Granted, SMG II is a dog for daily driving, but can genuinely be quite entertaining on the CSL software when beating the piss out of it... You don't drive a CSL to go on a civilized dawdle down to the local store - you do it to experience a road legal track car - and in that setting, one can forgive SMG II its many shortcomings.
@@Gr0t0tter Except you can just get a "normal" E46 M3, and add most of the csl mods or similar mods, then you got the best of both worlds, not to mention you arn't worrying about the value, due to it not being a special edition.
Of course you can... but doing it right, puts you within striking distance of actual CSL pricing - especially when you factor in the interior bits. By the same token, you could manual-convert a CSL as well. I'm just saying that a CSL driven in anger, makes the SMG II gearbox seem less of a stinker, than it is doing the daily grind in a vanilla M3.
Those e46 m3 engines are bullet proof , the v10 m engine is VERY VERY unreliable, where used m5 10 year laters are going for under 10 000 usd but the e39m5 is going for 30 to 50 grand ? Wonder why that is . The e60 is garbage from bottom to top .
@@bberllam E46 M3 engine isn't bulletproof at all. It has less problems than the E60 M5, though. M cars need proper maintenance and care in general. If you treat them well and service them regurarly, they can be pretty reliable machines. M engines are always more complex than standard BMW engines. BTW E60 M5 V10 won an award as being the best engine in the world in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, so it isn't garbage at all.
One of the greatest sounding engines ever made in one of the best looking cars ever made. Some people wonder why the E46 is so hyped up. Well, here is your answer.
BlackWind Because 1300 of these were made? I personally cannot see myself getting anything past e36 era. Feel like the exhaust is just too raspy for my taste. Some of them sound like damn F1 cars though haha.
@@calebsonger4630 most sound of that model of car comes directly from the induction of the engine not exhaust. plus i think you could be one person in whole world who does not like sound of F1 engine. honda jazz fan much ?
The E36 and E46, and not only the 'M' cars, are the best BMWs ever made for me. Simply great to drive, they offer exactly what BMW's slogan is: Sheer Driving Pleasure. Without the limitations of today's laws and emission requirements. They are honest cars. I love both, I always did. I currently drive a E36 328i convertible with some minor mods (bigger brakes, M50 manifold, slightly altered M3 E46 exhaust system, tweaked suspension, rigidity improvements) and it's an absolute joy, even though the 36 'Vert is not the most rigid chassis. It's even better than I thought it would be before owning one.
Thank you for this great video, yes the M3 CSL is a legend. 2003 when I saw the first CSL in a BMW show room I fell in love. 2012 I bought one and I still love this car. For me it's a very emotional car and the sound is just amazing.
Just an absolutely sublime car and the last of the true ‘driving’ cars. I really miss my Manual E46 M3 and my current M140i isn’t a patch on it. That sound is truly epic when one winds up them 6 cylinders.
You so called “purists” need to stop discrediting the e92. Yeah its a big boat of a car, but that one of a kind naturally aspirated v8 pushes the car like nothing
BIG J I see you’re talking to me😂 For me the E46 is the best of all worlds. Pure feeling, connection with the car, speed, balans, safety features. Every M3 before the E46 feels too slow (although the difference with the E36 is quite small) and in every M3 after the E46 you feel less connected with the car. Atleast, that’s how I feel it. The E92 is a beautiful car and that V8 is great! It’s actually 15kg lighter than the E46 engine.🙈 But E46 wins it all for me.💪
@brian jackson I owned a 2004 E46 normal M3, the amount of money I spent on to keep the thing running and not breaking down was ridiculous, I mistakenly bought the SMG version, which broke not once but TWICE. All high performance E46 models rear sub frame is also flawed, they crack, they ALL do. Had to pay to get that reinforced, not to mention oil leaks and other petty stuff. It was an enjoyable car when it worked, but definitely not a masterpiece and I certainly wouldn't buy another one.
