[Hoops]

Ive just returned home from holiday and i had a lot of time to think about my car situation. I just cant make my mind up and wondered if you guys could give me your thoughts.

I currently own an E92 335i Coupe and have to say i do really love it - great modern looks - all the mod cons - and goes like stink. But there is definitely something missing and i cant put my finger on it. It started a few weeks ago when i rode my bike down to the Ring, as i do every year, with a load of my mates. Problem was i spent all my time looking and thinking about cars and had little or no interest in the bikes. There were Murcies, Gallardos, 430's, Carerra GT the lot - but the one car that got me salivating was a white E46 CSL - sounded like god gurgling and looked awsome and ran rings around everything. There were a couple of E92 335's humping around but they just didnt look anywhere near as mean and sexy as the CSL did - even the new M3 - they all just blended in and no other spectator near me gave them a second look - but everytime the CSL danced around the top downhill corner towards the half ring point the crowd would shout and cheer - anyway blah, blah, blah.

My point being i want that old feeling of my E46 M3 and the CSL i owned back again. I keep being told that my 335 is losing around £1,500 per month and that is pissing me off to be honest. So should i get out now or hold onto it??

Ive been offered £26k from a private buyer and he is chomping on the bit to take it asap - but i keep fending him off as i wonder if i will regret it.

If i do sell it then im looking at either an E46 M3 CSL, B7 RS4 or maybe even an Exige S - ive found a mint CSL with 27k on clock, 2 owners for £30k. Im thinking that the residuals on the CSL are far better than my 335i and prices are still into the £30k's even for highish milage cars. BUT my wife keeps saying that its a step backwards, older car, older model etc - and i kind of agree but then those that know about cars will always respect the CSL badge and appreciate its pedigree.

IF on the other hand i decide to keep the 335i then its going to be all out on the mods front. Im going to start with a full WRAP of the car - alpine white with carbon fibre effect roof and door mirrors - ive had a quote from Racoon and they will even do the door shuts and inside boot etc. Then its either a remap via Evolve or copycat the likes of James or Kins engine mods. Then it will be the LSD from Birds. Then look at alloys.

I just dont know what to do and i need some help!!!

Im doing the Snetterton track day on friday so maybe that will push me in one direction or the other??

[DonM3]

No brainer for me. I would get the CSL just for its rarity and its carbon fibre air box induced noise.

I'm in similar situation and I'm looking to replace my E92 M3 for a mint CSL in about a years time.

[willhollin]

What was the reason for changing your old CSL?

[Hotcoupe]

You've got an itch Steve, it's best you scratch it!

You won't be the first to take what is perceived as a backward step, the CSL is far from a backwards step though is it.

Your heart is saying CSL, and with the crazy depreciation of the E9x's, so should your head.

[DonM3]

And one more thing. An E92 M3 CSL has not been confirmed. Rumours suggest BMW wont make one because its not cost effective. This is another reason to get and hold on to E46 CSL.

[Hoops]

Thanks guys. I got rid of my old CSL as i was putting huge miles on it and didnt want to lose too much money again - i actually sold it for exactly what i paid for it 18 months later!! Thats interesting about the E92 M3 CSL - that would be fantastic for current CSL owners if they didnt make one. Oh, decisions, decisions!!!

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Thanks guys. I got rid of my old CSL as i was putting huge miles on it and didnt want to lose too much money again - i actually sold it for exactly what i paid for it 18 months later!! Thats interesting about the E92 M3 CSL - that would be fantastic for current CSL owners if they didnt make one. Oh, decisions, decisions!!!

Shame you're not coming to the 'Ring next weekend... could have seen what a CSL and a 335i do next to each other...


EDIT - you ARE coming to the 'Ring ... forgot..!!

[MOB]

how much will the wrap cost???

[mgarvey]

Wood BMW in Odiham (Hampshire) had a CSL a week or so ago when I was picking up my E93.

Seems like your heart says CSL, but your head is saying it can't be that much better than the 335i. Find one, get an extended drive back-to-back with yours, calculate whether the running costs are going to be really silly in the current financial climate. If you can afford it and your heart is saying 'yes' - go for it.

You only live once.

[gIzzE]

The CSL is a special occasion every time you drive it, definitely not a step backwards, I sold my 2 owner 16k mile car last Feb for £32500, I would have been at the end of my agreement and owing £10k on it in October and I bet even with 40k miles on it it would still be worth £30k.

But I bought a 335i, £42k car that I paid £35k for and see it is now up at a main dealer for £24k. Makes you think!


I would buy a CSL mate, even a CSL doing 20k miles a year is still going to hold onto its money and that was the only real worry being a CSL owner, racking up the miles.
The ones with 60k miles are still fetching close to £30k.

The only thing that is annoying is your car has already lost the biggest part of its value, it will now slow down a lot depreciation wise.

The 335i is an awesome machine, but I reckon you need to spend alot of money on it to get it anywhere near as exciting as the CSL or an M3 for that matter.

A tricky decision!!

[booforty]

If you won't do many miles (weekend/fun car) - get the CSL

If you do quite a few miles - keep the 335i

[Porscha!]

I hope you had a good holiday Where did you go anywhere interesting?

What a rather interesting dilemma!

It all comes down to what YOU want no one else but a bit of advice never goes amiss.

Before you make your mind up you say if you keep the 335i, you will mod it ... well drive a modded one then see what you think before you go any futher you can compare to the E46 M3 CSL because you have owned one before.

With regards to other cars -

What do you want the car for?
What will you be doing in the car?
What MUST the car have no if's no buts?

