They are so very different to the Evo, dont know where to start really....
The build quality is superb, even daft little things like the noise the door locks make when you walk up to it and unlock it with the remote, a soild mechanical noise, rather than the tinny "normal" noise most cars make.
Every drive was an event, the start up , ignition on, fuel pumps prime, start it, idles high on the cold start map, idle hunts a little sounds really cammy, then settles down.
Pull away and drive waiting for the warm up lights around the rev counter to extinguish, then as they go out , check what mode the shift setting is in, select S5 and sport and nail it
The noise is something else, its such a rude noise to be coming out of such a classy looking car, it really is hard to describe the noise it makes when the Flap in the intake opens, scares people s hitless when you pass them whilst overtaking them, the exhaust noise is equally rude sounding, the Csl runs a lighter , thinner, better flowing system than the normal E46 M3, and combined with the intake and cam differences, then noise is unique to say the least.
Handling was amazing really, very different to anything else i have driven, it is so solid , and barely moves at all on the suspension, yet there is no harshness and crudeness to the ride at all, it is firm but in a perfectly damped way, it spans potholes and surface changes with a damped thud , rather than a harsh bang.
It really is like a big go cart, virtually all the suspension components on the CSl were bespoke for the model, different in virtually every area to a standard M3.
There was no understeer at all that i noticed whilst owning it, a trait i was always aware of in the various Evo's i have owned, (which were always set up for fast road use, rather than pure track geometry settings) the thing that amazed me the most though was the shocking lack of grip at the **** end, it would spin its **** off in 1st 2nd and 3rd in the wet or on cold dry tarmac, i remember going to work one morning, accelerating up a long uphill stretch off a roundabout at the bottom, 8000rpm in 1st 2nd 3rd , changed into 4th at which point i felt the DSC through the throttle pedal, and saw the lights in the binnacle flashing , took a few seconds to register that it was wheelspin at around 100mph ish , in a straight line in the dry, ( though it was cold tarmac in winter)
With virtually no weight over the rear wheels it had very poor traction when the tyres were cold, ( had Michellin pS2's on , rather than the cut slick, Michellin cups it was specced with from the factory) from then on in i gave it a lot of respect, as the possibilty of contacting the scenery was something i didnt want to experience
Bearing in mind the cost of the parts for it, e.g, front bumper £2800 , rear around £2000, and a 5-7 month wait for BMW Germany to supply one, as they dont exist off the shelf
The seats were amazing, so so comfy, yet so supportive, they were also ridiculously costly, the pair of seats inc side mounts and runners were nigh on £4800

It really was a joy to own, a proper weapon in any scenario really, the looks were subtly different to a normal M3, the carbon quality was flawless, the roof , rear diffuser, front and rear bumpers, and centre console and door cards were all made from the stuff, the CSL specific BBS Magnesium alloys were beautiful too.
The only real downside is the brakes on the csl, which after all that development and the original RRP of £59,000 they decided to fit crappy twin piston sliding calipers on them, they were marginally bigger than a normal M3's , but would not stand up to hard road/track use.
I had AP racing 6 pot fronts and AP 4 pot rears on mine and the brakes never wilted with abuse
I hope that answers a few of your queries, there is a link at the bottom of this post which i hope works for you, which gives a little overview of the CSL differences over the regular E46 M3.
Cheers, Nick
Overview...
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/produ...faWQ9OA==.html

Interior parts....
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/produ...faWQ9NjY=.html

Exterior parts....
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/produ...faWQ9NjY=.html

Check out the cost of the Carbon Airbox assembly :-0
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/singl...wX2lkPTY2.html

Thanks for the summary of the CSL. Everything I've read and watched over the years has made me dump a ton of money into a few e46 M3, but it's nearly impossible to match the OEM CSL.

Very nice!

perfect synopsis on the beemer, but the question we all want to know here is, how does it compare with the evo!?

Thanks

No obvious comparison, rear wheel V's four wheel drive, very different in the handling/general feel as obviously the steering wheels are not being driven, the csl felt much more solid, far more stable feeling at speed, 150mph + , didnt make the old Brown eye twitch at higher speeds as the Evo's did
Power delivery was very linear feeling,quite deceptive really as it took away the impression of speed as there was obviously no ramp up in torque/power as the car spools up and comes on boost like a turbo'd car.
It was only obvious how fast you were travelling when you passed slower moving traffic or when you looked at the speedo.
It just pulls right through to the limiter in top gear with no real struggle, apparently good for around 185-190 when delimited.

The other reason for buying one, (other than the noise and the fact i had always fancied one from the first time i saw one) was that i was getting a bit bored/tired of the constant messing around and the amount of work required to keep a high power/ heavily modified evo reliable.
There seemed to be always something to do, nuts/bolts vibrating loose, very regular fluid changes, the checking things for the sake of it, as sods law dictates that the only time you didnt you would have some sort of issue
The Evo wasnt something you just got in and thrashed, i always seemed to too concerned about fuel pressure/oil pressure, boost pressure, det......blah blah blah whilst at the same time trying to concentrate on what was going on on the road in front.
So thye idea with the CSL was that i would just put fuel in it, clean it and drive it, and thats what i did, thrash to your hearts content , and fully focus 100% on the road.
A very refreshing change from the Evo norm.
Also as there is so much available for the 4g63, options were endless there was always more power to be had, more money to be spent
The CSL had few options, maybe a remap, ( De-limit and change throttle response, map tweek to suit exhaust changes, thats about it) for sensible money.
Cams and exhaust were options, but for any obvious/worthwhile difference you were looking at big money and supercharging really, which wasnt a route i intended to go down , as you are straight back into constant messing and reliability issues
(Plus the CSL 's value resale wise is in its mileage and condition, ones that have been bastardised carry a lower premium than a true example)

So in effect, a very different car, very different experience , less in your face, a bit more of a grown up cool if you like, only those in the know, into cars, really register its not just another M3 with different wheels, and when those in the know see it, their enthusiasm and interest is genuine.
The Evo, well who doesnt know what one is ,they just dont know which as there are so many variants, though i think the X has changed that as nothing looks like a X .

Sometimes i felt a bit of a T1t in mine as i almost felt too old for it, like it was a car i should have grown out of by now , (in other people minds that is) lots of noise , full on in your face appearance, some people just dont get what they are about
Each to their own at the end of the day, but i will be totally honest and say the CSL was probably the best car i have ever owned, for being so perfect as it left the factory (bar the need for better brakes, not a must , just an ideal) , and really being best left untouched, the exclusivity was nice too, only 320 in silver/grey came to the UK, but on the other hand you were always aware of this and it could take away some of the enjoyment also , for fear of damaging it Catch 22.

Sermon over, my finger aches now, as keyboard skills are not my forte .
Cheers.

All UK models are FQ......300, 330, 360, 400

The RS was a true JDM car imported into the UK

great analysis, great cars, thank you!!!