DHA Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 M3 CSL Test drive Having previously owned a manual M3 coupe I was interested in just how different the CSL would be. In my recent thoughts about a new car the CSL was on the list of possibles so I booked a test drive. My initial impression of the car was that it looked just a little different from the “normal” M3 coupes. This could be viewed as both bad and good. The main things you first notice are the rear spoiler and the carbon fibre roof and trim on the front and rear bumpers. The salesman drove first so sat in the passenger seat I felt slightly upright in the fixed back seat but not too uncomfortable. Ask me this after sitting there for a few hours and I might have felt differently. The car had a slightly different induction noise (this was not in any sport modes, more on that later) and the exhaust from what I remember sounded slightly louder from inside the car. It was time for me to drive and after a quick explanation of the SMG gearbox it was time for the off. Having had a brief drive of Lagoo’s SMG cab I knew how the ‘box would behave and it truly is an amazing piece of engineering, there is no lag when you pull away unlike in a conventional auto, this is probably the finest “non-manual” gearbox in any car today. The initial feel of the CSL was that it was much stiffer in the chassis and the body; however the ride was not overly stiff. When cornering the car felt very planted and was not upset by ridges in the road, this was one of the main criticisms that I had for my old M3 coupe. The pull from the engine at lower revs is much stronger than the stock M3 and I would say this makes the car more useable. At the top end of the rev range I feel it is impossible to tell the difference between the two when driving, however if they were put up against each other on a straight road then it may have been a different story. I was interested in trying the sport mode as I had heard this increases the induction noise, but the salesman said that during test drives sport mode, the fastest SMG change mode and the shift lights on the dash were not to be used by customers. I felt let down by this as if I am going to part with £48,000 I would like to see the full potential of the car. The interior had lots of carbon fibre which was nice and made it look a bit different from the regular 3 series coupes. However here we come to the one reason why I might not buy a CSL. The driver’s seat was the one thing that put me off. The “wings” of the seat I felt were too close together and pushed your shoulders forward from the seat. I ended up with my arms almost at the “five-to-one” position on the steering wheel because of this and I never felt comfortable driving. I am unsure if this can be adjusted, and I am also not wide across the shoulders by any means at only 5ft7 tall. My overall impressions of the CSL are that it is a great car and the chassis balance, SMG gearbox and increased engine usability make it a devastating car both on and off track. The only thing that let the car down for me was not being comfortable in the driver’s seat. The CSL I tested was Silver Grey with CSL wheels on the Continetal tyres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Good write-up Dave, and the seats...well they can be tilted backwards as I have done with mine. The upright position can be a bit "restricting". No sport mode?? Indeed a shame as this would have sold the car alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 ... and Chris - where is your review and pictures ... or have I missed them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Pending....all will be revealed in due time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted July 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Chris i did feel that i might have missed something by not using the sport mode, in the test drive of my M3 coupe i got to use it. Salesguy was a bit of an arse but he lost the chance of a sale by not showing me all the car. He could have used it whilst i was in the pax seat if he was bothered about me doing damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerbera Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 [ QUOTE ] Chris i did feel that i might have missed something by not using the sport mode, in the test drive of my M3 coupe i got to use it. Salesguy was a bit of an arse but he lost the chance of a sale by not showing me all the car. He could have used it whilst i was in the pax seat if he was bothered about me doing damage. [/ QUOTE ] Where did you have the test drive Dave ? JT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted July 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Barons of Hindhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pradip Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 How easy or difficult is to adjust the seat height.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Don't know about the height but the angle of the seat can be adjusted about 15 degrees backwards. Not comfortable for everyone thought as some people complain of restriction of blood around thighs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted November 27, 2006 Report Share Posted November 27, 2006 No Sport mode!!! Must have been quite dull ride. I sit in traffic in Sport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cslgirl Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 You need Sports Mode S6 to see its true colours...... I never drive without sports mode on... otherwise whats the point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSE Posted December 7, 2006 Report Share Posted December 7, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Barons of Hindhead [/ QUOTE ] BAD MOVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 DHA - I'm surprised it's on your list. I thought I remembered you saying you never really got to grips with your old M3? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSE Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 Dont go anywhere near BARONS FULL STOP!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 [ QUOTE ] DHA - I'm surprised it's on your list. I thought I remembered you saying you never really got to grips with your old M3? [/ QUOTE ] This thread is over two years old though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted December 8, 2006 Report Share Posted December 8, 2006 Ok which fecker brought it back from the dead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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