BMW Car Magazine – My Z4M CSL – Pushing the Envelope
- Thread starter Z4M_CSL
- Start date
Flatout, I noticed you have the Strong Strut Brace. I was going to go for that mod a while back but never got around to it as part of my chassis changes.
How did you find it 'Strong Strut Brace' after the installation? Any noticeable difference?
Also here's the video if found comparing the performance differences between with 3 M3 e46: standard diff, 3.91 & 4.10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdpsY-OL2JU
How did you find it 'Strong Strut Brace' after the installation? Any noticeable difference?
Also here's the video if found comparing the performance differences between with 3 M3 e46: standard diff, 3.91 & 4.10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdpsY-OL2JU
Here are some pics of the hard top installed. I'm looking to get it re-sprayed in imola red and also playing with the idea of getting the wing part carbon-fibre wrapped. Also not sure if the middle part can be carbon wrapped like a CSL. However have to say it doesn't look to bad in black though, lol
Hopefully the AC-Sch rear wings shall arrive soon too. Then get it lived mapped and that will be it, get some recorded times (0-60 - 0-100) etc at the track ...... however one mod I forgot about was the Strong strut brace....
Hopefully the AC-Sch rear wings shall arrive soon too. Then get it lived mapped and that will be it, get some recorded times (0-60 - 0-100) etc at the track ...... however one mod I forgot about was the Strong strut brace....
+ 1 on keeping the top black, looks fab 
that looks wikid with the black top!!!! yesss .... im convinced to leave it black, looks REALLY nice!! funnily ive just purchased a Black sapphire metalic hardtop and cant wait to get it on the car!!! i have every intention of leaving it black also!! your recent post has convinced me even more, looks awesome!!! please dont paint it!!! your car is perfect really, i love the different direction youve taken!!
i know the roadster is very stiff as is for a roadster but im betting adding the top adds a decent chunk of rigidity back into the structure... can you feel any difference??
i know the roadster is very stiff as is for a roadster but im betting adding the top adds a decent chunk of rigidity back into the structure... can you feel any difference??
When you fit the hardtop, is the soft top up?
I bet the additional weight high up in the car totally offsets any benefits in rigidity it might add.
Coupe would be the better base for a CSL really. Much stiffer, faster steering rack, probably lighter than a roadster with a hard top etc etc...
Please don't take this as criticism, but I think it's pushing it calling it a CSL.
Dave
I bet the additional weight high up in the car totally offsets any benefits in rigidity it might add.
Coupe would be the better base for a CSL really. Much stiffer, faster steering rack, probably lighter than a roadster with a hard top etc etc...
Please don't take this as criticism, but I think it's pushing it calling it a CSL.
Dave
Doh, yes of course 
What I'd love to see on a diy/enthusiast Z4 M CSL would be removing the soft top and all associated bits, and then adding in an appropriately shaped painted carbon panel to cover the hole, maybe something like the Boxster Spyder cover.
So no roof at all, but it'd be another 40kg off the Roadsters weight.
Then take out the heavy leccy seats and fit Recaro (ala the Alpina ESS modded car), save another 40kg maybe.
Carbon boot lid and bonnet? Maybe another 10kg?
You'd be starting to get it really light then. A racing battery could save another chunk of weight.
Then some fancy exhaust in lightweight materials to save some more weight and add a bit of power.
Mmmm, light and noisy and totally impractical
Dave
What I'd love to see on a diy/enthusiast Z4 M CSL would be removing the soft top and all associated bits, and then adding in an appropriately shaped painted carbon panel to cover the hole, maybe something like the Boxster Spyder cover.
So no roof at all, but it'd be another 40kg off the Roadsters weight.
Then take out the heavy leccy seats and fit Recaro (ala the Alpina ESS modded car), save another 40kg maybe.
Carbon boot lid and bonnet? Maybe another 10kg?
You'd be starting to get it really light then. A racing battery could save another chunk of weight.
Then some fancy exhaust in lightweight materials to save some more weight and add a bit of power.
Mmmm, light and noisy and totally impractical
Dave
Mr Whippy said:
The coupe weighs more than the roadster,as it was developed as an afterthought,and had to add weight for the fixed roof,as far as i am aware...so the roadsters the perfect choice ,plus with e46 csl cams,carbon airbox,etc i think its justified calling it a csl z4m.
