BMW 3.0 CSL (1972) Review - Driving the £180,000 Classic Road Racer | TheCarGuys.tv

BMW 3.0 CSL (1972) Review - Driving the £180,000 Classic Road Racer | TheCarGuys.tv
#bmwcsl#3.0csl #classicbmw
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What a treat this week, the chance to drive a freshly restored 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL - yes - the roadgoing Batmobile! TheCarGuys has never driven one of these classic fast ‘Beemers’, so it’s the perfect chance to find out if one might find its way into the garage, and whether it lives us to its racing reputation.
Is this the best condition CSL in the world? What makes this 48-year old BMW special? How did it get its racing pedigree? What’s it like to drive quickly? Will it be reliable and could it be used everyday? Make makes this car worth nearly £200k? All these questions and more will be answered in this week’s episode.
Big thanks to Laurence Brothers - www.laurencebros.com - for the additional filming and drone work. Ace job, guys!
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Credits
The CarGuys are:
Damian Butt
Jason Taylor
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[@dannsgamingfails8899]

From a time when engineers , not accountants built cars.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Amen

[@Soh90]

I own a 2001 BMW Z3 3.0i 5MT that I mostly service at a shop which specializes in BMWs. The shop is owned by a 70 year old guy, Dan, and he regularly has cool cars like these in his shop. I am very fortunate to be able to experience these cars in person.

[@jonlyons1033]

I'm not fat. I'm a lightweight with a city pack.😊

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Amazing

[@venom5809]

That is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen and the town you were driving through is just as gorgeous, idyllic.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ConquerDriving]

Thank you, I now know the meaning of CSL. Great video.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

You are welcome!

[@mikebainton1699]

Great video capturing exactly how a CSL feels to drive. I've owned mine for 20 years and love it. I dont think I've driven it anywhere within the last few years without somebody striking up a conversation about the car at a garage or car park. Shame Damien couldn't rev it hard because they do soar up to the red line and 3rd gear in particular is pretty strong in the high rev range. Mine has an overdrive 5 speed Getrag which makes it more refined on the motorway but with similar ratios for the first 4 gears. Handling does feel a little floaty and soft by modern standards, largely due to the tall tyres, but once your confidence increases is very predictable (in the dry). We took mine to Goodwood this year 4 up and everybody was impressed by the ride quality - way better than most moderns. One other party trick it has by the way, other than the open side windows, is using the limited slip diff out of junctions and on tight corners. No clutch slipping or revs needed just nail it and you're re into an easily controllable hooligan powerslide :) You'd think I was 25 not 61!!

[@jackoho5703]

That's awesome. I'm only 18 now and that's one of my dream cars, I hope they'll still be around by the time I can afford them!

[@Atombender]

BMW 3.0 CSL: Ich bin leicht! Also BMW 3.0 CSL: 1270kg Edit: There is a white 3.0 CSL for sale at the upcoming Silverstone Auction. Estimate is £90,000-110,000.

[@jonathanjhoey2685]

i could smell the marvelous scent of the interior .

[@jeffreycatalano4034]

What a beautiful car. In 1972, I bought a 1971 BMW 2002 TI in Riviera Blue. I still miss that car 49 years on.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

So would I!

[@santigris]

Gorgeous car! Thanks for the detailed video.

[@minatormyth]

They are beautiful cars, with the looks of the 60s imo. I would love to own a car of my own year of birth. However the ferrari 250 SWB is way out of my league 😂

[@pokedon92]

This car is RIDICULOUSLY cool!

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

needs a bigger grille....

