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The BMW E46 M3 CSL is still one of the best driving BMWs today, even if it is already 14 years old. There’s the BMW M4 CS that has been recently unveiled and the upcoming M2 CS. However, there is something special about the E46 M3 CSL that still sets it apart. Here is a video where it drag races a manual BMW E92 M3 Coupe for comparison.
There is only a total of 1,383 units ever made of this limited edition car. The core characteristic is being lightweight with the use of CFRP elements (roof and front bumper) and a trunk lid made out of sheet molding compound. Because of its lightness, it is a master of the track. It never got a single bad review from automotive journalist because of how well it performed!
Perhaps the only flaw was its inability to be fast enough in a straight line. It was powered by a slightly modified version of the 3.2-liter S54 unit of the regular M3. Due to a variety of upgrades including a new intake, new camshafts and exhaust valves, the power was increased to 360 HP and 273 lb-ft of torque. Good figures but enough to turn the CSL into a straight line monster.
This video puts the car in perspective. It shows how the BMW E46 M3 CSL fares against a manual 6-speed E92 M3 on the drag strip. The S65 4-liter engine of the E92 does make 420 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque, but he car is heavier than the CSL.
