BMW E46 M3 CSL - CONVERTED TO MANUAL! | Carfection 4K

[@Carfection]

Do you think putting a manual gearbox in this legendary car was a good idea?

[@engared]

Yes.

[@parid.kushta]

Made for each-other.

[@Chappers158]

definitely.

[@MrBirgerB]

I would prefer a modern double clutch automatic.

[@bouzoukiaforever]

This is how this car should have been in the first place. Changing it now though, will have an impact in its collectible value.

[@michaelsummerell8618]

Made by a British bloke, in a shed, with a cup of tea. Classic.

[@bend1483]

Converting a CSL to manual Step 1: Put the kettle on.

[@akilh340]

*BAD OBSESSION MOTORSPORT INTENSIFIES*

[@drpdrp5690]

Recipe for every British sports car

[@after_midnight9592]

How many German engineering hours were wasted on the SMG2, where they could just do this...

[@strangeperson700]

​@@after_midnight9592 And money wasted replacing expensive transmissions instead of doing simpler, cheaper clutch jobs.

[@that.guy11]

A 142,000 mile E46 M3 CSL, that's proper. Forget all the ones locked in collections with 3,000 miles on them, this is the best one!

[@brianjackson7499]

thatguy11 It’s exactly how cars should be owned, more miles adds to the story 👍

[@FAT8893]

This is what the E46 M3 CSL should have been in the first place! Enough said.

[@aaa84gt]

Imagine if they had 6 speeds from factory, they all would be worth 200.000 Euro now

[@cagf2013]

Agreed!

[@kaylanchetty8481]

What an epic conversion. The CSL is a masterpiece

[@seymorebutts2478]

Had No idea the CSL never had a manual option. Looks like you couldn’t have got a better guy to put a manual in it. Amazing work and nice story carfection.

[@anotae]

American version.

[@williamgson4055]

@@anotae America never got the CSL so no, you're wrong

[@HalJurgensen]

SMG = faster than any human can shift a gear. That's why the system was installed in the CSL. Putting a manual on it would be handicapping it for its famed Nurburgring time.

[@PRJX_S3]

@@HalJurgensen Ever drove one? You'll notice the SMG system sucks dick. Gear changes become 'choppy', it's bearable.. But, i'm gonna be slapping a manual in mine too.

[@terlaluanjay]

i was shocked when i researched recently about the csl, that it never came with a manual. i always thought that the csl is manual only

[@内田ガネーシュ]

That car looks so happy after being converted to Manual.

[@nasirshal7633]

😂😂😂

[@geo745don]

Hell yeah like aTranny post OP

[@husein425]

Dont forget, the CSL is the lighter than a normal M3, but after that conversion it is a lot more lighter, which means more fun :D Best conversion ever done nice job.

[@petardenchev75]

With manual gearbox, this car can age with dignity. I think this conversion is a brilliant idea.

[@slushyslushslushbruh]

And age like wine.

[@nothinghere7391]

The perfect BMW doesn't exist, it can't hurt you. This M3:

[@AllanteGrissom]

This M3: Hold my transmission

[@SebZoso]

Hold my catchcan

[@nvrfear_]

Hold my subframe

[@BMC029]

6MT & a 4.1 diff on a CSL, I’ll have a cup of tea as well. Stay safe everyone 🍵

[@993mike]

I think the conversion is perfect! Also, the benefit of a lower geared differential in these cars cannot be underestimated. It was the single best change I made to my old E46 M3, and it was one of the first things I did to my current E92 M3. It feels like you’ve added about 10-15% to the torque on these N/A M-car engines

[@ayrtonsenna6750]

Which ratio did you select on your e92 M3? 4.10? 4.44? I'm considering the same after the experience I had with my z3m and its 3. 64 diff 😉

[@moleBRUV]

Does it leave the engine sitting at higher RPM's at, say, 70-80mph?

