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AutoArt BMW M3 CSL Review

Authored by Nicholas

Manufacturer	AutoArt
Scale	1:18
Category	Mid-Range

The BMW M3 CSL is not just your daily BMW M3 nor is it some tuner. It's a one-off. You get a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic body on it. Besides that, air conditioning and radios are no-cost options on this car. It's a study of reduction. Thus the initials CSL which stands for "Coupe Sport Lightweight". The CSL has a weight of just 1,385 kg, which is very light for a 2+2 coupe. The engineers at BMW Motorsports have created a sports car capable of breaking the 8-minute barrier of Nurburgring. The M3 CSL has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of only 3.85 kg per brake horsepower. It's 3.2-litre in-line 6 engine produces an astonishing 360 bhp and 370 Nm of torque. This is the review of the 1:18 BMW M3 CSL by AutoArt, of which the 1:1 debuted at the 2001 Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The Model

The M3 CSL is priced into AutoArt's Performance range, which carries AutoArt's lower end models. The M3 CSL is only available in two colors, Sapphire Black Metallic and Steel Grey Metallic (also called Silbergrau Metallic). This model is heavy by AutoArt's standards, as both all bumpers are metal. Kudos to AutoArt for making them metal. The model also feels solid mainly because of it’s weight.

What’s In The Box

The M3 CSL comes in AutoArt's standard Performance box, which are just skeleton frames and plastic windows. The model is screwed onto a black plastic base with it's name on it. The screws are fairly easy to remove. I think there were wires but I have just cut them off as AutoArt's wires have been very annoying to me. The doors are held together with a rubber band which is hooked on both door cards, holding both doors together. A cardboard piece containing a front photo and information on the car is also included at the back of the box.

Exterior

The exterior of my example came in the Sapphire Black Metallic paint job. I have to say, the paint on this model is very good compared to newer AutoArts in the Performance range. The paint is very smooth, shiny and waxy. Also visible are fine pieces of metal flakes. This adds to the realism of the model, as the paint is supposed to be metallic. Unlike other models with metallic paint, on this one, the flakes are to scale. The paint is also very glossy. I think this is because AutoArt has applied a thick layer of clear coat.

The stance of this model is good, true to the 1:1. It might appear a little high from the rear but I think this is because the rear bumper isn't very low. It's quite high. From the side, the stance is almost perfect. The side also might be the best angle to look at the car. The signature kidney-grille of BMW’s is reproduced with chrome and one can also look through it and see a cooling fan. The lower air dam is perforated and covered with mesh but not much can be seen through it. Also, there are two front splitters made from carbon-fibre look-alikes. There is also a bulge on the bonnet of the model which has an air intake which is covered with mesh and one can look through it to see part of the engine. The infamous BMW badge is a raised piece that looks very well done. It even has an outer silver lining. This model carries registration plates. The registration numbers are "MTR 4045" from Germany. I have even managed to find photos of a 1:1 with exactly the same registration plates.

On the side, as I have mentioned, could be the best angle to see this car. There are two fins with the 'CSL' badge which tells you that this is not a regular M3. The side indicators are just painted on. Yes, they're painted, not a clear plastic piece. The sporty wing mirror housings are made of plastic and faced with sticker-like pieces. The huge front and rear wheel arches are reproduced faithfully on the 1:18. The wheel arches add a dynamic look to the car and at the same time also making the car look wider, enhancing sportiness.

Moving on to the rear, it just seems high and wrong but I guess it's because the rear bumpers are high, which is true to the 1:1. From 2-3 feet away, the rear looks spectacular, though. Four small exhaust pipes tell you that this isn't a regular E46. However, they aren't overstated too. The top of the exhaust pipes are made from carbon-fibre on the 1:1. This is reproduced on the 1:18 with weaves. The BMW badge on the rear is similar to the front's, very nicely done. The M3 CSL badge, to tell the truth, looks cheap. It's not a piece of plastic with chrome and paint, it's not tampoed, it's not photo-etched, it's a sticker. One can actually even see the outlines of the sticker. The rear also carries the same registration plate as the front. The lights are very nicely modeled. Since they are LEDs on the 1:1 car, you can see little glue blobs to replicate the LED bulbs on the model. The boot’s button is just painted on, unlike more expensive and newer AutoArts which are nicely done with a piece of metal, such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Wheels, Brakes And Undercarriage

The wheels on the 1:1 have a very fierce design. The wheels are reproduced on the 1:18. However, on the rear they seem a little over sized. The wafer-thin profiled tires have accurate treading of the Michelin Pilot Cup and feel very rubbery. The brakes, again are typical AutoArt, very, very realistic. The discs are dimpled on a plastic piece and they also brushed it to look used and like steel. A single caliper is visible on the front brakes and a similarly sized caliper is on the rear brakes. The undercarriage of this model is different from newer AutoArts. You can see suspension detail and the exhaust system with filters, etc. There even is an air intake on the undercarriage. AutoArt has done a decent job on the undercarriage of this model.

Engine

The engine on this model is also a decent job, good for a car in the Performance range. The block is very nicely done, with the M badge. 6 cylinders are also visible on this model. There also is an air intake inside the engine which on the 1:1, is wrapped in carbon-fibre. On this, it’s replicated with weaves. Also visible is an anti-roll bar. There is basic wiring and plumbing, very nice work, AutoArt!

Interior

The interior of the M3 CSL is better than newer AutoArts. You might think I'm just about to say the seats are hard plastic and all as in all the other reviews. Well, you're wrong. They're hard, yes, but, it's made from a very nice alcantra-like texture, a very nice change from AutoArt. The same material is also used on the steering-wheel. "CSL" is proudly emblazoned on the door entry sills together with two chequered flags. This tells you that it's designed for the track. The dashboard is fairly detailed, with visible knobs and buttons on it. There are two visible paddles behind the steering-wheel to operate the gearbox. The gearknob on the center console looks to be chromed. The shape of it is also replicated well. The door cards on this model are decently detailed, with the weaving pattern to look like carbon-fibre. The interior is also carpeted. The carpet feels thick and rich. There are visible seat belts too. They are fabric with photo-etched buckles. There isn't much to say about the trunk of this model, it’s a big boot, carpeted with the same material as on the interior.

Conclusion

The M3 CSL is a decent effort from AutoArt, maybe even a good one for a car in the Performance lineup. It's a great bang-for-the-buck model. What more can I say? It has an interior better then newer models. If you’re a big fan of BMW or you own one of these rare 1:1s, this car will be very worth it.

Score Sheet

Exterior	Good paint and accurate stance, bad sticker badge	7.0
Wheels, Brakes and Undercarriage	Rear wheels a little oversized, good brakes and tires	7.5
Engine	Great effort from AutoArt, has wiring and plumbing	8.0
Interior	Good seats, a different material, good detail on dashboard	7.5
Score	[Emphasis of score placed on interior and exterior]	7.5