M3 CSL or strip out a CL55 AMG?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCE
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Which one of these would you choose.

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JCE

JCE

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JCE3000GT
So which one of these would you choose? Your choice is to buy an M3 CSL or buy a CL55 AMG Merc and strip out some stuff to reduce the (quite large amount of) weight? This is a controlled poll, no other cars will be allowed so please be considerate. Now let's see if I get this poll posting thing down...:crazy:
 
MS CSL. I've never really liked the look of the CL, and it also doesn't come with a stick. It's a great engine, let down by it's transmission.
 
Toronado
MS CSL. I've never really liked the look of the CL, and it also doesn't come with a stick. It's a great engine, let down by it's transmission.
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That's a great point about the transmission--but I do like the look of the current generation CL (2001-2005/2006) quite a bit. The M3 CSL is a great car--with a sound that is intoxicating but I chose the Merc over the BM mainly because of the feeling I got when I drove it's younger brother CLK430 (w/AMG package). I don't really care for the older 3-series mainly because they feel cramped to me as I'm not a small guy. :sly: It's a close one, the transmission in the CSL is one of the best transmissions I think...hopefully the new CSL won't be flappy paddle nonsense.
 
Probably the BMW M3 CSL mainly for the fact I think it looks better. I'm sure both cars would be quite contenders with one another though.
 
sure you're talking about the cl not clk?
the cl and the csl are in two very different leagues, even if stripped out...

i wouldn't even consider the clk a match for the csl. even if you strip it out, the csl still has the superior suspension, transmission and would still be a lot lighter...and thus faster round any track.
 
M3 CSL

It is build in limited numbers, I could leave it standard which I like and wouldn't harm the resale value, plus like Toronado pointed out I would want a proper manual.
 
vladimir
sure you're talking about the cl not clk?
the cl and the csl are in two very different leagues, even if stripped out...

i wouldn't even consider the clk a match for the csl. even if you strip it out, the csl still has the superior suspension, transmission and would still be a lot lighter...and thus faster round any track.
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Ditto, that's a very weird match.

In any cases, after driving a 330 with an M package, It' would the M3 without question, although I'd have to test drive the thing to see if it's a nightmare on pot holes... The Mercedes I drove (E430 and S500) were nowhere near the BMW in terms of handling and road feel. Granted, they were no AMGs, but the 330 wasn't really an M either.
 
I really didn't care if they were in the same "class" I just picked 2 German super coupe's just to see what people think and spark some intelligent conversation. :sly: If the CL55 AMG got a proper 6spd manual would that peek any interest?
 
M3 CSL. Looks better, and is already tuned to its current weight. Straight out of the box performance means you'll be able to run circles around the guy trying to strip the luxury he just bought from his car.
 
JCE3000GT
If the CL55 AMG got a proper 6spd manual would that peek any interest?
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It sparks more interest for me but compared to the M3 CSL no way.
 
M3 CSL, and not just because I'm a BMW nut.

- No matter how much weight you remove from the CL55 AMG, the car won't be as focused and poised as the M3 CSL. The CL-class is more of a luxury car than a sporty car like the M3, or even the 3-series. Also, the CL55 AMG is more of a CL-with-a-big-engine than a street-legal-track-car-with-a-few-luxuries like the M3 CSL.

- The M3 CSL has a 6-speed manual. The CL55 has a 5-speed automatic.

- V8s are nice, but the song of a screaming straight-six is magical.

- The M3 CSL is a very handsome-looking car. The CL55 has an ugly front end and looks like it's supposed to have two more doors.
 
Well, we never had the oppertunity to have a real CSL here in the US, so I'm obviously going to go with the sport/rare combo here.

But, I would be willing to give the CL a chance, but I really do think it is a bit too large to compete directly with the M3 on most levels. The regular-grade C-class is the 3-series compeditor here, but they still don't build one for those of us who want some involvement with their ride.

...It may have been better to throw in the RS4 and Monaro VXR/GTO while you were at it, but we will leave that for another poll...
 
How does the saying go? - "You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear"

The base M3 is so much the better drivers car than the CL55 in the first place, a light-weight CL55 is never going to be better than a light-weight M3. especially since BMW practically invented the 'light-weight' genra. Making anything light certainly isn't Merc's thing.
 
M3 CSL anyday.
My dad has a 3series and I like the drive in that, so an M3 CSL must be a beast! and yeah it looks better.
 
Why would you buy a well-specced, semi-luxury car and strip it out?
 
like there is any debate on my side.

the csl is an amazing machine. built to drive. no radio, no a/c, thin rear window, cardboard trunk floor, plastic trunk lid, carbon fiber roof...cant get any better than that.

cl55 amg is a nice car, but it isnt made like the csl is...CSL all the way!!!
 
Is this a serious debate which is supposed to lead to any conclusion (in which case I'd like to know what the car is meant to do), or is this just a thread for some easy talking?
 
I figured the CSL would win but not with this kind of a margin. I wasn't really doing the comparo for track use but just for street use. You can pickup a used CL55 AMG for considerably less than one new. Maybe I should of use better wording in my poll question. "for non track use" should of been in the question. My next poll will be more of a harder decision and worded better. lol :sly:
 
A Merc C55 AMG with a proper manual transmission would be a more fair competitor than that boat, the CL 55 AMG.
 
yes, the C55 would be a good comparo. but a c55 or even a clk 63, i think i would still take the csl.

i just cant seem to make the connection between a CL and a 3 series.

What do you prefer, 997 turbo or a stripped out RR phantom :dunce:
 
Maybe we should have compared the M6 to the CL63...
 
JCE3000GT
I figured the CSL would win but not with this kind of a margin. I wasn't really doing the comparo for track use but just for street use. You can pickup a used CL55 AMG for considerably less than one new. Maybe I should of use better wording in my poll question. "for non track use" should of been in the question. My next poll will be more of a harder decision and worded better. lol :sly:
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Then, I would choose the CL55 not stripped-out
 
the Interceptor
Is this a serious debate which is supposed to lead to any conclusion (in which case I'd like to know what the car is meant to do), or is this just a thread for some easy talking?
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i think the conclusion has been made. the csl is the better car.
 
M3 CSL. Ive never thought CL as a racer, even if its stripped down to the max. The car's too long. Transmission sucks. Mercs arent racers anyway...
 
M3 CSL. The M3 was always the drivers' car, and like Famine said, stripping out a luxury car after you've payed for everything isn't the best...

Plus, as a few people have said, did you mean the CLK? The CL is in a very differnet class and much more expensive.
 

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