The BMW 3.0 CSL is a Race Car for the Road

BMW's first ever M car - the 3.0 CSL - was built as an homologation special for the European Touring Car Championship, becoming one of the most successful racing cars of all time.

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[grayfool]

I had to watch this video, not just because it is from one of my favourite channels, but because it takes me back to 1976 when I was working as an apprentice in the local Ferrari/Porsches/Mercedes dealer. Yes, it was my dream job at the time, straight from school into a workshop full of my hero cars. I know, it's a tough life. Anyway, we were all busy doing stuff to 308s or 911s or 450sls when the owner's son drives into the worlshop with his newly acquired CSL. It went very quiet for a minute then everyone was around the car demanding a test drive. He'd bought it in for a check over and a service which, as I remember took several days and the assistance of many technicians. Not sure what the issue was but it needed everyone to help and test the car to make sure it was finally good enough for the owner's son. Strange, normally we were very good at carrying out our work, hhmmm!

[JP-]

That BMW is an art piece, outstandingly beautiful.

[GentilsGarage]

Excellent. The full story in such detail that no one can match.

[Tirah]

The most beautiful BMW ever produced in my opinion. Especially when it wears its Batmobile widebody kit.

[richardprice]

The M30 straight six is a wonderful engine. I had an E34 535i Sport and although not anywhere near as powerful as modern engines it's torque was very impressive and a delight to drive. I still miss that car!

[roberttaylor]

Ed, the car brings back an early and embarrassing memory of showing off when in a burst of hubris I caught a curb at speed sideways owned by a solicitor friend's CSL and rolled it onto its side. It was rolled back onto its wheels with thankfully not with write-off damage. I cringe at the thought, but it did teach me a vital lesson of not to mix showing off with a lack of experience! But a great video as usual, Ed, full of lengthy research, professional scripting and editing, fascinating and educative facts, but sad you could not give it some wheelie that produces your infectious smile at the pleasure of controlled boot! But I understand why, and it it keeps your excellent weekly presentations going to give pleasure and information. Rob

[discovermetaldetecting]

I remember as a teenager, my uncle ran a secondhand car lot in Southampton. He would very often get his hands on some great cars. I remember a Lotus Cortina and a Ferrari Dino to name a couple but when I saw him with a silver 3.0 was a show stopper!!
I also remember once being in it and tootling down the main high street in 4th gear doing 30mph and him saying that same gear would do 140mph if it was pushed hard through the gearbox!

[Mancozeb]

Loved this series of Beamers back in the day - compared to everything else on the road, they were eye-wateringly beautiful. Loved the big saloons.

[andrewmoorhouse]

A shame you didn’t get to drive it Ed, or at least be able to let us hear that engine, but I quite understand why. I’m sure it’s probably worth some stratospheric amount of money. Sad that many cars are so valuable they can’t really be used for what they were created for. Still, to think now BMW give us the likes of the XM, a performance SUV weighing 2695kg… Well, at least they still make coupés, such as what I guess is this models great, great grandson or some such, the M8. I know it’s different times, but at 2 tonnes it’s hardly what you’d call licht…

[davidhinkson]

This is a beautiful car, and these old Bimmers look so much better than the modern ones.

[johnnyboy]

What a timeless shape and design, and i absolutely love the colour and livery

[philtucker]

Hi Ed, I was already well into performance cars in the early seventies and already a subscriber to “Car & Car Conversions” monthly magazine at that time. ( in fact it was partly responsible for my initial career in race and rally engine development). However, despite my utter love for E-types and Aston Martins, the 2002 and 3.0 CSL and CSi german cars completely stole my guilty heart.

[The_R-n-I_Guy]

The 1960s was the greatest decade for automotive design. There are so many cars, from so many companies, in so many countries, that I would love to have. As an American I've always been envious of the cars available in Europe that were never available here in the States. The ones we were able to get were usually watered down and altered in style to adhere to our regulations. So to have a Euro-spec car from the 60s would be amazing

[SimonWallwork]

I saw one at the Glasgow motor show in 1971. The Salesmen claimed they had nothing to sell.

I love that car, its a thing of beauty . Id love to own one .

[davidpeters]

Thanks Ed, a great video. I liked the style of the 3.0CSL when I first saw it in motoring press back when they were new. I have owned a BMW but this was always my favourite.

[RERM]

Man, too sad that the new BMW design tries (and fails) to recreate this golden era of german design. The new cars have nothing traditional and should have been kept understated. These old BMWs had an actual spirit of a thriving company instead of a decaying husk of its former self.

[stevelanghorn]

Brilliant video & explanation. Thanks Ed👍

[DavidMaud-ju]

I'm old enough to remember seeing a few of these on the road back in the day. Lovely car. BMW fanatic. Got a pristine 330ci m sport with every option full main dealer history. Buying an aF80M3 next spring.

[TheLRider]

I love Minis Metros, and CSLs like you 😂 My favourite BM definitely otherwise I'm not a big fan. I saw them race at Zandfort vs the Capris and the XJCs. A marvelous time in European Touring Car history.. Thank you for a great review. Awsome.. Stay independant you're very special imo..