[Mani59]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Top Gear share their first drive thoughts on the M4 CSL.

This isn’t just a top-of-the-range BMW. The company has only used ‘CSL’ three times in its entire history. The CSL badge matters, and it’s reserved for deeply special cars...

The last few hardcore M cars haven’t been deemed worthy, but now BMW says the time is right for the successor to the CSL dynasty. A road car, not a track car like the recent GTS models: this is supposed to be less about lap times, and more about thrills. A 50th anniversary birthday present to the M Division, and potentially a last hurrah for the M car as we know it, before electrification invades for good.

The figures are impressive: 542bhp from a 3.0-litre 6cyl turbo makes the M4 CSL capable of 0-60mph 3.7 sec with a top speed of 190mph. But how will it perform compared to CSLs of the past, and can it live up to the badge? Here's Ollie Marriage's first drive from Speed Week 2022: Top Gear magazine's performance car mega-test.

[ScullyD]

Top gear totally wrong about the car brief, like they didn't read the PR at all. The car is about setting a Nurburgring time and then being usable on the street. In recent BMW PowerPoints, CSL meant "track first" and replaced the GTS model. So it was never supposed to be "not about lap times". The only difference in the GTS to CSL brief is it went from "track only" to "track first".

[ShockArrival]

I still like their reviews, but venture to say it's great for thrills AND lap times.

[WWM3]

Somewhat of an odd review I guess. However, I do agree that this car really deserved a DCT. It's a shame that both CSLs could have benefited from a different choice of transmission.

[clutchdj]

I agree. it deserves a DCT or at least 3 pedals.
The m5cs just barely gets by with the autobox as it’s a bit more acceptable in that car.

[aidant799]

Only 1000 being made and 10 coming to UK

[ptgltw]

My take:

It's more of a track car for the street.

With that said it's more comfortable with the full buckets than it is with the regular m4 seats. Strange I know.

So knowing this why didn't they go all out? 1/2 cage, wing? Only BMW knows. It's not like they couldn't sell 1000 of them. Maybe US regulations saying no 1/2 cage?

If you want to track it, let's see how the new M4 GT4 race car performs. I would like to see how they setup the car.

IT'S A ROCKET SHIP!

Drive Carefully

[SeanWRT]

It's an honest, unbiased and good review IMO.

People thinking a beefed up 4er is made for track can use less alcohol. The beauty and core competitiveness of any M as a road car has always been its bandwidth and fun to drive, not its sheer performance.

[TractionControlDelete]

The review seems unreasonably critical. It reminded me of when a new movie, that is based on book, comes out… folks who read the book prior to seeing the movie end up being disappointed because the film didn't fit their subjective view of the important plot points and portrayals. It's one of the most bizarre ways of assessing the quality of a product but that routinely gets overlooked as an acceptable standard for criticism.

And so, this review essentially purports that, "well, this car didn't meet my bespoke and secretly imagined expectations of how the car should be, so I have no choice but to be disappointed." Good grief.

[10"]

this car should not be called a "CSL"
not worthy of that name at all, IMO.

[F87EVO]

Its been a long time that Top Gear actually made good content ..Lightweight in the 70s was 700-800kg. Lightweight in the 00s was around 1300-1400kg.. Lightweight now is 1600kg .. Power changes , size grows , safety increases etc etc.. different eras , different toys !

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by 10"

this car should not be called a "CSL"
not worthy of that name at all, IMO.

Doesn't matter what name they gave it. Its the final RWD ICE BMW with this much power and this power to weight (M2 version just won't be the same). Call it GT, CSL, GTS, call it whatever you want. They aren't making another one and the G82 is a great car.

Any of the reviews critiquing the car on badge are missing the point. If it does actually feel off, i'll be happy to let you guys know after i pick mine up.

[HudsonHornett]

Originally Posted by aidant799

Only 1000 being made and 10 coming to UK

Well 10x more than that (100 coming to the UK)

[10"]

Originally Posted by ScullyD

Doesn't matter what name they gave it. Its the final RWD ICE BMW with this much power and this power to weight (M2 version just won't be the same). Call it GT, CSL, GTS, call it whatever you want. They aren't making another one and the G82 is a great car.