Sirdiggar Well.. Everything is “breakable”. I believe you had those problems because of the previous owner(s). If you treat this car very well from new, it’s good. Not perfect, but good. Yes, subframe is a known issue. I have a 2001 manual. I’ve bought it with 52.000km about one and a half year ago. Perfect history and I’ve driven it for about 20.000km’s now. It doesn’t use ANY oil, not a drip. The car drives and feels like new and the subframe is (still🤞) perfect. So it just depends on how it’s been used since new.
I simply cannot put into words how much I want one of these - they have aged incredibly well and just seem the perfect antonym to the modern batch of performance coupès
A masterpiece that didn't give a damn. I just love how this car (as opposed by modern M3s) was just a sports saloon which didn't try to cater to casual motoring journalists but actually to track-day drivers and gentleman racers who will drive their sports car hard.
I can still remember the day my mate turned up in his CSL, what a sight for the eyes out my kitchen window. Did the look around, had a coffee and THEN we went of a drive, OMG. The induction noise was just amazing and so was everything else about the car. He did a the normal upgrades to brakes and small tweeks to the suspension. Kept for a while and then sold it for a 911 Turbo as nothing else in his eyes was a step up. Kept that for only a short time, too much hassle and went back to another CSL.
The E46 is the best all around generation of M3 in my opinion. I have one that I make videos with on my channel and it’s an absolute joy! I have the 6 spd manual however. I would be curious for you to do a comparison of the CSL with the SMG II vs a regular E46 M3 with the original SMG gearbox!
Regular E46 M3s have the SMG II as well, only difference is a software flash. Euro E36 M3s had the original SMG I. With the right software tweaks the SMG can be really incredible, the upshifts are insane and it can skip gears unlike a DCT which can be really handy in certain situations
E46 325ci here, wanted to buy a 330ci bcs I couldn’t afford an M3, but all the 330cis in the market were faulty so I had to choose the next step down :( Great car, but I wish I had just a little bit more $$$ to get the E46 M3... maybe next year!! But in terms of design, it’s been months but every time I look at the car parked in the driveway/carpark/sideroad as I’m about to drive it, I always think “nice” and feel really happy that I have this car. People say that when you buy material things, the happiness only lasts for a moment when you buy the thing. For me, I still feel that happiness every single time I walk to my car.
It's definitely in the eye of the beholder. I'm a much bigger fan of the e36, personally the e46 looks like a bar of soap to me. The sharp lines and understated aggressive look of the e36 just looks amazing.
It is true the S54 can trace its roots back to S50... but for those interested the only things that are the same on these two engines are: gasket for the oil pan, tensioner of poly V-belt, and the rear crankshaft cover plate. The rest is ALL NEW. Beautiful film guys. Great job mister Catchpole. Next time please make it 1 hour long pls :D
1:15 That sound. For some reason, that intake sound is the first thing that comes to head when i think of european sports cars. The rest is just an afterthought, this is the essential stuff.
@@stefanfreestylez Agree, E92 stock exhaust is really big disappointment. But good thing is it is very easy to upgrade it with some aftermarket solution. And then not a single M3 has a chance of any generation :) Speaking of E46 exhaust sound, there is really nothing much you can do, it always sounds good as any inline6 does.
@@skrypka i had both with upgraded exhuasts. The e46 according to my ears and everyone else that heard them, was better. I have videos on my youtube. E46 would get confused for an exotic car. But e92 still sounded unreal.
As a normal SMG E46 M3 owner, I love driving my car the way its meant to be driven. Did all the maintenance upgrades and this car is just fabulous. I hope to buy a real CSL from france or other LHD countries and import to the US some day. For now I shall enjoy the normal one!
Love this series. Also feel honored to have sat in and touched one of the 2 remaining e46 m3 GTR's in person. BMW car club of America had a e30 m3 gathering at their NA HQ and a GTR was sitting inside for everyone to enjoy
The US never got any but South Africa did... I`ll never forget the first time I saw one in the metal...and got to see it line up on a banked oval track in Pretoria West called Gerotek... Opel Owners Club vs VW Owners Club high speed challenge back in 2002/2003, there had been some seriously fast cars hitting the track that day (George Ananaganos and his Opel SuperBoss Turbo doing 266kmph and setting a record that would stand for over 10 years)...there had been a few E46 M3`s doing runs that day and as always they were a crowd favorite, then what possibly could have been the first E46 M3 CSL in in private hands in South Africa pulled onto the line, revved up with launch control on and let her loose when the light went green...i`ll never forget the howl that was unleashed and the damn near perfect launch that followed...the driver didn`t beat the 266kmph record but he did hit the 250kmph that the car was limited to...he even had tape over the number plates due to BMW South Africa cancelling any warranty on their cars that were taken on track for events like this... To this day i`d still much rather have one of these over a new M3...an absolute banshee at full tilt, so damn entertaining to watch!
