335i - CSL?

k3wt

k3wt

k3wt

Associate
Joined
22 Aug 2009
Posts
766
This might seem like a crazy idea but im in need of some impartial opinions and views!

ive been considering a more or less swap in terms of cost of a 335i MSport Coupe for a pretty mint 04 M3 CSL. Ive had an e46M3 SMG before and thoroughly enjoyed it bar the niggles of the gearbox (which im sure has been ironed out now). Every previous owner or existing owner of the CSL says theyre worlds apart from the normal M3 so at the moment im taking their word for it...until i take a test drive that is.

So taking into account the values of both cars in the longer term - if for instance i would be keeping the car for an indefinte period or until the F32 M3 is out. Needless to say the CSL is likely to be better and will defintely be a collectors motor too but i cant help but think it will be a downgrade as it is essentially an all out track car and not much else? It will be my only car but then again i do very few miles.

Would you swap in terms of residuals and desirablity alone? (need to check the values...:( )

Do you think the CSL is more desirable?

If you were given the choice what would it be?

Drawn up a quick list below highlighting my thoughts

M3

PROS
Better Residuals
Future collectors car and highly desirable
Rare
Handles well and great on the track therefore more enjoyable to drive
Lovely induction sound and i personally love the rasp of the exhasut

CONS
No luxuries! ie. USB/ipod, decent hifi, idrive, bluetooth etc etc
No PDC on the one im looking at!!!
Perhaps considered asthmatic compared to 335i torques
Because its a collectors car and mileage sensitve it might stop me from driving it?...
Getting a bit old in shape and inevitably more prone mechanically than the newer 335?
Will drive me nuts as my only car
Supposedly more than one owner so never know what its been through etc.

335

PROS
Had from new so spec is how i like it and i know its been cared for etc.
Effortlessly quick in stock form
Easy to tune
Current generation but LCI is on its way:(
Plenty of luxuries

CONS
No LSD (something that really frustrates me)
Doenst corner and handle as well as the CSL
Taken a huge hit on depreciation and its not getting any better (guess its levelling out tho?)
e92's are common as muck now and soon every chav will be in them

Thats all i can think of right now but have other fragemnts running through my mind as it were...

Does this make any sense?!
 
do you need it?!? e92 is a much better car(in my point of view).. and you are not ~40 year old man who will save the car as collectors item..
 
Really depends on the sort of driving you do. If you need to commute long distances and/or a lot of your driving isn't for 'fun' then I'd keep the 335i. But you say you do very little mileage so...

...buy the CSL. Do consider the running costs though.
 
Do you even have to ask, seriously?

CSL, no doubt.

Do I think the CSL is desirable? It is without doubt my favourite car, so, yes!

If I were given the choice? CSL!

Do it.

also pdc, its for driving not parking, man up and use some spatial awareness.
 
Last edited:
Don't know much about either cars but having seen pics of your 335 I'd be inclined to stay with it if it was my decision. :cool:
 
Draeger said:
Don't know much about either cars but having seen pics of your 335 I'd be inclined to stay with it if it was my decision. :cool:
Click to expand...

Let me enlighten you.

The E46 M3 as i'm sure you probably know is an extremely capable, and fantasticy quick machine. On the road, and certainly on the track.

The CSL, a limited run of 1400 cars, has been given larier cams, different valves, a massive carbon fibre inlet manifold, stiffer suspension and arb setup, as well as a slightly bigger brake set-up. And lets not forget the weight saving measures. Lightweight fixed buckets, carbon fibre panels, thinner glass etc etc.

This all makes for a supremely capable machine, both on road and track. You only have to look at lap times around the nordschleife to get a feel for the sort of company it keeps. (7 minutes 50 seconds btw)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nürburgring_lap_times

Then theres the looks, my god it looks amazing. The wheels, probably the best car to wheel combination stock I have ever seen.

The noise.


 
Last edited:
I'd keep the 335 if it's for daily use.

Edit - just read that you do very few miles.

CSL - what are you waiting for!?!
 
Last edited:
I would have the CSL everytime, have been in both and the 335i is a nice enough GT esq car but its not in the same league as a CSL for driving pleasure.

Mind the CSL will cost far more to run esp if you clock a hare on the carbon splitter like my mate did in his :o
 
The CSL is not worlds apart to a normal cooking E46 M3, really, it's not. However, it has small tweaks in important places that just mean it goes to 11, it's so much better than the sum of its parts in my mind and a true all time great, hard as nails too. I had E46 M3's, loved them as bloody epic cars but the CSL is just better and the E46 M3 was about as good as it got when released.

However, if you don't plan to track it or hoon it across Europe there is little point. I personally don't think the CSL is a around town or car park car, it needs to be ragged on track or on cross continent runs to really enjoy it. E92 is a 'better' car but the CSL is simply leagues ahead in terms of an event, engine note to die for. I drove some back to back recently with E92 M3's and I would take the CSL over them so you don't need to ask me about the 335i.
 
If i had the CSL i would be more inclined to take trips to the Ring ;)

Main thing to me right now tho is that it seems crazy to swap out for an older, multi owned and perhaps physically 'lesser' car. :)

...Housey are u on Mtorque by any chance?
 
Howsie? ;) Think i was a member way back from BM3W days of 2001/2 maybe!

I know a few CSL owners ive met off e90post (also members of Mtorque i think) so am just getting bits of info here and there. still not convinced yet tho!
 
k3wt said:
Howsie? ;) Think i was a member way back from BM3W days of 2001/2 maybe!

I know a few CSL owners ive met off e90post (also members of Mtorque i think) so am just getting bits of info here and there. still not convinced yet tho!
Click to expand...

Er no, Housey, I can understand your confusion :p
 
You should stick the the 335 as your daily driver.
Nearly bought a CSL myself but ended up working abroad for longer. Things that struck me about the car is that so many people hype it up and put it on a pedestal, except when you are driving it day in day out as a daily driver, you'd end up yearning for a standard E46. Its only on a track or fast road driving where it really shines.
Also, putting high miles on a CSL will aid its depreciation. I have seen several sell for less than 20k, each with 70-75k miles on the clock.
 
Last edited:
Head says keep the 335i heart says CSL.

Ultimately, its down to what you want from the car? - The two are Chalk & Cheese.
 
its more practical that a lot of 'drivers' cars but its not as easy to live with as a regular M3 or 335i, eventually the little things got the better of me and I decided it wasn't really a day to day car.

If you have to question if you can put up with the 'downgrades' then potentially the answer is no.

edit - equally, if you buy well it shouldn't lose much / any value if you resell privately, so little money lost to try it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom