| Our Cars - 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL |
by Dan Mooney |
Other
cars in the CJ fleet |
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Despite the triple digit temperatures in Austin at this time of year, I have actually been doing some commuting in the CSL! Last night I took the car for a proper blast on some of my favorite roads in the Texas Hill Country and I am pleased to report that she is running beautifully. The only minor issue I need to address is a slight wobble at the steering wheel under braking, which is probably a warped front brake rotor. If my suspicions are confirmed, I will replace the rotors in the next few days.
This morning I took the coupe to a gathering of 2 and 4 wheeled classics at my friend Alan Stulberg's amazing Revival Cycles workshop in East Austin. She was extremely well received and posed for countless photographs throughout the morning!
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| It looked like a 1972 BMW brochure photo
shoot on the driveway last night |
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| Original leather wrapped CSL Petri wheel
with correct CSL hub and cover now installed |
Trial fitting templates for as set of
custom Cocomats |
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| Cocomats weigh a stout 11lbs |
New mats fit perfectly |
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Some new pajamas for the CSL, courtesy of my friends at the Cover Company in Spain.
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Installing a missing bonnet seal and improving the bonnet fit.
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| CSL engine bay is extremely clean |
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| If only we could still buy 99 octane
unleaded at the fuel stations! |
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| Rear bonnet seal is missing |
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| Installing the new rear edge bonnet seal |
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| Our rubber seal adhesive of choice |
With the rear seal in place, Oscar can
finalize the adjustment of the bonnet fit |
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| Prior to adjustment, the bonnet was high at both rear corners |
Bonnet fit is now excellent |
Earlier today we installed a set of fresh Michelin XWX 205/70/14 tires, which gave us an opportunity to raise the car on one of the lifts and check out the under carriage. It really couldn't be much cleaner beneath the floor boards of our CSL.
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| Front wheel wells are in fantastic
condition |
Lokari inner fender liners will be
installed in the next few days |
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| Main floors are completely solid |
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| The CSL is beautifully clean and dry
underneath |
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| Drive train has a reassuringly well
maintained look to it |
Dated Alpina alloy wheel |
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| Michelin XWX rubber now installed |
Today was a good day in CSL land! |
During our first few days with the CSL we corrected an issue with the Scheel seat adjustment rails, improved the fit of the driver's seat base cover, re-glued some loose rubber door seals and secured the boot lid "CSL' badge.
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| Material was loose on driver's seat cushion |
Now looking much better |
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| Investigating the problem with the seat
rails |
Note there are no holes in the seat rail
for the mechanism to latch on to |
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| The adjustment rail with the latching holes
is on the wrong side of the seat |
Simply switching the rails from side to
side cured the problem |
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| Both upper door window seals are loose |
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| Carlos re-glued the seals |
Seals taped for glue to dry overnight |
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| Bonnet requires minor adjustment which will be done next week |
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| Boot lid CSL badge was loose, now properly
secured |
Scheel seats now slide back and forth and lock into the desired seating position |
I am delighted to report that we have added this spectacular looking Golf Yellow BMW 3.0 CSL to the CJ fleet. I will report on the driving and maintenance of this 1970's icon in these pages. First impressions of the car are fantastic! The body is the best E9 body I have seen, and the car has obviously been very well cared for.
There are a few minor issues that we will attend to in the next few days, notably the odometer isn't working, the steering wheel is not the correct one for the car, CSL boot lid badge is loose, the passenger side sun visor won't stay in the upright position and neither of the Scheel seats are properly secured, each sliding freely without the ability to lock the adjustment. I have also ordered a set of 205/70/14 Michelin XWX tires from my friends at Longstone Tyres in England.
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