--- title: "BMW E46 Owners: Don’t Sleep on Vorsteiner’s Carbon M3 CSL Body Kit" description: "Vorsteiner updated its CSL-inspired aero kit for the E46 M3 that looks more extreme and features even lighter weight parts." date: "2023-12-14" modified: "2023-12-14" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-e46-owners-dont-sleep-on-vorsteiners-carbon-m3-csl-body-kit" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "BMW" - "m3" - "sports car" --- # BMW E46 Owners: Don’t Sleep on Vorsteiner’s Carbon M3 CSL Body Kit ![]() Few cars make [BMW]() fans weak in the knees like the [E46 M3 CSL](). Unfortunately for us Yanks, BMW never brought what is potentially its greatest driving car to North America. Tuning shops and independent owners have modified normal E46 M3s in various attempts to replicate the magic of the M3 CSL, including the California-based wheel and carbon fiber shop, Vorsteiner. Recently, Vorsteiner made its original CSL aero kit even more extreme—and let me tell you, it looks killer. Back in October, Vorsteiner [rereleased its CSL-style aero kit](), called the V-CSL. It was designed to transform the look of a normal E46 M3 into one that resembled BMW's legendary car from the early '00s. It doesn't bump the engine's power, nor does it modify the suspension, steering, or brakes. However, it does lighten the curb weight and make the M3 look awesome. Each carbon fiber part is available a la carte but if you get them all, it includes a carbon fiber front bumper (with its signature single asymmetrical air intake), rear diffuser, and even a carbon fiber trunk lid with its CSL-style integrated ducktail spoiler. That last bit is the most significant weight saver. Sadly, it doesn't also come with the original CSL's cardboard-like trunk floor but I guess you could always make one at home out of some old Amazon boxes. ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** Now, though, Vorsteiner has a new kit—the V20. It takes the CSL goodness of the original aero kit and cranks it to eleven. The carbon fiber front bumper now has two symmetrical air intakes, the rear diffuser looks much more aggressive, it gains updated fender vents, and the V20 also offers a carbon fiber hood, which lowers the curb weight even further. Also included in the V20 kit is a carbon fiber front splitter but Vorsteiner claims it can be used with the V-CSL front bumper, too. While the V20 kit certainly loses some of the V-CSL's classic look, it gains more road presence and it looks stellar. Inside, Vorsteiner also offers a full carbon fiber CSL-style center console for both the V-CSL and V20 kits, and it looks just as uncomfortable as the original CSL's. Having driven many CS and CSL BMWs in the past, I can say with certainty that the small weight savings gained from such a minimalist center console are not worth losing the comfort of an armrest. ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** ![]() **Vorsteiner** This kit ain't cheap, though, with the least expensive part being the $995 carbon fiber center console. The entire V20 kit costs $11,795, which is about as much as two normal E46 3 Series on the used market. However, for E46 M3 owners and fans, this kit will make your car look like a more extreme version of the legendary forbidden fruit you've never been able to taste. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()