Anyone prefer standard over CSL body parts?

[sapote]

Why the CSL has no front brake air duct ports? Its brakes don't get hot?

[Thoglan]

Why the CSL has no front brake air duct ports? Its brakes don't get hot?

All brakes get hot. The inability to shed heat from the rotors of our cars is a big reason why the braking performance is a bit lacking. There's a reason you don't see any serious M3 racecars with the csl bumper, and why the M3 gtr had front brake ducts. Granted, the difference in airflow is insignificant on a road car just don't like the idea of putting a piece on that could impact the cars performance purely for looks.

[maw1124]

I do wish the front side gills were functional the way they were originally thought and designed. CSL aside, that vacuum effect would (or could) have enhanced brake air flow and engine air intake at the same time. More ducting, cost and weight perhaps, but still... so it’s a slightly more expensive car... in hindsight that looks fine... or so I think, but I’m no engineer.

maw

[erickhoyos]

I do wish the front side gills were functional the way they were originally thought and designed. CSL aside, that vacuum effect would (or could) have enhanced brake air flow and engine air intake at the same time. More ducting, cost and weight perhaps, but still... so it’s a slightly more expensive car... in hindsight that looks fine... or so I think, but I’m no engineer.

maw

Only the driver side grille is functional. It’s purpose is to extract heat from the ECU/DME area.

[Sharocks]

Eh it depends. I think we're in the era where having two E46 M3's isn't unheard of. Mod one and keep one stock.

[maw1124]

Only the driver side grille is functional. It’s purpose is to extract heat from the ECU/DME area.

I understand. IIRC the original design was different and the gills were to be functional (on all M3), but that idea didn’t make final production.

maw

[Gt4]

I might be one of the few that prefer stock body. I like the oem trunk, stock diffuser and euro front bumper. I had 12 E46 M3 over the last 15 years, I bought some that had cheap CSL replica, some had Vorsteiner and last one had OEM CSL trunk. Always ended up selling those parts.

I prefer the perfect fitment of the OEM metal trunk or bumper/diffuser over those composite CSL parts.

Swapped Vorsteiner bumper, trunk and diffuser for a friend last week and fitment sucks IMO...

[Lip]

Subjective. It’s a car and you’re allowed to have fun. Do what you want and keep all your parts.

Love the CSL look since the car came out. For me, i knew I wanted to do a CSL tribute.

OEM trunk also looks amazing. And for me, the OEM front bumper with GT4 lip also looks great. It’s great we have choices

[Obioban]

I really like the look of all the CSL parts-- I've only stayed on the stock bumper because I can't get over the loss of brake ducting.

I have kept all my stock parts in the attic precisely because it keeps me from wanting to go back. Not having something somehow makes it more alluring. I suspect that might be what you're suffering from right now.

[Icecream]

I really like the look of all the CSL parts-- I've only stayed on the stock bumper because I can't get over the loss of brake ducting.

I have kept all my stock parts in the attic precisely because it keeps me from wanting to go back. Not having something somehow makes it more alluring. I suspect that might be what you're suffering from right now.

I haven't really poked around but couldn't you run some ducting through the large dam in front without impacting the radiator too much?

[usdmej]

the CSL trunk looks out of place if that's the only exterior mod you're rockin, the stock trunk also looks better with a race wing


CSL interior bits tho, i dont find any of them to be really worth the drawbacks they come with

[Kcalhoun27]

Maybe its the OG color, but i think it looks much better with the stock trunk vs the CSL trunk. I always wanted a CSL trunk when i finally got an M. But the stock trunk just looks right on my car. I feel the same about the front bumper. However, the CSL diffusor is the superior part for my taste

[terra]

CSL diffuser is 100 times better than the stock piece. Trunk is also great. Front bumper I'm split on. I think my preference would be something with the OE fog lights / ducts that can accomodate the CSL splitters.

[liam821]

My car came with CSL bumper/trunk/diffuser and don't have any of the stock parts, sadly. If my car was stock and I had to do some paintwork to do I'd probably do a CSL trunk at the same time, but meh. They're both equally as good looking in my eyes. The thing that I really like about the e46m3 is the wide fenders and stance.

[Icecream]

My car came with CSL bumper/trunk/diffuser and don't have any of the stock parts, sadly. If my car was stock and I had to do some paintwork to do I'd probably do a CSL trunk at the same time, but meh. They're both equally as good looking in my eyes. The thing that I really like about the e46m3 is the wide fenders and stance.

No widebody would have been a great automotive tragedy. Imagine what it would have done for the e36 if they could have pulled it off, . That and the euro engine and you would have had another epic M car but now we are off topic and I'm salivating.