03 M3 CSL - what would it be worth?

[M3_Power 636]

ok ... there's a certain porker that's come onto the market for sale that has gotten me tempted.

I've not decided whether it is worth while doing at all or whether I actually should (I do love the CSL and have never thought I'd put a post like this up ever), so I am just trying to gauge an indication on what you guys think the CSL might be worth realistically? Chances are it won't be worth while doing, but it'd give me an indication on what you guys think it might be worth?

If it is sold, it will be sold with an extensive spare parts package (listed below). Ideally a collector or a true enthusiast.

No expense spared maintenance of course on a car like this (well above and beyond just the normal manufacturer's recommendations - full details and receipts available).

2 owners (me being the second owner).

23,3XXkm (as far as I am aware, the lowest NZ new currently - there's another that's really close circa 25,XXXkm and an UK import that's slightly lower 22,XXXkm)

Silver Grey of course

Recent new RTAB + limiter kit and FCAB (just because)

Recent re-adaptation of the SMG clutch - including clutch slip reteach also (I can do this via the autoengenuity tool that I have and it works brilliantly - night and day difference to the way the clutch engages) - And it actually had a new clutch put in around 18,XXXkm because of a faulty release bearing - I bought a brand new clutch kit seeing it was warranty work and the gearbox was already out, even though it really didn't need one.

Car can be returned back to full original specs (full original parts available - everything), otherwise the only modifcations are:

6 pot monoblock Alcon brake kit with braided lines

Genuine AC Schnitzer Racing suspension

Borla muffler

Carbon fiber interior dash trim and SMG surround

Full ventureshield paint protection film to close to 80% of the car

Fully certed for the modifications.

Prestine Condition and absolutely nothing wrong with the car (always serviced by 2 top technicians at Team McMillan - the only 2 I trust with the car) - and no it does not have a ripped subframe floor just in case anyone's wondering - I check this like weekly LOL ...

Full spare parts list:

1. Genuine CSL bootlid

2. rear diffuser x 2 (one genuine, one a really good replica)

3. centre console x 1

4. CSL alcantara Steering wheels x 2 (one brand new, one near new)

5. hand brake leather cover (I swapped over an alcantara one, so this it the original from the car)

6. dash pieces (swapped for carbon ones)

7. SMG surround (swapped for carbon ones)

8. spare sets of SMG paddles x 2 (one perfect, one's quite worn from an used steering wheel I got)

9. spare driver side door handle (brand new)

10. full set of shocks and springs (the originals with less than 11,000km - running coilovers in the car)

11. spare set of CSL wheels and Cup tyres

12. spare set of white indicators (long story on this one)

13. spare oem muffler (running a borla on the car)

14. spare Vorsteiner replica CSL front bumper

15. spare E46 M3 front bumper and aluminium bar

16. spare passenger seat airbag sensor mat

17. front brakes, bracket, disc and lines (running Alcons on the car)

18. Front splitters x 2 (one vorsteiner, one OEM)

19. Single piece carbon fiber race splitter (vorsteiner)

19 . spare front grill (this is for the vorsteiner bumper)

20. spare intake pick up tube (for the vorsteiner bumper)

21. spare airfilter x 1

22. spare rear centre console + alcantara trims (console is slightly damaged but repairable)

23. one rear bumper (brand new)

Edited January 27, 2010 by M3_Power

[Matt 123]

I know someone who bought one new and sold it after a couple of years. Last year he was thinking about maybe getting another one to add back to his car collection (he has quite a few), he was offered one for around $85k. I think this was around when one was on trademe for a bit over $100k, which he thought was asking too much at the time. I don't know any details about k's done, modifications made, or overall condition on the one he was offered though sorry. I don't imagine the value would have dropped too far below this though, especially for one with the extras that yours has.

Hope that helps.

[M3 Cab 0]

Just my opinion but would think it's around $80k. Given there are so few of them around it's a bit hard to price but the reality is ya have to find a buyer and in this market the guys with the money have the pick if some nice stuff. Its always a bit different selling specialist cars. Personally I'd keep it there's a lot to be said for having something special that can't be replaced.

Either that or sell it to me

Edited January 27, 2010 by M3 Cab

[westy 614]

Either that or sell it to me

Now theres an idea.

[Gotheschu 1]

Now theres an idea.

I saw a CSL on TradeMe awhile ago for around high fifties.

[Greg111 13]

I saw a CSL on TradeMe awhile ago for around high fifties.

Wasn't a CSL then.

[Gotheschu 1]

Wasn't a CSL then.

Pretty Sure it was. May have been in the sixties but I'm sure it was a CSL and it was around the 60k mark. Seventies tops

[hybrid 1043]

There was one that was advertised for 85k as mentioned before. Lots of CSL copies around with vorstiener boots / bumpers and the replica wheels.

Tom I think you could easily ask for higher the regular value as yours truely is in mint condition.