Great stuff. This is for sure, my favourite M3. The E46 is the one I've been waiting for in this mini series. Still as beautiful as it was back then, perhaps more so now, with the angular aero driven lines dominant today. This thing had soul.
BMW have not made a bad M car and the e46 csl like the e30 m3 is sublime in every way ,its proportions look perfect from every angle, a true drivers car .
Absolutely love the CSL. Thanks to a very generous client I’ve done 100’s of miles in one on road and track. The gearbox loves to be driven hard as does the chassis. Amazing car.
Carfection is On par with my two other favourite car channels( Petrolicious, Living Life Fast, Hoovies Garage.... now that’s an eclectic choice but I love them all for different reasons) but this is by far my favourite motoring Journalist!
E46 CS was a good in between: It had the CSL's faster rack, same style wheels (the CSL are much lighter) and the chassis was pointier too than the standard E46 M3. And you get a manual gearbox as standard. CSL brakes were also fitted to the ill forgotten Z4M Coupe.
I have an e46 325ci, the M3 of this generation is my dream car. Although mine lacks the same power, you feel everything when driving it. There’s simply no better driving experience from any car.
Once I came to the Nürburg Ring and I got two free rounds with my museum ticket. The first I took with my E46 320D Edition, which was quite nice looking and the ride was also good, but the engine was too weak. So I asked that nice bloke from Luxemburg in the parking area, who had a CSL with him, if he could invite me for a ride as a codriver in his car, when I invited him to a free round. He did and I was the luckiest guy on the planet! This sound, these wheels and a skilled driver! The sound, I mean 320d and then the mother of natural aspirated, free breathing inline-6es!
A guy I worked with years ago had one. I went out with him on a track day and not only was it massively rapid it felt like it rain on rails and stopped on a dime, amazing car! Was funny when he tried to be flash at brands hatch and smashed it into the barrier.. I still have the video of that little off 😂😂
The amount of weight savings and performance that went into the production of this M3 was admirable and as close to a track car for the street as the original S14 , limiting its production didn’t hurt either , but that design .....arrrgh ! Some claim it’s beautiful , it always reminded me of my girls Honda Civic of that time .
It regularly breaks my heart that the E92 went to the V8. We were robbed of an all aluminum, naturally aspirated big displacement inline 6 to take on the 911s of the day. Can you imagine this engine but 3.8 liters 400hp and 8000rpm!
This is a superb video and an amazing car! Still do wish the CSL came with a manual option! And I'm sure I'll make the same comment about the e92 M3 GTS video that I hope will air soon! :D Great series on the M3 legends! Thank you!
Regular E46 M3 in manual, Karbonius CSL air box, big brake kit (Budget option = Braided lines, EBC pads and slotted rotors), (optional) light weight flywheel and upgraded clutch. You now have one of the best driving, best sounding and arguably best looking cars ever made for under $18k.
The CSL did come with rubbish brakes.. nice to see this owner has paid attention to giving this car the braking performance it needs for track work. Still one of BMW's very best cars and an era where they were really on top form. The E39 M5 of the same generation and design language is also one of my favourite all time cars.
KW V3, Dixis exhaust and I'm still in heaven with my CSL. Although she doesn't go out much nowadays. Although my R35 GTR, Huracan are way quicker, the CSL just makes you feel so alive. A prized stallion indeed. Great video. Gearbox is great as long you have a properly functioning SMG2 box with renewed gearbox springs. Many smg cars slur because of this and calibration
One of the greatest cars to ever roll out of a BMW factory... it's alive in your hands, and the noise it makes is simply biblical.
