The BMW M3 CS is a faster, lighter version of the M3 Competition. BMW says CS stands for “Competition Sport.” The G80 M3 CS has 543 hp, 40 more than the M3 Competition, and a long list of carbon fiber body parts. The M4 CSL and M2 CS follow the same recipe. A CS engine tune won’t bolt onto your car, but the look can be copied with CS style and CSL style parts, which are aftermarket carbon pieces shaped after the factory ones. Here’s what each car is, and which of our parts fit a regular M3, M4 or M2.
Key takeaways
- CS means “Competition Sport.” CSL means “Competition, Sport, Lightweight,” per BMW.
- The G80 M3 CS has 543 hp, about 75 pounds less weight than the M3 Competition with M xDrive, and a carbon hood, roof, splitter, diffuser and spoiler.
- The M4 CSL was limited to 1,000 cars worldwide. Its carbon trunk lid has a built-in spoiler.
- CS style and CSL style parts copy the look. They aren’t BMW parts and don’t add power.
- Check radar before buying a grille, and check the listing’s fitment before any trunk.
What does CS mean on a BMW M3?
In BMW’s own words, “CS stands for ‘Competition Sport’; the designation given to exclusive BMW M models equally at home on road and track.” CSL adds one word: BMW says it “stands for ‘Competition, Sport, Lightweight'” and marks cars with “very high power, rigorously reduced weight, and a track-focused character.”
The M4 CSL press release points back to the 2003 M3 CSL. BMW’s M2 CS release says the first M2 CS was unveiled in 2019.
Is the M3 CS better than the M3 Competition?
It’s quicker and lighter. Here’s what BMW’s M3 CS press release says about the G80 M3 CS:
- 543 hp and 479 lb-ft, from boost raised from 24.7 psi to 30.5 psi.
- About 75 pounds lighter than the M3 Competition with M xDrive.
- 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Top speed is 188 mph with the M Driver’s Package.
- M xDrive all-wheel drive and the 8-speed M Steptronic.
- Its own axle kinematics, camber settings, dampers and anti-roll bars.
- Carbon fiber roof, hood, front splitter, front air intakes, mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.
- A frameless kidney grille with red contour lines, and yellow daytime running lights.
The 2024 M3 CS was announced in January 2023 at $118,700 plus $995 destination. BMW built it “in limited numbers” at Plant Munich from March 2023. Kelley Blue Book notes BMW “doesn’t say how many.”
Many of the differences you can see on the CS are carbon body parts, and those you can copy.
F80 M3 CS vs G80 M3 CS
The first M3 CS was the F80. Motor Authority reported 453 hp and 443 lb-ft for the 2018 car, a 7-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive, and just 550 cars for the US. BMW’s global release says about 1,200 would be built from March 2018. It also says the hood and roof were carbon, along with a front splitter, rear diffuser and a “Gurney spoiler lip on the boot lid.”
CS and CSL models side by side
| Model | US model year | Power | How many | Carbon body parts, per BMW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F80 M3 CS | 2018 | 453 hp | About 1,200 worldwide, 550 for the US | Hood, roof, splitter, diffuser, trunk spoiler lip |
| G80 M3 CS | 2024 | 543 hp | Limited, number not given | Hood, roof, splitter, air intakes, mirror caps, diffuser, spoiler |
| G82 M4 CSL | 2023 | 543 hp | 1,000 worldwide | Hood, roof, trunk lid with built-in spoiler, splitter, mirror caps, diffuser |
| G82 M4 CS | 2025 | 543 hp | Built alongside other M4s | Hood, roof, splitter, air intakes, mirror caps, diffuser, Gurney-style spoiler |
| G87 M2 CS | 2026 | 523 hp | Limited, number not given | Trunk lid with ducktail spoiler, roof, mirror caps, diffuser |
What makes the M4 CSL different?
The M4 CSL goes furthest on weight. BMW lists 543 hp, a 240-pound cut against the M4 Competition, 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a base price of $139,900. Production was “limited to 1,000 units globally” and started in July 2022. The rear seats are gone.
The body changes are what most people copy:
- A grille “with fewer slats and wide spaces between them,” red contour lines and an “M4 CSL” badge.
- A carbon hood with two unpainted channels.
- A carbon trunk lid that BMW says “weighs 15 lbs less” than the M4 Competition’s, with “a prominent integral spoiler.”
- A carbon splitter, rear diffuser and mirror caps, plus laser rear lights.
The 2025 M4 CS sits below it. BMW quotes 543 hp, 20 more than the M4 Competition with M xDrive, and a $123,500 base price. Unlike the CSL, it isn’t a numbered edition. BMW builds it alongside other M4s from July 2024.
What is the G87 M2 CS?
The 2026 M2 CS makes 523 hp, “50 more than in the standard BMW M2.” It runs 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, weighs 97 pounds less, and sits 0.2 inches lower. Base price is $98,600 plus $1,175 destination, and BMW builds it “in limited numbers” in San Luis Potosí from August 2025.
