BMW M3 E46 CSL- The Best Performance Car BMW Has Ever Built?

Could the E46 M3 CSL be the best car to come out of BMW M division? And can BMW build another one just as good?

CSL stands for “Coupe Sport Lightweight”, a moniker first given to the legendary race winning BMW 3.0 CSL. First appearing in 1972, the 3.0CSL homologation special model was very successful in racing, especially in the European Touring Car Championship and the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft, thus securing BMW’s position amongst motorsport giants.

The first BMW M3 CSL appeared in 2003 and wowed enthusiasts all around the world with its use of racing technologies applied to a street car. Among these technologies was a modified version of the usual 3,246-cc S54 inline-six that lacks a conventional mass airflow meter. Instead, intake air is calculated directly by the DME, making for a much quicker engine response. Further changes include modified camshafts and exhaust valves, plus a lightweight exhaust system constructed of thinner steel. The CSL-spec engine is rated at 360 hp at 7,900 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm.

 

The E46 M3 CSL is most notably distinguished from the standard E46 M3 by its various lightweight components. The signature differentiation is the Carbon Fiber reinforced roof panel (GFP) which weighs 13 pounds less than the conventional roof. The front bumper support is also constructed of GFP, as well as the unique “Single Air inlet” front bumper. At the rear, the lower rear valance is made of GFP, while the reshaped trunk lid is made of SMC (sheet molding compound). Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is used for the rear bumper supports and this material is also “sandwiched” with thermoplastics and foam to create the trunk floor and rear bulkhead. As a final weight-saving measure, the rear window glass is extra thin. BMW claimed that the M3 CSL weighed 3,054 pounds, or roughly 10 percent less than the normal model.

The M3 CSL is equipped exclusively with the SMG II transmission featuring a special launch control mode that automatically shifts at the optimum point for maximum acceleration. This is mated to the standard E46 M3 final drive and M locking differential. Also, the DSC system of the M3 CSL can be switched to an exclusive M Track Mode via the steering wheel-mounted button. This raises the threshold at which the system intervenes to allow for some degree of sideways fun.

The suspension of the M3 CSL is based on that of the standard E46 M3. However, it does incorporate a number of changes: shorter stiffer springs and shocks with different rates (for both rebound and compression), plus larger anti-roll bars in the front (30.8 mm) and rear (22.5 mm). In addition, the normal aluminum front control arms (shared with the standard E46 M3) are joined by aluminum rear suspension links with stiffer ball bushings. Rounding out the chassis upgrades is a quicker ratio steering rack (overall ratio: 14.5:1) and larger 13.7-inch cross-drilled front brake rotors. Finally, the M3 CSL rides on lightweight cross-spoke alloy wheels measuring 8.5×19-inches in front (0.5 inches wider than the normal M3) and 9.5×19-inches in the rear. These are shod with special Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires sized 235/35ZR19 (front) and 265/30ZR19 (rear).

Conventional tires mounted to the 19-inch forged M Double Spoke II wheels from the standard E46 M3 were also offered as a no-cost alternative.

Serving the lightweight purpose of the M3 CSL, the interior could be specified without climate control or a radio. However, both were made available at no additional cost.

A total of 1,358 CSLs were produced for European track junkies between June and December of 2003, in both left-hand drive (823 built) and right-hand drive (535 built).

With more and more BMW vehicles “gaining weight” as new generations come to market, could BMW  build another street car like the iconic M3 CSL? Well, at a smaller and exclusive scale, they recently have built an unique M3. The new E92 M3 GTS is a spiritual successor to the E46 M3 CSL.

Although the M3 GTS is slightly quicker in a straight line than the E46 CSL, the lap times around the Nurburgring are surprisingly close. According to FastLaps.com, the 450 hp GTS is faster than the 360 hp CSL by a mere 2 seconds. 7:50 vs 7:48.

What the E46 M3 CSL lacks in horsepower over the M3 GTS, it makes up for in sheer driving feel and balance. Some consider the E46 chassis to have been the best BMW has ever built, making the CSL one of the best performance BMW ever.

Let’s round up some other opinions from BMWBLOG team members:

Andrew Murphy – Editor

It’s BMW at its best.

The M3 CSL is just an honest, straightforward performance BMW. The CSL managed to combine many of the most identifiable traits of a BMW of the period into a single package. Naturally aspirated 3.2L inline-6, light weight materials, and hardcore near-slick tires wrapped around 19 inch wheels. The M3 CSL managed to deliver more performance than the standard E46 M3 at a still-reasonable price point.

