An instant classic marks the 50th anniversary of BMW M
The BMW 3.0 CSL
BMW's M Division has crafted a unique gift to celebrate its 50th birthday: the BMW 3.0 CSL.
The concept and design of this exclusive special car pays homage to the fabled "Batmobile" BMW 3.0 CSL from the early 1970s that served as the company's first solo product.
The unique reimagining of this classic is now be constructed at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, 50 years later and demonstrating its proficiency in producing iconic hand-crafted BMW M automobiles.
The production lines have previously produced the BMW M4 Coupé and Convertible, the BMW M5, and the BMW M8 Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé. Over 50,000 M automobiles, including the M Performance versions, were produced in 2022 alone.
The BMW 3.0 CSL is characterised by the craftsmanship creating it.
In a workshop created especially for the job the body is based on the BMW M4 CSL's standard-production body, modified in a separate part of the Dingolfing body shop—the same location where the body for the BMW M4 GT4 is made.
The distinctive wheel arches are widened using special beading and welding processes and are prepared for assembly.
The body then proceeds through the normal, regular manufacturing procedure of the paint shop. The unique livery for M—the 3.0 CSL-specific livery with the three M colour stripes on—is then hand applied by Dingolfing's paint finishing specialists using stencils.
A group of 30 skilled professionals assemble the car piece by piece, custom components coming together in this special edition.
Even the plastic exterior components receive a unique paint finish to the front side panels and bumpers, the bonnet, and the carbon-fiber roof.
In total, assembling only one car takes close to two weeks.
There are eight major assembly cycles in all, each lasting a single working day.
The unique rear portion of the body-shell and other exterior components are built at a different stations and many components, including the CFRP bonnet and side panels, are fitting at the end of the process.
A special gift for its customers and fans worldwide
Each vehicle goes through a final inspection procedure which includes a mandatory driving programme on the factory's test track.
When BMW M's division are satisfied, the car is ready each owner can either take delivery or enjoy a personal hand-over in Munich.
“We are proud to be entrusted with building such an iconic car. It underlines the wide range of models and technologies we have here on-site – from fully-electric BMW i models all the way to our M high-performance models. And it shows that, in addition to highly automated large-scale production, we also excel at hand-crafting cars.”