[@jonlyons1033]

Ooh there's a special place in hell for you 😈

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

@@jonlyons1033 but BMW Luuuuuuuve big gopping ridiculous grilles. Hahahahaha

[@petermcelvogue7521]

One of my favourite BMW's of all time.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

An all-time classic

[@peterh225]

You need to add this to your collection... next to an E46 M3 CSL... Gold Combo👑👍

[@TallDrink911]

When bmw was BMW. What a wonderful car.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Very much so

[@Kolinu2]

Years ago Classic Car magazine ran a competition to win an E-Type Jag by naming a future classic. One of the cars I entered was this BMW CSL. To my disbelief the winner of the E-Type chose the Jaguar XJS, and while that is becoming a classic, this beats it hands down. Needless to say I was gutted.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

You're entitled to be

[@iainmcglynn833]

No BMW fan but these early ones are iconic Young , svelte body , good looking - cars not bad either 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏😂

[@andrewmeasures2312]

Great video Damian. I had one of these in the late 70's early 80's and I can honestly say that it was one of the most enjoyable cars I have ever owned. It was in mint condition and I very mistakenly sold it for £20,000 in 1984 when I emigrated to another country. Some 30 years later I found that the same car had been sold at auction for £180,000. I should have kept the car and put up with the steering wheel being on the wrong side.

[@hmdcmil8025]

Salam Aleykum qardaş bu möhtəşəm gözəl BMW dən Azərbaycan Bakı şəhərində 1 ədəd var

[@FenderUsa]

absolutely beautiful

[@recalcitrant_recidivist9278]

Pillarless coupés are pretty!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

They so are, agreed

[@jurgenballauf2823]

What for a nice car 🥰

[@myou6675]

Beautiful car, looks like a great day out.

[@petergorm]

Best commercial on the BMW 3.0 CSl ever. What a car! Always loved it!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Couldn't agree more!

[@HughFeatherstone]

lovely review of one of the most effortlessly beautiful classics ever (before being ruined with wings and fins). however, as a german speaker, i must correct you on a detail: "licht", the way you're saying it, means "light" the opposite of dark. the word you need is "leicht", the opposite of heavy.

[@arrangrant6037]

Beautiful car the best looking BMW ever although the bodies were actually all hand built by Karmann. These were very expensive cars when they were new you could have bought two E type Jaguars for the price of one of these and stars of the time like George Harrison bought them. They had a great tendency to rust out badly as like a lot of cars of the time they had virtually no rust proofing at all legend has it that the UK bound right hand drive cars sat so long in the open in car park in France for buyers that they were already going rusty when they were delivered to their buyers 👍

[@davonpointer2310]

Stunning car 👍🏼

[@TheCarGuysTV]

It really is!

[@archiegoodwinjr]

Thank you for the entertaining change of pace. This may be one of the few cars that can be described as elegant. Also, thank you for mentioning the great Dieter Rams who could have admired this design. I believe the 3.0 CS was designed under the leadership of Wilhelm Hofmeister who inherited the 2000 CS from Giovanni Michelotti.

[@taxus750]

For some reason, I can't play this video beyond 9:20... It may be because I'm dribbling too much.

[@docmethot2677]

There is something about German design that sets it apart. Hard to put into words.... both nerdy and sexy at the same time.

[@user-nl8bm5wc7p]

When are you getting your first proper classic car? What will/would it be?

[@tjhaywood100]

This may very well be my favorite BMW bodystyle ever!

[@Ashfielder]

Beautiful car, before they got a bit more square.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Enjoyable review Damien! That styling will never age. Amazing restoration.. #jcr_cars

[@barnabegomes6271]

Este carro é demais! Fantástico! 🇧🇷👍

[@Diecastclassicist]

I want one of these SO much! What a beauty...

[@AT-it6oi]

Proper German cars, bullet proof reliability.

[@stefanjust1912]

Wonderful, wonderful car and video ! And (as a German) most amusing to hear your version of German words. Priceless... 🥸

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nickwillobey2205]

Worth every penny of whatever it costs 😊😊😊

[@johnwhitehead4809]

a classy classic, but 180k!

[@beaky84]

I’ve actually never ever seen one of these before. Beautiful. This actually puts some modern cars to shame. Thanks for sharing.