The result of Garching’s hard work? A car that is worth much more than the sum of its parts. The CSL was the remind of BMW’s original roots – a sports sedan that car usher you around in style or a competent, wonderfully balanced track monster.

Misha Nikolich - Contributor

To me, the E46 CSL is the epitome of BMW M engineering and driving dynamics. It combines the roots of M’s early sports coupes like the E30 M3 with modern technology and lightweight materials. Result – a precise, no frills, pure motorsports inspired machine that touched the soul of those gearheads who crave pure driving nirvana.

Photos: Rolls Royce at Villa d’Este

In the most elegant Rolls-Royce category, the award by the jury went to the Rolls-Royce, Phantom II, Special Town Car owned by Norbert Seeger, FL. Another headliner at Villa d’Este was a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster.

Trofeo FIVA for the best preserved pre war-car by the Jury went to the same Phantom II, Special Town Car.

Other unique Rolls Royce vehicle present at Lake Como were a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II and 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25.

BMW BLOG Visits BMW Classic 2

Munich, Germany – The last stop for me on Innovation Day was a walk from the FIZ on BMW-Allee to the BMW Classic facility. Located on Schleissheimerstrasse, the multi-story building houses pieces of the BMW collection that are not on display in the museum, corporate archives, and vehicle workshops. BMW Classic used to be called BMW Mobile Tradition and it was primarily an in-house restorer and maintainer of BMWs owned by the corporation.

That role has changed however. As appears in the BMW Classic press release, “BMW Group Classic coordinates all the activities of the BMW Group which are associated with the history of the company, its products and three brands. The relevant classic activities of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce are unified under the auspices of BMW Group Classic. The platform is formed by the classic mainstays of museum, archives, club support and the BMW Centre, as well as event organisation and specific classic communication. Classics from the BMW Group’s own collection are not simply housed in the museum, they are on the road at events throughout the world.

 “The BMW Classic Centre has been available for friends of the BMW brand since autumn 2008. The big advantage for customers who take their vehicle to the original manufacturer is complete service from a single source. The Classic Centre possesses the theoretical knowledge of the vehicles, the technical know-how, the original BMW parts and the infrastructure necessary to integrate all these aspects systematically. Classics in immaculate condition have been sold since autumn 2010 alongside the service and restoration activities. ”

So they now work on customer vehicles. And they have the resources to do that are better than any independent shop. They have the technicians, the parts, and the know-how (including their extensive archives) to restore pre-war, and more frequently, post-war BMWs. While the facility in Munich is limited in total space, they are rolling out the notion of a project “Customer Workshop” in other locations around the world in conjunction with top flight local facilities. And they not only work on classic road going cars and motorcycles, but racing vehicles also.

But that building on Schleissheimer Strasse is still the heart of the enterprise. Herr Florian Moser was my host for the visit and he met me in the lobby, fresh from my day at the FIZ, and gave me a rundown of the BMW Classic’s activities. We did not have an opportunity to view the meeting space and vehicles on the ground floor (one of which was a BMW 303 – the first BMW with the kidney grilles) due to a tour arranged for a club using the meeting facility. Nor did we stop at the archives located on the first floor (second floor to us ‘mercuns). But we did ascend further up the staircase to the workshops and vehicle holding areas.

The stairwell is at the front of the building and is fairly well isolated from the environment of the individual floors. I noticed no old paper smell (a smell that book lovers recognize in the faintest

concentration) as we hit the first floor landing. And then we moved up to the story that housed the road-going cars, and Herr Moser opened the door. And it hits you. The perfume that petrol heads the world over embrace, gasoline and lubricants. I stood there and breathed deeply, carcinogens be damned, I was going to indulge my nostrils in that delightful odor. And with a smile and a sigh, I looked back at Herr Moser, who smilingly said, “We know who the gear-heads are when we open the door.”

And as good as the olfactory welcome is, the visual treat is beyond belief. Arrayed throughout the room are cars and motorcycles that speak directly to the evolution of BMW. Pre-war cars, a handful of immediate post-war cars (including a 700) and then the Neue Klasse cars, 2002s, legions of 3ers, 5ers, and 7ers. An odd duck or two thrown in for good measure. And then there’s the true odd duck, the 16 cylinder 7er, the motor of which is known as ‘Goldfish’. How difficult is it to cram 16 cylinders in a 7er,? Well, they had to put the radiator in the rear and there is a cyst like bulge on each rear fender to scoop air into the car.