[@TheImperfectGuy]

They become so much better when you stop caring about comfortably doing autobahn speeds

[@FDB-8]

No one in their right mind would take the smg over a manual. If they made a manual csl, all the smg versions would not hold value

[@stithis]

It's all personal preference. If you want the fastest version get the smg..just like any modern day sports cars nowadays.

[@DECKSETTER_]

@@stithis Not so sure the SMG was actually faster. The small amount of time saved with shift changes probably isn't enough to offset the weight around a track. The 6 spd manual Camaro ss was actually faster than the 10 spd auto around a track

[@stithis]

@@DECKSETTER_ it takes 80 milliseconds to shift from gear to gear in s6 mode on CSL software smg...the f430 f1 paddle shift shifts in 150 milliseconds. This ain't a typical automatic transmission. What people forget is that the SMG is actually the same exact 6spd transmission as the manual optioned one, it's just one has a small hydraulic system to press the clutch for you in a split second. SMG is wayyy underappreciated. And it's sad to see it gone in this original CSL.

[@stithis]

@@DECKSETTER_ and it's only roughly about 18lbs heavier...

[@DECKSETTER_]

@@stithis I knew that there's almost no difference between the two. The problem is the SMG is prone to breaking, terrible to drive on the road, and not nearly as fun as a manual. Even a dual clutch or modern auto makes the SMG look bad. There's a reason people prefer the manual over SMG so heavily. If anything the swap added value to the car haha

[@Wallstreetavarice]

Never been a big BMW fan, but this car, with the manual and shorter final drive, is absolutely a dream car of mine. It's the perfect all around enthusiasts daily driver

[@basithph8958]

The E46 M3 CSL with the manual gearbox is perfection Props to the owner for doing this swap🙌

[@investmenttudor1659]

I love that the guy drive it and not just keep it as a garage queen

[@sveeny]

Doing exactly this has always been my dream. If I ever win the lottery I'm instantly buying a E46 CSL and a F360 Challenge Stradale and both convert them to manual.

[@Charlie-Charlot]

I would combine the two. Homemade M3 GTR

[@THEWRAITH1409]

A year in and I´m still watching this once a week.

[@akerr911]

As someone with a manual e46 m3 if I was to change it for a Csl I would have this done. Value is what someone is prepared to pay for it and for this reason I don’t think this would make this car less desirable then the smg. Put the two cars together at 35k I know which one I would walk away with!!!

[@AC-wl7ve]

no you wouldnt. you would drive it for a while and realize its still a fun transmission and save yourself the $5k for the swap that is going to knock $20k off the value of the car.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

@@AC-wl7ve 🤦‍♂️ no clue

[@AC-wl7ve]

@@ArtVandelayOfficial ive had an smg and i now have a manual. the manual is fun, but it is not better to the point i would mutilate a legendary csl to get it. i doubt you've ever driven an smg so you wont know that it is miles better than the reputation it has. i actually prefer it to the dct as it feels much more raw and analog.

[@ja2688]

@@AC-wl7ve Mate I've driven an SMG and it's a bag of wank it's gearbox you have to drive around to extract decent performance unlike a manual. It is slow dimwitted and whenever you change up gives you massive slap in the back which is just unnecessary. It is probably the very peak of the useless automatic gearboxes you got in the early 2000s. Unlike a manual wherein you can gear it to always be in the right gear right time and if you are good it's as smooth as butter. I also don't think the owner in this video is going to sell it anytime soon and it's value isn't going anywhere with near on 150k miles on the clock.

[@AC-wl7ve]

@@ja2688 you either drove it once and you had no idea how to drive it (took me probably a month before I was effortlessly smooth with it) or you drove one that was tired and on it’s way out the door ( I test drove one that was absolutely brutal.) mine was very good and i could easily extract more performance from the car than I could ever do myself with a stick. The gearbox on the manual isn’t the best either. It’s rubbery and does not like to be rushed. Regardless I love both.

[@wassup404]

That CSL does sound a bit like the McLaren F1, love it!!