Lovely looking car
Beedub, great minds think alike, lol. Always wanted a hardtop for the car and only finally got round to getting one. I have a hardtop for my previous M3 (e46) convertible and it was like having two cars… as it changes the look of the car. As it was put on in the winter months, and then taken off in the summer. One thing I have noticed it’s quieter but haven’t been able to compare the handling differences. When I get the car lived-mapped (hopefully this month) for the stage 3 race head I’ll do some laps with and without.
Dave, no criticism taken mate. Yes the M3 CSL is a great handling car, however I think I have matched and surpassed it with the handling modifications, only the Z4M Coupe steering rack would complete the picture. I believe the rack in the roadster is quite fast, however a faster rack can make it more twitchy so I decided not to go for it (Z4MC one). Also the exhaust system has been totally replaced from the Stepped headers to ends. I would normal agree about the CSL name I’ve given, but after the guy from BMW Car was so impressed with the handling. I really did quiz him on it as I wanted the truth as he’d just tested the M3 (e92) GTS and 1M and he replied it was that good. The M3 CSL is all about handling, power, driver enjoyment and not forgetting induction noise. I would like to think with all the modifications to address those qualities my little Z4M qualifies to wear the CSL badge... However my ‘C’ stands for convertible though, lol. However I have some weight reduction items, but I think some lightweight seats would seal the deal, which I’m strongly considering, any recommendations on that front anyone? Did think about replacing some body parts (Bonnet, Wings, doors etc) with carbon fibre parts to reduce weight but that was very expensive.
Can’t wait for the car to be finally live-mapped to take into considerations of the race head and get a final dyno reading and some 0-60,100 times. All I know with previous run-ins with some e92 M3s and one particular 911 GT3 RS (996 mk 2) on a dual carriage way and a few round-abouts there was nothing in it; as I got a thumbs up from the 911 driver as he was really going for it.
Hi Craig3.0. Yes use to have CSL Cams but have now replaced them with more aggressive schrick stage 2 cams (I think the CSL Cams are actually Schrick stage 1 cams). The stage 2 ones will be able to take into account the larger inlet ported, 5 angle valve and larger ‘incol’ inlet valves. The head has been recorded with 30% better airflow than my previous head. Can notice the difference with my current map, can’t wait for the final map.
The list of my modifications is:
ENGINE
- E46 M3 CSL carbon fibre airbox modified to fit the Z4M
- CA custom live mapping, Alpha N based
- CSL camshafts (Replaced)
- Evosport power pulleys
- Eisenman exhaust
- Supersprint 100cell centre section
- Supersprint stepped header manifolds
- Enlarged throttle bodies
- Okada Plasma ignition coils
- Oil diverter valve for extra oil cooling
- PWR enlarged radiator
My Stage 4 mods:
- Stage 3 Race Cylinder Head (Larger ported Inlet)
- Larger 'Incol' Inlet Valves
- Schrick stage 2 cams & followers
- RPI Scoop (Forgot this item. Just amended this post in to include that).
CHASSIS
- Genuine M3 CSL Wheels
- Eibach 12mm hubcentric wheel spacers
- Nitron Custom made NTR Coilover suspension system
- Ground Control anti roll bars
- Wiechers Racing Line front strut brace
- Rogue Engineering and P/flex bushes
- Rogue rear shock mounts
- CA custom geometry settings
- Stoptech brake rotors
- Goodridge brake lines
- Axxis ULT brake pads
- RBF 600r brake fluid
DRIVETRAIN / TRANSMISSION
- Rogue Engineering Short shift kit
- Rogue transmission mounts
- 3.91 Diff (Forgot this mod too)
STYLING
- BMW Aero side skirts
- CA Custom carbon fibre front lower splitters and rear skirt cannards
- AC Shnitzer carbon fibre venturi rear diffuser
- Carbon wrap front bumper
My Stage 4 mods:
- AC scnitzer rear wings
- BMW Z4 hardtop
Oh forgot, also looked into getting a lightweight flywheel.... But wasn't sure of the benefits?