However I wouldnt use trademe to sell it. Take it some a dealer to sell, as doug knows .. the right person comes along who wants some thing truely specail.

[hybrid 1043]

dear douglas.

I think this is the car you have been waiting for.

your friend

josh

[Wom 0]

Tom I think you could easily ask for higher the regular value as yours truely is in mint condition.

that and the rather large list of spare parts that comes with it would be worth a fair bit

[Braeden320 0]

Im surprised nobody has asked, What do you have your eyes on that can better this?

Must be E92 M3

[M3 Cab 0]

I think the CSL is a better car than the E92 M3. Don't get me wrong I like the V8 but it's just to fat & easy to drive, not to mention expensive.

[CamB 48]

I have no idea on what its worth, not even an opinion (rare for me!).

Keen to know which porker though. GT3? 993 Turbo?

Edited January 27, 2010 by CamB

[M3_Power 636]

I know someone who bought one new and sold it after a couple of years. Last year he was thinking about maybe getting another one to add back to his car collection (he has quite a few), he was offered one for around $85k. I think this was around when one was on trademe for a bit over $100k, which he thought was asking too much at the time. I don't know any details about k's done, modifications made, or overall condition on the one he was offered though sorry. I don't imagine the value would have dropped too far below this though, especially for one with the extras that yours has.

Hope that helps.

That's the thing with this car - I think there is a market for them, just not a lot of people that are willing to pay for one - especially not 2x the price of an ordinary E46 M3 (circa $45K for a good one now days).

I know most of the owners and many have said that they will not sell ever and most have said they will certainly not sell for the likes of $8?K.

Just my opinion but would think it's around $80k. Given there are so few of them around it's a bit hard to price but the reality is ya have to find a buyer and in this market the guys with the money have the pick if some nice stuff. Its always a bit different selling specialist cars. Personally I'd keep it there's a lot to be said for having something special that can't be replaced.

Either that or sell it to me

It is hard to price, hence this post - I wanted to gauge what the 'market' might perceive a car like this to be worth.

Pretty Sure it was. May have been in the sixties but I'm sure it was a CSL and it was around the 60k mark. Seventies tops

There was one that was advertised for 85k as mentioned before. Lots of CSL copies around with vorstiener boots / bumpers and the replica wheels.

Tom I think you could easily ask for higher the regular value as yours truely is in mint condition.

However I wouldnt use trademe to sell it. Take it some a dealer to sell, as doug knows .. the right person comes along who wants some thing truely specail.

The $85K car that everyone here is talking about is CEQ1 (2004 register) - that's the highest km one in the country (over 66K km) and it was sold for just under $70K - this was sold at this price because the dealership that had the car DIDN'T KNOW what a CSL was, and priced it just slightly above the E46M3 back in Feb 09 - it sat on the lot for a while and they decided to just get rid of it.

Im surprised nobody has asked, What do you have your eyes on that can better this?

Must be E92 M3

I think the CSL is a better car than the E92 M3. Don't get me wrong I like the V8 but it's just to fat & easy to drive, not to mention expensive.

I have no idea on what its worth, not even an opinion (rare for me!).

Keen to know which porker though. GT3? 993 Turbo?

The E92 M3 is surprisingly user friendly : ) I should know.

I do feel that the V8 M3 should be getting better than the lukewarm reception that it has - think back to the days of the E46 M3 GTR and basically that's what BMW attempted to do with the E92 M3 - they delivered, yet the public didn't like it, or have since moved on from it. The reality is it is a really good motor car, albeit slightly overpriced when new I suppose (I guess the way BMW saw it was, it wasn't quite a CSL, so below $200K new, but better than the E46 M3, so over $145K new ... hence the $170K retail price tag when it first came out - then all the potential customers went and bought Porsches or the 335i coupe ...)

I am going to get blasted for this I am sure, but I've always dreamed of owning a Mark 1 996 GT3 ... I personally perceive these to be the next 911 RS and think they are by far the best looking GT3s around. (The question is then I suppose, is it better than the CSL? hmmm ..)

Edited January 27, 2010 by M3_Power

[Matt 123]

EVO magazine in it's 100 greatest drivers cars issue rated the mk1 996 GT3 as their favourite of the GT3s and 3rd greatest drivers car overall.

"Every subsequent GT3 has been faster and grippier, but the delicacy of the mk1 version has never been matched... The damping is a thing of wonder... Brakes not only fantastically strong but brimming with progression and feel... every journey is involving and satisfying... gets better and better the faster you go... etc etc, [insert superlative here]"

Seems like a pretty good choice to me!

[Gotheschu 1]

I think if you bought an E92 M3 you would be hugely happy. Its my Favourite car I've been in. Thats compared to a SL63 AMG and Audi R8. The M3looks good, sounds awesome with teh Agency Power Exhuast System. Get that system and it won't be soft at all to anyone

Can't wait for the day I get a chance to be in a CSL but the E92 still my favourite car I've been in.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Simon*

[my_e36 43]

I am not in a position to buy one but with everything that comes with the car (parts, service history, mods, etc..) , I would happily pay $100k for the lot.

