the purpose? Or am I overthinking it?

The same people that just had the record sale M3 on BAT are representing that CSL you are referring to. I inquired more with them, but I was told the owner did it a very expensive and laborious way, so not any ways mentioned so far.

There have always been CSLs floating around the US, but never out on the road. With cars coming in and stating that they are being federalized, I'm curious on what the new "loop hole" is.

[nextelbuddy]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1zP7Qp...dium=copy_link

Am I missing something here? How is this being imported before 25 years old?

I dont believe that is a true CSL. that car has an MK20 DSC module on the passenger side. its most likely a conversion.

[Duck360198]

The same people that just had the record sale M3 on BAT are representing that CSL you are referring to. I inquired more with them, but I was told the owner did it a very expensive and laborious way, so not any ways mentioned so far.

There have always been CSLs floating around the US, but never out on the road. With cars coming in and stating that they are being federalized, I'm curious on what the new "loop hole" is.

Oh wow, I didn't even catch that. But I see now "enthusiastspec" runs the page. Although "expensive and laborious" sounds horrible on an already expensive car, I'm dying to know what they did to make it legal. Guess we'll never know unless the owner is willing to divulge the information.

[Duck360198]

I dont believe that is a true CSL. that car has an MK20 DSC module on the passenger side. its most likely a conversion.

hmmm...that car is still in Europe and he's looking to bring it over. Seems pretty legit and the guy certainly knows the importing game.

[Slicktop]

I dont believe that is a true CSL. that car has an MK20 DSC module on the passenger side. its most likely a conversion.

Wow, in looking closer at it, it also has the wrong brake master cylinder. I am fairly confused. Only thing I can think of is that the owner of the car switched the DSCs when doing bigger brakes, but why?

The car has the full interior and OEM airbox by the looks of it so if it is a fake, it is damn near perfect

[heinzboehmer]

I dont believe that is a true CSL. that car has an MK20 DSC module on the passenger side. its most likely a conversion.

Looks like an MK60 to me. MK20 has all six lines going to the top of the module, while MK60 has four going to the top and two going to the side.

It also has the MK60 brake fluid reservoir (and presumably the MK60 master and booster too).

The module is oriented in the same way as it is in rhd cars, BUT the master, booster and reservoir are like they are on lhd cars. That car was either originally rhd or had it's module moved over to the drug bin using the rhd bracket (no idea why you would do this though). Those brake lines with the soft bends are further evidence that it's been messed with.

[heinzboehmer]

Someone on IG has indicated that a Pennsylvania CSL is the only one imported LEGALLY in the States. IF that’s true, that tells me that car was federalized and would not have parts like cf door cards (wouldn’t meet DOT standards, no airbox (wouldn’t meet EPA standards), etc. Guess they could have just gotten another airbox at some point and door cards. Does anyone know anything about this car?

Wouldn’t federalizing a CSL completely defeat the purpose? Or am I overthinking it?

Maybe they did what everyone in California does to pass smog?

• Swap in all the legal parts (stock airbox, US headers and cats, US tune, stock door cars, etc.)
• Drive to the inspection station
• Pass whatever tests/checks are required
• Drive back home and immediately put all the illegal bits back on

[nextelbuddy]

Looks like an MK60 to me. MK20 has all six lines going to the top of the module, while MK60 has four going to the top and two going to the side.

It also has the MK60 brake fluid reservoir (and presumably the MK60 master and booster too).

The module is oriented in the same way as it is in rhd cars, BUT the master, booster and reservoir are like they are on lhd cars. That car was either originally rhd or had it's module moved over to the drug bin using the rhd bracket (no idea why you would do this though). Those brake lines with the soft bends are further evidence that it's been messed with.

good eye! I noticed the odd looking softlines and thought to myself, that doesnt look right lol. i didnt think someone would go through the trouble of swapping the MK60 over to the passenger side as that is still wiring extension at a minimum or like you said originally a RHD car and left MK60 on the left side and swapped everything over to LHD.


if you go through the pics of the engine bay it doesn't look tidy... things like the wiring cover that goes across top of engine is missing and wires are ziptied..... i wouldn't think a CSL owner would do that, would love if i could get a clear zoom of the VIN on the shock tower to verify CSL VIN. ***Edit i guess that wiring thats ziptied is the wiring for the relocated MK60 module it seems. so weird. why would someone relocate MK60 module on a CSL

[Slideways]

good eye! I noticed the odd looking softlines and thought to myself, that doesnt look right lol. i didnt think someone would go through the trouble of swapping the MK60 over to the passenger side as that is still wiring extension at a minimum or like you said originally a RHD car and left MK60 on the left side and swapped everything over to LHD.


if you go through the pics of the engine bay it doesn't look tidy... things like the wiring cover that goes across top of engine is missing and wires are ziptied..... i wouldn't think a CSL owner would do that, would love if i could get a clear zoom of the VIN on the shock tower to verify CSL VIN. ***Edit i guess that wiring thats ziptied is the wiring for the relocated MK60 module it seems. so weird. why would someone relocate MK60 module on a CSL

The stock harness case is still there under the zip ties. My guess is this is a RHD to LHD conversion as it has CSL wiring harness and the stickers on the shock tower.