[RS2002]

After long last, I got my car back! Bloomin' bodyshops, they know how to play the game very well... Grrr... [B)]

Still, I'm over the moon with the job, despite how long it took![]

My CSL Alloys are STILL on backorder, which is a shame, but for the time being, I'm growing fond of the look with the OEM M3 19s. What do you guys think? Should I keep the OEMs and forget the CSL alloys? Here are some pics:

CSL in $tealership sporting CSL Alloys:

My M3 with OEM 19" Alloys:

Some more pics:

FRAUDSTER!!! I know... the inner chav inside of me wanted it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/1.jpg

Guy who sold me the OEM parts:

Don't worry Raj, the front bumper is a piece of cake to install - you won't have any trouble at all...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AnniGti/E46%20M3%20CSL%20Kit/CSLBumperInstall.jpg

What a pain the backside the front bumper turned out to be - soooo many parts inc. different washer bottle, brackets and mountings etc - all which had to be bought over from Germany [incurring added delay!].

Sorry there are so many pics but I got a little carried away with the camera[:I]

Honest opinions please - even if they are: "Why fake a CSL"[}][)]

Oh and you may notice, there are slight kerb marks an rips in the "rim protector". Well, I've kerbed 3 of the alloys so far - good news however is an Irish chap says he will come to my house and repair them at ?50/corner. So I'm just waiting for some time off and I plan on getting it done []

 

[Russell]

Nice car. I think that I prefer the ones that you have on the car now.

 

[RS2002]

Thanks mate - My wallet is also thanking you lol

 

[Carlos]

Like it alot.

What colour is the car? Dark Blue?

 

[RS2002]

Thanks! The colour is "Carbon Black" which has a slight tint of dark blue in the paint under different light conditions. Pretty cool colour, but as you can imagine very tricky to keep clean!

 

[Uzi9]

WOW! amazing, very nice. I actually prefer your current alloys - seem to stand out so nicely (probably better than the csl alloys in my opinion) - save the ca$h.

 

[thechief]

Has to be the CSL alloys they just look brilliant!

 

[N11K DJ]

Very nice, must have cost you a few ?????'s!

Looks worth it tho!

 

[Paul H]

is the dealer gonna sell you some csl alloys then ?? the dealer i work at won't without a chassis number and proof of ownership.apparantly there not allowed

 

[GaryM]

Superb car Raj but keep the OEM alloys IMO, they are much nicer than the CSL alloys.

 

[RS2002]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys [] So far OEM 19s are winning!!

Edit: I have some good friends who work at BMW. One is the head workshop technician the other a service manager! So I was able to get around the CSL-owner locked parts release.

 

[diablo]

get the CSL alloys but dont get the stupid tyres that come with them.alot of people with a CSL are getting rid of the wheels because of the tyres.oh and it looks the business.must well chuffed[^]

 

[Giddy]

CSL Alloys, you know it makes sense! Looks good either way tho [^]

 

[Autovogue UK]

Looks great!

I take it its a whole new boot top? Did you fit the LED rear lights yourself?

We can get 19'' CSL replicas at work,

Will take some pictures of our demo tomorrow that has a set on.

 

[Richard W]

Must be CSL alloys - they set it aprt from the std M3. Oh yes go for some sensible tyres too, you'll wrap it in winter with the semi-slicks on!

 

[CarlT]

CSL alloys !

Just a question, why spend all that money on making a "Faux" CSL, when it wouldn't have cost you much more to px your car and buy a "proper" CSL (given that they are now down to late ?30k early ?40k ?

Not having a dig - just curious !![?]

 

[RS2002]

Thanks for the feedbacks so far guys, but I think I'm gonna hold out on the CSL alloys. I really like the OEM alloys at the moment. Perhaps I'll wait until the tyres are worn down and then go for the alloys and tyres together.

Carl - Honest enough question [] Cheapest CSL at the moment goes for: ?36k and they tend to be without aircon which is a MUST and also radio. Missing Xenons isn't a biggy, but the aircon and radio was a problem. If you don't have radio - most crucially you don't have the wiring to retro-fit any stereo and more importantly [thanks to my absence of map-reading skills] NO SATNAV. I NEED SatNav. The CSLs going with radio and aircon are at the 42k-50k mark which is bit too much for me, and I don't think I'd get any more out of the car to be honest, especially when I had and have no plans on tracking the car. Also I don't believe they car would be very comfortable to live with for daily driving around London. I got my M3 really cheap with only 15k on the clock and even with the total cost of OEM CSL parts - The saving is huge. I guess I could fit a GruppeM air-intake for added induction noise, but I love the car as it is especially with the comfy leather seats []

Post up some pics of your RS6 - I would love to see that beast sometime. Cheers bud.

 

[RS2002]

Oh also forgot to mention. I was initially only after the bootlid because I just loved the look of it. The guy I bought the parts off, gave me the front bumper at 50% of the RRP because it was purchased by a CSL owner privately, but then he was informed that his would be replaced under warranty... He wanted to offload it quick, given the price of it, I'm not suprised. It costs a fortune!! I just couldn't turn the offer down - it would be silly. lol

 

[Doc]

Nice but I must admit I share CarlT's comments.

As you have gone for the CSL look the normal M3's 19's (which are optional equipment on the standard car) look better on the standard car, so to complete the look it follows that CSL alloys go with the CSL look.....otherwise its a real mismatch.[:I]

 

[RS2002]

Appreciate the comment [] You actually have to sign a disclaimer when you purchase an M3 CSL understanding the implications with the wheels and tyres [semi-slicks]. M3 CSL owners actually have the choice to opt for the 19inch Double Spoke Alloys [as above]. The tyre configuration differs a lot. I've actually seen quite a few CSLs sporting the standard 19inch Alloys for road use. I'm guessing they then swap over to the CSL alloys and their tyres when they take their car to the track. Even with non semi-slick tyres, the alloys will have to use different tyres which would of course have a direct influence to road-holding/handling:

Standard M3 19inch

==================

Front: 225/40/19 ZR - 8inch J

Rear : 255/35/19 ZR - 9.5inch J

CSL M3 19inch

=============

Front: 235/35/19 ZR - 8.5inch offset 50mm

Rear : 265/30/19 ZR - 9.5inch Offset 27mm

Either way I'm happy with my car at the moment. It may be 17 horses down on the CSL but it had enough go to see off a Porsche Carrera last night []

Cheers!