Should I buy an E46 M3 and convert it to CSL Spec VOTE by liking my appropriate comment below... BTW Check if your car was damaged with a 10% discount with Car Vertical here: www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?a=watson&b=38b26e3a&voucher=watson Or just head to Car Vertical at a later date and use the Watson10 discount code!

As a CSL nerd (and owner), I would just like to point out the following: 1. Top speed is actually limited to 161mph (indicated 167mph) (as tested by Autocar). I can verify this (GPS). 2. CSL = Coupe Sort Leichtbau (which translates as Coupe Sport Lightweight construction) they only bastardised the name to Competion recently with the new G82 version... 3. All E46 M3s have an alluminium bonnet (it's not unique to the CSL) 4. The 110kg quote is the worse case scenario (comparing the heaviest (a fully optioned CSL) to a base model E46 M3). The difference to a zero optioned CSL to a high specced M3 can be in excess of 150kg. 5. The CSL weight needs to be clarified, it is only the zero option cars that are 1385kg and this weight is measured without a driver and with jsut 10 litres of fuel. A fully optioned car (air-con being the heaviest option) is 1420kg (with the same 10 litres of fuel). 6. If you chose to opt the original Cup tyres, BMW actually made you sign a disclaimer that you understood that the tyres didn't work in standing water nor sub 10°C temperatures. If you decided that you didn't want these, the car then came with Michelin Pilot Super Sports and these came fitted to the standard 19" Style 67 wheels as per the normal M3 (if you look up the VIN of the cars, you can actually see then if the original customer signed the disclaimer or opted for these as it will have in the build sheet "option 792 Style 67 double spoke wheels". 7. The entire front bumper is actually carbon fibre and is eyewateringly expensive.... 8. The arches are no more pronounced than a standard M3 (the bodyshell is standard M3 in fact), with the ONLY thing unique to the CSL is that the inner rear arches are rolled to allow clearance of the wider 265/30 rear tyres. 9. The seats are actually based on the Recaro SPGs (with lower sides to allow the use of normal seatbelts and no harness holes in the headrest section). 10. The sport button as well as making the throttle travel shorter, also opens the intake flap earlier (6000 rpm off, 3200rpm on). 11. The boot can also open via the remote on the key fob :p ! A strong 7/10 for accuracy - must try harder ;)

"Hydraulic steering is the automotive equivalent of unprotected sex, because you just feel so much!" That's one of the all time great automotive quotes.

This era of cars was just gold. There was this, the 996 GT3 and Turbo, The Evos and Imprezas. Just amazing.

This thing is actually faster than a standard m2 and m4 on the nurburgring. That's very impressive

Clarkson's review on the Isle of Man was legendary.

Not just the best M car, the best BMW ever made.

I’ve never liked the exhaust sound but the induction noise is glorious.

Absolutely want you to 'CSL' a regular E46 M3 (I happen to think it's the best looking M3 as well).

Is it just me or is the color grading really off?

Definitely the best M car! Please do more reviews of older performance cars like these. Much more interesting than the new cars.

I remember Jeremy Clarkson doing a review of that car on The Isle of Man. Crazy! Lovely car, one of the best sounding 6 cylinder engines ever.

You can never go wrong with BMW

AN ABSOLUTE BEAST.....was waiting for an amazing and detailed review of the E46 CSL and finally here it is!

I have a Z4M, which has S54 as well, I replaced intake and exhaust, love it!

Great job explaining how the SMG really perfectly captures what the essence of this car is. I LOVE the SMG in the e46 m3, to me it provides a very raw and visceral experience that the manual can’t.

Such a lovely car, design is magnificent. BM at their peak me thinks. Cheers Matt

Mate, you are my alltime 'replacement' for JC. Wonderful job you're doing, seriously. For the first time I saw real emotion @ 11:07. Simply lovely

I have had the privilege to be a passenger in one and agree with you 100 fold ! E46 chassis was just superb and that CSL was and to a certain degree still is the prince of the castle of the BMW stable.

Lets get the job done matt the idea itself with building an e46 csl is incredible…Can’t wait for you to buy one!