Dave, no criticism taken mate. Yes the M3 CSL is a great handling car, however I think I have matched and surpassed it with the handling modifications, only the Z4M Coupe steering rack would complete the picture. I believe the rack in the roadster is quite fast, however a faster rack can make it more twitchy so I decided not to go for it (Z4MC one). Also the exhaust system has been totally replaced from the Stepped headers to ends. I would normal agree about the CSL name I’ve given, but after the guy from BMW Car was so impressed with the handling. I really did quiz him on it as I wanted the truth as he’d just tested the M3 (e92) GTS and 1M and he replied it was that good. The M3 CSL is all about handling, power, driver enjoyment and not forgetting induction noise. I would like to think with all the modifications to address those qualities my little Z4M qualifies to wear the CSL badge... However my ‘C’ stands for convertible though, lol. However I have some weight reduction items, but I think some lightweight seats would seal the deal, which I’m strongly considering, any recommendations on that front anyone? Did think about replacing some body parts (Bonnet, Wings, doors etc) with carbon fibre parts to reduce weight but that was very expensive.
Can’t wait for the car to be finally live-mapped to take into considerations of the race head and get a final dyno reading and some 0-60,100 times. All I know with previous run-ins with some e92 M3s and one particular 911 GT3 RS (996 mk 2) on a dual carriage way and a few round-abouts there was nothing in it; as I got a thumbs up from the 911 driver as he was really going for it.
Hi Craig3.0. Yes use to have CSL Cams but have now replaced them with more aggressive schrick stage 2 cams (I think the CSL Cams are actually Schrick stage 1 cams). The stage 2 ones will be able to take into account the larger inlet ported, 5 angle valve and larger ‘incol’ inlet valves. The head has been recorded with 30% better airflow than my previous head. Can notice the difference with my current map, can’t wait for the final map.
The list of my modifications is:
ENGINE
- E46 M3 CSL carbon fibre airbox modified to fit the Z4M
- CA custom live mapping, Alpha N based
- CSL camshafts (Replaced)
- Evosport power pulleys
- Eisenman exhaust
- Supersprint 100cell centre section
- Supersprint stepped header manifolds
- Enlarged throttle bodies
- Okada Plasma ignition coils
- Oil diverter valve for extra oil cooling
- PWR enlarged radiator
My Stage 4 mods:
- Stage 3 Race Cylinder Head (Larger ported Inlet)
- Larger 'Incol' Inlet Valves
- Schrick stage 2 cams & followers
- RPI Scoop (Forgot this item. Just amended this post in to include that).
CHASSIS
- Genuine M3 CSL Wheels
- Eibach 12mm hubcentric wheel spacers
- Nitron Custom made NTR Coilover suspension system
- Ground Control anti roll bars
- Wiechers Racing Line front strut brace
- Rogue Engineering and P/flex bushes
- Rogue rear shock mounts
- CA custom geometry settings
- Stoptech brake rotors
- Goodridge brake lines
- Axxis ULT brake pads
- RBF 600r brake fluid
DRIVETRAIN / TRANSMISSION
- Rogue Engineering Short shift kit
- Rogue transmission mounts
- 3.91 Diff (Forgot this mod too)
STYLING
- BMW Aero side skirts
- CA Custom carbon fibre front lower splitters and rear skirt cannards
- AC Shnitzer carbon fibre venturi rear diffuser
- Carbon wrap front bumper
My Stage 4 mods:
- AC scnitzer rear wings
- BMW Z4 hardtop
Oh forgot, also looked into getting a lightweight flywheel.... But wasn't sure of the benefits?
Z4M_CSL said:Here are some pics of the hard top installed. I'm looking to get it re-sprayed in imola red and also playing with the idea of getting the wing part carbon-fibre wrapped. Also not sure if the middle part can be carbon wrapped like a CSL. However have to say it doesn't look to bad in black though, lol
Hopefully the AC-Sch rear wings shall arrive soon too. Then get it lived mapped and that will be it, get some recorded times (0-60 - 0-100) etc at the track ...... however one mod I forgot about was the Strong strut brace....
picked up my hardtop today...... it looks the shizz nizz!!! was suprised how big it is however!!! looks really nice with that little spoiler built into the back!! very cool.