[@bertbrogden9662]

comment before i watch , porn , suit you sir . love it

[@stevey-nwas1230]

Best looking car made by bmw .... this model is the God father of the M-sport division !!! These cars are great cars to own and drive And great investments , prices of this model will reach 200k this year , Most expensive RHD 3.0 Csl sold in 2018 for 195k ,

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Couldn't agree more!

What a crazy lineup! Never seen E9 CSL and GT2 993 in my entire life *.*

[@DavidSmith-E104F]

I look forward to the end of the week and pouring myself a bourbon and settling in for this week’s episode of The Car Guys. Maybe it’s that I’m of similar age or the British accent to my American ear but Damian’s narration is like poetic prose. His descriptions, word choice and figures of speech are just perfect. His observations and highlights are on point. It just resonates so well with me. It’s knowledgeable but most importantly it’s sincere. Now I’m looking forward to Sunday night, a glass of wine and the next Watch Guys episode for more of Damian’s great storytelling style.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thank you very much, David - you're very kind. +50 CarGuys pts for you.

[@gusv8601]

Now... that's a BMW!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Yes it is

[@FenderUsa]

48 years old!? still looks stunning. the car isn't too bad either

[@TheCarGuysTV]

👍

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

The Car Guys are on! The weekend must have begun! 😄👍🏻 Damian, did you really just say £180k???😳😱 A very nice motor though, when BMW were really solidly engineered...it looks like it oozes class! 😍 Great vid as always! 😄

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Yes 😁

[@popstars4444]

Who's here because Clarkson said the worst car decision he ever made was selling his CSL for 3 grand?

[@TheCarGuysTV]

I never thought of that

[@garyleibitzke4166]

I've actually seen a few of those cars here in southern California. Always thought they looked great.

[@tonyrichmond8524]

One of the most beautiful cars ever made. Nice video.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks, Tony

[@philipgreensmith1694]

Kicking myself... was gona say that or 2002

[@ozeskiman]

Great review Damien. Such a fabulous olooking pillarless coupe. Gorgeous interior, ashtrays and cigarette lighter and slabs of wood..and all that chrome. Reminds me of the MB 560SEC coupe I had. That's another car you should review. Individual drivers cars built for continental driving. Check out those head rests..just at the right height to assist in getting whiplash. More of the same please.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@desertwindauh]

Lovely car, thank you for posting. I wonder what a BMW Z8 would be like to drive. Please do a video if you come across one for us. Cheers.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Will do

[@joaquinjavaloyesruiz8040]

Awesome. I want one of this.

[@JasonMilner]

Nice one, my Mum had one of its less potent cousins (a 2002 Touring) back in the day, took me right back.

[@Retrobeemer]

So underrated for years, I really loved the 02 touring.

[@chrisd635csi]

Fantastic vid, stunning car. Thank you for content like this while every man and his dog is pumping out vids on the new M3 and M4 which have me looking at the BMW back catalogue and thinking of the good old days

[@universalcitizen7544]

@7:35 "Because it's a BMW, made at the right time, you can be sure that if maintained properly, this car will never you let you down". EPIC! With a big emphasis on the keyword here: "right time". That sums it all.

[@ajforever8251]

Did Greta approve of this car? What was the carbon footprint of the refurbishment? 😂

[@TheCarGuysTV]

5 rainforests and 47 Seal cubs... so, worth it 👍

[@renedubois6392]

I bought Mine is Switserland,totally restored it in 2 years. Absolutely everything new to the brudhes of the windows. Sadly I have been hit by a drunk driver and the car was totally wrecked. Still miss the summer touring days. Most I enjoyed late in the night windows down listening to the engine which was brand new. All I have left is the restoration proces. Beauty ,miss that car

[@renedubois6392]

Brushes

[@TheCarGuysTV]

So sorry to hear that, Rene

[@stephenowen1045]

