Photo: BMW | Edited
BMW M celebrated half a century of existence in 2022. It marked the momentous occasion with a couple of special vehicles. The best one they've made was the 3.0 CSL. It had an MSRP of around $715,000. The American dollar used to be stronger than the euro last year. Many considered it absurd, but it's not often that BMW makes such a halo car. Someone fond of the iconic Batmobile successor just paid over €1 million. Here's what you need to know.
BMW put the most powerful six-cylinder powerplant it has ever made in the 3.0 CSL. The mechanical beating heart pumps out 552 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque thanks to a slight increase in displacement. The engine measures 3.15 liters.
The vehicle also boasts a bespoke suspension setup, M carbon ceramic brakes, and a dedicated traction control system. It embodies a lot of carbon fiber, including the M4-sourced bucket seats. Even though it priced it out of many people's reach, BMW wanted this to be a true driver's car. People were able to order it with a six-speed manual gearbox only.
Every 3.0 CSL that left the Dingolfing production line took 10 days to manufacture, and a special team of 30 technicians was assembled to build each one. Even though it's based on the popular M4 (G82), the reborn 3.0 CSL proved that the Bavarians' high-performance division still had it in them.
The XM quickly followed, but that huge two-row SUV didn't convince many about its abilities. But it's still early. People like SUVs and another German rival for the Lamborghini Urus or the Aston Martin DBX isn't a bad business decision.
However, the 3.0 CSL is the one modern BMW to have if you want to make an impression on your friends or at the local Cars&Coffee event. Someone who wasn't lucky enough to be among the vetted 50 buyers paid €1,017,500 ($1,113,048) for the ultra-special car and a premium of €30,000 ($32,833), not including the value-added tax.
This lot was the 44th BMW 3.0 CSL the Bavarian company manufactured, and it had just 21 miles on the odometer. It was bought by someone living in France but has returned to Germany to find a new owner. And RM Sotheby's lent a much-needed helping hand in this regard.
That may seem like a lot of money for a limited-edition BMW that's not a hypercar or as legendary as the M1 that started life in Italy at Lamborghini and was finished in Germany.
But it's worth noting that some prospective buyers around the world, like those living in Denmark, were faced with a pre-tax price of $864,073. Factor in the government's share, and the final cost exceeds the $2.1 million mark. That's a lot more than what this buyer paid, so they should consider themselves lucky.
The vehicle also boasts a bespoke suspension setup, M carbon ceramic brakes, and a dedicated traction control system. It embodies a lot of carbon fiber, including the M4-sourced bucket seats. Even though it priced it out of many people's reach, BMW wanted this to be a true driver's car. People were able to order it with a six-speed manual gearbox only.
Every 3.0 CSL that left the Dingolfing production line took 10 days to manufacture, and a special team of 30 technicians was assembled to build each one. Even though it's based on the popular M4 (G82), the reborn 3.0 CSL proved that the Bavarians' high-performance division still had it in them.
The XM quickly followed, but that huge two-row SUV didn't convince many about its abilities. But it's still early. People like SUVs and another German rival for the Lamborghini Urus or the Aston Martin DBX isn't a bad business decision.
However, the 3.0 CSL is the one modern BMW to have if you want to make an impression on your friends or at the local Cars&Coffee event. Someone who wasn't lucky enough to be among the vetted 50 buyers paid €1,017,500 ($1,113,048) for the ultra-special car and a premium of €30,000 ($32,833), not including the value-added tax.
This lot was the 44th BMW 3.0 CSL the Bavarian company manufactured, and it had just 21 miles on the odometer. It was bought by someone living in France but has returned to Germany to find a new owner. And RM Sotheby's lent a much-needed helping hand in this regard.
That may seem like a lot of money for a limited-edition BMW that's not a hypercar or as legendary as the M1 that started life in Italy at Lamborghini and was finished in Germany.
But it's worth noting that some prospective buyers around the world, like those living in Denmark, were faced with a pre-tax price of $864,073. Factor in the government's share, and the final cost exceeds the $2.1 million mark. That's a lot more than what this buyer paid, so they should consider themselves lucky.
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