Ye, the ones with manuals.
SMG is pretty shit to use nowadays.
Granted, SMG II is a dog for daily driving, but can genuinely be quite entertaining on the CSL software when beating the piss out of it...
You don't drive a CSL to go on a civilized dawdle down to the local store - you do it to experience a road legal track car - and in that setting, one can forgive SMG II its many shortcomings.
@@Gr0t0tter Except you can just get a "normal" E46 M3, and add most of the csl mods or similar mods, then you got the best of both worlds, not to mention you arn't worrying about the value, due to it not being a special edition.
Of course you can... but doing it right, puts you within striking distance of actual CSL pricing - especially when you factor in the interior bits.
By the same token, you could manual-convert a CSL as well.
I'm just saying that a CSL driven in anger, makes the SMG II gearbox seem less of a stinker, than it is doing the daily grind in a vanilla M3.
Can’t say any better. Perfect words.
I could watch this video all day. Certainly one of the best-aged cars
Yeah, I've kind of forgotten how beautiful this thing really is. Thank god this video reminded me.
This is not only the pinnacle of e46 generation. This is the pinnacle of all M3s produced. State of the art.
Lipe Paiga The pinnacle of cars imo. Tracked a few exotics and nothing compares to the CSL.
GTR
Sadly BMW will never produce a car that is even 50% as good as the E46 M3 CSL.
except for the gearbox you mean
Lipe Paiga totally agree, I like the regular m3. I didn’t know bmw release special kind like the gtr and csl what are the difference?
The Wheels on this generation!!! Soo good
I agree
BBS, yo.
Best BMW ever made , timeless design and sound , just like the V10 M5
That engine was GARBAGE
@@bberllam yeah sure, one of the most efficient engines ever made is garbage.
Those e46 m3 engines are bullet proof , the v10 m engine is VERY VERY unreliable, where used m5 10 year laters are going for under 10 000 usd but the e39m5 is going for 30 to 50 grand ? Wonder why that is . The e60 is garbage from bottom to top .
@@bberllam i was talking about e46
@@bberllam E46 M3 engine isn't bulletproof at all. It has less problems than the E60 M5, though. M cars need proper maintenance and care in general. If you treat them well and service them regurarly, they can be pretty reliable machines. M engines are always more complex than standard BMW engines. BTW E60 M5 V10 won an award as being the best engine in the world in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, so it isn't garbage at all.
I still watch Jeremy Clarkson's review of the CSL every now and then, brilliant car
Gonzalo I know a lad who owned that very car after it was featured
Me too lol
I do too, it's a good watch! They sound so much better with the carbon fibre intake! Go type it into RUclips such a boss sound!
The e46 M3 is the most elegant of all M3s, not only the CSL. It's just such a stunning beauty!
Its ugly
@@jonathanmoga5188 y r u geh?
Jon M thank you for your sophisticated and well versed opinion
@@muigaulwurf I dont like being pedantic. I got straight to it.
It truly is ugly, the e30 m3 is so much better looking especially mtech2
One of the greatest sounding engines ever made in one of the best looking cars ever made. Some people wonder why the E46 is so hyped up. Well, here is your answer.
BlackWind Because 1300 of these were made? I personally cannot see myself getting anything past e36 era. Feel like the exhaust is just too raspy for my taste. Some of them sound like damn F1 cars though haha.
er...No, Dude... not at all one of the best. Sounds good... sure
@@calebsonger4630 most sound of that model of car comes directly from the induction of the engine not exhaust. plus i think you could be one person in whole world who does not like sound of F1 engine.
honda jazz fan much ?
PKS I’m saying when they do sound like an F1 car, it’s sweet. But a lot of them sound like raspy tin cans.
@@Dave.S.TT600 check out the set up i had on mine. I have a few videos of it up. Def one of the best sounds out there.
Watch in 240p for that 1998 experience
haha !
Yeah I’m fine actually thanks lol
This car came out in 04 tho
@@dln.sweeney make it 360p then
@HeavyDutyTraining Touché.
Hearing that engine roar gave me goosebumps.. anyone else?
