BMW is sending off the G80 generation in North America with a limited-run M3 CS Handschalter. Although it’s touted as the only M3 CS ever to get a manual gearbox, enthusiasts from the UK will beg to differ. Back in 2005, Britain received a three-pedal M3 CS as a run-out edition of the E46. Although it didn’t wear CS badging, that’s how the car was marketed 21 years ago.
Essentially the UK’s version of the Competition Package available in the rest of Europe and the United States, the M3 CS (Clubsport) commanded a £2,400 premium over the standard car. That pushed the asking price to £41,155. Even so, it was still significantly less than the mighty £59,000 CSL. The latter had already gone out of production by then. The CS did borrow a few upgrades from the ultimate E46 variant, including its quicker steering rack and beefier brakes.
Other goodies included the CSL-derived stability control system with a dedicated M Track mode. A press of the button enabled a more tail-happy behavior. That wasn’t all. BMW UK also fitted the M3 CS with CSL-style 19-inch wheels and revised suspension featuring different spring rates. Inside, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel made it feel a bit more special than the standard car.
Most M3 E46 CS Cars Had The Optional SMG, Making The Manual Even Rarer
It’s believed that most cars were actually ordered with the CSL’s SMG transmission, which was available at the time for an additional £2,100. Total production numbers vary, but roughly 250 to 275 E46 M3 CS models were sold in the UK, with manual cars being rarer than hen’s teeth. All cars featured the standard S54 engine, a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter inline-six producing 338 hp and 269 lb-ft (365 Nm). While that might not sound like much by today’s standards, the car weighed only 1,495 kg (3,296 lbs).
The M3 CS served as the last hurrah for the E46 generation before its V8-powered successor arrived shortly afterward. BMW aficionados know the M division experimented extensively during the E46 era, culminating in the M3 GTR Strassenversion and its race-car-derived P60B40 engine. BMW also built an M3 Touring, though sadly only as a one-off.
The Last Dance For The Manual M3?
Fast-forward to 2026, and the M3 CS Handschalter for the United States and Canada could signal the beginning of the end for the manual transmission. Although BMW has announced a next-generation M3 with an inline-six engine, we wouldn’t hold our breath for another do-it-yourself gearbox. Internally known as the G84, the sports sedan is reportedly going automatic-only. It’s also expected to come exclusively with xDrive. That said, we’re holding hope for a selectable 2WD mode, as in the outgoing model.
Before the G80 M3 goes away, there’s still time to order one with a manual gearbox. Insiders claim production won’t end until early 2027, so order books are unlikely to close before late this year. Once it’s gone, BMW will be down to just two cars with a stick shift: the G87 M2 and G82 M4. Just a few months ago, we also said goodbye to another three-pedal car, the Z4 roadster.
First published by https://www.bmwblog.com
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