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, This M3 is just magnificent. Love the way it looks. For most BMW fans, the E46 M3 CSL is the crown jewel in the brand's performance car history. Not only was it one of the best looking cars BMW ever made but, it was potentially the most thrilling to drive till this date...

My favorite M ever. I agree with you Mat, even before see this video. Its great.

Definitely hyped up by your "budget" E46 CSL!!! 🤩 Plus you won't feel bad upgrading the OEM brakes (as opposed to modifying a stock CSL) Carbon intake, exterior upgrades, perhaps a cheaky new exhaust system

Good review of what makes the CSL (Coupe Sport Leichtbau) special. The CSL is my inspiration for my M Coupe (Z3) build. Hopefully close to 100kg saved with the various CF parts I have to go on. The E46 M3 is a design classic for me and never tire of seeing one.

best M car BMW have ever made!! I'm glad i've got my own E46 M3 even though it's not a CSL

I guess I’m even more inclined on keeping my e46 M3 now… love these cars

Yes! Its the Best. Wonderful review Mat!

This things makes heavenly engine noise and that rear window feature is really cool.

Hi Mat, I would recommend that you should buy a normal e46 and put mods on it as my dad did the exact same and its the best thing ever

I owned two 3-series from this era and although nowhere near this level of performance, they were truly superb. BMW should dust off the body-panel moulds/die’s (?) and produce a 2020’s version. Perhaps also an electric-model? Looked beautiful - and drove even more so. I loved them. What a fool to let them go.

it would be so perfect to see a budget csl on that channel, on of the best ideas ever

I love this so much, It's not about old it's gold Dann

Good idea to build a budget M3 CSL! Go ahead

Car manufacturers need to make a run of old school designs with modern tech and engine

This is one car which made me fall in love with the bmw, the e46 model. Eysh, gone are the days.

The way you giggle, laugh and smile when driving shows itself, no other comment is needed actually.

You didn't need to convince me... I've always thought it was the best M car ... its on my lottery winning list, as well as escort/Sierra cosworths

Had one as a daily driver between 2006 and 2009....still my most favourite car I've ever had!

Awesome car! You have been wanting it for a while. Do it!

Best car in the world! I wouldn't take any other car in place of E46 M3 CSL. Thanks Mat for the video.

Love the video Matt. The CSL is my favourite car of all time. (The SMG gearbox could do with a software update though as it would make it alot smoother on upshifts). The car to do your build on is the E46 M3 CS, as from stock its already closer to the CSL but ALOT cheaper.

0:48 Matt is green gold. Who the heck did the colour correction for this?

Love the video love the channel

Great idea Matt, you definitely should as it’ll make for very informative content.

I'd love to see your personal interpretation of an E46 M3 CSL

I used to have a leather steering wheel and I had an alcantara put on it. The only difference that it made was, I didn’t burn my hands like the leather one did. When the car was left in the sun for a long time. And the speed. I’m sorry to say Matte, made absolutely no difference 🤣

just saw one this morning, beautiful ride!!

My best M3 ever I love it so much and good choice Matt!!👏👏👏

A friend of mine has one. Beastly🤩

The best bmw ever made. The best looking too. The best sounding too. The end.

Really good video mate

Love these and been on fence about buying one the last two years. I might have to pull trigger

The way he feels driving the CSL, is the way I feel about driving my S2000!

The gauge / button to control the transmission shift you mentioned, also controls throttle response.

Love your videos, you rock sir ✌

That noise…..it’s epic. You’d never get bored of that. The E46 is a very pretty car too.

I`ll never forget the first time I saw and heard one of these majestic beasts for the first time... An Opel Owners Club vs VW Owners Club high speed day at a banked oval track called Gerotek in Pretoria, South Africa in 2003. There had been a few E46 M3`s doing runs and as always it was cool to watch, then a CSL pulled onto the start line, gave it some revs and then launched, i`ve still never heard a more beautiful and tortured sounding wail/scream come from an engine at full tilt...I still stop and drool like an idiot when I see a CSL in the metal...

E92 V8 M DCT now that's a Car, driven many and I'm in luv 😍😍😍

Ahhh man I loved these back in the day. I'd still love to own one today. That's why I like the 2 series so much, cause they have similar proportions

As a kid I always hated that exhaust noise. There was 3 that I can remember in my village. But as an adult, seeing them on track, nothing handles like them. Mad car.

