E46 M3 CSL in the states

[MatsB]

Hi all,

im not to familiar with forums so I hope i'm not messing up to much.

Just to introduce myself: My name is Mats and i'm from The Netherlands. i'm an Automotive photographer but a big petrolhead (especially BMW) in general. My main job is sourcing and selling cars. Since Europe can be an interesting market for cars to bring over to the US, I might be able to help some of you out.

That being said I was really wondering how big the E46 M3 CSL demand is in the US. We are approaching the 25 year mark which makes these cars eligible for import to the US.

[Obioban]

Hi all,

im not to familiar with forums so I hope i'm not messing up to much.

Just to introduce myself: My name is Mats and i'm from The Netherlands. i'm an Automotive photographer but a big petrolhead (especially BMW) in general. My main job is sourcing and selling cars. Since Europe can be an interesting market for cars to bring over to the US, I might be able to help some of you out.

That being said I was really wondering how big the E46 M3 CSL demand is in the US. We are approaching the 25 year mark which makes these cars eligible for import to the US.

I would expect a significant jump in left hand drive CSL values when then hit the 25 year rule.

People have already been importing them through less... clear cut channels. I know of 2 in driving distance of me. I suspect demand will be high. With only ~1000 left hand examples total, doesn't take many imports to move the price.

[MatsB]

I would expect a significant jump in left hand drive CSL values when then hit the 25 year rule.

People have already been importing them through less... clear cut channels. I know of 2 in driving distance of me. I suspect demand will be high. With only ~1000 left hand examples total, doesn't take many imports to move the price.

I Fully agree with you. The market on CSL's is small even within Europe. This is due to the low amount of cars available. Right now I have leads on some cars and have one for sale but it's a 1 of 2.

[MatsB]

I would expect a significant jump in left hand drive CSL values when then hit the 25 year rule.

People have already been importing them through less... clear cut channels. I know of 2 in driving distance of me. I suspect demand will be high. With only ~1000 left hand examples total, doesn't take many imports to move the price.

I would love to reply to your private message but im getting the error "You are not authorized to create this post." when trying to sent.

[Nate047]

Post some pics of the Schirmer car please. 🤤

If you are in the position to buy a stock or close to stock car, and sit on it, there are lots of people in the US who will want buy one when they’re legal. Prices will go up for sure.

[sasha]

I would expect a significant jump in left hand drive CSL values when then hit the 25 year rule.

People have already been importing them through less... clear cut channels. I know of 2 in driving distance of me. I suspect demand will be high. With only ~1000 left hand examples total, doesn't take many imports to move the price.

Ive also seen one in person in my area.

[0-60motorsports]

Fully Restored and demoded a black one.....its intake lives in my car LOL

[oceansize]

When a low mileage LHD mint condition all original car hits our shores and goes up for sale, gonna get crazy.

[M3LSB.Gab]

There are CSL already registered in the US and Canada, not sure how they successfully register it. I've seen 4 in 5 years. I've seen one black at Mpact 2 years ago. and 3 in Canada, at Events or on the road.

[oceansize]

There are CSL already registered in the US and Canada, not sure how they successfully register it. I've seen 4 in 5 years. I've seen one black at Mpact 2 years ago. and 3 in Canada, at Events or on the road.

In the USA its the show and display law such as this one:

https://theultimatedrivingmuseum.org/exhibits/power-of-m/e46-m3-csl-maneesh-jan/

[9kracing]

In the USA its the show and display law such as this one

Except the NHTSA already ruled that the CSL is "not eligible". A version of the same basic make/model/model year—the E46 M3—was certified and sold in the United States. Not to mention, more than 500 cars were produced. Both of those factors make the CSL not eligible to be imported under Show and Display.

I have to imagine people importing them now are just using their USA E46 VIN, and then making the original US car disappear.


Even at 25 years, you won't be able to legally register it in CA without jumping through CARB hoops. And they are cracking down on Montana plates.

It's time for me to move.

[oceansize]

Except the NHTSA already ruled that the CSL is "not eligible". A version of the same basic make/model/model year—the E46 M3—was certified and sold in the United States. Not to mention, more than 500 cars were produced. Both of those factors make the CSL not eligible to be imported under Show and Display.

I have to imagine people importing them now are just using their USA E46 VIN, and then making the original US car disappear.


Even at 25 years, you won't be able to legally register it in CA without jumping through CARB hoops. And they are cracking down on Montana plates.

It's time for me to move.

The regulations do not explicitly say its impossible. To paraphrase, "its going to be tough", but not impossible.

That car was listed on csl registry as imported by the show and display law back in 2009. I suspect like many things it may be who you know and who you are.

https://www.cslregistry.com/faq

Here is how the regulation actually reads:

In determining whether a vehicle is eligible for importation for show or display, NHTSA will consider the following factors, among others:

1. Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year was manufactured and certified for sale in the United States.
2. Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year has been determined eligible for importation pursuant to 49 CFR Part 593.
3. Whether the vehicle is currently in production.
4. Whether more than 500 of the vehicles were produced.
5. Whether the vehicle is a kit car, replica, or special construction vehicle.

If the answer to any of the above is affirmative, you should not expect NHTSA to grant permission for importation.

If the answer to any of the above is affirmative, you should not expect NHTSA to grant permission for importation. If the answer to item 4 is affirmative, the applicant must establish that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance.

[9kracing]

That's interesting. That one you posted must have slipped through before they killed it, because it's actually listed on the sheet of cars deemed as "ineligible". You can go to the NHTSA website and download a list of cars you can't import under show and display.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/vehicles-determined-not-eligible-importation-show-or-display

Either way, I would not expect to be able to slide one through in 2026.

[Bimma360]

I have said this before in another thread. And not saying that this is the way it happened, but a Puerto Rico title is transferable in any state. And any PR titled car does not go through the import process to the US. Get a car titled in PR and you are good to go. PR mimics the US Import guidelines, but I am pretty sure they are not actual PR law. If you live in PR, and have a PR drivers license you can import a car into PR. It ends up being a matter of getting the car approved for import. I am sure that's really more of a money problem than a "guidelines" problem.

[MatsB]

That's interesting. That one you posted must have slipped through before they killed it, because it's actually listed on the sheet of cars deemed as "ineligible". You can go to the NHTSA website and download a list of cars you can't import under show and display.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/document/vehicles-determined-not-eligible-importation-show-or-display

Either way, I would not expect to be able to slide one through in 2026.

Why are there cars that are older than 25 years. Can you import them legally but not on show and display?