I've fallen in love all over again - VF540, e92 M3 DCT

Giggs · 10-28-2012, 07:17 PM

"Wow" Those are the first words that pop into my head when I think of the cars performance with the VF 540 kit. Thank you to VF Engineering for the new-found love for my car. Since I picked up the car last Wednesday I've had the opportunity to do some heavy driving, back and forth from Anaheim to Redondo Beach twice, and a trip to Vegas and back over the weekend. I've been able to drive it normal and also push its limits at high speeds. At first I admit I was intimidated; the thought of the new beast under its hood and not knowing what to expect or if I could handle the power. However now that I've been able to drive it almost 800 miles since last week I can't believe I didn't supercharge it sooner. The car has truly come to life! I am far from a professional driver however here is my experience thus far:

Power delivery - This one is a no brainer. The car has 50% more horsepower to the wheels and as much torque now as my car put out in whp prior to installing the kit. See for yourself in the dyno plot below. My car is DCT and I have done most of my recent driving with the Power button on in S5 and M Dynamic mode. When cruising around town from stoplight to stoplight, or in cruise control on the freeway it drives normal. However the second I step on it is a whole new experience. Pull, pull, pull. Even in low RPM ranges the car pulls much harder than before. Then in the higher RPM ranges I get kicked back in my seat. I've also been able to drive with a 2nd and 3rd passenger and 40 lbs of luggage in the trunk and the car still pulls, whereas stock it would have a real tough time going anywhere in a hurry. It's a nice feeling to be on the freeway, drop into third or fourth gear and get kicked back into my seat immediately even starting at high speeds. And the sound is epic, well let's talk about that later...

Traction - What can I say? I am nowhere near mastering 1st gear from a dead stop. And that's with traction control on! If anyone has this figured out please let me know! I haven't even dared step out and go DSC off yet, although I hope to get there soon. Even when switching from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th, the tires want to leave the pavement. At high RPMs in any gear I find that it wants to lose grip as well. I can't imagine what the bigger kits must be like and I have a feeling I will be buying a lot of rear tires in the next few years. Even though the car has all this power and the traction is not as effective as before, the car still makes me feel like a professional driver even when the tires slip out a little around a turn.

Sound - It sounds like I am now driving with a jet engine under the hood. The spool from the supercharger is priceless. That, mixed with the deep throaty akrapovic evolution exhaust system is by far the best sounding M3 I've heard thus far - and I go to a lot of meets. It's a deep throaty muscle car sound with a touch of supersonic jet. And is it loud enough? Yes. I see a lot of arguments about how the akrapovic system is not loud enough. If you are questioning this hit me up and lets go for a ride - it sounds perfect. I've been told by other buddies with M3s that have cruised with me recently that the car sounds like a beast. Even when sitting still at a light I've already had compliments from nearby everyday drivers and lots of pointing and thumbs ups!

Summary - Would I say the car is now more fun? You bet your ass it is! I think this is what the car should have been and what I would have expected coming out of the factory. I feel like it went from underpowered to just right. Paired with the proper amount of power and the epic exhaust/engine tone, I don't think this car will be leaving my family anytime soon.

Big thanks to EAS for the dyno time! Here are is a snapshot of the car's stock dyno (in blue - 324 whp) and my car now which includes the VF 540 kit and full akra evo exhaust (in red - 477 whp) - this was a mid level dyno run, a couple runs put out less power and one run put out more. This dyno plot is corrected SAE. It was 90 degrees in the shop and the car was running on 91 octane. Big thanks to EAS for the dyno time! I've also included a couple pics of the car courtesy of VF:

ussoldierforhire · 10-28-2012, 07:41 PM

congrats, can't wait to pull the SC trigger myself

PhillyNate · 10-28-2012, 07:43 PM

Congrats. This will be one of my biggest decisions once I'm outta warranty.

duk · 10-28-2012, 08:27 PM

very nice man, im jealous

=[monkey]= · 10-28-2012, 08:34 PM

Awesome review!! You making me more anxious now!!!!

IFX · 10-28-2012, 08:37 PM

that first pic looks really nice man. congrats.

spdy330 · 10-28-2012, 08:45 PM

Congrats!

joshugrady · 10-28-2012, 09:49 PM

You making me more anxious now

XR_SIX · 10-28-2012, 10:27 PM

Nice review. Congrats Giggs!

Aquariu///M · 10-29-2012, 01:01 AM

congrats... you're like me.. i was about to sell it but then the supercharger gave the M3 a new life.

GOLFFRR · 10-29-2012, 07:37 AM

congrats Vinny! enjoy the new power!

Petlizard · 10-29-2012, 07:54 AM

Nice !!!
Is it true that supercharging a DCT car will cause it to loose the down shift throttle blips?

