2003 e46 M3

2003 e46 m3BMW was no stranger to change. The E46 had new additions and updates every year, twice a year in this year and the last. 2003 was a particularly ground-breaking year, as not only was the current coupe and convertible in the range to be updated, but a new limited-edition car was added to the ranks, albeit for several months.

This special interpretation of the E46 was referred to as the E46 M3 CSL, with CSL standing for “Coupe Sport Lightweight”. This was a term which had been used before by BMW, the last time being in 1971.

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In a way, the CSL was more about the drive than the experience. By default, the car was manufactured without an audio system and climate control, too. This was keeping in touch with the lightweight and efficient model that the car was meant to portray. Of course, there were some cars which will have the audio built-in, as it was available at no extra cost to the buyer.

Weighing in at a tenth less than the usual E46 model, the BMW engineers made many significant changes to the materials used in the car: the glass used for the rear windows is noted to be extra thin; the roof, which is made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic; the rear bumper supports, also comprising of GFP.

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Drivelogic was further utilised in the CSL model. There was exclusivity which was seen in this model of the car in the form of SMG II transmission. The technology aimed to increase acceleration by shifting gear at the most appropriate and optimum moment. This model and interpretation of the E46 range meant business.

Cosmetically, there were some limits which were made. The colours of the car were constrained to silver and black. The CSL was an extremely exclusive car. Between June and September, exclusive and European models were made – 1,300 to be approximate. 800 of these were left-hand drive, with the remaining 500 or so right-hand drive.

In the standard E46 models of the coupe and convertible, it was all change, too. With new shades of blue and grey replacing the old metallic paints, there was a lot of difference which set the 2003 model apart from previous years. LED adaptive taillights became a feature, too and North America played host to the introduction of BMW Assist.

There was more. The automatic climate control panels which had been seen in previous years had been revised further. Plus, with the boost in hands-free technology, BMW was sure to jump on the bandwagon with the introduction of hands-free phone control. At the time, BMW was at the tipping point of technology by introducing wirelessly-integrated technology through the medium of Bluetooth, which was emerging at the time as a dynamic and new option which was being seen on many new handsets and models of mobile phones.

2003: a big model for the E46 M3. With revisions in both March and September for the standard model comprising the coupe and the convertible and a limited-edition production phase of the E46 M3 CSL to the specification of the European market, it isn’t hard to see why this can be classed as one of the more defining years of the third-generation of the M Series to come from Munich.