As great as that floor is, moving to the third floor, opened up the M, for motorsports, collection. Here, in one room are as many McLaren F1 cars as you’ll see gathered in one place outside of a Concours d’Elegance. And there’s an N12/13 engine for a Brabham F1 car, presumably a BT-52 (the B in the car designation stand for Brabham and the T stands for Sir Jack’s designer, Ron Tauranac). GT cars, racing M3s, DTM machines and record run motorcycles are everywhere you look. The on-track history this place holds is extra special to bimmerphiles.

In addition to the cars housed on the 2nd and 3rd stories, each story also has dedicated work spaces that are used to maintain and rebuild cars. And now, with its expanded mission, BMW Classic can resurrect your dream historical BMW, whether it’s a pre-war 328 or a 3.0 CSL Batmobile. Truly a special place and mission.

Exclusive: BMW 6 Series M Sport Package in Imola Red color

New spy photos from Landshut reveal to us the yet-to-be introduced BMW 6 Series Convertible with M Sport Package. The high-end cabriolet made its official debut earlier this year, with US press test drives taking place in Cabo, Mexico back in April. The car spied also features the Imola Red Metallic color, paint not available to order at the moment.
In addition, the test mule sports the new LED-lightning units and a new set of alloy wheels. The 20-inch double-spoke 373 M are offered as an alternative to the 19-inch 351 M. At the front-end, the 6 Series Convertible gets the usual M-Sport Pack treatment with an aggressive bumper that incorporates larger air inlets. In the back, a set of dark chrome exhaust pipes reflect the sportier package available on the car.
As usual, the M Sport Package also include various components for the interior cabin, including the M Sport steering wheel with shift paddles.
Full details and photos will be revealed in a few weeks.

Rumor: New BMW Z3 to be launched?

Ready for another rumor? According to BMW insider Scott27, the Munich-based automaker is looking to revive the BMW Z3, the popular roadster that proved to be very successful among BMW fans.
As always, take these rumors with a grain of salt while we’re digging around for confirmation from other sources. Here is what the BMW insider has to say:
The new roadster strategy included a Z2, but while the Z2 was originally part of the F20 modular matrix expansion, BMW has now downsized the car onto another cost-effective platform – the UKL matrix, the modular structure that will accommodate the next MINI and the BMW FWD family. The decision was made to allow BMW to have an entry level roadster as part of its new FWD family which will be under the designation of the BMW 1er. The BMW 1er Sporthatch which will be seen this week will accommodate sDrive badges to distinguish the RWD from the FWD 1er models.
Now the proposal is seen as a BMW Z1 which will allow BMW to share the Z1 Roadster with the next generation MINI Coupe/Roadster/Spyder. The new MINI Coupe and Roadster are very short lifecycle cars. The idea is for the Z1 Roadster to sustain the small Roadster segment whilst a new MINI Coupe and Roadster will arrive in the second half of the decade. The direction the next MINI Coupe and Roadster take will depend on the reaction to the new car which will break cover in a few weeks time. The car could take on a more individual appearance from the next MINI.
Z1 will allow the BMW 1er FWD family to offer a variety of cars to customers who are expected to migrate from other brands to BMW. The company recently held workshops in cities in Germany where they did a survey on the FWD City Compact and the FWD GT. Subjects chosen were not BMW customers but from other brands, and found the two cars different and very appealing. The Compact was very well received as was the GT which was tested amongst current owners of euro- mini MPV’s.
With the movement of the Z2 to the UKL matrix, but under a newer design guise to bring it into contention with the other UKL cars, the original Z2 proposal will now move upwards to effectively replace the Z4 as the premium entry roadster market which is proposed as a BMW Z3, the resurrection of the 1995-2002 first modern BMW Roadster. Given that the segment grows not only in markets but also in dimensions, the Z3 allows for the Z4 to take another surge upmarket and retain its current appearance with a folding hard-top as the Z5. Effectively in what the Z2 was – RWD , soft-top , compact and additional Coupe ,will now be the Z3 if BMW’s executives get their way.
The return of the name is something that could bring the nostalgic owners back and another choice for the “Homecoming” visitors who take their annual pilgrimage to Spartanburg each year to it’s home. Z3 could even return to Spartanburg for production if it proved cost effective for BMW?”
There you have it, more rumors on top of the already long-time speculated BMW Z2.

Video: Crafted at BMW

M stands for Motorsports, BMW’s historical passion. To emphasize the uniqueness of their M products, BMW releases a new video showcasing the M heritage.
BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just “M” (for Motorsport) was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time passed, BMW M began to supplement BMW’s vehicles portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known for to the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW’s private facility at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.

