Cars and NFL. Both offensive lineman and vehicles have been changing in parallel for a long time, getting bigger, stronger, and heavier. Even though the next-generation M3 grew larger and more powerful, the folks from Bavaria managed to cut weight by 7-percent versus the previous generation model. In an Inside Line interview with Gerhard Richter, vice president, BMW M Gmbh, yet another iteration of the still lighter CSL is a dead-lock guarantee. It seems BMW has figured out that people will pay more for increased agility that doesn't necessarily include monster horsepower. Now that we know the M3 CSL will always have a place in the Bimmer lineup, the only question left is when, what kind of diet we're talking about, and how much it's going to cost. We'd be happy with a run of the mill M3 until those answers become available.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
J.Crew @ Jul 24th 2007 9:14AM
BMW is just following Audi now. Audi had the S models and then added the RS line. Good job Audi for shaking up BMW to follow your lead!
blitzkrieg79 @ Jul 24th 2007 9:34AM
I don't know if you are ignorant or just being sarcastic but the BMW CSL line, although in very limited numbers, has been available in the past already.
Andrew @ Jul 24th 2007 9:36AM
if bmw is following the S/RS setup of Audi, wouldn't that essentially lower the performance status that the M stands for? For audi, the RS is a whole extra level above S, but I just can't see the M3 CSL being that order of magnitude better than the regular M3. Maybe I'm wrong, though :0
rmc @ Jul 24th 2007 9:42AM
Yeah, right... what a nonsense remark... typical though for an Audi fan.
YouFaceTheTick @ Jul 24th 2007 10:21AM
Following audi? Audi keeps making their cars fatter and fatter. the M3 CSL is what should have been the standard M3 all along. The current M3 is just plain fat.
stefan @ Jul 24th 2007 9:40AM
Nissan has been dowing it for a long time with their N1 skyline GTR models.
John R @ Jul 24th 2007 10:03AM
Yeah. I forgot about those. Hopefully Nissan will continue that offering with the new GT-R.
el indiano @ Jul 24th 2007 9:51AM
yeah jcrew, go back to folding clothes
el indiano @ Jul 24th 2007 9:55AM
im still shocked motor trend picked the new G over this new M3. im done with them, im handing in my subscription.
there sole basis was based on the fact the M3 went into safe mode after doing a lap around the track. apparently the car thought it was overheating or something.
i autocross regularly and i have to see a G on the track, all the G drivers are at home waxing their ride and installing aftermarket crap to make there car more shiny.
CoffeeJones @ Jul 24th 2007 10:05AM
Motor Trend picked the G37 over the 335i.
A few months earlier, Car and Driver picked the 335i over the G37.
They're old competitors working on the same news, so they take opposing viewpoints since the two cars are "about even".
It happens often enough. Motor Trend does a hot hatch review, later/earlier C&D does a hot hatch review. The cars are similar and they get similar reviews.
Jeez, hand in your subscription? You want to see your own opinion in print all the time?
el indiano @ Jul 24th 2007 10:11AM
of course! :)
J.Crew @ Jul 24th 2007 10:20AM
Ok, el indiano, go smoke your peace pipe!
"im handing in my subscription" because I don't like their point of view... the car chickened out in a battle on the track - How could they pick it as a winner when it was clearly frightened off by the big bad Infiniti...
BMW softened up the new M so they could make a new CSL for the track lover. Maybe they will drop the safe mode on it so it will be able to compete next time. Nissan can bring the Skyline and Audi can bring the RS4 and it will be a real a$$ kicking of the BMW.
YouFaceTheTick @ Jul 24th 2007 10:22AM
That was a 335i, genius.
E46 M3 Owner @ Jul 24th 2007 9:56AM
Can someone confirm the weight of the E92 M3 being 7% lighter than the E46 M3? That sounds like BS - I thought it was 3600lbs+. The E46 M3 (coupe, not convertible) is 3415lbs max I believe.
YouFaceTheTick @ Jul 24th 2007 10:23AM
No, the CSL version is supposed to be lighter. The current gen M3 (e92) is a 3600 lbs car. That's heavier than the outgoing e46 M3.
Mike @ Jul 24th 2007 11:47AM
CSL must be lighter than the E46 M3 and E92 M3. I will try and find numbers but I think it has no back seat, no AC, magnesium wheels, aluminum/magnesium block, you HAVE to get a savings out of that over the E46 M3.
As for an E92 M3 beating an E46 M3 on weight, I dunno.
Either way, your car rocks man. :P I just picked up my first BMW: a 2003 325Ci. I'm addicted for life. I can't wait to experience an M3 coupe one day.
John R @ Jul 24th 2007 10:08AM
Unless you read a different article than I did, MT compared the new G37 to the new 3-series coupe with the twin turbo engine. Not the V8 M3. I remember very clearly the part about the engine overheating, that was in that article.
el indiano @ Jul 24th 2007 10:13AM
your right
Brett @ Jul 24th 2007 10:19AM
Oh good someone else noticed this too. I did a little googling and you're right the E46 M3 weights in at 3415 lbs. for the coupe. The E90 M3 is slated to power slide in at 3649 lbs. That's 6.8% heavier. However, even at this weight each of those horses generated only have to push 8.7 lbs vs. 10.25 lbs for the E46. Should make for one hell of a ride. I better start signing up for my driving schools now. I wouldn't want to get (in)famous here on AB like so many of those Enzo drivers (Dieter did it and I have his driving glove to prove it).
Toy Yoda @ Jul 24th 2007 11:23AM
Yeah, but none of those horses pull centripetal forces! You're gonna feel that extra weight around a corner. No lbs/hp ratio is gonna hide that.