You mention an Exige S, they are awesome cars and personally I'd have one over an M3 CSL but I live in the country next to the quiet B Roads, I don't need any space in the car really and it doesn't bother me driving something like that long distance, trust me it won't be what you call comfortable ... so if an Exige fits the bill for you I doubt you will find many cars that are more exciting

Other cars to think about -

Porsche 911 (996) GT3 (Mk. 1, 2 or RS) depending on what you would like to spend
MG SV
Z4M
Exige S (as you have said)
TVR Sagaris

or maybe you would like to keep you 335i and buy another car that is old(ish) and fun! examples -

Elise S1
Caterham 7
60s/70s MG in a high state of tune
TVR Chimaera
Porsche 944 turbo

Maybe theres a couple of ideas for you to consider there, maybe not!

Go with what your heart says and not your head because you'll only regret the latter decision

Good Luck!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

The CSL is a special occasion every time you drive it, definitely not a step backwards, I sold my 2 owner 16k mile car last Feb for £32500, I would have been at the end of my agreement and owing £10k on it in October and I bet even with 40k miles on it it would still be worth £30k.

But I bought a 335i, £42k car that I paid £35k for and see it is now up at a main dealer for £24k. Makes you think!


I would buy a CSL mate, even a CSL doing 20k miles a year is still going to hold onto its money and that was the only real worry being a CSL owner, racking up the miles.
The ones with 60k miles are still fetching close to £30k.

The only thing that is annoying is your car has already lost the biggest part of its value, it will now slow down a lot depreciation wise.

The 335i is an awesome machine, but I reckon you need to spend alot of money on it to get it anywhere near as exciting as the CSL or an M3 for that matter.

A tricky decision!!

I looked at a near 60k CSL July 2007 which was up for 29995, it didnt sell for 6 months, i rekon it went for closer to 27.5k in the end. A year later a similar mileage one i think would be 25 ish.

[beemerbird]

Is this expensive Check out his website though, quite alot of decent cars on stock (if you like Porsches).

Go with your heart.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk...0&max_mileage=

[Hoops]

Funnily enough, in standard/stock trim, the CSL doesnt "feel" any quicker at all than my 335i - and thats the honest truth. The noise and more focused ride of the CSL gives an impression of speed, but it genuinely doesnt feel like it has 50 more BHP on tap over a 335i. But its a much more exciting experience driving the CSL - makes you feel youre in something special and not a run of the mill production car that the 335 makes you feel. I just wonder though whether i should give the 335 more of a chance to excite me and spend some money on some quality mods. I would also really like to see it wrapped white with the carbon effect roof and mirrors - it would certainly set it apart from the average 335!!

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I looked at a near 60k CSL July 2007 which was up for 29995, it didnt sell for 6 months, i rekon it went for closer to 27.5k in the end. A year later a similar mileage one i think would be 25 ish.

Yeah agree, meant to put £25k, with 40k they are getting close to £30k and with 20k miles they are still getting £32-35k.

Point is they are not loosing £1000 a month like the 335i/d is so depreciation is not the issue here. It is purely down to what sort of car you want.

[Hoops]

Beemerbird - its not cheap but equally the milage is good and its pretty much fully loaded plus the adjustable suspension etc makes it a nice car - however black is not a very popular colour for the CSL - i think its been advertised for a while now. Ive been offered a slightly lower milage SG colour car for £30k - so its certainly not a bargain.

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Funnily enough, in standard/stock trim, the CSL doesnt "feel" any quicker at all than my 335i - and thats the honest truth. The noise and more focused ride of the CSL gives an impression of speed, but it genuinely doesnt feel like it has 50 more BHP on tap over a 335i. But its a much more exciting experience driving the CSL - makes you feel youre in something special and not a run of the mill production car that the 335 makes you feel. I just wonder though whether i should give the 335 more of a chance to excite me and spend some money on some quality mods. I would also really like to see it wrapped white with the carbon effect roof and mirrors - it would certainly set it apart from the average 335!!

You thought about a nice E92 M3??

They have already lost massive amounts and I can't see them loosing money like they have. There is now one on pistonheads classifieds for £34k, unless it is a typo which surely it must be???

But I think the M3 would be a good compromise.

Or what about an E46 M3 CS?? I still like the E46 more in some ways and I adore the S54 engine and SMG gearbox. So maybe get one of them in the low £20's and enjoy it for 12 months, only thing that puts me off is I am a bit of a snob and it is an old model, but when a car is that good who cares!

[Hoops]

Yes, the snob issue is something im also struggling with, but that said they have already announced a face lift for my 335, and its only 11 months old!!! I wouldnt look at an E92 M3 as im just not that sold on it and i dont think that would in any way solve my issue with the 335, its certainly not much quicker. Theres also little point in a CS to be honest, i would only consider a CSL if thats the route i go down.

[Porscha!]

The CSL has lost lots of money, I know someone who had one in late 2006, it was concours though and he paid £40K for it.

[willhollin]

Alpina B3?

[mikem]

Originally Posted by Porscha!

The CSL has lost lots of money, I know someone who had one in late 2006, it was concours though and he paid £40K for it.

The thing is if it was concourse and stil concourse now, it would still be worth 35K. 5K over 2 yrs is fantastic (IMO) When I tried a Mk2 GT3 3 mths back they`d just dipped below 50K, theres 2 nice, low mileage ones on Autotrader now for 45K (the Yellow one looks stunning ) the used market is fcuked at the minute. A friend picked up a 54 plate ML350 at auction last week for 3.1K , it had done a lot of mileage but had full MBSH.