The legend that is the E46 M3 CSL
Back when a sports car was actually about driving instead of insane tech and driver assistance packages
it's a GT car, surely?
@@Dave.S.TT600 Coupe, manual, rear wheel drive, great performance, I'd say it's a sports car
@@Dave.S.TT600 it's a sports car.
Back when this was produced it was considered blunt and heavy.
@@LivingLifeSlower 3400 lbs is on the heavier side for sure
It's amazing how well the E46 has aged...
Those rain drops gliding along the window pane is quite a lovely sight to see and understand the thrust this car produces... WOW !
nothing to do with HP and everything to the glass coating...
@@PepegaPig it seems like all of the cars went through a detailer just before this video was shut. They all bead everywhere..
Glass wax or sealant.
“If you just look at the engine, it’ll kill you” - Jeremy Clarkson
That M3 CSL, NFS Most Wanted, PC, My cousins and I, 2007. What a time that was♡♡
In NFS MW there was no M3CSL, the E46 in this game was M3 GTR. :)
The E36 and E46, and not only the 'M' cars, are the best BMWs ever made for me. Simply great to drive, they offer exactly what BMW's slogan is: Sheer Driving Pleasure. Without the limitations of today's laws and emission requirements. They are honest cars. I love both, I always did. I currently drive a E36 328i convertible with some minor mods (bigger brakes, M50 manifold, slightly altered M3 E46 exhaust system, tweaked suspension, rigidity improvements) and it's an absolute joy, even though the 36 'Vert is not the most rigid chassis. It's even better than I thought it would be before owning one.
Best sounding m3 so far! That rasp at top end is glorious!
Really love the M3 E46 along with E30 and E36
Thank you for this great video, yes the M3 CSL is a legend.
2003 when I saw the first CSL in a BMW show room I fell in love. 2012 I bought one and I still love this car. For me it's a very emotional car and the sound is just amazing.
Just an absolutely sublime car and the last of the true ‘driving’ cars. I really miss my Manual E46 M3 and my current M140i isn’t a patch on it.
That sound is truly epic when one winds up them 6 cylinders.
You so called “purists” need to stop discrediting the e92. Yeah its a big boat of a car, but that one of a kind naturally aspirated v8 pushes the car like nothing
BIG J
The V8 is a masterpiece as well as you say but I couldn’t live with the rear end looks of it.
BIG J I see you’re talking to me😂
For me the E46 is the best of all worlds. Pure feeling, connection with the car, speed, balans, safety features. Every M3 before the E46 feels too slow (although the difference with the E36 is quite small) and in every M3 after the E46 you feel less connected with the car. Atleast, that’s how I feel it. The E92 is a beautiful car and that V8 is great! It’s actually 15kg lighter than the E46 engine.🙈
But E46 wins it all for me.💪
@brian jackson I owned a 2004 E46 normal M3, the amount of money I spent on to keep the thing running and not breaking down was ridiculous, I mistakenly bought the SMG version, which broke not once but TWICE. All high performance E46 models rear sub frame is also flawed, they crack, they ALL do. Had to pay to get that reinforced, not to mention oil leaks and other petty stuff. It was an enjoyable car when it worked, but definitely not a masterpiece and I certainly wouldn't buy another one.
Sirdiggar Well.. Everything is “breakable”.
I believe you had those problems because of the previous owner(s). If you treat this car very well from new, it’s good. Not perfect, but good. Yes, subframe is a known issue. I have a 2001 manual. I’ve bought it with 52.000km about one and a half year ago. Perfect history and I’ve driven it for about 20.000km’s now.
It doesn’t use ANY oil, not a drip. The car drives and feels like new and the subframe is (still🤞) perfect. So it just depends on how it’s been used since new.
I simply cannot put into words how much I want one of these - they have aged incredibly well and just seem the perfect antonym to the modern batch of performance coupès
A masterpiece that didn't give a damn. I just love how this car (as opposed by modern M3s) was just a sports saloon which didn't try to cater to casual motoring journalists but actually to track-day drivers and gentleman racers who will drive their sports car hard.
Timeless, priceless and speechless. Definitely one icon in automobile history.
