2003 2004 CSL Values

[Duck360198]

I think deep down you know the answer, but due to the price disparity between the two versions, you are finding it a bitter pill to swallow.

However, it is a simple black and white choice that is down to you on whether you believe the price difference in the initial purchase is going to justify the lower residual when you decide to move the car on.

My personal opinion would be to take a deep breath, dig deep and buy the LHD. It will cost you more, but I think it will be a better bet when coming to sell the car later. You Yanks are very fickle, so you know in your heart that if there were two identical cars in the different drive formats, the more expensive LHD car will be easier to sell on, as everyone will know why you picked it over the LHD version in the first place and will try and hammer you on the price on that basis :blalalala:.

What you should have done is bought one a few years ago when the prices were at rock-bottom and stored it for the period until it exceeded the US age related import restriction - you would have been laughing all the way to the bank . Oh, the joys of hindsight :hahaha:.

You are 100% correct! I DO know the answer deep down. But dammit...27% difference in price?!?! I just want a CSL and how big of a difference in experience would I get with a RHD vs. a LHD car? Personally, I don't think the experience of being on the right side of the car would make that big of a difference. The other problem is that I have found the RHD car I want. I have yet to find the LHD version spec'd exactly the same to be for sale. When, if ever, will that perfectly spec'd LHD come up for sale? And what will the prices be at that time? I'm not sure I can justify spending the $100K+ for a LHD car when it isn't spec'd exactly the way I want. I say that now, but I'm sure if that bargain CSL shows up with low mileage, a couple added options, clean history...I may change my tune.

My mindset is that I would sell both of my current vehicles (1995 BMW M3 LTW and 2005 BMW M3) to own just a CSL. The CSL is the "Dream Car" for me and would never go to another home, unless financially a complete disaster occured. Speaking of which, what are everyone's thoughts on our M3....and particularly the LTW. Garbage? Awesome?

Ahhh don't get me started on hindsight. I have e-mails from several years ago on the RHD car I want. More than double the price now. *sigh*

[alexk]

The thing is that LHD cars have better weight distribution, they feature the lightweight CSL carpet (RHD cars do not have this) and have better exhaust manifold.
Plus, being a German car, the 'right' side of the steering wheel is the left.

I would sell my CSL only for ridiculous money.
But then, I would have no idea what to buy to replace it.

[Mike RT4]

You are 100% correct! I DO know the answer deep down. But dammit...27% difference in price?!?! I just want a CSL and how big of a difference in experience would I get with a RHD vs. a LHD car? Personally, I don't think the experience of being on the right side of the car would make that big of a difference. The other problem is that I have found the RHD car I want. I have yet to find the LHD version spec'd exactly the same to be for sale. When, if ever, will that perfectly spec'd LHD come up for sale? And what will the prices be at that time? I'm not sure I can justify spending the $100K+ for a LHD car when it isn't spec'd exactly the way I want. I say that now, but I'm sure if that bargain CSL shows up with low mileage, a couple added options, clean history...I may change my tune.

My mindset is that I would sell both of my current vehicles (1995 BMW M3 LTW and 2005 BMW M3) to own just a CSL. The CSL is the "Dream Car" for me and would never go to another home, unless financially a complete disaster occured. Speaking of which, what are everyone's thoughts on our M3....and particularly the LTW. Garbage? Awesome?

Ahhh don't get me started on hindsight. I have e-mails from several years ago on the RHD car I want. More than double the price now. *sigh*

Driving the cars is not the issue, you will soon adapt. I have no problem driving LHD cars when I go abroad. The problem is when you bring a car with the steering wheel on the wrong side for the country you are driving in.

You can't see to overtake on normal roads, and if you get stuck behind something, you will need a very brave, co-operative and understanding passenger :hahaha:.

I don't understand this "Unicorn" spec you are looking for (please clarify :blalalala: )? Just buy the best LHD car you can find in the colour you want. I think it would be a mistake to buy the RHD car on spec, as the whole point of the CSL is the driving experience that WILL be tarnished by driving it on the wrong side for the steering wheel, where the spec will have no influence on this.

[Duck360198]

All valid points. Regardless of how much the car will be driven, the experience will be hampered.

Regarding the unicorn, I think it just comes down to the raw nature of the car and taking it down to the bare minimums as intended from the factory. I wouldn't track the car and I know those parts like AC and radio and xenons could be taken out but I like the idea of having a factory build sheet of no (or minimal) options added. It's weird, I've always felt that way with any M3.

That being said, know any bare bones LHD cars around?! :beer:

Driving the cars is not the issue, you will soon adapt. I have no problem driving LHD cars when I go abroad. The problem is when you bring a car with the steering wheel on the wrong side for the country you are driving in.

You can't see to overtake on normal roads, and if you get stuck behind something, you will need a very brave, co-operative and understanding passenger :hahaha:.

I don't understand this "Unicorn" spec you are looking for (please clarify :blalalala: )? Just buy the best LHD car you can find in the colour you want. I think it would be a mistake to buy the RHD car on spec, as the whole point of the CSL is the driving experience that WILL be tarnished by driving it on the wrong side for the steering wheel, where the spec will have no influence on this.

[Mike RT4]

All valid points. Regardless of how much the car will be driven, the experience will be hampered.

Regarding the unicorn, I think it just comes down to the raw nature of the car and taking it down to the bare minimums as intended from the factory. I wouldn't track the car and I know those parts like AC and radio and xenons could be taken out but I like the idea of having a factory build sheet of no (or minimal) options added. It's weird, I've always felt that way with any M3.

That being said, know any bare bones LHD cars around?! :beer:

Given that there were allegedly only single digit numbers in this spec of the 422 cars brought in to the UK, I think you are going to have your work cut out (and we don't have a climate known to really need aircon). I personally think that aircon is must (especially if you are in a climate that sees above 25°C in the summer months or like we can, travel across the Channel to such climates). So given that the LHD cars are likely to have been sold in to countries with a climate much better than the UK, you can see why you would be struggling to find this alleged perfect spec. However, these options only add 20kg to your unicorn spec, and you can almost get rid of all of that by fitting a Supersprint full exhaust system (with the "Race" back-box).

You then get the added benefit of the Supersprint sound track as well as having the luxury of aircon and decent lights. You will not notice 20kg difference in driving on the road.