Any of the reviews critiquing the car on badge are missing the point. If it does actually feel off, i'll be happy to let you guys know after i pick mine up.

no manual—-no care! sorry! :P

The CSL badge carries history—-so yes it does mean something. Things shouldn't be just called "whatever you want" IMO!

Regardless I do hope you enjoy your car and congratulations!

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by 10"

no manual—-no care! sorry! :P

The CSL badge carries history—-so yes it does mean something. Things shouldn't be just called "whatever you want" IMO!

Regardless I do hope you enjoy your car and congratulations!

Heh well I suppose it does carry on the tradition for the last CSL in that sense, no manual available last time around either

[10"]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

Heh well I suppose it does carry on the tradition for the last CSL in that sense, no manual available last time around either

wellllllll—not quite! because the E46 CSL was
actually a manual transmission, but set up
as a sequential manual gearbox (SMG)

It was a 6 speed manual gearbox underneath—but set up in sequential form. Far from a torque converter gearbox!

[RugbyBro]

[DavidXJ]

Originally Posted by TractionControlDelete

The review seems unreasonably critical. It reminded me of when a new movie, that is based on book, comes out… folks who read the book prior to seeing the movie end up being disappointed because the film didn't fit their subjective view of the important plot points and portrayals. It's one of the most bizarre ways of assessing the quality of a product but that routinely gets overlooked as an acceptable standard for criticism.

And so, this review essentially purports that, "well, this car didn't meet my bespoke and secretly imagined expectations of how the car should be, so I have no choice but to be disappointed." Good grief.

Couldn't agree more that there's a kind of performance of negativity at play, based around preconceptions. But it's still remarkable, to be frank, that Top Gear reviewed it at all, given how few ICEs make it into the magazine these days--a mag that's now more or less consumed with its own EV evangelism and finger-wagging correction (see Paul Horrell) of all the perceived misconceptions and hesitancies that apparently distort the minds of those of us who have yet to solemnly embrace electrification. Chris Harris seems to be the last man standing when it comes to enthusiasts, and I wonder sometimes whether he is being monitored in case he strays too far from the eco-pious line. Either way, they should give the M4, in whatever guise, some slack.

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by DavidXJ

Couldn't agree more that there's a kind of performance of negativity at play, bass around preconceptions. But it's still remarkable, to be frank, that Top Gear reviewed it at all, given how few ICEs make it into the magazine these days--a mag that's now more or less consumed with its own EV evangelism and finger-wagging correction (see Paul Horrell) of all the perceived misconceptions and hesitancies that apparently distort the minds of those of us who have yet to solemnly embrace electrification. Chris Harris seems to be the last man standing when it comes to enthusiasts, and I wonder sometimes whether he is being monitored in case he strays too far from the eco-pious line. Either way, they should give the M4, in whatever guise, some slack.

I would not expect to get a positive review of the CSL from Harris either. This is a year where its going to be overshadowed by the GT4 RS, the GT3 RS, and the M5 CS's wins from last year. And UK reviewers had access to both an e46 CSL and an e92 GTS, which US buyers did not. Its going to get judged by its premium over a regular M4 and its competition.

But, I don't think its going to get killed on the secondary market like the M4 GTS did, because its so limited and rare performance cars are still commanding big premiums. I also think, in the metal, it looks super cool if you are used to the grill.

[Chicane_]

I feel like people are way overthinking this car.

[PLF69]

Very strange review, says they started with the wrong car to make a good street car and talks about the M2 that is not even out yet and weights the same as the M4..

At least the praise is high on track and that is pretty much the point of having a ''track day special'' aka a BMW that can hang out with other more expensive sports cars.

[ScullyD]

Originally Posted by Chicane_

I feel like people are way overthinking this car.

Yeah see my post above. It's a special RWD BMW. Buy it, kill some tires. End of story.