I've had my E46 M3 since picking it up in Germany in the summer of 2004 and will never sell it.
Everything bmw made in the past 20 years combined can't hold a candle to this car's looks. Simply timeless.
I know for many, the E30 M is the pinnacle of the M series but for me, this is it. As always, great vid, Henry.
I can still remember the day my mate turned up in his CSL, what a sight for the eyes out my kitchen window. Did the look around, had a coffee and THEN we went of a drive, OMG. The induction noise was just amazing and so was everything else about the car. He did a the normal upgrades to brakes and small tweeks to the suspension. Kept for a while and then sold it for a 911 Turbo as nothing else in his eyes was a step up. Kept that for only a short time, too much hassle and went back to another CSL.
German technology at it's very best. Superb.
I love these things!
this car has a guaranteed place in my dream collection
The slide shots are super smooth. Cheers to the team!
The E46 is design perfection. BMW high point.
My '06 silver-gray 6-speed ZHP thanks you.
The best of all M3s? I think so.
scanspeak00 what’s ya fav M car ever tho?!
Subi_fan more cylinders can only be a good thing! 👍🏼
Right after E30 M3 that is
Even with the SMG?
The m3 GTR is the best Beamer of all time
Achingly special and pretty! - But enough about Henry - The E46 M3 CSL is special beyond words!
This is my favourite M3
The E46 is the best all around generation of M3 in my opinion. I have one that I make videos with on my channel and it’s an absolute joy! I have the 6 spd manual however. I would be curious for you to do a comparison of the CSL with the SMG II vs a regular E46 M3 with the original SMG gearbox!
Regular E46 M3s have the SMG II as well, only difference is a software flash. Euro E36 M3s had the original SMG I. With the right software tweaks the SMG can be really incredible, the upshifts are insane and it can skip gears unlike a DCT which can be really handy in certain situations
Dan Sutherland oh interesting! I didn’t know the smg system was that old
A simply beautiful design. I own a black E46 330ci and think that's stunning. This is turned up to 11!
Mubble Mann blue 330Ci owner here. I’m absolutely in love with mine 🤩
E46 325ci here, wanted to buy a 330ci bcs I couldn’t afford an M3, but all the 330cis in the market were faulty so I had to choose the next step down :(
Great car, but I wish I had just a little bit more $$$ to get the E46 M3... maybe next year!! But in terms of design, it’s been months but every time I look at the car parked in the driveway/carpark/sideroad as I’m about to drive it, I always think “nice” and feel really happy that I have this car. People say that when you buy material things, the happiness only lasts for a moment when you buy the thing. For me, I still feel that happiness every single time I walk to my car.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and I think the E46 is the best looking of all M3
Without a doubt. The proportions of the car, especially in coupe form, are close on perfect. Newer BMWs will not age as well as the E46.
It's definitely in the eye of the beholder. I'm a much bigger fan of the e36, personally the e46 looks like a bar of soap to me. The sharp lines and understated aggressive look of the e36 just looks amazing.
I think the back looks very bland compared to the others...
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
One the best cars to experience driving. That induction sound had me squealing like a 5 yr old. The kids loved it too.
Dream car, complete package of driver's car.
Wish it had a six speed though... It would be a $200.000 car by now...
What a fabulous car; Henry’s face says it all. That noise is glorious.
It is true the S54 can trace its roots back to S50... but for those interested the only things that are the same on these two engines are: gasket for the oil pan, tensioner of poly V-belt, and the rear crankshaft cover plate. The rest is ALL NEW. Beautiful film guys. Great job mister Catchpole. Next time please make it 1 hour long pls :D
I find this Carfection video to be the crispiest car reviews ever. Very high quality content plus the E46 M3 adds that bit more of a "cool" factor.
1:15 That sound.
For some reason, that intake sound is the first thing that comes to head when i think of european sports cars. The rest is just an afterthought, this is the essential stuff.
Like Jeremy Clarkson would say, the CSL is the only car where the intake make more noise than the exhaust.
Another great review of one of the greatest M3's! Thanks for that Carfectionists!
BMW E46 M3 CSL in a manual would be a master piece to be hold. Epic series
True, 2 second greatest sounding M3 after E92. Perhaps best prior modern day M3 overall.
