PRICE £114,950
YEAR 2004
ENGINE 3246cc/6-cyl, 24V/DOHC/multipoint fuel injection
POWER 360bhp@7900rpm
TORQUE 272lb ft@4900rpm
MAXIMUM SPEED 155mph (electronically-limited) 
0-60MPH 4.7sec
GEARBOX RWD, six-speed manual
MILEAGE 39,703 miles
MOT 12 months from sale
CHASSIS NUMBER WBSBL96040JC98487
COLOUR Metallic green
INTERIOR Black suede
WIDTH 1780mm
LENGTH 4490mm
HEIGHT 1360mm 

Converted by a specialist to a fully manual six-speed gearbox, this striking-looking and potent BMW now offers even more performance and driver satisfaction

BACKGROUND
There have been many great BMWs over the decades. But one of the most legendary was the 3.0 CSL, a lightweight homologation version of the handsome E9. Launched in May 1972, 1265 3.0 CSLs were constructed to make the car eligible for the European Touring Car Championships, with only around 500 coming to the UK. Thanks to their aerodynamic features such as a large nose air dam, small fins bordering the bonnet, small spoiler on the roof and a much larger one mounted on the boot, they soon earned the nickname of ‘Batmobiles’. Those that went racing usually trounced their opposition, helping to further cement the CSL’s reputation as a very effective weapon.

The last original CSL was homologated in 1973, but in 2004, BMW revisited the theme with the E46 generation 3 Series. This 21st century homage was dubbed the M3 CSL and ran to just 1383 examples. Only two colours were available, Silver Grey Metallic and Black Sapphire Metallic. Thanks to the use of glass-reinforced plastic in the structure, a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof, some carbon-fibre body panels, a fibre-board boot floor, removal of some sound insulation and thinner rear window glass, the M3 CSL shed 110kg compared to the standard M3. The electric seats, navigation, air conditioning and stereo were also deleted – although the last two could be specced if the owner required. Other changes were enhanced aerodynamics – not quite as flamboyant as the original Batmobile, but there was a carbon-fibre front splitter and rear diffuser, plus a reprofiled bootlid with raised lip – along with 19in wheels clad with semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres. The brakes were upgraded and there was stiffer suspension and retuned electronic stability control. Power was increased by 17bhp over stock M3s, giving an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph, although BMW would kindly remove this for owners with a motorsport licence.

The only transmission option available was the SMG II six-speed automated (rather than purely automatic) gearbox, which was fine for track use but proved rather less effective and engaging for everyday road use, and certainly less reliable than most BMW transmissions. Which leads us neatly to our car here, because one of the M3 CSL’s few flaws has been banished from this one.   

OUR CAR
This CSL was registered in March 2004 and has led quite a sheltered and cossetted life during its 19 years of existence, passing through the hands of just four owners and covering only 39,703 miles. This can be warranted by the paperwork that accompanies it (which includes a full BMW service history).

The more observant will have spotted that it’s finished in a very dark metallic green rather than the silver or black that was the standard shade for these models. However, this isn’t a repaint. It’s actually a wrap, and the car’s original Silver Grey Metallic survives in very good order underneath. The wrap, which was carried out when the car was owned by somebody with a preference for collecting green cars, has been very professionally carried out. However, for anybody wanting to return to the original Silver Grey, it can be easily removed without damage.      

An even more significant change hides deeper in. The CSL has been treated to a six-speed manual gearbox conversion, carried out by Darragh Doyle – an ex-F1 mechanic – at specialist firm Everything M3 of Banbury. The job was completed in February 2021, according to a certificate of authenticity from Everything M3s in the history file. This has made the drivetrain more robust and the car more rewarding to drive, adding an extra layer of driver involvement. As part of the gearbox transmission work Everything M3 also carried out a differential upgrade and checked the fibre-board boot floor for cracking, which can strike these lightweight models. Not only was it found to be original but no rectification work was necessary, and it was remarked upon that the car was ‘probably the cleanest example they had worked on’.

The green wrap was applied following the transmission work later in 2021, and a new set of original CSL wheels also fitted, shod with new tyres. Since then, only a very limited number of miles – less than a thousand – have been covered. 

The car comes with a hefty history folder that includes all the original books in their CSL leather and suede wallet. The service book has eight BMW authorised workshop stamps, with the last entry at 38,723 miles. There’s also a stack of invoices from throughout the car’s life, most of them from BMW Service, and MoT certificates. These fully support the low mileage. All the factory tools are still in place, and the car will also come with a wooden box containing the original components changed by Everything M3, should somebody want to revert the car back to standard. Although we can’t imagine why anybody would want to do so.