Its body gets a carbon trunk lid “with integrated ducktail spoiler,” a matte black front splitter and a black grille “with optimized air inlets.” The mirror caps, roof and CS-only rear diffuser are “all crafted from exposed carbon fiber.”
What are CS style and CSL style parts?
They’re aftermarket parts drawn after the factory CS or CSL pieces. Our CSL grille listing puts it plainly: “It follows the CSL’s design; it is not BMW’s genuine grille.” It changes how the car looks and leaves the engine, suspension and weight as they were.
BMW does sell some real CSL parts. The M4 CSL grille is part number 51138085968, and a parts retailer’s listing says it comes with the M4 CSL emblem and that cars with adaptive cruise control “require modification” first. Our G80, G82 and G87 CS and CSL style parts are listed as prepreg or dry carbon fiber.
CS and CSL style parts for the G80 M3 and G82 M4
Prices below are at the time of writing (October 2026). Prices change, so check the product page.
CSL trunk
A CSL trunk swaps your whole trunk lid for a carbon one with the spoiler molded in. For the M3 we list the G80 M3 CSL style trunk at $2,249. For the coupe there’s the G82 M4 CSL trunk at $1,995. The G82 trunk listing says shipping takes 30 days.
Grilles: check for radar first
Our CSL style grille comes in two versions at $699 each: without radar and with radar. Per the listing, cars with Driving Assistant Professional (option code 05AU) have a radar behind the grille, “a black square panel low in the factory grille.” Our radar and badge guide goes deeper.
Lips and spoilers
The CSL style front lip ($899) is our best-selling CS or CSL style part. Its listing says “Fitment is all OEM, no drilling required.” There’s also a CS style lip at $999.
For the trunk, the G80 M3 CS style spoiler is $425 and the G82 M4 CS style spoiler is $399. Each is listed for its own car.
Diffusers
BMW fits a carbon diffuser to the M3 CS, M4 CS and M4 CSL. We don’t list a CS style diffuser for the G80 or G82 right now, but our G80 M3 diffusers are carbon, and our diffuser guide compares them.
CS style parts for the G87 M2
For the M2, we list:
- CSL style trunk V1, V2 and V3, $1,995 each, with an “integrated lip spoiler.” Contact us for shipping rates.
- CS style rear spoiler, $399, for the M2 and G42 2 Series.
- CS front lip, $799.
- CS style grille, $549, and CSL style grille, $573.85.
- CS style rear diffuser, $999.
Our G87 M2 trunk and spoiler guide compares the rear options.
How CS style parts install, per our listings
| Part | Car | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|
| CSL style front lip | G80 M3, G82/G83 M4 | All OEM fitment, no drilling |
| CSL style grille (no radar) | G80 M3, G82/G83 M4 | Original mounting points, badge moves over, professional install recommended |
| G87 CS front lip | G87 M2 | OEM hardware plus 3M tape, no drilling, professional install strongly recommended |
| G87 CS style spoiler | G87 M2, G42 | No drilling |
| G87 CS style diffuser | G87 M2 | Bolt-on, factory points, hardware supplied |
| G87 CSL style trunk | G87 M2 | Replaces the factory trunk, professional install recommended |
Whichever part you fit, follow the instructions that come with it.
Frequently asked questions
What does CS mean on a BMW M3?
BMW says CS stands for “Competition Sport.” It’s the name BMW gives special M models built for both road and track. CSL, as on the M4 CSL, stands for “Competition, Sport, Lightweight.”
Is the M3 CS rare?
Fairly. BMW built the G80 M3 CS in limited numbers but didn’t publish a total. The 2018 F80 M3 CS was about 1,200 cars worldwide, with 550 for the US.
How much does an M3 CS cost?
The 2024 G80 M3 CS started at $118,700 plus $995 destination, per BMW’s US press release.
Will a CSL trunk fit a regular M4?
A CSL style trunk made for the G82 does. Our G82 M4 CSL trunk is sold as a direct replacement for the factory lid. For a G83 convertible, ask us before ordering.
Does a CSL style grille work with adaptive cruise control?
Only the version made for it. Ours comes with and without a radar opening, and cars with Driving Assistant Professional need the with-radar one.
Do CS style parts make my car a CS?
No. They copy the shape of BMW’s parts. The CS engine, suspension and weight stay with the real car.
Which CS style part should you start with?
On the G80 or G82, the grille and front lip change the face the most. On the M2, start at the trunk. Our fitment guarantee: “If a part doesn’t fit the vehicle listed on its product page, contact us before installing and we’ll cover the return shipping for a refund or replacement.” Most orders ship within 5 business days.
Browse trunks, spoilers, G80 M3 parts, G82 M4 parts and G87 M2 parts. Questions? Text us at 609-525-4865.