I think the e46 sounds better than the e92. The s65 is an amazing engine but the s54 was so revolutionary and you can't beat that induction
Had both i think the e46 sounded better.
@@stefanfreestylez Agree, E92 stock exhaust is really big disappointment. But good thing is it is very easy to upgrade it with some aftermarket solution. And then not a single M3 has a chance of any generation :)
Speaking of E46 exhaust sound, there is really nothing much you can do, it always sounds good as any inline6 does.
in my opinion the e36 sounds better
@@skrypka i had both with upgraded exhuasts. The e46 according to my ears and everyone else that heard them, was better. I have videos on my youtube. E46 would get confused for an exotic car. But e92 still sounded unreal.
As a normal SMG E46 M3 owner, I love driving my car the way its meant to be driven. Did all the maintenance upgrades and this car is just fabulous. I hope to buy a real CSL from france or other LHD countries and import to the US some day. For now I shall enjoy the normal one!
Such a joy to hear that engine screaming. Electrifying!
Watching this at 4:15am. This is one of my favourite BMWs.
Love this series. Also feel honored to have sat in and touched one of the 2 remaining e46 m3 GTR's in person. BMW car club of America had a e30 m3 gathering at their NA HQ and a GTR was sitting inside for everyone to enjoy
Best M3 ever.
The US never got any but South Africa did...
I`ll never forget the first time I saw one in the metal...and got to see it line up on a banked oval track in Pretoria West called Gerotek...
Opel Owners Club vs VW Owners Club high speed challenge back in 2002/2003, there had been some seriously fast cars hitting the track that day (George Ananaganos and his Opel SuperBoss Turbo doing 266kmph and setting a record that would stand for over 10 years)...there had been a few E46 M3`s doing runs that day and as always they were a crowd favorite, then what possibly could have been the first E46 M3 CSL in in private hands in South Africa pulled onto the line, revved up with launch control on and let her loose when the light went green...i`ll never forget the howl that was unleashed and the damn near perfect launch that followed...the driver didn`t beat the 266kmph record but he did hit the 250kmph that the car was limited to...he even had tape over the number plates due to BMW South Africa cancelling any warranty on their cars that were taken on track for events like this...
To this day i`d still much rather have one of these over a new M3...an absolute banshee at full tilt, so damn entertaining to watch!
Great stuff. This is for sure, my favourite M3. The E46 is the one I've been waiting for in this mini series. Still as beautiful as it was back then, perhaps more so now, with the angular aero driven lines dominant today. This thing had soul.
I'm here after the new M4 CSL vids, mainly because of THE SOUND THIS CSL MADE.
Harry is giddy over the sound of this one... understandably so! Love this video
BMW have not made a bad M car and the e46 csl like the e30 m3 is sublime in every way ,its proportions look perfect from every angle, a true drivers car .
Absolutely love the CSL. Thanks to a very generous client I’ve done 100’s of miles in one on road and track. The gearbox loves to be driven hard as does the chassis. Amazing car.
To me....the best and most beautiful bmw ever made. I want this in my life..
It looks so ridiculously beautiful
Carfection is On par with my two other favourite car channels( Petrolicious, Living Life Fast, Hoovies Garage.... now that’s an eclectic choice but I love them all for different reasons) but this is by far my favourite motoring Journalist!
Definitely the E46 it’s my fav M5, was madly waiting for this episode.
My first dream car before I could drive. That top gear episode Clarkson did was amazing
E46 is my favourite ever M3, I know it's not the best but I can't resist with manual gearbox.... Love it
I love the M3 E30, the E46 (manual transmission) and then the E36 in that order. Those were times! when BMW was building "𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑚 𝑓𝑎ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑛."
Hard to pick a favorite. They're all differently amazing
Man thanks for coming up with such a great idea of this series. 😮 didn’t think would enjoy it so much.
Best generation of bmw ever made there will never be anything like it I’m so glad to own one
Im so happy they made this series
God I miss my one of these. Weirdly the most reliable car I've ever owned, nothing went wrong with it over 40k miles.
