German Car Zone

Nah, the E92 M3 will forever be remembered because it's the last ///M with an NA engine (ever).

"Fat and heavy", "no passion." We seem to think of different cars...


Best regards,
south

Ok that, and the fact that it will be the only M3 ever with a V8. But it will not be remembered like the E46 will be remembered. E92 needs M3 CSL. Competition nowadays is too fierce not to make one. It's the only way to make the M3 really stand out in 2009.

The problem with an E92 CSL is that BMW will have to work much harder to put enough daylight between the regular M3 and a CSL variant to achieve tangible gains compared with the E46.

Carbon Fibre roof panel - er, standard. Trick, race-tech transmission - oh, that's available as a standard option now too...

Seriously, BMW would have to do a helluva lot to the E92 CSL to differentiate it commensurately - a la E46 - from the E92. Now, talking frankly among friends - how much business sense does that make in times like these?

Yes, you are right. Maybe they should give up on this evolution thing...

I'm not saying they should or shouldn't do it - I'd love to see a CSL version with 325 kW and 420 Nm S65 and lightweight gubbins an' stuff...

But, i m o, there's a time and a place for everything.

How's Chris Harris' comments on DR Chris Harris laments the gradual erosion of the mighty M Power BMW about the same issue:

Pretty similar to mine no?

Yep, but that's where Eni's comments on different brand perception compared to Porsche really make sense. Without a doubt, BMW could build a CSL that's stunning in every way. But, and that's a big one, people are not willing to pay the price. Assuming that car costs at least 100k € many will say "it's still a 3 series and it's still a BMW; no way am I spending that amount of money on a 3 Series BMW." In my opinion such a point of view is rather narrow minded, but what can we change about?

My understanding is that BMW realized this for the most part, so they start to make the best out of their position. You don't have to compete with Porsche because, no matter how good the cars are, for the same money people will leave them behind for a P car. Best example to me is the Z4. BMW had the choice to move it towards two different targets, either towards the Boxster or towards the SLK. Well, the rest is known...

"Don't hate the player, hate the game."


Best regards,
south

I agree, this is the worst time in a long while to talk about this type of car. No doubt.

And I have no recipe for how to do it, I just think that it is a lovely motoring thaught. I don't think a new CSL will have to be based on the M3, even if the engine would be a great starting point. Maybe the 1-series coupe? That way it would not interfere with how the M3 is perceived in the hierarchy. It would be smaller, and lighter to begin with and it could easily do without a rear seat and it is not nearly as weight optimized as the M3 already is.

Audi is doing their RS-models and Mercedes is doing their Black Series... also great motoring thaugts but not really how I like it.

^ Yeah south, I agree completely. Ultimately it boils down to this:

BMW M3 CSL - the people who want it aren't the people who will buy it.

You are both on to something.

I agree that the CSL has lost a lot in the UK (if my memory serves me, UK got a very large cut of the production). Not at all as much in other markets. In Sweden it has lost about 30% of its value in 5 years. That is fairly well I'd say.