BMW M3 CSL

BMW M3 CSL

The BMW M3 CSL was the M3 in its purest form. A car reduced to the pure driving essentials. This meant consistent reduction of weight by using the most appropriate materials at the right point. Carbon-fiber -reinforced plastic, one of the most important materials in Formula 1, for example, not only reduces the overall weight of the car (weighing approximately 243 lbs less than the standard M3, the BMW M3 CSL has an overall weight of just 3,054 lbs), but also allows even higher speeds in bends particularly through the use of this lightweight material at the extreme ends of the car.

BMW M3 2011

BMW M3 2011

BMW M3 2011 

The highest praise fo BMW M3 I can give a sports car is to say it performs well both on a track and while driving slowly around town. Why? Because anybody can make a no-compromises car that's fast on the track but beats you to death on the streets. Likewise, anybody can make a comfy boulevard cruiser that wallows around the track. What's tricky is hitting that balance.
One of the few truly awesome cars I've driven, the BMW M3 nails both the sport and the comfort ends of the spectrum. You can tell the BMW M3 if you want it to be sedate or scary-fast — and it listens.
Driving Impressions
Joe Wiesenfelder tested a 2010 BMW M3 with a manual transmission, and you can read his impressions here. My 2011 test car came with BMW M3double-clutch transmission, and I have to say that even though I generally prefer manuals, I'd probably take this transmission if I were buying an M3..