E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

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03-10-14, 14:26
Bayerische

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

The E46 M3 CSL and the E30 M3 are probably the two most iconic cars that BMW have produced in recent years.

Many see the E30 as the original and the best because of it's chassis and pure driving experience, while many see the CSL as the best for it's handling and induction noise.

Whenever these cars are talked about they are invariably compared to one another, so my question is, Which one would you prefer in your garage? The newer upstart with it's SMG II or the uncomplicated original ?

I'm not talking about Sport Evo's as prices of those cars have gone crazy.

http://cartype.com/pics/3841/small/b..._frontside.jpg

or

http://cartype.com/pics/8375/small/bmw_e30_m3_87.jpg
03-10-14, 14:27
Gar

Re: M3 CSL or E30 M3

Csl hands down [emoji41]
03-10-14, 14:31
Chrispyfish

RE: M3 CSL or E30 M3

CSL all day long, im a major old school fan, e28/30/34 M's would be on the lotto list but CSL would be above the lot.

Classic status already, a lot of parts are now NLA too.

Plus in 2028 they can be imported to the US where they will go mad for them :tounge:
03-10-14, 14:33
318 iS Cosmos

RE: M3 CSL or E30 M3

I think the CSL just about edges it for me...very hard to call though
03-10-14, 14:48
Peter-E36

RE: M3 CSL or E30 M3

I'd have to have the e30 M3 :cool: I'm not saying it's a better car, it's just what I'd have.
03-10-14, 14:54
318 iS Cosmos

RE: M3 CSL or E30 M3

From an aesthetics point of view, the e30 wins hands down. I could stare at it all day and be happy:happy: everything else though, i think the CSL is better and more capable
03-10-14, 15:21
RossYB

RE: M3 CSL or E30 M3

I do like the rawness of the CSL, But I'd chose the E30 M3... :cool:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...yVINr_g4CZ8bdy

ETA: Poll now added to opening post. ;)
03-10-14, 16:58
E60Dave

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Always gonna be the CSL - never liked the e30 :embarrased::embarrased:
03-10-14, 17:35
ginoc

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Opoh I like that ^^ e30 for me but then I am biased [emoji16]
03-10-14, 17:47
Leins

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

E30. CSLs are too noisy and scare dogs & old people
03-10-14, 17:49
rebel.ranter

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Would you get two e30 M3s for CSL money?

Both great cars but I think I'd go for the CSL.
03-10-14, 18:03
Chrispyfish

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel.ranter

Would you get two e30 M3s for CSL money?

Not a chance!
03-10-14, 18:13
Andy

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

We have this conversation a few times Mr Bayerische. I think it's actually a hard one to call. If I could put the E30 M3 is my sitting room and just look at it I would be happy. To get in and drive it would be the CSL that would do it for me. Even after driving the Sport Evo I would still go the CSL. For what you get as a package for the money I feel it's better value at this stage.

Don't get me wrong I still really like the E30. If it was an absolute gem of a low mile E30 this could possibly sway me. The reason you are considering the E30 and where it would "fit in" is a very good one.

Anyway you all ready have an E30 :)

Regards,

Andy
03-10-14, 18:38
Gar

Re: RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispyfish

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel.ranter

Would you get two e30 M3s for CSL money?

Not a chance!

I think you would csl's are making 35-40k sterling you should get an e30 m3 for under 20k no problem
03-10-14, 18:53
tom

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Have a e30 m3, had a csl, if i had to choose id probably take the csl
03-10-14, 18:58
Andy

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom

Have a e30 m3, had a csl, if i had to choose id probably take the csl

Swine :D

Regards,

Andy
03-10-14, 19:16
Bayerische

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Anyway you all ready have an E30 :)

I do, but not one with go faster spoilers, anyway, this is a purely hypothetical discussion :wink:
03-10-14, 19:18
Bayerische

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispyfish

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel.ranter

Would you get two e30 M3s for CSL money?

Not a chance!

I think you would csl's are making 35-40k sterling you should get an e30 m3 for under 20k no problem

I think the days of getting a good E30 M3 for under 20K sterling are long gone. Below 20k is probably a restoration job.
03-10-14, 19:23
Bayerische

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom

Have a e30 m3, had a csl, if i had to choose id probably take the csl

Swine :D

Regards,

Andy

Swine x2 :D
03-10-14, 19:26
Ford 2

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

For me the Mecca is the E60 M5. It would be a case of I'd have either, sell and buy the big 5.. as a lay type of answer I never liked e30's in any form be it evo or otherwise, capable I'm sure but just not a 21 or 2002 in the beauty department. The CSL is outstanding in every single way. Just not mad into e46's just yet but I'm coming around :) so poll wise it's 46 for me
03-10-14, 19:44
HealyC

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Haven driven both several times my vote would be.......

CSL in an E30 body :D

E30 M3 is a fantastic car to look at but tbh not a great car to drive. Dog leg box, lhd and an engine that doesn't kick into gear until 5000rpm. But has the looks, proper head turner :cool:

CSL, goes like stink, handles like its on rails and a nice place to be. But in the head turning category it's nothing compared to the E30.
03-10-14, 19:52
Gar

Re: RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayerische

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispyfish

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel.ranter

Would you get two e30 M3s for CSL money?

Not a chance!

I think you would csl's are making 35-40k sterling you should get an e30 m3 for under 20k no problem

I think the days of getting a good E30 M3 for under 20K sterling are long gone. Below 20k is probably a restoration job.

