This is the new BMW M3 CS – lighter, more powerful, faster and… inevitable. With the success of the M4 CS, which came out earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before the M3 got the Clubsport treatment.
The changes made by BMW are pretty much identical to those made for the M4 CS. Like the M4 alternative, the M3 CS is based on the M3 Competition Pack. In terms of weight saving, the CS isn’t a massive amount lighter than the Competition. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic on the roof and bonnet lower the weight and centre of gravity. There are carbon splitters and diffusers underneath the front and rear bumpers respectively and M Sport lightweight seats bring down the weight inside the car. Thanks to these tweaks, overall weight is down to 1,585kg.
Whilst the weight has come down, power has gone up. The M3’s twin-turbo straight-six now puts out 454bhp and 442lb ft of torque. Thats up 10bhp and 32lb ft on the M3 with the Competition Pack fitted. With extra power you tend to expect extra speed and that’s certainly the case with the M3 CS. 0-62 is out of the way in 3.9 seconds and the new top speed is 174mph. With the Competion Pack limited to 155mph, that makes it 19mph quicker and 0.3 seconds faster off the line. Also, you can expect the exhaust system to be much snarlier than before.
The BMW M3 CS comes with a seven-speed double-clutch paddleshift gearbox and a fine tuned RWD system as standard. Also standard are a Harman Karden sound system, climate control, adaptive suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres wrapped around DTM-style lightweight alloys measuring 19in on the front and 20in on the back.
Optional extras include tyres that will be slightly less terrifying in wet conditions, carbon ceramic brakes and a whole lot of Alcantara inside the car.
If you want a BMW M3 CS, it will cost you £86,630, and that’s before options. Whilst that is a whopping £25k more than the Competition Pack, it would be one of only 100 coming to the UK. Does the rarity justify that price gap, though? I don’t know.
What do you think? Would you pay the extra money to have tne limited edition BMW M3 CS? Or would you get the Competion Pack and use the £25k you have saved filling it with optional extras? Let us know in the comments section below or via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
I’d get the comp Pack & use the additional 25k for extras you know you”ll need down the road!
the engine looks amazing!