BMW Celebrates 50 Years of its M Brand with a New 3.0 CSL

• The early 70s 3.0 CSL was the first standalone BMW M model.

• This commemorative model is based on the current M4 CSL.

• Changes include a special paint scheme, center lock wheels, a large rear wing, and wider wheel arches.

BMW celebrated 50 years of its M brand of performance cars last year and it decided to commemorate the event with a limited-production special model.

The automaker chose to make an homage to its very first standalone M model, the 3.0 CSL from 1972, by modifying its current M4 CSL.

Based on the sports coupe, the special edition will be called 3.0 CSL just like the older car and it will feature a similar paint scheme, from which the traditional M colours of red, dark blue, and light blue came from.

The new 3.0 CSL will start life on the same assembly line as the regular M4 CSL but its body will receive alterations in a dedicated workshop in Dingolfing that also produces the body for the M4 GT4.

Modifications will include enlarged wheel arches, special axles that are compatible with the gold-painted center lock wheels, unique bumpers and side panels, as well as distinctive interior elements.

Since the paintwork of the original 3.0 CSL was very distinctive, the new version stops at an extra station in the paint booth where specialists use stencils to manually apply the tri-colour stripes around the body.

The hood and carbon-fibre roof are also given special attention during the painting process along with the other special parts used in this model.

Final assembly takes place in a workshop that was set up especially for this model where a team of 30 workers fit all of the parts together in an eight-step process that takes about two weeks.

After each model is completed, they are brought back to the main plant to undergo a final evaluation that includes a stint on the factory’s test track before being sent to Munich, where buyers will pick them up in person.

BMW has not said exactly how many of these special edition 3.0 CSL models it will make, but considering the entire production run will be assembled in a matter of a few weeks, the final number should be quite low.