[CamB 48]

I'd love a GT3, full stop. They're a fantastic car.

[Guest Simon*]

Forgive me if my quick scan failed me, but how many CSL's in the country?

And approx how much are they selling for in the UK (this not a factor pricewise, just for my own in-head calculations)

Tom your bountiful supply of spares and accessories really should push the value of yours above others coming up for sale here. A full spare set of genuine CSL rims with track tyres alone are worth a considerable amount!

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2956]

And approx how much are they selling for in the UK (this not a factor pricewise, just for my own in-head calculations)

A quick price check on Piston Heads reveals the price range in the UK to be from GBP37,000 for an '04 with 10,000kms through to GBP24,000 for an '03 SMG with 39,000kms (at todays exchange rate thats $85k to $55k).

This car would have to be right up the top of any comparison, if not above all the others, so $85k+ spares package would push it into the six figures easy IMHO.

[M3_Power 636]

EVO magazine in it's 100 greatest drivers cars issue rated the mk1 996 GT3 as their favourite of the GT3s and 3rd greatest drivers car overall.

And I definitely agree with them on that aspect!!! They are great motor cars and really the only GT3 that was truely a racecar for the road (i.e. The only model to come out with very minor deviations from the actual GT3 Cup cars of the same era)

I think if you bought an E92 M3 you would be hugely happy. Its my Favourite car I've been in. Thats compared to a SL63 AMG and Audi R8. The M3looks good, sounds awesome with teh Agency Power Exhuast System. Get that system and it won't be soft at all to anyone

Can't wait for the day I get a chance to be in a CSL but the E92 still my favourite car I've been in.

I agree with you completely - the E92 M3 is a great car. Many say that it is a soft car, but I can tell you that it is not - it just does everything so well in a package that is liveable on a day to day basis. I really do think that BMW tried to emulate the capabilities of the CSL in a package that was user friendly to the widest range of customers when they created the E92 M3. There's so much "CSLness" in it when you look carefully (and it's not limited to just the carbon roof either).

I can't say I like any of the aftermark exhaust system on the E92 M3 though. Yes they do give it a louder and deeper tone, but in all honesty, the E92 M3 exhaust note is very unique and special for a V8 - and definitely not what I would call muffed by any means!

I am not in a position to buy one but with everything that comes with the car (parts, service history, mods, etc..) , I would happily pay $100k for the lot.

Thanks for your feedback!!

I'd love a GT3, full stop. They're a fantastic car.

Funnily enough I only like the MK1 996 GT3, or perhaps the MK2 996 GT3RS ... have never really warmed up to the 997 or the 997.2 versions.

Forgive me if my quick scan failed me, but how many CSL's in the country?

And approx how much are they selling for in the UK (this not a factor pricewise, just for my own in-head calculations)

Tom your bountiful supply of spares and accessories really should push the value of yours above others coming up for sale here. A full spare set of genuine CSL rims with track tyres alone are worth a considerable amount!

Thanks Simon

10 official NZ import - 9 remaining on the road (one written off, driver training car) and I know of 2 private UK imports, 1 South Africa and have heard numerous rumours of a Sapphire Black Aussie import.

The price range quoted by E30 325i Rag-Top is about right - most in the UK go for around the 27K pound mark, with majority of cars in the 40+mile range.

The thing with UK cars however is rust - they are all plagued by it. It must be a climate thing over there, but there's certainly loads more corrosion on UK cars than any of the NZ new ones - mine's rust free of course !! : )

A quick price check on Piston Heads reveals the price range in the UK to be from GBP37,000 for an '04 with 10,000kms through to GBP24,000 for an '03 SMG with 39,000kms (at todays exchange rate thats $85k to $55k).

This car would have to be right up the top of any comparison, if not above all the others, so $85k+ spares package would push it into the six figures easy IMHO.

Thanks for all the feedback lads - time to do some thinking me thinks ... looks like I'll be looking at a range of between $80K to just over $100K with the right buyer from the feedbacks I am getting.

Thanks all!

Edited January 27, 2010 by M3_Power

[steve R 0]

dont you already own an E92 M3 aswell? just wait till the E92 M3 CSL comes out! mmmmm orange

[paddyM3 0]

Hi M3_Power....do you mind me asking what you eventually sold your CSL for?

And next question, are you aware of anyon the market or coming to market in the near future?

Cheers

[AN E30 Fan 1]

If I'm correct, I don't think he ever put it up for sale.

Without doubt it is one of/ the nicest M3 CSLs in the country

[Driftit 2078]

It was another one that was for sale not his personal one. But he is the person to speak to in regards to purchasing a CSL.