Henry Catchpole, the author of the Carfection YouTube channel, describes the BMW M3 CSL as “beautifully balanced, marvelously tactile, and sensationally sonorous.” It really is a nice vehicle in many regards, excluding its SMG automated gearbox. That won’t need to be a problem, though, because the geniuses at Everything M3s have fitted a CSL with a manual gearbox, one thing it never came with from the manufacturers.
While yes, Everything M3s may be a small company run by 2 folks out of a shed, these guys are overqualified for the task. Darragh Doyle started the company after a stint as an F1 mechanic, and his business partner David Chapman may be a vehicle dynamics test driver for Jaguar Land Rover. Chapman is additionally the proud owner of 1 of 4 manual-converted M3 CSLs within the world.
As the automobile comes with an automatic gearbox from the factory, the conversion isn’t as complicated as you’d assume. The conversion process basically takes away with all of the electronic and hydraulic elements accustomed to shifting gears semi-automatically from the factory.
Along with changing the CSL’s gearbox, they fitted a viscous limited-slip differential. Yes, the automobile does have a plated limited-slip differential from the factory, however, this viscous unit does a far better job. In Doyle’s words, once it detects slow slip it doesn’t fully activate, however, does kick in once aggressive differentiation in wheel speed is detected. Doyle additionally shortened the gear ratios to assist in crisper acceleration.
Catchpole is incredibly impressed with the work and finish of the modifications to the CSL. He mentions that the character of the original automobile still remains, and additionally notes the new differential and gear ratios make the automobile feel far more spritely under acceleration.
Aside from the manual gearbox, our favorite addition to the CSL is that the shorter gear ratio. As Catchpole says, not solely does it enable you to use the manual gearbox more usually, but it also provides you easier access to the highest end of the rev range. All of those additions remodel this M3 CSL from an excellent automobile into an incredible car.
There were only 4 of these cars ever created as nobody wanted to try to change the gearbox on such a gem but these 2 guys managed to find the easiest way to get the true power out of the BMW M3 CLS.