THE TECH · 10-29-2012, 07:59 AM

Congrats. Looks good.

Giggs · 10-29-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petlizard

Nice !!!
Is it true that supercharging a DCT car will cause it to loose the down shift throttle blips?

Mine hasn't lost it

glockperfect · 10-29-2012, 09:30 AM

Damn, that is awesome. I can't wait to hear it. Congrats.

lorinzo · 10-29-2012, 09:39 AM

Awesome!

Powerbeast · 10-29-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy330

Congrats!

Congratulations I'm really happy for you man.

Giggs · 10-29-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ussoldierforhire

congrats, can't wait to pull the SC trigger myself

Don't think about it just do it, you won't regret it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

Congrats. This will be one of my biggest decisions once I'm outta warranty.

You can always buy a VF kit through McKenna BMW and from what I understand it will not void your warranty. You may want to look into that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by duk

very nice man, im jealous

Don't be jealous just get one

Quote:

Originally Posted by =[monkey]=

Awesome review!! You making me more anxious now!!!!

Dude it's seriously incredible! When do you get yours?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFX

that first pic looks really nice man. congrats.

Thanks bud they did a nice job with that photo. Its my background now lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy330

Congrats!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshugrady

You making me more anxious now

Did you order one yet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR_SIX

Nice review. Congrats Giggs!

Thanks! Figured I'd give this thing the down and dirty average joe driver review since I'm not very technical

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeM3

congrats... you're like me.. i was about to sell it but then the supercharger gave the M3 a new life.

I actually listed mine for sale at one point too. Then I was convinced to go this way and I'll never look back! Which kit do you have?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

congrats Vinny! enjoy the new power!

Thanks Jimmy. It sure as heck is a different car. I'm going to e-mail you about a trip next Jan/Feb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Congrats. Looks good.

Thanks bud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockperfect

Damn, that is awesome. I can't wait to hear it. Congrats.

Thanks! It sounds soo sick I love it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorinzo

Awesome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerbeast

Congratulations I'm really happy for you man.

Thanks Felix. Are you coming out on Saturday?

Peahi · 10-29-2012, 10:48 AM

Congrats man!!!! You need to put a superman sticker on your hood now!!!

I think you'll be practicing your drifting skills a ton in the near future.

kchu221 · 10-29-2012, 10:58 AM

damn vinny! looks great! haha hopefully i get to see it soon...

tom @ eas · 10-29-2012, 01:54 PM

Congrats, I know you've been waiting a long time for this moment.

Enjoy the newfound power!

McKenna Performance · 10-29-2012, 02:05 PM

Congratz Giggs! The white manifold looks stunning. Enjoy the power sir!

10-28-2012, 07:17 PM	#1
Giggs Major Drives: Audi R8 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 1,049 iTrader: (5)	I've fallen in love all over again - VF540, e92 M3 DCT "Wow" Those are the first words that pop into my head when I think of the cars performance with the VF 540 kit. Thank you to VF Engineering for the new-found love for my car. Since I picked up the car last Wednesday I've had the opportunity to do some heavy driving, back and forth from Anaheim to Redondo Beach twice, and a trip to Vegas and back over the weekend. I've been able to drive it normal and also push its limits at high speeds. At first I admit I was intimidated; the thought of the new beast under its hood and not knowing what to expect or if I could handle the power. However now that I've been able to drive it almost 800 miles since last week I can't believe I didn't supercharge it sooner. The car has truly come to life! I am far from a professional driver however here is my experience thus far: Power delivery - This one is a no brainer. The car has 50% more horsepower to the wheels and as much torque now as my car put out in whp prior to installing the kit. See for yourself in the dyno plot below. My car is DCT and I have done most of my recent driving with the Power button on in S5 and M Dynamic mode. When cruising around town from stoplight to stoplight, or in cruise control on the freeway it drives normal. However the second I step on it is a whole new experience. Pull, pull, pull. Even in low RPM ranges the car pulls much harder than before. Then in the higher RPM ranges I get kicked back in my seat. I've also been able to drive with a 2nd and 3rd passenger and 40 lbs of luggage in the trunk and the car still pulls, whereas stock it would have a real tough time going anywhere in a hurry. It's a nice feeling to be on the freeway, drop into third or fourth gear and get kicked back into my seat immediately even starting at high speeds. And the sound is epic, well let's talk about that later... Traction - What can I say? I am nowhere near mastering 1st gear from a dead stop. And that's with traction control on! If anyone has this figured out please let me know! I haven't even dared step out and go DSC off yet, although I hope to get there soon. Even when switching from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th, the tires want to leave the pavement. At high RPMs in any gear I find that it wants to lose grip as well. I can't imagine what the bigger kits must be like and I have a feeling I will be buying a lot of rear tires in the next few years. Even though the car has all this power and the traction is not as effective as before, the car still makes me feel like a professional driver even when the tires slip out a little around a turn. Sound - It sounds like I am now driving with a jet engine under the hood. The spool from the supercharger is priceless. That, mixed with the deep throaty akrapovic evolution exhaust system is by far the best sounding M3 I've heard thus far - and I go to a lot of meets. It's a deep throaty muscle car sound with a touch of supersonic jet. And is it loud enough? Yes. I see a lot of arguments about how the akrapovic system is not loud enough. If you are questioning this hit me up and lets go for a ride - it sounds perfect. I've been told by other buddies with M3s that have cruised with me recently that the car sounds like a beast. Even when sitting still at a light I've already had compliments from nearby everyday drivers and lots of pointing and thumbs ups! Summary - Would I say the car is now more fun? You bet your ass it is! I think this is what the car should have been and what I would have expected coming out of the factory. I feel like it went from underpowered to just right. Paired with the proper amount of power and the epic exhaust/engine tone, I don't think this car will be leaving my family anytime soon. Big thanks to EAS for the dyno time! Here are is a snapshot of the car's stock dyno (in blue - 324 whp) and my car now which includes the VF 540 kit and full akra evo exhaust (in red - 477 whp) - this was a mid level dyno run, a couple runs put out less power and one run put out more. This dyno plot is corrected SAE. It was 90 degrees in the shop and the car was running on 91 octane. Big thanks to EAS for the dyno time! I've also included a couple pics of the car courtesy of VF: Last edited by Giggs; 10-29-2012 at 09:49 AM.
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10-28-2012, 07:43 PM	#3
PhillyNate BMWCCA #405750 Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,424 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Congrats. This will be one of my biggest decisions once I'm outta warranty. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe (retired 06/21/11)

