Joe Achilles: BMW E46 M3 CSL So Much Want

Jason · 06-08-2020, 08:39 AM

cactusjack · 06-08-2020, 08:44 AM

The E46 M3 CSL is probably one of the most beautiful and timeless designs for a 21st-century car. God, I wish the US got some CSL's.

deemo319 · 06-08-2020, 09:02 AM

I don't even need to watch it to know how good it is.

greekcs · 06-08-2020, 09:06 AM

I actually didn't mind the SMG II gearbox.

OldCrow7xx · 06-08-2020, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

I grew up watching this car race every Wednesday night at Langley Speedway in the virginia. It was amazing to me how fast it could go around the turns and just drive away from everything with "only 330hp" at the time.

Miko M · 06-08-2020, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcs

I actually didn't mind the SMG II gearbox.

It was not that good
MT is the only way for me anyway

Darth One · 06-08-2020, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

The E46 M3 CSL is probably one of the most beautiful and timeless designs for a 21st-century car. God, I wish the US got some CSL's.

2029! Circle your calendars, folks

m20e3087 · 06-08-2020, 09:34 AM

That engine and exhaust sound

123sub · 06-08-2020, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth One

2029! Circle your calendars, folks

2028(?)

SYT_Shadow · 06-08-2020, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miko M

It was not that good
MT is the only way for me anyway

It is easy to change the SMG into 6MT, it's been done many times.

That is what I'd do to my CSL if I had one

LemonOne · 06-08-2020, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth One

2029! Circle your calendars, folks

You can still buy one from Europe and ship it to yourself.
You just can't register it until 2029

stefan · 06-08-2020, 01:41 PM

I will avoid this video for the pain that it creates.

Personally I think it's better to source a local M3 and do your own mods. The thing the E46 needs even more than that beautiful airbox is high flow headers and cats. The car is badly choked by it. Replacing that and spray-foam/epoxy/reinforcing your subframe will make the car an absolute twitchy savage monster. From there I think it would still be cheaper to do your own mod to the roof. Then you can keep the manual which will need replacement of its linkage and bushings anyway.

Darth One · 06-08-2020, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123sub

2028(?)

You could be right. AFAIK they’re all 2004 models, but perhaps delivered in ‘03?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonOne

You can still buy one from Europe and ship it to yourself.
You just can't register it until 2029

That works too...or find a storage facility in Europe. It’s not a bad idea because when the 25yr rule comes close to being active, Americans are gonna grab European cars like we’re doing with R32 GTR’s from Japan

123sub · 06-08-2020, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth One

You could be right. AFAIK they’re all 2004 models, but perhaps delivered in ‘03?

Produced between 05/03-12/03, and many delivered to customers in 03. Take a look at some of these cars for sale at mobile.de, the biggest site in Europe. But, if the 25 year is based on model year, and not the calendar year...., then i dont know. The 321PS E36 closing in for the US.

khanyam4 · 06-08-2020, 06:08 PM

favorite M3 period

Steviesurgeryy · 06-08-2020, 08:04 PM

One of the best BMWs period.

advantage20 · 06-09-2020, 10:04 AM

BMW's messiah. One of a kind, worshipped around the world, redeemed the brand's past and future sins and wanderings. Unfortunately now being used as a totem to excuse untenable deviations from the holy commandments.

Dr.Sommer · 06-09-2020, 11:24 AM

Great reminder of the good days at BMW. E92 M3 was still fantastic. Didn't get any better since and most probably will never.

Duck360198 · 06-09-2020, 08:53 PM

God I love this. These videos never get old. The old SMG debate gets a little tired but there's no denying this car. It truly is one of the best cars BMW ever developed. 17 years later it remains the benchmark of modern day BMW's and given the current climate and direction of the new stuff I'm pretty sure we'll never see the likes of anything remotely close to what the CSL is.

My fear is that much like every other "special edition" BMW has done, they'll throw a "CSL" nameplate on something simply from a marketing perspective. Sorry, but anything present day labeled as "CSL" would be an absolute insult to the 3.0 AND the E46. Whatever carries that name has some very serious shoes to fill. Personally I think you leave it at the 3.0 and E46.

KevinM · 06-09-2020, 10:59 PM

As Springsteen says, "Glory Days..."

I'm biased, but the E46/E39 era was IMO the pinnacle of BMW as a company focused on the driver's experience rather than than market share. I understand BMW's actions have allowed it to remain independent, I and do love my M2C. But still...

MParallel · 06-10-2020, 04:09 AM

SMGII perfectly suited and suits this car. Specially if you look at it from its correct time perspective.

It was a no compromises car and the SMGII box was the best when this car was made.

Keep in mind the CSL's SMGII software has different programming, so if you think of a normal E46 M3's SMGII, you're misssing out.