Like you I was born in 72, great year! I remember 1992 very well , I had traded my E30 with Recaro checked interior and BBS spoked wheels for a new model 3 series. The E30 was nuclear proof, the engine, interior they were the ultimate driving machine! What happened in 92 BMW ? Overnight they became mass produced boxes. I cannot remember a day when a piece of trim didnt fall off. I owned two more BMW after that, they improved their game a little in my opinion , but sadly they have never returned to pre 92 standards. Its a shame , its in their heritage, come on BMW start building cars like you did pre 92!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Agree totally. Love the E30 M3

[@peterhammer6915]

I have had 14 BMW:s and only with one of them I had problems. And that was because of tuning the engine. Bulletproof cars for me. This looks fantastic. Did not like the E30 M3 though, worst M3 in my opinion and have driven them all apart from the G80/82.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

@@peterhammer6915 Good lord, I didn’t expect that. So which is the best M3 in your opinion, Peter?

[@peterhammer6915]

@@TheCarGuysTV Thanks for asking, the 2018 M3 CS in San Marino Blue. Might be even the best car I ever have driven. From M-cars others I really liked is the E39 M5, E60 M5 (that engine) and E92 M3. But these old ones like this 1972 3.0 CSL just look incredible. So did also the E28 M5 and M635i n the 80:s. edit: I was in the BMW M-camp until they started to use the ZF instead of the DCT. That was so disappointing...

[@geoffreycarson2311]

THE BEST BMW EVER !!!BEUTIFUL g

[@richardm2661]

That’s a beauty

[@aldob77brown27]

Lovely car. The styling is timeless.. Ridiculous price however they cars were serious money back in the day. Terrific that you guys visit these classics. It's the reason I tune in every week. There's always something different

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks

[@wimdepril6920]

This car together with the 635 csi of the eighties are what made me fall in love with the brand as a kid (I was also born in 1972. Took my drivers license test in a 518i from 1986 and I’ve owned 13 BMW cars since then. Great video guys! Not surprisingly given my age, I much prefer you driving the youngtimers or classics then the latest boring supercar. Thank you!

[@db9dbrs9]

Graunchiness. Means nothing. Yet I understand it fully

[@TheCarGuysTV]

👍

[@royd72]

Everyone should grow old gracefully with a car of the same age, I am also 72 and opted for the MZR Roadsports Datsun 240Z

[@gobinduppal4429]

Completely agree. I'm younger. But have an 89 Benz 560SL

[@mattylf1]

Ideal car for a drive out to a sunny Goodwood. Amazing work done on the restore.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Yes indeed!

[@phrayzar]

My dad had one of these in the mid 80's but in white. I loved it. My favourite until he sold it and got an Audi quattro, I'm only human.

[@adrianboutsias2437]

Hope you guys never change the format of these videos. What a pleasure to watch!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thank you

[@daveb5211]

I ain't paying that! The petrol flap doesn't sit right!!

[@andrewward3752]

I saw that too. For $200 large I'd expect it to be perfect

[@davidpriestley666]

Another brilliant episode with superb content which make Friday at 5 a weekly highlight 👍👍👍

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@toreberger646]

What a beautiful car❤🍀

[@pgrymer1389]

Lovely car! Nutty price. Great review.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thanks!

[@Jack_The_Ripper_Here]

Give it to me please

[@Carrera-gp9od]

All the best stuff was made in ‘72 😎

[@TheCarGuysTV]

👍

[@zzhughesd]

OMG. As a motor trader of 15 years. My mouth still dropped at price. Maybe 49999. 180k. It’s Z8 money. Or anything money. I prefer Jason’s Talbot. But then I’m mostly HubNut or JayEm. I like them honest working clothes cheap ish. Sub 20k. Blemish free. How even drive it over 10 mph.

