Description
2004 - BMW M3 CSL (E46) The rarest of the E46 M3s and a vibrant tribute to the 3. 0 CSL French registration Chassis no. WBSBL95010JB98817 - "Lightweight Sports Coupé", an iconic sports car of the 2000s - One of only 841 left-hand drive examples out of 1383 produced - The rarest and undoubtedly the most sought-after black colour - Clear history, original Swiss car, 2nd hand! - Barely 101, 500 km and in excellent condition - Regular maintenance, logbook, manuals, invoices and accessories The E36 generation was a success story that had never been seen before in the history of the M3. Sales figures literally exploded, helping to make it a recognised and desired sports car. That being the case, the successor had to live up to the iconic status. The new E46 3 Series was presented in 1998, and its M3 version was unveiled at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show. The M Power department was given the task of bringing the M3 into the Third Millennium. The car is much more muscular and virile than its predecessor, and boasts a body kit that is both imposing and devastating: 20 mm wider track, engine bonnet with central hump, four tailpipes, wrap-around front and rear spoilers, side skirts, 19-inch wheels... As always with M cars, the most interesting thing happens under the bonnet. The engine block is almost entirely new, and power is up by 22bhp thanks to a slight increase in cubic capacity and valve diameter, and the adoption of new camshafts fitted with double Vanos. Total power peaked at 343 bhp at 8, 000 revs! This six-cylinder engine was totally exceptional in the production of the time. It gave the car a performance worthy of its reputation: it was a sports car capable of reaching 100 km/ h in less than 6 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/ h. And as always, an even more exciting version is planned: the CSL. Paying homage to the 3. 0 CSL coupé, it has been lightened by around 100 kilos, thanks in particular to the use of carbon fibre in the bodywork. The seats have been replaced by racing bucket seats, and many options are not available to keep the weight down, not to mention the door reinforcements made from a sheet of carbon, which is a real eye-catcher! Power is increased to 360bhp and the engine is mated to a sequential gearbox. This exceptional six-cylinder engine has been pushed to the limit. Everything about the CSL betrays its sporting vocation, and the discretion that made the reputation of the classic M3 has completely disappeared. It also managed to remain very exclusive, with only 1, 383 examples produced in one year, of which only 841 were left-hand drive. Our example was put on the road in Switzerland on 15 January 2004 and delivered new the next day by the BMW Emil Frey centre in Geneva to its first owner. In 'Black Sapphire' metallic (0475) with anthracite Amaretta Reflex fabric interior (ADAT), its configuration is perfectly complemented by the specific body kit, 19-inch wheels and 4 tailpipes, as well as the omnipresent carbon and bucket seats, which give it such an impressive look that you can't help but be impressed. There are a few extras to enhance the driving experience, such as xenon headlights with headlight washers, rear parking radar, automatic climate control, rain sensor, Business radio and CD player, but that's about it. This is the price of the weight limit to better enjoy the performance of this demanding sports car, which also has the option of removing the electronic maximum speed limit. The car has been in the hands of our collector, an unconditional BMW enthusiast, since 2017, when he bought it in Switzerland directly from the first owner. In addition to its clear history, this M3 CSL is in an impressive state of preservation. The paintwork is largely original and in excellent condition. Apart from a tiny hole in the driver's seat, the interior is also in near-new condition. This preserved character testifies to all the attention this M3 CSL has received since leaving the factory, and particularly from its current owner, who is particularly meticulous. This condition is also explained by the car's very reasonable mileage, totalling just under 101, 500 km. All the more so as it has benefited from constant maintenance, as evidenced by a stamped service book up to 2017 and the parts invoice file since then, with routine servicing carried out by the owner himself (hence the service light on the dashboard), who prefers to look after it personally. The car is obviously complete, with all its manuals, booklets and advertisements in their original CSL pouch...