True but goes without saying on most +20 year old bmws they love to rust [emoji3]

They have increased steadily and fast though from 3 years ago when they were 10k euro a pop

The 90k one is just taking the piss i love the brand but thats decent ferrari/porsche money right there

The Z3M coupe would be an interesting poll against the e30 [emoji41]
03-10-14, 19:58
Bayerische

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

CSL, goes like stink, handles like its on rails and a nice place to be. But in the head turning category it's nothing compared to the E30.

True, but I think the years are going to be kind to the E46 CSL, as regular E46 M3's die off, the CSL will become a much rarer and special sight on the roads.
03-10-14, 20:12
HealyC

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayerische

Quote:

Originally Posted by HealyC

CSL, goes like stink, handles like its on rails and a nice place to be. But in the head turning category it's nothing compared to the E30.

True, but I think the years are going to be kind to the E46 CSL, as regular E46 M3's die off, the CSL will become a much rarer and special sight on the roads.

Ah yes of course, E46 was a far better built car too and most of them have spent their lives with "enthusiasts". Tbh the proper comparison would be standard E46 M3 Vs E30 M3. Both have fallen into the wrong hands over the years, same can be said with all ///Ms but there are still gems out there ;)
03-10-14, 20:28
Leins

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Leaving aside values and purely as an "ownership experience", the truth is there's not an E30 out there I would swap the CSL for, and very few Porsches. Every now and then I think something like a 993 C4S or Ferrari 348 would be a good idea, but in reality the fear of missing it is too great, if that makes sense. I believe there is nothing at the current price-point of the CSL that suits what I want as well, and really it would have to be something like a CLK Black or 996 GT2 for me to feel comfortable about swapping, both of which are considerably more expensive in the UK without even factoring in any extra VRT

Hell, my old 318iS got ten times the attention of the CSL, it doesn't work all that well in urban environments, unique parts have been hoovered up by non-CSL owners to the point where many are now NLA, the seats nearly cripple anyone who isn't the right shape, and the radio is rubbish :D

However, take one out on an empty, dry back road and it just becomes immense, everything (including the SMGII) working perfectly in synch, and you get out of the car feeling wired at the end

But it really does scare old people! :D
03-10-14, 20:33
318 iS Cosmos

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Would love to own a CSL at some point...one day perhaps[emoji2]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
03-10-14, 20:37
Gar

Re: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Would you swap for a gts jeff [emoji3]
03-10-14, 20:44
Leins

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Would you swap for a gts jeff [emoji3]

Leaving values aside, I actually don't think I would Gar. I haven't driven one, but when I sat in a GTS last year there was a serious "after market" feel to it, and as much as it's probably awesome it didn't feel all that special

I'd love to have a go in a B3 GT3 though to see what the craic is with those
03-10-14, 20:47
Gar

Re: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Seriously [emoji15], shocked man they look and sound fantastic i thought if anything would prise the csl from your hands it would be a gts the alpinas a fine beast carry a huge tag like the gts though , the aftermarket feel is probably down to it being more a track focused toy lack of rear seats helmet and fire extinguisher when you buy

What about an m3 gtr again values aside (bearing in mind if you say no il most likely never speak to you again)[emoji1]
03-10-14, 21:28
Bayerische

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

It's a tough call but I think I would opt for a CSL.

The E30 is a fantastic car and will always have the distinction of being the original M3 but I think the CSL eclipses it.

It's rare for an 11 year old car to gain so much attention, when the E30 M3 was 11 years old, it was a forgotten car with a dodgy image that could be bought for peanuts (Sport Evo's included).

I think the CSL will only become more desirable and respected as time goes on, with prices to follow suit. It's still too new to turn heads on the street but in time that will undoubtedly change.

The NA straight six is BMW's signature engine, unfortunately we are unlikely to see another one in an ///M car, and the best sounding one they ever made is in the CSL.

For me, the biggest let down of the E30 is the 4 cylinder S14, it's a great engine but it's a pity is sounded like a VW golf GTi of the day.

Jeff, I thought you had a court order barring you against drag racing outside nursing homes :D
03-10-14, 21:35
lelo

Re: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Love the e30 m3 very much and the csl but I think if I was left in a room with both sets of keys on a table and both cars outside I'd be up he road and out of sight In the csl before you could say M [emoji14]
03-10-14, 21:50
Andy

E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

As Bayerische the biggest let down for me too with the E30 was the 4 cylinder. I came very close to buying one on two occasions but just found the lack of cylinders just made it feel a bit incomplete.

Regards,

Andy
03-10-14, 21:59
Leins

RE: E46 M3 CSL or E30 M3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gar

Seriously [emoji15], shocked man they look and sound fantastic i thought if anything would prise the csl from your hands it would be a gts the alpinas a fine beast carry a huge tag like the gts though , the aftermarket feel is probably down to it being more a track focused toy lack of rear seats helmet and fire extinguisher when you buy

What about an m3 gtr again values aside (bearing in mind if you say no il most likely never speak to you again)[emoji1]

I saw another GTS being driven in anger, and it did sound properly raw, but I still felt when I got up close to one that it was a bit less of an engineering project than what produced the CSL, engine capacity increase aside. For example, compare the redesigned boot lid on the CSL to the rear wing attached to the GTS. Would still love one though, as I would a GTR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayerische

Jeff, I thought you had a court order barring you against drag racing outside nursing homes :D

Didn't need to Nick, I heard all the OAPs had bought a Nissan GTR between them so am giving the place a wide berth now ;)

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