Seeing as there are a few dreamer threads on here just now, I thought I'd dip my toe in the water!

I've always admired the CSL for it's no nonsense obsessive approach to travelling very fast indeed. And it contains one of the best engines ever produced. I'd love to own one but they are just a little bit too expensive, and hold their value like a lottery winning Scotsman.

I have no drive, or garage, and have to park my car on the street.

Please discuss the pros and cons of CSL ownership. Are they worth the extra over a boggo M3, or an M3 CS?

Example of a "cheap" CSL:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/849964.htm

Nice cars, and yes the engine is a stonking unit. Rear suspension can be a nightmare though. For road use a bog standard M3 is plenty though. Also watch out for noisy valve lifters which suggest not serviced at correct intervals.

love 'em only real downside for me is the fact that I can't afford one

Lovely cars, sound great. If you have to ask you can't afford it. I can't even afford to ask I guess

EPIC cars.

Expect 20mpg average, under half that if you drive it like it should be driven. Stupidly high insurance and servicing costs too.

Very desierable to thieves, so a good tracker and anti-theft system is a must. I wouldn't own one as I don't fancy being awoken in the middle of the night by baseball bat equipped thieves demanding the keys...

These were well over £60k new, but even that considered they do seem to hold their value extremely well indeed. :eek:

My feeling its they are a little hardcore as a daily driver, but as a second car :drool:

EPIC cars.

Expect 20mpg average, under half that if you drive it like it should be driven. Stupidly high insurance and servicing costs too.

Very desierable to thieves, so a good tracker and anti-theft system is a must. I wouldn't own one as I don't fancy being awoken in the middle of the night by baseball bat equipped thieves demanding the keys...

These were well over £60k new, but even that considered they do seem to hold their value extremely well indeed. :eek:

My feeling its they are a little hardcore as a daily driver, but as a second car :drool:

Some good points made there Tom, The thought of being burgled for the car keys has put me off so many cars in the last few years. Things like that really make you realise that it just isn't worth it.

Also If you own a car like a CSL, then it's sacrilege not to take it on a track once in a while, which will cost even more to sustain.

So CSL = ££££ + £££££ + £££££ + £££££

Some good points made there Tom, The thought of being burgled for the car keys has put me off so many cars in the last few years. Things like that really make you realise that it just isn't worth it.

Also If you own a car like a CSL, then it's sacrilege not to take it on a track once in a while, which will cost even more to sustain.

So CSL = ££££ + £££££ + £££££ + £££££

Basically yep. Saying that though, depreciation isn't too bad (a good M3 of any generation won't be worth less than £6k odd imho), and this has got to have 10 years before it will be worth that little.

Yes services are dear, but not THAT dear. Reliability should be first class, even if driven everywhere in anger. Tyres will be pricey for sure though.

So yes, lots of money, but not out of the realms of possibility for quite a few people I'd think. As a long term keeper they make even more sense.

Is it typical for a CSL to have had 3 owners in 4ish years and a heinous crime of a reg plate? How much would a good example cost?

Yep, very nice indeed. Would of course love to own one

But remind me Mr Pitt, why did you sell your MPS again?

For some of the reasons Tom lists above, for me it would sit in the category of 2nd car, spent some time on track and lived in a secure garage and with some decent security

Steve

Is it typical for a CSL to have had 3 owners in 4ish years and a heinous crime of a reg plate? How much would a good example cost?

Yes on the plate, and yes on the number of owners too. These sorts of cars either stay with an owner for a long time or are chopped and change very regularly.

I've seen e36 M3s with 10+ owners... :eek:

Agreed; rubbish plate :thumbdwn:

Doesn't deserve a CSL with something like that on it!

But remind me Mr Pitt, why did you sell your MPS again?

For some of the reasons Tom lists above, for me it would sit in the category of 2nd car, spent some time on track and lived in a secure garage and with some decent security

Touche Mr Ward! So if I buy a new house with a secure garage and a driveway, then i could buy a CSL as well.....?

just jesting, as you know. Epic bit of machinery; they just look so 'right'.

Yes, with that scenario I think you'd be OK to proceed. Personally I'd have tracker, CCTV and a hungry dog lined up too - just to be safe

Steve

according to the owners i spoke to last year at the ring(most of there csl's lived there and wer dedicated ring cars)the brakes are the only weak point,most were upgraded to ap racing items of an enormouse diametre ad more pot than i've smoked in a lifetime:D

Yep, M-Cars always seem to have weak brakes (relative to everything on the car). Know a few E39 M5 owners and the popular upgrade is to a Porsche setup

But yeah, AP would suffice I suppose! :drool:

http://www.evo-s.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=6_2376_2422_2159

Steve

I've had a ride in one - BIBLICAL SPEED :drool:

I would have one, but need to save up for my new front brake cable

Please discuss the pros and cons of CSL ownership. Are they worth the extra over a boggo M3, or an M3 CS?

I'll say no, unless you're planning to use it a lot on track. As a daily driver you might find the CSL to be a little too raw and if you're wanting to drive it in anything but dry weather, you'll want to budget for a set of non cut slicks too

Fantastic bit of machinery though and on my lottery win list

Chris

Fantastic bit of machinery though and on my lottery win list

Chris

I think that just about sums up realistic CSL ownership prospects for me, Chris.

I'd just like to add, the fella who owned the CSL was 21 at the time!!!!

He now drives a 997 Carrera 2S