M3 CSL or strip out a CL55 AMG?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCE
  • 48 comments
  • 2,708 views

Which one of these would you choose.

  • Total voters
    37
BMWteamPTG
still if thats the case, watch this...youre mind will be changed for forever....

http://www.erwindesign.com/video/Top%20Gear%20-%20BMW%20M3%20CSL.wmv
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You don't have to talk me into the CSL, I own a BMW, know the video and love the car. But for daily street use, it may get a little on your nerves after a while. At that very moment, you'd love to have a yet sporty, but more comfortable car, like a CL.
Of course, many people dream of owning a CSL. But in reality, as an every day drive, I'm not so sure.

Regards
the Interceptor
 
the Interceptor
You don't have to talk me into the CSL, I own a BMW, know the video and love the car. But for daily street use, it may get a little on your nerves after a while. At that very moment, you'd love to have a yet sporty, but more comfortable car, like a CL.
Of course, many people dream of owning a CSL. But in reality, as an every day drive, I'm not so sure.
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Is the CSL that rough to drive on a daily basis? What if someone bought a regular M3 and did some basic weight reduction and added the CSL bodywork/badging without sacrificing the comfort wouldn't that be more ideal?
 
I'll try the AMG....I prefer a V8 over a Six. and, with the right springs and shocks, it'd handle alright. Stability control would likely be stripped out too.
 
JCE3000GT
Is the CSL that rough to drive on a daily basis? What if someone bought a regular M3 and did some basic weight reduction and added the CSL bodywork/badging without sacrificing the comfort wouldn't that be more ideal?
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CSL is stripped out w/o AC, sound insulation, power group n all those stuff. So its quite obvious that it will get on some people's nerves after a while.
 
JCE3000GT
Is the CSL that rough to drive on a daily basis? What if someone bought a regular M3 and did some basic weight reduction and added the CSL bodywork/badging without sacrificing the comfort wouldn't that be more ideal?
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Yeah, I think so. The standard M3 looks like the perfect balance of every day driveability and true sportiness to me. So, for regular street use, I'd take the standard M3. If you like, you can make it look like a CSL, but personally I'm not a friend of that, cause it's like pretending to be something you're not. :sly:

Regards
the Interceptor
 
GT4_Rule
CSL is stripped out w/o AC, sound insulation, power group n all those stuff. So its quite obvious that it will get on some people's nerves after a while.
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I've sort of been there before on a smaller scale. On my 1990 V8 Camaro I stripped the entire interior out with exception to the dash and center console along with welding the hatch shut and removing the hatch release mechanism and this also includes the seats, seatbelts (except driver) and carpet. Let me tell you it was hot, loud, and quite annoying as the suspention in that car wasn't that good to begin with. I drove it 2 years like that...if the CSL has any of the same feeling forget it. :crazy:
 
I wouldn't go that far, but the CSL definitely is no comfy sportscar. I'd rather define it as a racing car for street use. And that means little comfort.

Regards
the Interceptor
 
the Interceptor
Yeah, I think so. The standard M3 looks like the perfect balance of every day driveability and true sportiness to me. So, for regular street use, I'd take the standard M3. If you like, you can make it look like a CSL, but personally I'm not a friend of that, cause it's like pretending to be something you're not. :sly:

Regards
the Interceptor
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I agree. I'd much rather have an ordinary M3 for street use than an M3 CSL, but I'd still prefer the M3 CSL to the CL55 based on the driving experience alone.

Milliethemutt
I would go for a M3 CS. The CSL has a semi auto gearbox doesn't it?
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Yes...kinda.

Calling it a semi-auto isn't really fair, because unlike shift-it-yourself automatic slushboxes, the M3 CSL's SMG is a true sequential-manual transmission that happens to have a computer-controlled "automatic" mode.
 
Milliethemutt
I thought it was just another tiptronic-flappy paddle style set up. It's surely just a regular m3 box with automated change.
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Tiptronic, manumatic, and other similar transmissions are one thing.

VAG's DSG, BMW's SMG, Ferrari's sequential gearbox, and any other sequential-manual are something else entirely.

Tiptronic- and manumatic-style tranmissions are just a standard automatic, but instead of shifting automatically all of the time, they allow the driver to choose his/her own gears. The result is somewhat similar to a sequential-manual's operation, but gear changes are very slow, acceleration response time is still slow, and many systems will switch back to automatic mode if you don't shift for a while.

DSG, SMG, Ferrari's system, and other such transmissions are a true manual gearbox, but with automated gear changes and clutch engagement. The result is all of the positives of a manual transmission, but without the clutch, and with the option of an automatic-shifting mode. One drawback is that in low-speed, everyday driving, some systems such as BMW's SMG can shift very roughly, or screw up and shut down completely. BMW has apparently fixed this on more recent versions of SMG, but some car mags, such as Road & Track, are reluctant to try it again.

From what I've read, VAG's DSG is simply the best system out there, providing both lightning-quick manual gearchanges, and smooth, trouble-free automatic ones.
 
Sorry to come offtopic, but there's something I'd like to say about DSG. Yes, it is an automated, manual gearbox. But as an exclusive feature, it uses two clutches which open and close simultaneously. That leads to absolutely smooth and seamless gear changes, cause there is no tear in power delivery. My dad has a Seat diesel with a DSG box, and even at full throttle in the lower gears, the only evidence of gear change is hearing the revs drop. 👍

Regards
the Interceptor
 
Yeah that new twin clutch set up sounds interesting. I haven't tried one for myself but I suspect I will always prefer a proper manual. Nailing a hell and toe downshift into a tight corner is one of the best things about driving.
 
the Interceptor
Sorry to come offtopic, but there's something I'd like to say about DSG. Yes, it is an automated, manual gearbox. But as an exclusive feature, it uses two clutches which open and close simultaneously. That leads to absolutely smooth and seamless gear changes, cause there is no tear in power delivery. My dad has a Seat diesel with a DSG box, and even at full throttle in the lower gears, the only evidence of gear change is hearing the revs drop. 👍

Regards
the Interceptor
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Yup. I was trying to keep things simple so I didn't mention that. :D

Milliethemutt
The BMW box is not a sequential box though. If you took the automated change off it would be a H gate manual.
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H gate manuals have shift rods that the gearstick interacts with. A computer-controlled transmission won't need that, so converting an SMG to a 6-speed manual would take some work.

The M3 SMG is based on the M3's 6-speed transmission, but the gearchange actuation and throttle/clutch control are all electronic and computer-controlled. SMG is a sequential box just like every other road-going sequential (except for DSG). Ferrari's F1 sequential system works just like SMG does.
 
If I were to have a CLS55 again I would leave it alone and enjoy my sexy refined four door coupe with a thundering V8.

I'd take the M3 CSL because I don't like how the CL looks at all. That and I'm still not extremely confident with my parking but I've driven an E46 ci so at least I'd be used to the size of the thing.
 

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