With my current fascination with BMW M3's, I couldn't help but notice this M3 CSL on my recent visit to Bedford Autodrome. The CSL is the ultimate incarnation of the E46 M3. Made in limited numbers as a last hoorah to the S54 straight six, the CSL is leaner, meaner and an altogether more focused M3. The CSL is subtly different to the standard model but this particular example just looked a little bit more aggressive. A chat with owner Keane Pudney relieved the car is actually very far from a stock M3 CSL …

First thing you notice is the standard 19" BBS hollow spoke magnesium wheels have been refinished in anthracite, then the details of the car drag you in. The car actually has Vorsteiner Carbon Bodywork. The boot, bonnet and bumper have all be replaced with lighter carbon items.

Adding nicely to the bare carbon roof.

The standard exhaust has been replaced with a Supersprint race item. A rear tower brace has been fitted to tie the rear turrets to the subframe, not only to providing more rigidity but to over come the subframe cracking issues suffered by the E46.

All the vent fins and kidneys have been replaced with carbon fibre. An unfortunate incident with a tow bar reveals the carbon of the Vorsteiner bumper beneath the paint.

Vorsteiner carbon bonnet with bare carbon vents.

It's the underpinnings of the car that have had the most attention payed. The brakes have been replaced with AP 6 pots on the front and 4 pots on the rear running Pagid RS29 pads. Intrax 1K2 coilovers keep everything under control while a Turner motorsport RTAB Limiting Kit stiffens up the rear without the bone-jarring ride of solid race bushes.

Under the bonnet things remains more or less the same. The CSL carbon airbox has been 'de-flapped' and the engine remapped to 370hp with the 155mph limiter deleted. The final drive has been reduced to 4.10 giving a theoretical top speed of 186mph but is effectively a torque multiplier giving 11-12% more torque across the range.

Really the car is the perfect mix of everyday driver practicality and a no holds barred trackday car. Keane regularly takes the car to its spiritual home the Nurburgring along with as many UK track days as possible while still using it as his daily transport. Though plans are in motion to retire the CSL from every day use with the addition of a full roll cage and more power.

Ross I'Anson