2005 BMW M3 CS Review - Toybox

By: Unique Cars staff

Date: 15.05.2015

We take a closer look at a BMW hot-rod sixer, the 2005 M3 CS

2005 BMW M3 CS

You won’t see one of these every day: a 2005 BMW E46 M3 CS version. Okay, so what’s a CS? "The CSL was made hard-core, 90 per cent on the track and it was very hard on the road," explains vendor Srecko Lorbek. "What they’ve done with this is make a road car with CSL options.

| Video: John Bowe in the BMW E46 M3 CSL

"So you can take it and race it on the weekend for your club days, and you can drive it to work during the week."

Inside it has all the creature comforts, such as satnav, climate control and Harman Kardon sound. It’s also has deep sports thrones rather than race seats.

At the heart of it is the S54 3.2 straight six –  something of a favourite among BMW cognoscenti – claiming 383hp. That’s matched to a six-speed transmission with paddle shifters and an LSD.

While the CS isn’t as single-minded as the CSL, it shares some parts, such as steering rack, some brake compnents and, inside, the Alcantara steering wheel. The car rides on firmer suspension than its ‘plain’ M3 cousin, without being as harsh as the track-focussed car.

This particular example runs an exhaust upgrade with a fairly boisterous note.

Lorbek argues that with just 30 examples in Oz it has collectible value.

With 111,000km showing on the odo, it’s had two owners, both of whom have kept up the servicing. With cars like this, a complete service book is worth money. A well-maintained one should be no trouble, while a poorly looked-after car can end up being costly to fix.

While it’s a serious performance car, it has an interior that cossets the occupants. At about a third of the cost of a new one, you have to say the bang per buck factor stacks up.

A quick drive confirmed it’s in top condition and feels very tight. At $50,000 it’s a lot of fun for the money.

KNOW YOUR BMW M3

E30 SERIES
2.3 & 2.5lt straight six, 1985-1992

E36 SERIES
3.0 & 3.2lt straight six, 1992-1999

E46 SERIES
3.2lt straight six, 2000-2006

E90/92/93 SERIES
4.0lt V8, 2007-2011 for the E90 sedan,
2007-2013 for the E92/93

F80 SERIES
3.0lt twin turbo straight six, 2014 to date

SPECIFICATIONS

BMW 2005 M3 CS

Body: all-steel, integrated body/chassis two-door coupe
Engine: 3.2lt 6cyl, DOHC, 24v, fuel injection
Power: 252kW @ 7900rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 4900rpm
Performance: 0-100km/h – 4.8sec, 0-400m – 13.0 sec
Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift
Suspension: Modified MacPherson strut (f); independent with multi-links(r)
Brakes: Disc front/rear, power assisted with ABS

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here