The below is a comprehensive list of differences between the M3 E46 and the M3 CSL E46
Updated : January 3 2023
If you want to know what the M3 CSL is, please check this article
Confirmed differences :
- Engine block (supposedly picked from the least flawed cast) – The blocks have the same part numbers as M3, Z4, but the full short block is a different part number 11007833675
- Engine head (exhaust valve and intake/exhaust cams - longer duration, same lift) – intake cam shaft 11317835041 exhaust cam shaft 11317835043 Exhaust Valve 11347833676 (30,5/5,95mm) – the valve springs are exactly the same
- Intake plenum (carbon airbox as we like to call it) Air Collector 11617833496 filter 13727838625 The other half of the carbon box: 11617833497 and control unit 11617833498 all the other ducting 11617833646; 11617833645; 11617833648; 13717896774 intake grill 51117895883
- Extractors/Headers (same as post 2005 M3s and Z4) 11627833500; 11627833643
- Cat converter (200 cell) 18307833673
- X pipe, resonators (thinner material - slightly lighter) 18107833503
- Rear muffler - slightly lighter 18107833504
- Different ECU - 25% more capacity 12147837328; 12147834982
- Different SMG control unit program 23607837731
- Pseudo Alpha N engine management (delete of MAF, but still runs a MAP sensor, and air temp sensor 13621739510- debate as to whether this is just for idle control however) MAP sensor part number 13627833561
- Different traction control system with M track mode on steering wheel (much like the DCT mode in new E9X series)
-Different ABS control program
- Shorter steering ratio 14.5:1 (compared with 15.4:1 on M3) 32132282647 (same steering rack as the M3 CS)
- Front bumper (carbon fiber with incorporate bumper support) silver grey 51117896820 Sapphire Black 51117895950
- Roof (carbon fiber) 41007895382;
- Rear diffuser (carbon fiber) - the bumper is the same as M3 so is the carrier – silver grey 51127896832 Sapphire Black 51127895985
- Boot lid (Moulded sheet plastic - it's not fiberglass people, it's much harder and more rigid) 41007895884
- Rolled rear fenders to accommodate wider rear rims. Bare Full Body Skeleton for CSL 41007895934 (part numbers for the rear fenders are the same as M3, but the CSL comes from the factory with ROLLED rear fenders)
- Different wheels (NOT magnesium, cast aluminium) made by BBS 36112282650; 36112282999
- Suspension and spring (sachs, shorter spring and different damper and rebound rates) fronts 31312282505; 31312282506 front bump stop 31332282508 rear 33522282507, rear mount disc (CSL specific) 33532282503; bumper stop 33532282509
- different rear lower arm - aluminium with spherical joint 33322283074
- different front king pin (hub) for wider front track 31212282855; 31212282856
- larger front sway bar (hollow) 30.8mm 31352282655
- larger rear sway bar 22.5mm 33552282681
- larger front brakes (345mm) 34112282445; 34112282446 brake carrier 34112282619
- larger rear brake caliper piston 34212282857; 34212282858 (same as M3 CS)
- Pilot sport Cup Tyres 85452536738; 85452536740
- Lighter rear glass 51317895441
- Recaro SPG Type front seats 52100031830; 52100031831; rails 52107895957; 52107895958
- Lighter rear seats (4 seater rather than 5) 52207896809; 52207896800 rear console 52207896297
- Lightweight through load facility 52207896929; 52207896930; 52207896807; 52207896808
- Paper/Honey combe boot floor COVER (yes the infamous cardboard floor) 51477895990
- Carbon door cards and rear panel 51417895581; 51417895582; 51437895579; 51437895580 Door handles 51417896919; 51417896920
- Carbon centre console 51167896359
- Alcantara steering wheel 32342282502
- Alcantara hand brake lever 34412282662
- 4 rather than 6(or 8 if equiped) airbags
- NO INTERIOR SOUND DEADENING
- No bonnet heat shield (same aluminium bonnet as M3)
- Optional Radio and aircon
- Lighter battery (same as the Mini Cooper S battery) 61218377139
- Lighter microfilter housing (bottom part 64 31 7 895 937 1.050 kg, housing 64 31 7 895 939 1.630 kg)
- Wiring harness, engine grbx. module (1.83kg) // Normal M3 with SMG 1.87kg 12517833366
- bumpstop 13717832175
- bumpstop 31332282508
- suction hood (0.419kg) // Normal M3 0.470kg 13717834085
- water + oil radiator 17112282380
- shift knob alcantara 25162282560
- rear damper adapter 33532282503
- floor covering front 51477896369
- floor covering rear 51477896370
- main wiring harness 61116975073 (16.51kg) // Normal M3 18.93kg
- Head lamp cleaning device container 61672695531
- Windshield cleaning container 61677892701
- Compression shroud 64546928033
- Seatbelt 72117919207
- Sound insulation tunnel - exterior 51487893047 (0.21kgs) // Normal M3 2.4kgs
- Radiator fan shroud washer 17112282381
Unconfirmed differences:
- less under carriage undercoating
- extra welding points to chassis
Notes:
There were 2 additional CSL specific parts discovered in 2022 by Redish Motorsport
https://www.redish-motorsport.com/
These 2 parts are 51487893047 and 17112282381