[@alexmartinez280]

The “City Pack” cars were normal CSI cars that were dressed as CSL to complete the requirement to race. You need to drive a real CSL “Ultra Light” which was 440lbs lighter and a real lightweight special. Only 169 of those were made. If you get a chance to drive one, TAKE IT!

[@pinkvitz7208]

Something about this era of bmw reminds me alot of the alfa romeos from the same era. Simply beautiful.

[@pervertt]

Not just a cigarette lighter ... you had TWO cigarette lighters in the 3.0 CSL. If you're going to get lung cancer, do it in style.

[@barfmeister8509]

What an absolute treat. My pal has a pukka csl bat and I can’t wait to see it once he’s finished restoring it. Thankyou for bringing this to us 👍👍

[@antoniof.7421]

From this to the new M3/4. They definitely got something wrong along the way...

[@resQ-av8r]

of all the cars I had in life I really miss my light blue CSL that was only 16 years old when it blew up ... I should have rebuilt it. It was more fun to drive than my buddies slant nose RSR

[@robertlloyd7493]

Medium beans....good with me....looked like you might be tempted to buy this piece of history ?

[@Sauvage_Foxes]

what do people value the CSL in todays climate? Do people think one day this could fetch half a million? Wonder how many people would have regrets selling a CSL for less than 200k in todays market.This is the pinnacle of BMW. i can't put a price on this.

[@richardmahoney9415]

180 thousand pounds convert that to dollars here in Detroit Michigan that’s about $250,000 and it’s a amazing and beautiful car maybe it’s bc I don’t have that money to spend or finance on a classic car but for 250 thousand I couldn’t pull the trigger anything under 200 thousand I could say this car is worth it

[@rubensnurawa]

48 Years, and this still looks great. Not all are so lucky 😅

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Very true

[@m2kev789]

Almost had one of these back in the seventies that had slight accident damage - OMG how I now wished I had bought it!🤪🤣

[@andrewdavis2325]

I loved these cars when I was growing up too. Two years old than you Damian. But what a car.

[@tflashtube]

With this car you really nailed it!

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thank you

[@sammarasela5813]

Sitting in the garage Red ting that look like this glass of cranberry juice in my hand. Thankful to God everyday for granting me this

[@Bandit-Iggy]

Nice video, i didn't know they were that special cuz a buddy of mine has a garage full of these.

[@joemorgan636]

Remember my old man friends had these in mid 70s and 80s CSI and couple CSL

[@Zepherian]

I'm of 73 vintage myself. I bet you guys do what i do, which is go on used car search engines and search cars from the year you were born. I've looked at a lot of vw bugs, celicas and old bmws and mercs, wondering if I should one day get a classic car marking my birth. Haven't pulled the trigger for financial and garage space reasons, but there's an odd yearning there... Being a nostalgic car guy... might get expensive some day.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Yes it will :)

[@lawrencedyson6434]

I have an E93 and love the pillarless coupe look and feel of it with the roof up..

[@richardcarter1000]

Great vid. Lovely thing. I used to walk past a silver 3.0CSL on my way home from school circa 1979. Was special then. I'm far more excited about putting my money in these classics than any new hybrid or EV.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Agreed

[@yukiotakata]

NICE! This, the M3 Evo and the Hammer are the three German cars i wish a could drive at least once. Own...still would be a 964 RS and the 190 EVOL II.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Yes yes yes!

[@KSL12]

Remember racing one of those on my B.M.W R90S

[@danmurphy9173]

Very cool. Just - very cool! Thank you.

[@antonygriffiths6764]

Damian, I am so jealous! What a superb e9 csl restoration and amazing car. This BMW and a Lamborghini Miura SV are my favourite two 1970s super cars. Another great Car Guys review. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Cheers, Anthony

[@acskls]

Wow what a machine. Fabulous looking motor car. Not seen one for ages. £180.000 !! Big money but I guess its the best of the best. Superb video 👍

[@TheCarGuysTV]

Thank you