BMW E46 M3 CSL 51167895578 CSL center console rarity!!!

For the BMW E46 M3 CSL, the part number 51167895578 represents one of the single most “holy grail” interior components in the BMW catalog. In 2026, the rarity of this part—especially in New Original Packaging—cannot be overstated.

1. The Rarity Factor: “True” OEM vs. Replicas

While the market is flooded with high-quality carbon replicas (like Karbonius or Vorsteiner), a genuine factory-original (OE) CSL console is in a different league of rarity.

• NLA Status: This part has been officially No Longer Available (NLA) from BMW for years. The final few units in warehouse stock were exhausted around 2019–2020.

• Production Volume: Only 1,383 M3 CSLs were ever produced. BMW traditionally only manufactures enough spare interior trim to cover roughly 10-15% of the production run, meaning there were likely fewer than 200 “spare” consoles ever made.

• LHD vs. RHD: Part 51167895578 is the Left-Hand Drive (LHD) version. While RHD units are practically non-existent, a brand-new LHD unit in the original box is now a true museum-grade collector’s item.

   

2. Technical Specifications & Details

3. Why It Is a “Must-Have” for CSL Owners

For a “New in Original Packaging” unit, the value is driven by the CSL-specific hardware requirements. Unlike standard E46 consoles, the CSL version requires a specific set of peripheral parts to be functional:

1. Mirror Switch Relocation: The CSL console moves the mirror adjustment from the driver’s door to the console.

    

2. Hazard Switch Frame: A unique plastic bracket (51167896362) that snaps into the carbon.

3. The Alcantara Pad: A specialized foamed pad at the rear (51167896956) where the armrest would normally sit.

4. Estimated Market Value (2026)

In today’s market, “New Old Stock” (NOS) CSL parts have appreciated faster than the cars themselves.

• Used Condition: $2,500 – $3,500 USD.

• New in Original Packaging: $5,000 – $7,500+ USD. > At this price point, the part is often sold at specialty auctions (like Bring a Trailer or specialized BMW forums) rather than through standard retailers.

How to Verify Authenticity

If you are holding a box labeled 51167895578, look for these “tell-tale” signs of a genuine factory unit:

• The Weave: It must be 1×1 plain weave (squares). Many high-end replicas use 2×2 twill (diagonals) which is incorrect for a CSL.

• The Weight: It should feel impossibly light—under 500 grams.

• Internal Markings: The reverse side should be a raw, slightly textured “dry” carbon finish with a small white ink-stamp or sticker showing a production date (e.g., “03/03” or “10/02”).