New CSL video

[Steved]

Caught at the ring recently. It starts 6:23 min into the clip

http://www.autoweek.nl/videodisp.php?id=698&cache=no

[lucid]

Thanks for the link. I wonder if it was driving around with the DCT transmission? Also, the video was to blurry when I stopped it to check for identifying features.

[M3Bruno]

Cool Vid!

[nusevad]

Thanks for sharing, how can u tell its a CSL? To me it looks like a normal M3...the vid wasnt too clear and the car was fast...

[UltimateBMW]

The C63 at the mid 4 min mark sounded pretty beastly. O.o

[footie]

The thing that gives me goosebumps is the C63 Safety Car. But the one which got me going was not the CSL but the Q7v12TDi, how the hell can something so big and heavy cover ground so quickly.

[nusevad]

can anyone explain how that is the CSL? I cant tell the difference, someone plz enlighten me.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

can anyone explain how that is the CSL? I cant tell the difference, someone plz enlighten me.

Well until I see one up close and drive it, I can't be certain. However that is a BMW test mule and it sounds exactly as a CSL should sound, especially the intake sound as it approaches the camera.

Now I drove the early M3 press car, which was louder than the ones now on sale and spent many hours listening and recording the way it sounds. This car in the video, has a different intake sound reminiscent of the carbon intake sound of the E46 CSL.

Also the body movement is much less than that of a standard M3, particularly through that section of track. That's another sign that what you are seeing is a more sporting version of the M3.

Just as with the E46 CSL they won't be fitting it with the finished bodywork until late into the development cycle, so I wouldn't go by any visual differences at this stage.

[UltimateBMW]

The only telltale signs of the CSL We've seen in pictures to date are the CSL bootlid and the front wheel well diffusers. The quality of this video was too poor to notice either of these, (IF I had to guess I would say it did not have the CSL bootlid).

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by Steved

Well until I see one up close and drive it, I can't be certain. However that is a BMW test mule and it sounds exactly as a CSL should sound, especially the intake sound as it approaches the camera.

Now I drove the early M3 press car, which was louder than the ones now on sale and spent many hours listening and recording the way it sounds. This car in the video, has a different intake sound reminiscent of the carbon intake sound of the E46 CSL.

Also the body movement is much less than that of a standard M3, particularly through that section of track. That's another sign that what you are seeing is a more sporting version of the M3.

Just as with the E46 CSL they won't be fitting it with the finished bodywork until late into the development cycle, so I wouldn't go by any visual differences at this stage.

Thanks

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by Steved

...Now I drove the early M3 press car, which was louder than the ones now on sale and ...

Please elaborate as to why.

[swamp2]

Cool, thx for posting. Sure wish I could hear some shifting over all that tire and road noise. My suspicion is that the CSL would have an AMT just like the past M3 CSL. We need some interior spy shots (badly...).

[lucid]

It his IB by the way? Looks nice driving around in natural light.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Please elaborate as to why.

In the same way that BMW fitted race-pads to the launch M3s, they seem to have fitted a more free flowing exhaust system to perhaps show off the new engine's V8 sound.

BMW would probably just say that this was still a development car and they reserve the right to make final changes to the car before going on sale. There is probably some truth in this, but most of the journalists when driving a production model have noted how less visceral it sounded compared to the press cars.

[dechoong]

The X6 looks surprisingly nimble for something that tall

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by Steved

... but most of the journalists when driving a production model have noted how less visceral it sounded compared to the press cars.

I actually haven't heard that one before.

Thanks for the info.

[Steved]

Originally Posted by Epacy

I actually haven't heard that one before.

Thanks for the info.

In my original report I mentioned that we could hear other M3's being tested across the valley. When the first cars were delivered here in the UK people initially complained that they were too quiet. This was at odds with my earlier experience, although once I'd driven the first UK press cars I could understand what they meant.

The launch cars did not need a sports exhaust, but the production cars do - so maybe BMW were just trying to do Eisenmann a favour...

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by Steved

The launch cars did not need a sports exhaust, but the production cars do - so maybe BMW were just trying to do Eisenmann a favour...

The F1 exhausts for the M5/6 are just insane. Expensive, but fantastic. Would be hard to resist if they made a similar sound for the M3. Especially with the flip switch for a quieter exhaust.
I have heard a couple aftermarket exhausts for the M3 and none are as good as the stock sound.