M3 CSL Wiki

BMW GB Media Information made public on 23rd December 2003

BMW Great Britain has announced the planned end of production of the legendary BMW M3 CSL. Produced between June and December 2003, a total of 422 right hand drive cars were brought into the UK offering owners the ultimate and most authentic motor sport experience in a road-going production car.

Based on the ‘standard’ BMW M3, the BMW M3 CSL (Coupe, Sport, Lightweight) was priced at £58,455 on the road and was created by BMW’s M division using the latest lightweight materials. It also offered significant performance and handling enhancements, creating a car capable of breaking the illusive eight-minute lap time of the famous Nordschliefe, the North Circuit of the Nürburgring in Germany.

Delivering an impressive power to weight ratio of 3.85 kg/bhp, the 0—62 mph sprint was completed in 4.9 seconds and, if left unchecked, would continue to an electronically limited 155 mph. As a first for any BMW, customers holding a racing license could opt to have the limiter removed. The braking system on the BMW M3 CSL was also uprated, slowing the car from 62—0 mph in less than 34 metres, or just seven and half car lengths. As another first for BMW, specially developed racing brake pads were available for customers wishing to venture onto the track.

Such performance was made possible by the intelligent use of lightweight materials. More than simply weight reduction, a myriad of carbon fibre composites and plastics were used to create body panels and components such as the roof and boot lid, lowering the centre of gravity and reducing the overall weight by 110 kgs to a svelte 1,385 kgs. Gerhard Richter, Vice President of BMW’s M Car Development commented “Intelligent lightweight construction + purist driving dynamics = BMW M3 CSL”.

Engine and gearbox enhancements also contributed to the cars’ seismic performance. An enhanced version of the BMW M3’s 2003 International Engine of the Year powered the car, with the output raised from 343 to 360 bhp, delivered at 7,900 rpm, while torque was up from 365 to 370 Nm at 4,900 rpm. This was made possible by a larger air intake and air collector, air intake and volume calculated to Formula 1 principles, optimised exhaust valves and re profiled camshafts with longer opening times. The standard paddle-shift Sequential Manual Gearbox was also uprated, changing all six gears in just 0.08 seconds, if required.

Also contributing to the cars dynamic handling characteristics were the optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, with asymmetric treads, developed especially for the BMW M3 CSL. Measuring 235/35 ZR19 on the front and 265/30 ZR19 on the rear, the tyres helped the car deliver astounding lateral grip, measuring up to 1.6g compared to 1.2g for the ‘standard’ BMW M3, itself a car that set the benchmark for handling and grip.

For customers who wished to explore the boundaries of the cars’ potential, the BMW M3 CSL was fitted with M Track Mode, a unique evolution of the familiar Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. Switched on using the only steering wheel-mounted button, it gave the DSC system additional scope for drivers to push the car to its absolute limit of transverse and longitudinal acceleration, whilst retaining the safety net of DSC in the case of over-exuberance.