Gareths M3 CSL

[DuncS3]

Gareth,

Just noticed on your sig that you have got rid of the CSL? Is that right? You didnt like?

Dunc

[Gareth]

Hi Dunc

Yes the CSL went yesterday after what has been a very short period of ownership after a 2 and half year wait for the damn thing [img]images/graemlins/FIREdevil.gif[/img]

I won't bore you with the full story but let's just say it was the wrong car at the wrong time given the circumstances. Plus the market for cars in that kind of price range is totally shagged now and it's a brave man who keeps a prestige £60+k motor and still hopes to retain a decent amount of residual value [img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

Will really miss that noise though...mini Macca F1..yeah for sure [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

So how many miles were on the clock when you let her go? Was it run in?

Just wondering because I've had mine for 3 weeks now and only done 500 miles due to international travel. can't wait for that first service though [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

So how many miles were on the clock when you let her go? Was it run in?

Just wondering because I've had mine for 3 weeks now and only done 500 miles due to international travel. can't wait for that first service though [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]

Hi Ian

Only 625 miles so not run in [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Once you get past the 1,200 miles first (free) service....then it's woooohoooooo [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

Enjoy [img]images/graemlins/bigwave.gif[/img]

[s8n]

Saw my first CSL today drive past me at lunch time in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.. looked hot and definately had more of a F1 sound than the standard M3...

Seats are very [img]images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]

I thought you buy a car to drive it, not its resale value [img]images/graemlins/<beep>_you.gif[/img]

[PP]

Sure you buy a car to drive it, but you have to keep a beady eye on residuals. For example an RS6 is likely to lose £30K in 3 years, or even shorter period. The M3 CSL will have lost £15k from the same £60k price. That's why the RS6 will be a great buy in 3 years time.

[Gareth]

In a year the RS6 will be an awesome buy...I'd deffo have one then for £35k [img]images/graemlins/bigwave.gif[/img]

[TimJMS]

For example an RS6 is likely to lose £30K in 3 years, or even shorter period. The M3 CSL will have lost £15k from the same £60k price.

Interesting. I think the CSL will make an excellent buy a year from now. With the best will in the world I simply cannot see it holding its value like a GT3 will.

Values are dropping now. If you were to say it will lose £15k in its first year IMO thats nearer the mark.

[PP]

There are too few M3 CSL's around. + The high residuals of the 'normal' will help keep the value inflated. Having owned the world' best CSL and the E30 M3, I was keen on buying the M3 CSL - but thought it was too expensive - a GT3 is better value and will lose less - I agree. But if a year old M3 CSL could be had for 45k in a year's time, it becomes good value and I would buy it. The RS6 is likely to lose the most out the trio we are talking about. Dealers are offering 40k for a year old car with some miles on it. At 30k I would buy it - only a matter of time.

[TimJMS]

AFAIK there are 500 CSL's coming into the UK.

Thats 20% more than the RS4. No shortage to choose from there.

M3 is only showing 50% residual after 3 years which is par for the course really.

Funny how we see it in opposites. I see the M3 as being partly responsible for falling residuals in the CSL. I also dont quite think the CSL is the car that many who put in an order were expecting. Many thought they would be getting a new engine, possibly a V8.

I do seriously agree tho' that a CSL, 1 year old, nicely run in at £45k is going be sorely tempting [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Time as you say, will tell.

[Gareth]

Tim

Need to put you right on a few things M8.

1. At the moment there are 400 CSL's due to increase to 500 as BMW GB release some demo and press cars.

2. The M3 is holding well over 50% residual value in the current market. The launch cars (2001-y reg) are still fetching-at worst-£29k against a new price of £40-45k. The first current shape I had was a 2001 y reg that listed at £41k and I sold it to the dealer after 9 months for £39k [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img] For sure values have fallen back now but not to the 50% you've quoted.

3. As someone who waited over 2 years for a CSL I can honestly say that it exceeded my expectations. I have around 6 collegues who also have their CSL after a similar wait and they are also suprised at just how much different the CSL is to their previous M3 coupe. As for the comment about the v8 I'm a little confused there. The CSL was never going to have a V8 and no one I know was ever expecting that over the straight 6. There are some rumours that BMW may bring out a M3 GT which would feature a 4 litre (or larger)small block V8 but this is not confirmed at all. This engine would be the precursor to the V8 fitted in the next M3 coupe due in 2006.

4. In a year it might be possible to buy a CSL for £45k and if you run it as your second car it could well be a very tempting offer [img]images/graemlins/FIREdevil.gif[/img]

After watching last night's Top Gear I started to miss my CSL but it had to go unfortunately [img]images/graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

[TimJMS]

Thanks for that Gareth. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Admit I was "fishing" a little with the residual on the M3 [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Everything else seems correct though.

I remember when the CSL was first mooted there being much debate about what engine BMW would use, and many at the time of placing an order thought to get more power safely they would use a version of the V8, and then when it became apparent this would'nt be the case some were disappointed the CSL would only pack a 360hp punch.

Here is hoping for the materialisation of the £45k CSL in 12 months. The longer time passes, the less likely I feel it is that Audi will release an RS4.

[PP]

Hi Gareth



Let’s face it, the whole market in cars, especially exotica, is softening a bit. I absolutely agree with you that the M3 is holding well over 50%. I spoke to a friend who works at BMW Motorsport and he described the M3 CSL as having the same gap form the normal M3 as it has to the 330 ci. That is indeed a significant gap, and more important is the mind-set behind developing the M3 CSL – the true values are deep and will be appreciated over the years. My E30 M3 Evo 2.5 is like that. It cost £40K in 1990, but the minute I sit in the car, it is 100% heroin!!!!!!!.



I will get one of these in about a years time. Missed the top gear programme – can anyone help with a video?

[Reno]

Hi Gareth

I will get one of these in about a years time. Missed the top gear programme – can anyone help with a video?

I have it on my PC, but it's about 70MB and i don't have webspace to host it, should you have webspace i can always send it one way or another...

It was a great show BTW, i love Top Gear!! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Reno]

Funny how we see it in opposites. I see the M3 as being partly responsible for falling residuals in the CSL. I also dont quite think the CSL is the car that many who put in an order were expecting. Many thought they would be getting a new engine, possibly a V8.

I think you were confusing with this car; M3 GTR Streetversion, which was planned as homologation for the FIA GT but was never produced. that car had an V8 with approx. 45Ohp



one of these cars was actually for sale in a garage in the Emirates or something...



Grtz
Reno