Any Z4 M owners driven or owned an E46 M3 CSL?

[Darren M]

Any Z4 M owners driven or owned an E46 M3 CSL? How do they compare?
A friend is considering a Z4 M and I`m trying to convince him to go that route. However, he`s very found of the 2003-2004 E46 M3 CSL (as I am also). Personally I prefer the newer Z4 M which has a few more years development and is lighter than the std E46 M3 so probably isn`t that far off the pace of the CSL and is a proper 2 seater sportscar instead of a 4 seater saloon (albeit a really fast one). However, the CSL does sound fabulous though and really has to be a collectors item even more so than the Z4 due to it`s special track orinetated setup.

Anyone driven or owned both? Or any Z4 owners wanted a CSL instead?

 

[flimper]

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[milu]

I wonder how much advantage was gained through the SMG box on the CSL?
I had a M3 with SMG,really liked it .Was great when gunning through the gears,fantastic for overtaking etc.

Thing is many CSL's have a few miles on now so maybe a bit more troublesome/expensive to own.Love 'em though.

 

[JayD]

Not sure if Superbow is on this forum? If he is drop him a mail as he has owned both.

CSL fantastic car for sure, not really much in it though between that and the Z4M.

 

[mmm-five]

The CSL is faster due to it's lighter weight, higher power & SMG box, plus it sounds even faster due to that lovely intake, it's also slightly more practical - all of course assuming the same driver/conditions.

You get CSL wheels as standard, nicer seats and an alcantara wheel. There was a bit more noise in the CSL, but I could have lived with it. In the end I went for the Z4MC as I could get a December 2006 car with a year's BMW warranty for the same price as the 2004 CSL.

I've also got a friend who really likes my Z4MC, but he needs more boot space for his £250k worth of HD RED cameras so he's looking for a CSL instead.

 

[Tref]

Only problem with the CSL is you have no choice but to take the SMG gearbox.

 

[Raify]

I've driven a CSL for a half hour, but it was on adjustable K&W suspension that is apparently much harder than standard.

The SMG box is great. Awful in auto mode, but brilliant when pressing on. Top speed shifts are amazing, and blips on the downshifts are amusing.

The sound is incredible. Mostly due to the induction, but also coming from behind you as there is very little sound deadening. I was very tempted for a while, when I was shopping for Z4m's. Ultimately, I got the Z4 because it was more of a special 'treat' car. If you're not a car geek, the CSL looks just like a lot of other 3 series. The Z4m Coupe is a much rarer sight (than a normal M3). Also I was planning some long journeys in the Z4, which would have been uncomfortable in those fixed buckets.

Apparently the carbon or plastic (can't remember) bumpers are very expensive and hard to get hold of so watch out for cars that have had a little prang and replaced the bumper with non oem parts.

 

[spokey]

They're carbon fibre and bayjaysus they are expensive! :dizzy:

 

[Raify]

They're carbon fibre and bayjaysus they are expensive! :dizzy:

So the copies must be plastic, which is what some owners are using instead of the expensive and hard to find carbon fibre ones.

 

[mikedav]

They're carbon fibre and bayjaysus they are expensive! :dizzy:

Genuine OEM CF front bumper is £2300+VAT IRC?

 

[Superbow]

I had a csl for about 14 months, fantastic car and the induction noise to die for!!!!!!! :driving: Great on track, couldn't stop grinning for 30mins, the first time I had the csl on track.

I found the bucket seats ok, but on long trips I wanted to recline the seat. You could always change the seats though............and on some bumpy b roads you can get man boob jiggle!!! :rofl:

Not much between the csl & mc in a striaght line, but on the track csl would have the edge in the twisties...... for sure

Both great cars, depends on what you want from a car, csl is practical with it having 4 seats and you can get a internal door in one when droping the rear seats.

 

[outrun]

I think i'd like both. :driving:

A friend of mine has a CSL with 5000 miles from new - all track work. He's got APs and K&Ws and the car is super sweet. Luckily for him he's got some £££ and can afford to keep the CSL nice.

I reckon i could get one as my daily driver after the Jeep! I think the wife would be fine with it as it has a boot for the pram!

A feel a cunning plan hatching.................... :evil:

 

[jamiec]

I think they are lovely but you are talking over 30k for one that's still lowish miles.

Around 25-30k your not really getting any with a warranty either which puts me off. I still think about it now and again though :rofl:

 

[Blacklines]

I think they are lovely but you are talking over 30k for one that's still lowish miles.

Around 25-30k your not really getting any with a warranty either which puts me off. I still think about it now and again though :rofl:

Agreed completely!

I drove a LHD car back from the Ring after the 24h. It was fully caged up and stripped down. Big brakes and Nitron suspension. Loved it - way more exciting experience but you are looking at cars 5 years old now for the same price as a 2 year old MC. So although they are fab and money no object I would have one but not for my only car due simply to the age/price ratio.