[@simonwright6163]

///M POWER

[@JelloTypeR]

The e36/46 3.2l ‘6 is essentially the McLaren F1 V12 cut in half. I had a e36 Evo with a Dave F induction kit. On full chat it sounded downright evil.

[@BMW-MPOWER81]

Chris Mcintosh i had also a 3.2 evo 321 hp The half of McLaren with The golden engine

[@toohottie001]

@@JelloTypeR It is nothing like. The F1 was a custom built thing,with a MASSIVE difference in valve clearance and headflow.

[@toohottie001]

@@JelloTypeR how the he'll is a straight 6 ANYTHING like V12?

[@diederikdemot2007]

lol nice to see darah again . he was a good chap helping our litle race team . very nice chap good humor

[@roshanjay7]

Look at the Joy from 8:12 onwards, has anyone ever smiled like that from just changing gears in the robotised version?

[@nazhif1]

My boss in my previous company actually imported a CSL from they UK to Malaysia to use as a daily.

[@Dan-wz9tr]

The diff tweak is simple yet sublime.......best modified E46 M3 I've seen.....factory spec upgraded.......love it

[@alexstrat4859]

Converting an M3 from SMG to Manual is been done for years.It is actually pretty easy, can retain the original gearbox with few modifications to the bellhousing, clutch assembly and coding.

[@nismokali]

Now this is perfection! 😍 it would be cool to see someone swap a manual trans into an M4 GTS as well.

[@trevorleggo1777]

Gorgeous !!! I converted an SMG to the manual, then put it into an E30. I couldn't finish the project, sold it. Now drive an E46 325i...don't you wish I had that motor and gearbox. Still fun. 46M3 CSLs are $140,000 in Australia.

[@albertkang1052]

Really admire the passion. Wish my wife saw this...

[@marcellukacic5221]

Now that's BMW perfection.

[@thedownshiftchannel]

You are correct Henry because the two pedal box is the three pedal box with a pedal removed. I recently stripped an SMG car to find that

[@alistairthompson2750]

One of the best induction/exhaust sounds ever

[@Jb001jb]

It’s good to know converting an SMG to manual is pretty straight forward. Let’s say you find a mint E46 M3 in your Dream spec, But it has SMG... now you can change it. Maybe ad a 3.5 stroker kit overhaul the subframes and you’re golden. 😀🤩

[@archie9026]

jb001 that’s what most of e46m3 enthusiasts used to always do here in California, many workshops are specialized in doing the swap...costs between $2.5-5k

[@aml8997]

I've looked the CSL a few times to buy it but always been put off by the gearbox. Now I know, it won't be a problem anymore. Next time I get the chance, I will buy it.

[@idokwatcher2062]

People have been converting M3 SMG for a decade. With M3 CSL it was a question of value and originality, for most owners that car is an investment.

[@AC-wl7ve]

considering how rare the car is i wouldnt worry about the transmission. its still very good but it takes time to learn how to drive it properly. dont listen to people who have driven one for 10 minutes and tells you it sucks.

[@easyerc2226]

this is an amazing idea !! why BMW never did this i will never know. i still think this was the last proper m3

[@stekarenhd6911]

The regular m3 manual is such a good car this just feels like so much effort for a tiny bit better of a car

[@Dreamcardriving]

The BMW M3 is near perfection the perfect track car! It's like Lebron James not the GOAT but the all round the Best Balanced player ever. That's the same for the likes of the BMW e46 M3!

[@s.i2898]

Dream Car Driving leborn is gunna cry when he sees this .

[@GetUpFalcon]

With that comment you've just established your IQ is in the single digits mate. LeBron James does not and has never played defence. That's half the fucking game! A formidable offensive player but not a particularly stylish one.

[@scottferguson1020]

I think the E46 M3 was the peak of sports saloons, and the M3 CSL was the cherry on top. Even though BMW didn’t fancy the idea of a manual option for the CSL, it should’ve been an option for customers. 🤔 Oh, one last thing: I do like the E30, E36 & the E92 but I think the E46 is the best all rounder. 👍

[@raymondnewbill5294]

But it's not a sports saloon.....