Take a look at the rebirth of an icon and see why M is the most powerful letter.

BMW 328 Hommage – The Official Making-Of Video

BMW and director Philip Hodges take us behind the scene of the new BMW 328 Hommage. Centered around BMW Design and Christopher Wilson’s photoshoot, this glimpse into the makings of a great photo is not to be missed.
This year, the original BMW 328 celebrates its 75th birthday and at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW showcased this new two-seater anniversary model. The 328 Hoomage pays tribute to one of the most successful and best-looking car of the 1930s, the original 328.
With the new 328 Hommage, BMW also showcases some of the technology and materials that we will see in future production vehicles. The major parts of the exterior and interior of the BMW 328 Hommage are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), a lightweight material that was used in the series production of CFRP roofs and structural components for the BMW M6 as well as CFRP roofs for the BMW M3.

Column: Braking Systems And You

A brief introduction to brakes and the reasons for their evolution with some advice thrown in for good measure.
Ever stop to think about your brakes? Most people don’t think too much of them until they start squeaking, shaking or worse, give out all-together. I don’t have to be a mechanical engineer in order to appreciate a piece of tech that in many instances has saved my life.
There is something quite special about braking systems that intrigues me and even more so in today’s ever heavier, ever more powerful cars. The story behind the need for more high performing brakes is a rather romantic one in my opinion and follows a “cause and effect” order.
With our never-ending desire for more power, automobile manufacturers were forced to increase their engine size. This meant a larger displacement, more cylinders which bring with them extra intake and exhaust valves, larger camshafts, bigger radiators, larger intercoolers…the list goes on. All that power required a stronger, sturdier clutch and linkage. Additionally, now that the vehicle is capable of higher speeds, it now requires stronger suspension parts to cope with the cornering abilities of the car.
Now on to the interior. On top of the power demands we make, we also like a bit of luxury. Nothing makes us feel more in command than a really comfortable, leather clad, lumbar supportive, side adjustable, heated and cooled, massage capable electric seat. Next up is safety and airbags. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condemning these things, I’m just trying to make a point.

Where are you going with this you may ask? If you haven’t picked up on the theme just yet, it’s weight. All of the above listed are bigger, heavier and carry more mass than their predecessor. Now for a bit of physics:

An object with a large mass, in motion (say 62 mph) takes longer to come to a full stop than an object with a smaller mass. Or, in basic car talk, a heavier car takes longer to stop than a lighter car does.

Everything adds weight, and weight is the enemy.
BMWis investing more and more time and effort with their on-track presence at the Nurburgring, but also with their simulation test rigs to ensure that the braking systems going on their cars, and subsequently your car are the best that they can be.
If however you are seeking something a bit more track oriented while at the same time keeping things civilized for everyday driving, then one quick look at the BMW Performance Brake Kit will be your answer. These brakes are tested even more stringently and provide performance gains that normal driving wouldn’t otherwise necessitate.

Additionally, regular brake fluid maintenance as well as periodic brake line inspections are encouraged if you fall within the “spirited driving” category.
Here are some more tips that might come in handy as well as extend the life of your brakes:

• When constant braking is required, such as downhill driving, try to be in a lower gear in order to provide some engine braking and help the breaks breathe out a bit. Additionally, try not to stand on your brakes for too long of a period. The friction material that your brake pads are made out of will begin to breakdown and produce gases as well as heat that generate a space between the pads and the rotor surface. To allow these gases and particles to escape as well as to cool your brakes, lift off from your brake pedal every so often. Not too often though as you may start to annoy the car behind you!
• After excessive braking, try not to drive through large puddles of water or wash your car immediately. The rotors are hot and the cold water can lead to your rotors warping. This will manifest itself through your steering wheel vibrating or shaking when you apply the brakes.
• BMW cars are somewhat notorious for the amount of brake dust that they generate. This might be due to the softer compounds that BMW utilize in the construction of the brake pads themselves. However, keeping your wheels clean and brake dust free will ensure that your brakes receive fresh, cool airflow. Too hot is bad and too cold is also not good.
• Lastly, if your BMW is equipped with brake cooling ducts that bring in fresh air from the front or side air inlets, be sure that no leaves or debris is present that could obstruct the flow of air.

And now you know a little bit more about your brakes, their evolution, the extensive tests that BMW conduct in order to ensure that you are able to reign in your Ultimate Driving Machine as well as some basic tips to ensure that you are doing all that you can to continue enjoying you road trips!