06-08-2020, 08:39 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 45116 Rep 21,348 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Joe Achilles: BMW E46 M3 CSL So Much Want __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
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06-08-2020, 08:44 AM	#2
cactusjack Banned 344 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2008 Saturn Outlook Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Central Jersey iTrader: (0)	The E46 M3 CSL is probably one of the most beautiful and timeless designs for a 21st-century car. God, I wish the US got some CSL's.
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06-08-2020, 09:02 AM	#3
deemo319 Lieutenant Colonel 1940 Rep 1,750 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Longwood iTrader: (0)	I don't even need to watch it to know how good it is.
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06-08-2020, 09:06 AM	#4
greekcs Major 785 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I actually didn't mind the SMG II gearbox. __________________ 2003 11/02 Steel Gray Metallic on Red M3 - SMGII - VF570 - SUPERSPRINT - KW - BBS - CSL ROOF SOLD 2015 09/14 Alpine White on Red 435i xDrive MPPK - Expensive black vinyl with special lettering. SOLD 2020 12/19 Mineral Gray Metallic on Black Vinyl interior M340i xDrive
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06-08-2020, 09:34 AM	#8
m20e3087 Major 1230 Rep 1,444 Posts Drives: 991.1 & Bimmer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	That engine and exhaust sound
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06-08-2020, 01:41 PM	#12
stefan Brigadier General 2354 Rep 4,258 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North iTrader: (2)	I will avoid this video for the pain that it creates. Personally I think it's better to source a local M3 and do your own mods. The thing the E46 needs even more than that beautiful airbox is high flow headers and cats. The car is badly choked by it. Replacing that and spray-foam/epoxy/reinforcing your subframe will make the car an absolute twitchy savage monster. From there I think it would still be cheaper to do your own mod to the roof. Then you can keep the manual which will need replacement of its linkage and bushings anyway. __________________ ///M Power
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06-08-2020, 06:08 PM	#15
khanyam4 Ring Leader of G8X Trolls 842 Rep 1,788 Posts Drives: 16 F10 535i 25 xDrive G82 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: 33.7743° N, 117.9380° W iTrader: (0)	favorite M3 period
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06-08-2020, 08:04 PM	#16
Steviesurgeryy New Member 2 Rep 5 Posts Drives: Bmw m2 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: 07506 iTrader: (0)	One of the best BMWs period.
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06-09-2020, 10:04 AM	#17
advantage20 Major 1862 Rep 1,231 Posts Drives: 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: France iTrader: (0)	BMW's messiah. One of a kind, worshipped around the world, redeemed the brand's past and future sins and wanderings. Unfortunately now being used as a totem to excuse untenable deviations from the holy commandments.
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06-09-2020, 11:24 AM	#18
Dr.Sommer Private First Class 33 Rep 153 Posts Drives: RWD BMW with nat. asp. 6 cyl. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: A iTrader: (0)	Great reminder of the good days at BMW. E92 M3 was still fantastic. Didn't get any better since and most probably will never.
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06-09-2020, 08:53 PM	#19
Duck360198 Lieutenant Colonel 292 Rep 1,901 Posts Drives: 2018 F30 340i Laguna Seca Blue Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cin City iTrader: (8)	God I love this. These videos never get old. The old SMG debate gets a little tired but there's no denying this car. It truly is one of the best cars BMW ever developed. 17 years later it remains the benchmark of modern day BMW's and given the current climate and direction of the new stuff I'm pretty sure we'll never see the likes of anything remotely close to what the CSL is. My fear is that much like every other "special edition" BMW has done, they'll throw a "CSL" nameplate on something simply from a marketing perspective. Sorry, but anything present day labeled as "CSL" would be an absolute insult to the 3.0 AND the E46. Whatever carries that name has some very serious shoes to fill. Personally I think you leave it at the 3.0 and E46.
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06-09-2020, 10:59 PM	#20
KevinM Brigadier General 3099 Rep 3,333 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.67] 2002 E39 M5 [9.60]	As Springsteen says, "Glory Days..." I'm biased, but the E46/E39 era was IMO the pinnacle of BMW as a company focused on the driver's experience rather than than market share. I understand BMW's actions have allowed it to remain independent, I and do love my M2C. But still... __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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06-10-2020, 04:09 AM	#21
MParallel Mr. OEM 649 Rep 948 Posts Drives: '98 E36 M3 / '12 E88 135i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	SMGII perfectly suited and suits this car. Specially if you look at it from its correct time perspective. It was a no compromises car and the SMGII box was the best when this car was made. Keep in mind the CSL's SMGII software has different programming, so if you think of a normal E46 M3's SMGII, you're misssing out. __________________ IG: iflok '1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III auf Schwarz • Deutschland-ausführung • 1 von 12 • SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL •
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