[@gaycha6589]

Agree best M3

[@RickCT2000]

Loved the courage of the owner and the skill of the mechanical engineer. Great story and review.

[@MrSlash00r]

Unicorn. Manual CSL will be remembered long into the future as one of those near perfect cars.

[@oldsoulboy6483]

The manual box has made a great car even better

[@samcourt6228]

Very cool. Pretty sure I saw this at Caffeine & Machine last summer (there can’t be too many high mileage CSL’s converted to manual). Still one of my favourite M cars; it’s so pretty, well proportioned and makes a glorious noise.

[@jmwsplatted]

Darragh has absolutely smashed it with this build! Well done dude, once again

[@SergeantMoetz]

Bigger problem than the conversion itself is actually finding a CSL for sale with that kind of mileage for a reasonable amount of money. Never seen or heard of one with more than 120k miles on it until now.

[@SocksWithSandals]

A BMW SMG is one of those cars you end up mastering from temptation to expertise. At that point you wonder how much more you could wring out of it if it were manual.

[@JosephKotrieMonson]

Socks With Sandals Certainly for enjoyment a manual box wins but it is worth saying in the SMG 2’s defence that the reason it was chosen for the CSL was that the design brief was a quick lap (in this case of the Nordschleife). The engineers were concerned that the loss of time through manual changes would tip the laptime to over 8 minutes.

[@stithis]

Finally someone who understands the SMG. it was a matter of seconds between winning and loosing, thus why the SMG in the CSL is so special. Nothing wrong with manual but removing that piece of engineering that went into building this car to WIN, with the CSL software in the transmission which allow gear changes split seconds faster than a normal smg, allowing perfect rev changes during downshifting to prevent wheel locking during hard braking and cornering, it's kinda of missing the point to why the CSL was built in the first place.

[@JosephKotrieMonson]

Evol M3 thanks man. I am definitely also a fan of what Darragh has done here on the CSL box. He is a very good engineer. Ex-Mercedes F1 team, and he did a rebuild for me on my old E46. He’s not getting his hands on my CSL’s SMG 2 though! 😂

[@michaelboardman816]

Darah - chasing the dream, making it real, smashing it. Punkt. Owner - changing the dream, making it better, balls. Punkt.

[@dalelaushman8749]

David, Good for you! I had a 125K SMG e46 M3 ZCP in interlagos blue over black. I loved it, but was thinking about switching cars because I need more driving engagement and the SMG was also getting long in the tooth. A Clorado shoppe (BimmerHaus Performance) carefully converted my M3 to a manual and the car I own now was reborn, just like yours.

[@fchow8652]

I still enjoy remembering the M3 i had. Great conversion. May be one day I can afford the one plus the conversion. Will be on the My Wish List!

[@hafidhrindrahuttama7277]

BMW E46 M3 CSL? Automatic? Great.. Manual? Awesome.. . . Forever dream car..

[@Shakes23100]

Exactly what this machine needed!!

[@jamesellison6154]

No doubt it affects the value from a collector point of view - but i can't think of a car where by this mod would be more popular, and perhaps that will be reflected in re-sale value in years to come, especially when people are longing for a real driving experience away from the disposable electrified box they've been forced into for the majority of the time.

[@swi01]

Actually, I believe this may prove otherwise. I think these guys will establish trend, which will shift the market perspective.

[@stuartd9741]

I would say it's been converted by professionals who know what they're doing. + With the lower ratio diff completes the package - makes the most of the engine/gearbox. I'd say compared to an original SMG M3 difference in price would be negligible. For the above reasons. End of the day personal preference.

