2023 BMW M4 CSL

Price Range: $139,900 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

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18 mpg

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2023 BMW M4 CSL Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

Pros

Fastest production BMW ever around the Nurburgring Nordschleife
More visceral driving experience than a standard M4 Competition
Optional heated, power-adjustable front seats for a slight comfort gain

Cons

Giant price premium over a regular M4
Standard seats aren't that comfortable for daily driving

What's new

Limited-production version of the M4 Competition coupe
More power, less weight, added performance
BMW to build 1,000 examples for global consumption
Part of the second 4 Series generation introduced for 2021

Overview

BMW's M division turns 50 years old in 2023, and to celebrate, the M-badged models wear special emblems commemorating five decades of tweaked and tuned Bimmers. Oh, and there's this little gem here, the 2023 BMW M4 CSL.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW M4 CSL 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$290/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The CSL nomenclature stands for Competition, Sport, Lightweight, and all 1,000 examples of the M4 CSL serve as a rolling billboard for those traits. Drawing influence from the M4 GT3 racer, the M4 CSL is made for track driving, and the automaker says it posted a 7:20.2 lap time around the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. That's a new record for a production-spec BMW.

To achieve that feat, BMW massaged the M4's twin-turbo inline-six to make 543 horsepower, a 40-horse gain over the M4 Competition. According to BMW, acceleration to 60 mph takes 3.6 seconds and the M4 CSL's top speed is an electronically limited 191 mph.

Naturally, the limited-production M4 CSL is about more than just its powertrain. From its exclusive forged light-alloy wheels and standard M carbon-ceramic brakes to its carbon-fiber reinforced plastic hood, roof and trunklid, the CSL is about weight reduction, a lower center of gravity, and the necessary handling modifications to make it a dominant force on the track. BMW even removed the back seat and bolted in standard M Carbon front buckets with fixed backrests that manually adjust fore and aft, and that's it. The result is a 240-pound weight loss, slimming the M4 CSL to a 3,640-pound curb weight.

What else can you get if you missed your chance to grab one of the 1,000 M4 CSLs built for all of BMW's global markets? Well, you might as well grab a 2023 M4 Competition. At least it will have the fancy "BMW 50 Years" emblems, if not the rest of the CSL's deliciousness.

Which M4 CSL does Edmunds recommend?

As a wise preschool teacher once said: "You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit." With that in mind, BMW sells the M4 CSL in a single level of specification and in three paint colors. We're partial to the optional Frozen Brooklyn Gray hue, and you can also get available heated, power-adjustable M Carbon bucket seats if you plan to drive the car somewhere other than a racetrack.

BMW M4 CSL models

The 2023 BMW M4 CSL is a lightweight and more powerful version of the M4 Competition coupe. It has a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine (543 horsepower, 479 lb-ft of torque) and uses an eight-speed performance automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels. Keep reading for a full breakdown of the CSL's performance upgrades and features.

Highlights of the M4 CSL's standard performance features include:

Forged light-alloy cross-spoke wheels in a matte black finish (19 inches front, 20 inches rear)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
M Sport differential (fully variable locking rear differential improves traction, stability and cornering capability)
M carbon-ceramic brakes (provides better resistance to brake fade during high-performance driving)
Two driver-selected brake pedal feel settings
Adaptive M suspension with a lower ride height (helps improve ride comfort and handling stability)
Cast aluminum front strut suspension brace
Variable-ratio M steering
Active exhaust system with a titanium silencer and quad exhaust outlets
M sound control button to alter the exhaust note
Revised traction and stability control systems

The M4 CSL also includes:

BMW laserlight headlights (laser-based headlights that produce an exceptionally bright and white beam for improved road illumination and driver visibility)
Hands-free keyless entry
Ambient interior lighting
Carbon-fiber trim
Automatic climate control
M Carbon bucket seats with manual fore and aft adjustment
Black premium leather upholstery with red Alcantara synthetic suede inserts
Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red center marker
Carbon-fiber reinforced plastic shift paddles and center console

Standard technology on the M4 CSL includes:

Digital instrument panel
Head-up display
14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Navigation system
Wireless smartphone charging
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Active Driving Assistant

Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)

BMW offers a handful of options for the M4 CSL:

Black wheels
Run-flat performance tires
Frozen Brooklyn Gray paint
CSL graphic removal
Heated, power-adjustable M Carbon bucket seats

Save as much as $2,953 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}

2023 BMW M4 CSL pricing

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Suggested price: $137,942
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BMW M4 CSL Reviews

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Not a daily driver - track optimized

Mike L, 02/18/2024

2023 BMW M4 CSL 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Uncushioned carbon fiber track seats, removed back seats and minimized noise/damping treatment reduce weight for stellar track performance. This also makes for uncomfortable noisy street driving. Happily keeping it at the track garage.