Then why missing it? You should still have it.🤔
@@NardoC64 Was sold way back in 2009...when they weren't the price they are today :-(
Should do a video on E46 M3 CS with BMW Manual Gearbox
Completely original OEM
Mint example
simply the greatest car of all time.
not even exaggerating.
E46 still looks amazing.
The E46 Is my favorite M3 and I like it in Laguna Seca Blue with 3 petals of course!
Unbelievably a lad I know owned for a while the one that was featured on Top Gear all those years ago.
Claim to fame lol
My favorite looking M3. Such a stunner.
Hairy Snatchpoll is a driving god!
Simply the ultimate road machine ....
E46 CS was a good in between: It had the CSL's faster rack, same style wheels (the CSL are much lighter) and the chassis was pointier too than the standard E46 M3. And you get a manual gearbox as standard. CSL brakes were also fitted to the ill forgotten Z4M Coupe.
CS was not a go between. It was 10% better than the standard car. CSL is 90% better than the standard car.
My favourite car and my favourite motoring journalist, what a great
they've certainly shot up in price, a true collectors car
I have an e46 325ci, the M3 of this generation is my dream car. Although mine lacks the same power, you feel everything when driving it. There’s simply no better driving experience from any car.
Once I came to the Nürburg Ring and I got two free rounds with my museum ticket. The first I took with my E46 320D Edition, which was quite nice looking and the ride was also good, but the engine was too weak. So I asked that nice bloke from Luxemburg in the parking area, who had a CSL with him, if he could invite me for a ride as a codriver in his car, when I invited him to a free round. He did and I was the luckiest guy on the planet! This sound, these wheels and a skilled driver! The sound, I mean 320d and then the mother of natural aspirated, free breathing inline-6es!
Probably the best M3 ever made 😍
That's one happy and suprise m3
A guy I worked with years ago had one. I went out with him on a track day and not only was it massively rapid it felt like it rain on rails and stopped on a dime, amazing car!
Was funny when he tried to be flash at brands hatch and smashed it into the barrier.. I still have the video of that little off 😂😂
The amount of weight savings and performance that went into the production of this M3 was admirable and as close to a track car for the street as the original S14 , limiting its production didn’t hurt either , but that design .....arrrgh ! Some claim it’s beautiful , it always reminded me of my girls Honda Civic of that time .
It regularly breaks my heart that the E92 went to the V8. We were robbed of an all aluminum, naturally aspirated big displacement inline 6 to take on the 911s of the day. Can you imagine this engine but 3.8 liters 400hp and 8000rpm!
I do love the E92 M3's V8 engine a lot though. But since the M3 became turbocharged, it no longer becomes my favourite.
This is a superb video and an amazing car! Still do wish the CSL came with a manual option! And I'm sure I'll make the same comment about the e92 M3 GTS video that I hope will air soon! :D Great series on the M3 legends! Thank you!
Great video. Henry is absolutely one of the very best at what he does.
The SMG being "not quite perfect yet" must be the kindest thing you could possibly say about that transmission. Other than that, EPIC car
Love love love this series! Epic work once again HC
Regular E46 M3 in manual, Karbonius CSL air box, big brake kit (Budget option = Braided lines, EBC pads and slotted rotors), (optional) light weight flywheel and upgraded clutch. You now have one of the best driving, best sounding and arguably best looking cars ever made for under $18k.
The CSL did come with rubbish brakes.. nice to see this owner has paid attention to giving this car the braking performance it needs for track work.
Still one of BMW's very best cars and an era where they were really on top form. The E39 M5 of the same generation and design language is also one of my favourite all time cars.
This is so beautiful guys! I wish I can get one here, it is so rare
KW V3, Dixis exhaust and I'm still in heaven with my CSL. Although she doesn't go out much nowadays. Although my R35 GTR, Huracan are way quicker, the CSL just makes you feel so alive. A prized stallion indeed. Great video. Gearbox is great as long you have a properly functioning SMG2 box with renewed gearbox springs. Many smg cars slur because of this and calibration
The best M3 for sure!!!
A pure driving experience
Top 5 sounding car of all time
This is hands down the best BMW to ever exist.