The E46 is BMW at their very best. I think since the E range of cars BMW has never really been the same; they started cost cutting and the styling gradually got worse until we’ve ended up with some of the abominations in their current line up. As a BMW fan and owner it’s enough to break your heart. Still, worldwide at least, they’re supposedly selling more cars than ever, so what’s bad for our eyeballs seeming is good for the company’s bottom line. Edit: and yes Matt, do your take on the CSL.

I had the original E46 M3 and as a daily I was a bit underwhelmed. You have to rev out to get the power from the engine, and on a daily commute it’s a bit demanding, it wants to be driven. It doesn’t ‘feel’ as fast as it is. I think a toy or collectible the CSL is cool and has its own unique character for sure, something that’s hard to find these days. IMHO as a mere mortal (rather than wealthy collector) there are better choices.

You don't need to convince me Mat. This is clearly the best thing M division has created. Stunning car. Definitely a lottery win car for me.

For the first time, the engine sound roars so hard and it sounds so good that whatever Mat is saying is no longer relevant :D

Matt has gone really out of the automatic closet these days

Can we get a car collection tour and an update on all your cars?

Was waiting for this video for so long! Can you review the E92 M3?

16:35 "launch the shit out of this car" Didn't use launch control or brake boost it....

I'd have it just below the V10 M5 cause of the engine alone

I could watch e46 videos all day lol sounds brilliant

This was my favourite car in the old Granturismo game on PlayStation. The car felt so special. Please do it. CSL an M3

Great review matt of a fantastic car best m car ever Had mine over 12 years now gotta say what a car even today how it drives & handles the noise from it have to say nowt wrong with smg Box it's part of the car but didn't like the rasp from exhaust so changed it to super sprint light weight back box sounds fantastic now 😊👍

Go for it Mat !

My dream car. And yes, back window with electric opening are amazing, my 330ci has them too and I love it haha

The most beautiful 3 series ever. I just want the base model of that 3 series.

I enjoyed watching the Video Review

What a great video! If you actually do the E46 M3 Upgrading, I will definetely watch the videos :D

Matt hits the key points on the CSL. Can just change to pf pads to improve the braking if you don't want bbk. She is still in the stable, but contemplating switch to a 458 for future appreciation

The sound gives me goosebumps 😩

A legend! Hail to the king.

Go for it 👍 love to see you build a CSL alike

yes of course! agree..and the most beautiful as well

I say go and build one up Mat 👍. Great review

thank god you didnt hate on the smg thanks mat

Love how Mat’s skin tone makes him look like Commander Data 🤣

amen...it's a keeper...this an the m5 cs are the two best things from bmw

The video played and I immediately thought of Clarkson's review of this car on Top Gear, many years ago.

The manual conversion is an interesting one….a certain Mr Catchpole was very complementary about it as was a chap I’d spoken to who had done it to his, although there are others who love it and it’s really part of the experience.

Love that car. My fav bmw of all time, e46 M, csl and GTR. I think you should buy one!

I think it’s the best performance car BMW have ever made. Just the right balance of motorsport to usability. I had a z4m coupe which had the last iteration of the s54 and if I ever have enough money I’ll get another. That has many of the csl parts on it also.

I drove one once ....it was magnificent and thrilling and certainly the best driving BMW I have ever experienced

Love the SMG from the m5 you tripping

Great job on that episode. Love what you said about letting go of the gas pedal during a gear change to make it smooth. Love M3 CLS. I can't afford it but I have a 1:18 OTTOMobile model lovely to look at. Oh well.

I've sold BMW's for more than 7 years and this car was and still is the ultimate state of the art of BMW's engineering. Not by just it's agility and speed but the handling and feeling of it. Period.

Yes please Mat!!! We want a budget build M3 CSL

When you said you want one so badly you may as well speak for me as well i absolutly love the m3 csl

The CSL and NSX Type R are just the chefs kiss for me

This is my dream car !

Mat you Need to buy this car! You would look great in it and in the future you can race it a good wood festival, good luck Mat 🙂

The first Tester who is knowing how to drive SMG! and is able to complain it 🎉❤