BODYWORK
The green wrap material on the car is 99.9 per cent flawless; it has been carried out so well that it’s practically impossible to distinguish from proper paint, even by touch. There are virtually no spots where the wrap has started to wear, tear or crease; only one tiny chip below the driver’s side CSL-branded door treadplate betrays the original colour underneath, and you have to look very, very closely to see it. 

There’s no scuffing to the bumpers or door mirrors, the chrome is unmarked and the light units show no signs of internal condensation, tarnishing or clouding. All the carbon-fibre body additions are similarly immaculate. The M Sport 19in alloys, only recently fitted, have no damage and the 2020 date-stamped tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport items, with plenty of tread left. They’re a sensible switch from the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup semi-slick which were factory-fit items. While these provided high levels of grip when warmed up on a track, their performance was poorer on wet roads and before they reached their optimum temperature; so much so that BMW included a warning label to inform drivers about driving in cold or wet conditions. The current tyres should be much more suitable for everyday use while still staying (largely) faithful to original spec.

INTERIOR
The cabin, in (near enough) 50 shades of grey is in excellent order. Splashes of colour come from the BMW steering wheel boss ‘propellor’ logo, gauge needles and the M Sport stitching on the steering wheel – the latter being completely intact with no fraying or discolouration.

The fibreglass front racing seats are covered in Amaretto suede and Reflex cloth suede. Suede marks very easily, but the material here is remarkably free from any real wear. It still looks extremely good, even for a car that has covered less than 40,000 miles. The rear seats are just as fine. The carpets are protected by fitted over-mats and have survived very well indeed.

There are carbon-fibre inserts for the door panels and in the centre console. None of these display any problems. The area just in front of the handbrake also has a limited edition plaque attached, confirming UK production of just 422 units.

While those who really wanted their CSL as lightweight as possible could have it without a radio/CD player or air conditioning, this one does have those options fitted. Both are fully-functioning, as is every other bit of equipment on the vehicle.

The boot looks like it’s never carried anything much, such is the preservation of the lining. And that could well be true, given the tendency of the fibre-board floor to break – here, of course, it has been professionally checked out and found to still be in excellent shape. The securing netting is still in place, and there’s the original warning triangle in its blue plastic container and a BMW-branded first aid kit mounted on the left of the boot.

ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR
Open the bonnet and you’ll discover the one part of the BMW that hasn’t been wrapped. The engine bay still retains its unshrouded Silver Grey paint. And it’s a measure of what the rest of the exterior finish must be like under its protective covering because, even in the tough working environment of an M3 engine bay, it’s about as spotless as can be given the oil, grease and heat that surround it.

As much as can be seen, given that so much of the engine is shrouded in plastic and carbon-fibre, everything looks stock and undisturbed, with wiring and pipework as Munich intended. All fluids are healthy. The warning and information stickers are intact and generally unmarked; always a sign that a car has been studiously looked after. This doesn’t look like a 19-year-old engine bay at all. Underneath, the car is also very clean.

The CSL starts, runs and drives exactly as it should. With under 40,000 miles and so much care and attention over the years, it’s barely even run in for one of these. It behaves superbly – docile around town, but with huge reserves of power on tap for when you need to cut loose. The six-speed manual transmission does make it calmer at lower speeds and adds more driver engagement, making the machine feel even sportier. Plus there’s the assurance that some of the common problems of the SMG II won’t materialise. The gearbox behaves perfectly; after all, it’s less than two years and around a thousand miles since its specialist installation. Dial in the superior brakes, more than capable of stopping this car from 155mph speeds, and you have a sports coupe with premium performance and unrivalled road manners that totally live up to the stunning looks.   

SUMMARY
This is a very special BMW M3 CSL. Of course, the model was special enough when it was unveiled in 2004 as a stripped-down and speed-focused limited edition, of which just 422 made it to the UK. But this one has been enhanced further by its manual gearbox conversion and other modifications. It’s been very well looked after, serviced religiously, and has a very low mileage for its age. This is an exemplary example of its breed, probably one of the best remaining. And you’ll be very unlikely to find another in green too. Especially not one that can so easily revert back to its standard silver-grey metallic if required.    

While Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this 2004 BMW M3 CSL.

PRICE

£114950

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YEAR

2004

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ENGINE

3246CC 6-CYL

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MILEAGE

39,703

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COLOUR

GREEN

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To enquire about this vehicle or request a viewing, please contact us via phone or email.