[@rainoor947]

Watching this has made me regret selling my E46 M3, miss rowing through the gears and hearing the raspy exhaust. Will own one again some day hopefully. CSL manual conversion is just amazing, hope more high mile CSLs come up for sale cheap enough to tempt me

[@LCdrDerrick]

Some of the enthusiasts altered the weak brakes but not so much the SMG. In dual clutch times the thing seems to be really odd, but it was not that bad. At least it was light! The Porsche GT3 community is also lacking the joy of manually shifting, except for the little GT4, which is such a great car either. I'm in love with the CSL since a nice bloke from Luxemburg took me around the Nordschleife in his CSL, because my 320d edition was a pain in the a**. Imagine how fast and compfy this car is with that comparatively low power. The noise is one of the best in the history of street legal consumer cars, imho. A silky inline six with that 'dirty' croaky and amphoric exhaust note and then the induction/airbox noise as a goody on top! I love the car for the styling, for the usability, for the low bragging and show off potential and for beeing so reasonable, no V8 and rear spoiler madness. It's a free breathing family car and there are not that much free breathing cars anymore. Most of them are strangled by a air-mass sensor.

[@yott1950]

BMW E46 body style is timeless in it's beauty IMHO. I owned a 2002 330i for 13 years and was brokenhearted when I finally decided to sell it for a more practical vehicle for my old age.

[@lupo10]

I drove a full race prepared CSL at Jonathan Palmer race school years ago, what a machine that was. If I’m honest, I don’t ever crave a flappy paddle gearbox but before I’ve even watched the video I’m thinking I was happy that I didn’t have to think about gear changes. It was frantic enough for me.

[@robc1014]

I see carfection, i see the e46 M3 csl m/t!, i see henry. Perfection.

[@boydiedj3718]

Just wait till all those E60 M5 owners see this!! They will be queuing up !! (Great vid 👏🏻👏🏻)!

[@leightaylor806]

I'm feeling so sleepy, I looked at the title and thought it said: BMW M3 CSL Manual Conversation!!

[@mikehunt2040]

I've got a standard e46 M3 that I recently bought, I was only looking at a manual and only ever drove manual but after driving the SMG I ended up buying an SMG, just felt more of a beast and feels special with the flappy paddles. Beautiful cars & great fun to drive.

[@Sanjinator1]

The acceleration was already amazing but now with the shorter ratios it must be mesmerising. Greatest saloon ever built and it'll never be toppled.

[@angi733]

Love the owner's attitude to this :)

[@trebm3]

the car is now perfect

[@bicyclist2]

I hope many other M3 owners get this done. I know I would if I could afford one. Thank you.

[@SmashGhost]

Men in sheds with cups of tea. Saving enthusiast cars one at a time.

[@marcuscopley131]

Always nice to see a British engineer with a cuppa,You know magic is going to happen.

[@dravde7325]

Me: Shut up and take my money Bank: Error Me: Time to sell my organs

[@raghavsundar8253]

Body: Error

[@arjun._.bbC6]

@@raghavsundar8253 Body _sees this M3 CSL_ : Yes please, we can work just fine without a kidney or two.....

[@miepmaster25]

you know you could just steal other people's organs and make way more money and get more bmws

[@abalakrishnan4152]

@@arjun._.bbC6 You can actually live with just one kidney just fine. You could become a kidney donor.

[@miepmaster25]

@Chaminda Thushara Ruwan Kasturi clever boy! Go buy some crypto right now

[@tiagocoelho7415]

Amazing video. This is the one for me. An M3 CSL on the garage for the weekends. I would need no more “super”car

[@cosminmihu9963]

One of the best sounding engines ever made. You can't get induction noise like that anymore. I cannot understand this automated transmission takeover I can never enjoy it properly. Manual just puts a smile on my face each time.

[@Scotracer1987]

The most satisfying part of this video: he's not put an erroneous apostrophe between "M3" and "s"

[@nl3712]

Scotracer1987 greengrocer’s apostrophe!

[@alwaystwoam]

E46 M3 might be one of the best proportion cars of all time. From every angle. It stands the test of time. We're talking about a 20 year old shape and it still looks fresh. Not a single awkward angle or curve.

[@user-yr9hp5sv9t]

Great insights to a legend Henry

[@Bmwguy2011]

Wow! As a true BMW fan, just seeing the profile photo of this car makes me salivate. It’s beautiful. This e40’s series has nearly perfect lines.

