Seeking CSL knowledge.
 

Hi. I've been a member for a short while but this is my first time posting. First let me start off by saying that I envy you guys a lot for being able to own a CSL. I live in the U.S. and as all of you all know we have no CSL's here. I've always wanting to own my own CSL and have even thought about moving to the UK to get into one.

Anyways, the reason why I am in need of your help is because I want to start a project to build my own "CSL" as close as I possibly can to the real one. What I would do is sell my 2003 Silver Gray M3 and buy a 2005-06 Silver Gray M3 CS. Im doing this because the CS has many similarities as the CSL so it would be a good platform to start from. Then after that, I basically want to buy these parts and install them. (Prices are approximate to how much we can get them here in the states.)

Exterior:
Front bumper: $3000
Boot lid: Already acquired from Craig!
Rear diffuser: $1000
Carbon fiber roof: $1611
Rear window: $1000
Grille emblems: $90
Wheels: $2500

Interior:
Front seats: $3500
Rear seats: $2000
Front door panels: $1300
Rear door panels: $850
Center console: $450
Door sills: $350

Performance:
Air box: $4500
Camshafts (both): $1500
Headers (both): $2200
Catalytic converter (both): $1850
X pipe: $850
Muffler: $1000

Everything is really straight bolt on and will have no issue with that, but there is one major problem. The hardest modification by far will be to get the CSL air box to work properly and have the engine run smooth. Many here in the states buy the air box and remove the flap because only BMW was the proper software to make it work properly. And after all that, many times the car has a rough idle even after a tune. One of my questions is, if I were to buy a CSL's ECU, with cams and air box already installed, would the car and air box run properly? If not, then how about getting a hold of a CSL's engine with ECU and air box ... would it work then? If anyone has a idea or solution, do tell.

This is one many questions I have in planning this project. I told a few of my friends, but they could care less about it. And it's not their fault, they just don't know or have never heard of this amazing car. I guess I just need to vent and let out what Im planning to people who know and appreciate the CSL.

If anyone has any information, or can pointe out something I may have missed, or have any knowledge of how to make this project a bit easier, please let me know. Im am always open to any information about the CSL. It's always exciting when you find out something new about your dream car.

Thanks for your time.

Andy Max

Andy, first off the front bumper will not fit straight on, the M3 has a different bumper bar configuration where the bar is part of the bumper and the on the CSL the bar is part of the car (subtle difference but means you cant just swap over), get an aftermarket CSL style bumper.

As for the ECU, yes, a CSL ECU and loom will work but will need re-coding to the car and likely re-mapping as well. People like Turner MS in the states should be fine with that.

Would the car be RHD or LHD as well, isn't there a difference in the headers dependent on this?

Hi Andy,i wouldn't rush to buy CSL wheels,as the CS ones are the same,only slightly narrower at the front i think.;)

Welcome Andy,

Forum members 'phat///M3' and 'Rutkowski' have both modified their E46 M3s using CSL parts. I know Rutkowski has a CSL airbox installed and he will no doubt be able to offer you advice on that one.

Enjoy the site and all things CSL!

Rob :thumbs:

Welcome to the site, not sure it's quite worth moving to the UK to have a CSL, but appreciate the sentiment!

Guess must be exorbitantly expensive to import one from Europe then?

Thanks for the heads up. :thumbs: Im aware of this and Tischer BMW sells the required parts to mount the bumper since my car has the kevlar bracket and wont be a straight bolt on.

I didn't know Turner MS offered this. Thanks for the tip, Ill look into it. :beer:

It will be a LHD. I don't believe so. I've never heard of this but I may be wrong. I would more than likely get all exhaust parts from CA Auto, they have already sent me quotes for everything. ;)

Your are correct my friend. The CSL's are half an inch wider than the CS, 8.5 inches as apposed to 8 inches. To have these is more for bragging rights. :thumbs:

Sweet. I'll have to send these guys a PM.

Thank you sir, you know I will. :beer:

Thanks. :thumbs:

I've heard it is very expensive. I don't exactly know how much but I think I read somewhere that it gets close to the $100,000 range, not sure though. But money aside, its also very, very complicated and takes a very long time with no guarantee that it will work in the end. Bummer. :bigcry:

I also seem to remember that the CSL was not able to be driven on the public highway in the US due to not passing their import/emissions/DVLA equivalent checks.

Welcome mate and best of luck with the build.

That's also correct. If you remap your ECU with the Alpha N software, it will not pass the checks done by their computer on the car at the inspection place. :banghead: I don't know why this is though. That's another reason why people here don't really go for the CSL intake setup.

I've also heard that it wouldn't pass crash tests here do to BMW removing some air bags and the weight saving program BMW did on the car. But don't quote me on this. :whistle:

Andy Max