When it comes to BMW, the three-letter acronym 'CSL' holds a huge amount of importance. It was, after all, stuck on the end of one of the most legendary cars ever created by BMW's M division: the iconic 3.0 CSL — or "Batmobile", as it's often named.

The Batmobile is an icon on both the track and road, adored by fans for its out-there looks, blistering performance, and racing pedigree — six victories at the European Touring Car championship between 1963 and '79, to be precise. For a car to bear the iconic CSL badge, then it has an awful lot to live up to.

Luckily, though, the only other car to be privileged enough to do, the E46 M3 CSL, was brilliant. So brilliant, in fact, that it's often regarded as one of the best M cars ever made, and it's not like it has easy competition, either. Now you might be thinking with such a legendary car comes a high price, and you'd be right. The E46 M3 CSL is — and indeed always will be — a true collector's item, so expect to shell out quite a bit if you want to get your hands on one.

With that being said, let's take a look at how much a BMW E46 M3 CSL costs today. 

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why Every Gearhead Should Own A BMW M3

What Makes the E46 M3 CSL So Special

Via: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The ordinary E46 M3 was certainly no slouch to begin with. It came with BMW's legendary S54 engine, which is a 3.2 liter, inline-six with 338 bhp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It had Double VANOS variable valve timing and a 7,900 rpm redline, with BMW Blog reporting that this meant it would scream through the rev range delivering smooth and linear power. Sixty could be hit in around 5 seconds, and it would max out at an electronically-limited 155 mph. It also had a much-improved suspension over the 330ci, with uprated springs, dampers anti-roll bars fitted. As such, its chassis was responsive and direct, with Evo reporting that it enabled a fantastic sense of connection between you and the car.

So, then, you might be wondering just how you'd go about improving something that was already brilliant, to begin with. And to understand that, it's necessary to look at the meaning behind that CSL badge. CSL stands for 'Coupé Sport Leichtbau' meaning coupe, sports and lightweight — and it was the latter that BMW really focused on, saving 110 kg over the standard M3. The roof, for example, was swapped out for a carbon-fiber one, while the front diffuser, rear skirt, and interior panels were made using lighter, composite materials. The rear windows were crafted from thinner glass, also, and sound-deadening was removed to save additional weight. Air condition and radio were also optional, but really, not having the latter wasn't so bad when you could listen to that exhaust note instead.

But it wasn't just lighter, it was more powerful, too. Its valves and camshafts were tweaked, taking power up by an additional 17 bhp. There was also a carbon airbox added to the engine, which not only further saved weight but gave the car that famous intake noise. According to some, though, the CSL’s only downfall was its SMG transmission, with some even going as far as converting theirs to manual.

Looks-wise, the changes were subtle but still noticeable to the enthusiast. The E46 has always been a looker anyway, so not a lot was needed in this department. The boot gained a curved, integrated spoiler, and the alloys were switched out for lighter, fewer-spoked 19” ones — which came with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, for added grip.

RELATED: 10 Best BMW M3 Special Editions Of All Time

How Much An E46 M3 CSL Costs Today

Via: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

When the CSL first launched in 2003, it cost around $81,000 — or $115,152.95, if you account for inflation. Only 1,383 CSLs were actually made, none of which were available in the US, sadly — though this hasn’t stopped people from creating their own tributes.

With such a limited number, then — and of course, the fact it was spectacular — the CSL is a collector’s item, so prices reflect that. Generally speaking, examples are going to be low mileage, and well looked after, as owners are likely to be enthusiasts who use the car for weekend or occasional track use. Finding one for sale is pretty difficult, as you’d expect — and even more so in the US — but prices are roughly floating around the $105,000 mark and very likely to increase as time progresses. Yes, that’s a lot, especially when you compare it to how little you can pick up a regular E46 M3 for — around £12,500. But the CSL is a completely different animal. It's car that is regarded as one of the most-hardcore BMWs ever made, and a car that’s more than deserving of its high price tag.

NEXT: Here's Why The BMW E92 M3 Is The Last True M Car