[@davidthesky]

A timeless looking car. Perfection.

[@i5toll]

"Bitte ein Bit" Aufkleber ist super :D

[@Chappers158]

i5toll danke

[@RobbieKhan]

As an E46 M3 manual owner of 5 years from 62k to now 125k miles, the CSL will always be on my wishlist until I've got one. Until then, I've always got a taste of the CSL noise and power from the eventuri carbon airbox and evolve remap. Many times I've considered selling die to the running costs at this age now but that engine and the feel of the car on winding roads is just great. I also can't think of another car for similar money that can satisfy looks, fun, agility and practicality on one package that can comfortably seat 4 for a weekend away.

[@SnakeyUk08]

Wheeler dealers converted a left hand drive one few weeks ago ,looked simple but needed a reprogrammed ecu

[@ftlaud911]

Love it or hate it the SMG was needed to help BMW get to the DCT. Have had my e46 M3 manual since 06. Great car all around. Kudos to the owner of the CSL. Do what makes you happy. It’s his car and if value is not a concern to him then who cares what people think.

[@Detail_Den_UK]

Love love love this car. I’ve got a couple of big jobs that need doing on my manual M3, but I can’t wait to get those out of the way and start the fun stuff, including getting Darragh to change my diff. 👍🏼

[@connorp1513]

Good on ya lads! Wanted something and got after it. Fair play!

[@tepes141]

Fantastic job done! 👍

[@kaylanchetty8481]

Love this car. Epic conversion. Best M3 to date

[@armando_alves]

If you think they fucked up by doing this, you're wrong. This is perfection.

[@lesflynn4455]

The sound is amazing. Love it.

[@DriversSide]

Really happy to see more E46 M3 content! I have thought about selling mine before but come across the same predicament this owner has. I can’t think of a car that will match the amazing all around package the car is.

[@decarlocalloway01]

I hero worshipped this car when it came out... Still looks great.🤘

[@colburn888]

David meets Dara: "DID WE JUST MAKE THE PERFECT CAR!?"

[@rbmwiv]

Carfection yes it’s sacrilege. But to race their own. I love the SMG in my M3. Especially since I installed a smg relocation kit and relocated it behind the drivers shock tower. No more heat soaking to kill it. Pretty much bulletproofs the system.

[@berkaydemirtas9243]

The best car BMW never made

[@naimelouardighi31]

Now this is truly The Ultimate Driving Machine 👌🏻

[@Cletus-VanDamme]

If BMW remake this car one day to put in the market for sure it will be a best selling

[@antburman]

Smashing entertainment and such easy going understatement from the engineers/ hobbyists. Thank you!

[@basithph8958]

Now this is perfection A M3 CSL with a stick shift that’s what you call a true driver’s car

[@MrSuryapratim]

'Consider clicking on the bell icon. ... it really does help!' ... Damn right it does help... me!. Your videos constitute a true masterclass and I await them like an Irish waits for his whiskey .... Thank you for the exemplary content!

[@wtfchazpwnt]

Henry's perfect heel toe gave me goosebumps.

[@William-Bill-Munny]

Now just put the steering wheel on the other side hahaha

[@Themazcorner]

I believe everythingapplepro also has converted his SMG to a manual. Awesome car and guys who seem to be pure petrol heads :D

[@emanuelstanciu1205]

The most beautiful car!

[@georgecupac1202]

Your a real car enthusiast, love your work

[@RussellMiddleton]

Love the thought, research, and production that goes into these videos. Many thanks.

[@DraganSavic85]

The NA engine is what makes a real sports car especially alive compared to turbo engines. I can only imagine how good is CSL, but I know that the E46 M3 is one of the most alive things I've ever sat in, and I immediately I got goosebumps when I remember 😀

[@Arif-jc3bu]

amazing work, dream comes true

[@arjun._.bbC6]

5:12 That is definitely a hard fluid to find nowadays. Not many cars these days use such visco lock systems.