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2023 BMW M4 CSL Features Specs

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$139,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$290/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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BMW M4 CSL vs. Audi RS 5

For the price of one M4 CSL, you could buy an Audi RS 5 for fun and an Audi S4 sedan for daily duties and kid-hauling. Of course, that would miss the point of owning a record-setting, ultra-exclusive two-seat BMW. And it's not like the 444-horsepower RS 5 is a slouch in the acceleration department. Audi claims it zooms to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Plus, depending on your sense of aesthetics, you could argue that the Audi RS 5 possesses a beauty the BMW M4 CSL cannot match. And then there is the RS 5 Sportback to consider for its added utility. So then, what price exclusivity?

Compare BMW M4 CSL & Audi RS 5 features

BMW M4 CSL vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

BMW tuned the M4 CSL to be a track-dedicated machine, but Chevrolet has its own "hold my beer" moment with the Corvette Z06. Featuring a specialized mid-engine 5.5-liter V8 cranking out 670 hp, wider bodywork, specialized wheels and tires, and a giant rear wing, the Z06 is among the most track-ready cars you can buy. It's also less expensive than the CSL and has a wider array of customization options.

Compare BMW M4 CSL & Mercedes-Benz C-Class features

BMW M4 CSL vs. Porsche 911

Since BMW tossed the M4 CSL's back seats, a legitimate alternative is the Porsche 911 Carrera S. It's not as powerful as the BMW, but it doesn't need to be. The Porsche is also less expensive than the BMW, though checking lots of option boxes rapidly inflates the sports car's price. Another issue is that 911s are pretty commonplace, at least by high-end sports car standards. Thanks to its limited-production status, the M4 CSL's owner is unlikely to ever have that problem.

Compare BMW M4 CSL & Porsche 911 features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite M4 CSL safety features:

BMW Assist eCall: Provides SOS emergency calling and an automatic collision notification system.
Active Protection System: Detects an imminent collision and prepares the safety systems for impact.
Active Driving Assistant: Warns the driver of a possible collision, a lane departure, or an unsafe lane change and takes corrective action.

2023 BMW M4 CSL First Impressions

byCarrie Kim

•5/03/2023

What is the M4 CSL?

When BMW wants to boost the performance prowess of a particular model to the next level, the Motorsport (M) division gets the call. To commemorate Motorsport's 50th birthday, BMW M has introduced the hardcore limited-edition 2023 M4 CSL.

Limited to just 1,000 vehicles worldwide, the M4 CSL is about performance. Extreme modifications have been made to this vehicle to benefit speed and handling. BMW claims that there has never been a production model closer to its related M race car than the M4 CSL. With extensive carbon-fiber bodywork, bold racetrack-inspired design, and removal of the rear seats, it's easy to forget this car starts as a 4 Series. All of these performance mods will cost you, though, as the M4 CSL starts at $140,895.

What's under the M4 CSL's hood?

Do not mistake the CSL for the M4 Competition model. The all-new M4 CSL is a leaner, meaner, souped-up race car version that's track-ready but street-legal.

The CSL's many enhancements start underhood. Like the M4 and M4 Competition, the M4 CSL is driven by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. It produces 543 horsepower — an increase of 40 hp compared to the Competition — though torque remains the same at 479 lb-ft. That power is routed through the rear wheels via an M-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW quotes the M4 CSL's 0-60 mph time at 3.6 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 191 mph.

Taking a faster lap around Nurburgring's legendary Nordschleife than any other production BMW, the 2023 M4 CSL rightfully earns its place above all the other M siblings in the lineup.

How's the M4 CSL's interior?

BMW says the M4 CSL weighs 240 pounds less than the M4 Competition. This extreme weight loss results from various chassis alterations, light alloy wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, special M Carbon bucket seats, and the removal of the rear seats. A carbon-fiber roof panel, hood and interior trim also play a large role in the vehicle's lightness. The CSL's carbon-fiber trunklid shaves 15 pounds off the total weight alone, and even the kidney grille has been simplified for weight reduction.

Edmunds says

Despite its BMW badge, this extreme M4 is not a luxury commuter.

FAQ

Is the BMW M4 CSL a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 M4 CSL both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 M4 CSL gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the M4 CSL has 12.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW M4 CSL. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 BMW M4 CSL?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 BMW M4 CSL:

Limited-production version of the M4 Competition coupe
More power, less weight, added performance
BMW to build 1,000 examples for global consumption
Part of the second 4 Series generation introduced for 2021

Learn more

Is the BMW M4 CSL reliable?

To determine whether the BMW M4 CSL is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the M4 CSL. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the M4 CSL's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 BMW M4 CSL a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 BMW M4 CSL is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 M4 CSL gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 1 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 M4 CSL is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 BMW M4 CSL?

The least-expensive 2023 BMW M4 CSL is the 2023 BMW M4 CSL 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $139,900.

Other versions include:

2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $139,900

Learn more

What are the different models of BMW M4 CSL?

If you're interested in the BMW M4 CSL, the next question is, which M4 CSL model is right for you? M4 CSL variants include 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of M4 CSL models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 BMW M4 CSL

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2023 BMW M4 CSL Review

Pros