BMW’s E46 M3 CSL turned 10 this year, and in order to celebrate the occasion, the manufacturer organized a small get-together at their German HQ, summoning 50 CSL drivers to come take part. With only 1,400 made, it is a rare car, so you won’t really get to see this many in one place, unless another similar event is planned for the future.
Based on the e46 M3, the CSL’s goal was to minimize weight and improve performance, without drastic alterations to the already very pleasing formula. A lot of CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) was used for various parts, in an effort to keep things light, and some luxuries were removed.
The result was a car which weighed a significant 110 kg (243 lbs) less than the basic M3, and with 17 more horsepower (360 in total), it was able to slash 0.3 seconds off in the sprint to 60 mph (96 km/h), meaning it did it in 4.8 seconds. In addition, with new brakes taken from the e39 M5, a lower center of gravity and the lighter footprint, the overall handling of the car also benefitted. The M3 CSL was never officially imported / offered in North America.
By Andrei Nedelea
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