As if the E46 generation of BMW’s M3 was not already exciting enough, BMW’s engineers sought to produce a lightweight, track-ready version for the model’s swansong and in doing so, developed one of the most exciting M-cars on the 3 Series platform since the original E30 M3.

Essentially, the M3 CSL took the standard E46 M3 Coupé and put it on a diet. The roof was replaced with a carbon fibre reinforced plastic panel, weighing 13 lbs. less than its steel counterpart. This material was used throughout the car and no stone was left unturned in making the car as light as possible, including fitting thinner rear-window glass. BMW claims that the M3 CSL tips the scales at 3,054 lbs., some 300 lbs. lighter than the standard M3. Furthermore, the car is powered by a modified version of the S54 inline six-cylinder engine, rated at 360 bhp and mated to BMW’s SMG II sequential manual transmission. A total of 1,383 M3 CSLs were built, excluding prototypes, all of which were built to European specification between June and December of 2003. Of these, 841 examples were built to left-hand-drive specifications, such as the example presented here.

Purchased by its current owner out of Japan in September of 2017, the car was subsequently imported to Poland, where it has remained ever since. The car was brought to BMW for a service and has remained in storage well preserved since then. More recently, it was fully detailed and has been featured in the Polish BMW magazine BMW Trends. Furthermore, it comes with its original service book and a set of spare keys.

Truly one of the most desirable BMWs built thus far into the 21st century, the M3 CSL is a must-have automobile in any collection of BMWs, and this example will not disappoint.