I get it – 70% of you went the “safe” route and chose the Ferrari over the F-4. We should continue that theme of speed this week, with BMW M4 CSL values. It’s hardcore, it’s lightweight, it’s BMW’s GT3 RS.
And it’s…cheap?!
The 2023 BMW M4 CSL vs the 2025 BMW M4 CS
Here’s a typical M4 CS listing
Truth be told, BMW’s CS cars are too sweet. It’s donuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even the name – Coupe Sport (the L means Light) – doesn’t really make sense when applied to a four-door sedan. And the price when new? How about $150,000 for what amounts to a decontented BMW 4 Series? Add in the fact that modern BMWs are born with their souls buried deep beneath their chassis, and you have a hard time making a case for such a car.
But you know what? They’re really good. Oh you’ll have to trust me for now, the reviews are still cooking. But believe me – the ones I’ve experienced feel like BMWs of old. Sitting atop the M Performance Pyramid is the now-discontinued M4 CSL. 543 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive only. Carbon ceramic brakes, a carbon fiber hood and body kit. No back seat. Course, it’s not really that much lighter, but the overall theme is maximum speed with maximum feel, and the CSL delivers.
Back to price. BMW M4 CSL values might surprise you, as the car is barely two years old. Most have little to no miles on them. Though BMW currently makes an M4 CS, that’s slightly different. It keeps its back seat, and all-wheel drive means there’s a safety net for your buffoonery.
The CSL remains a unique M car, and they no longer have six-figure price tags. Let me show you.
The 2023 BMW M4 CSL
By the looks of these images, this car has been sitting for a long time (I can assure you, there’s no green on the trees in New Jersey in March). That’s points in our favor:
- 3,909 miles
- Frozen Brooklyn Gray Metallic over black leather
- M carbon bucket
- All the M goodies ever, like yellow DRLs, carbon fiber hood, CSL body kit, red stripes on the roof, and a carbon fiber trunk lid
- No back seat. A plastic tub is in its place, great for baptisms on the weekends I guess
- Not as austere as you think – Apple CarPlay, heated seats, but no Harmon Kardon stereo
- Pilot Sport Cup tires – this one has them, but they were an option on the CSL, so not all do
- Original MSRP: $145,395
- Now: $99,890
- No attached CarFax – do a PPI
This is a fully-loaded example, and I can’t believe it lost nearly $50,000 in less than two years. Pretty much any regular M car would hold its value better.
Would we want anything else?
The 2025 BMW M4 CS
These are to new to be on the used market yet, but I’d expect the same kind of monetary loss in a few years. The new CS isn’t much different from the CSL:
- New paint options
- M xDrive only
- No carbon fiber trunk lid
- Gold wheel option, not just black
- Missing some decals
- Does include a Harmon Kardon stereo
- Gets the LCI M4 treatment inside and out
- Base MSRP: $123,500
If I’m honest, this car presents a better value than the CSL. Same power. M xDrive. Looks better. More flexible. Just as fast. But they both would have a hard time keeping a regular $89,400 M4 Competition with xDrive at bay. And in a few years, the CS will be into the five figures.
But this isn’t about money, it’s about falling in love. At least BMW hopes so. Did you just get goo-goo-eyed?
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