10-28-2012, 08:27 PM	#4
duk ///M Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,700 iTrader: (0)	very nice man, im jealous __________________ 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 \| Powered by Premier \| Alekshop \| ESS \| Rok n Peace Clothing: www.roknpeace.com

10-28-2012, 08:45 PM	#7
spdy330 Major General Drives: 05 Tundra, 11 M3, 08 Odyssey Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,501 iTrader: (137) Garage List 2011.75 BMW M3 [4.40] 2006 BMW 330i - SOLD [5.00]	Congrats! __________________ - 2006 E90 330i TiAG retired. - 2011.75 E90 M3 - BMW Performance Exhaust, BMW Performance Grills, Lux H8 V3, IND Reflectors, Ceramic Tint 58%, Brembo 380mm BBK, V1 with custom multi-color display by www.Radar-Mirror.com - custom radar mount by www.performancepackage.com.

10-28-2012, 09:49 PM	#8
joshugrady New Member Drives: bmw Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: pou Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	You making me more anxious now __________________

10-28-2012, 07:41 PM	#2
ussoldierforhire Lieutenant Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 554 iTrader: (1)	congrats, can't wait to pull the SC trigger myself

10-28-2012, 08:34 PM	#5
=[monkey]= First Lieutenant Drives: sc m3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 321 iTrader: (4)	Awesome review!! You making me more anxious now!!!!

10-28-2012, 08:37 PM	#6
IFX Banned Drives: AW e46M/N54 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fla. Posts: 2,545 iTrader: (1)	that first pic looks really nice man. congrats.

10-28-2012, 10:27 PM	#9
XR_SIX Bading-dong! Drives: '11.5 E93 M3 AW, '09 R6 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle rock, Ca Posts: 266 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011.5 E93 M3 [0.00]	Nice review. Congrats Giggs!

10-29-2012, 01:01 AM	#10
Aquariu///M Captain Drives: 2009 M3 E92 & 13 X5///M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Diamond Bar Posts: 743 iTrader: (6)	congrats... you're like me.. i was about to sell it but then the supercharger gave the M3 a new life.

10-29-2012, 07:37 AM	#11
GOLFFRR BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Golf Cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solvang, CA/Camarillo, CA Posts: 10,985 iTrader: (4)	congrats Vinny! enjoy the new power! __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, PM ME FIRST I CAN HOOK YOU UP! We are Performance Center\|Euro Delivery\|BMW Individual Specialist Need a quote?..Ryan /Checa Email link \| T.805.482.8878 ask for Francesca www.stevethomasbmw.com \| OUR PARTS STORE \| Facebook-STBMW \| Twitter-STBMW

10-29-2012, 07:54 AM	#12
Petlizard Second Lieutenant Drives: 09 SG M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: VA Posts: 238 iTrader: (1)	Nice !!! Is it true that supercharging a DCT car will cause it to loose the down shift throttle blips?

10-29-2012, 07:59 AM	#13
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 11,931 iTrader: (39)	Congrats. Looks good. __________________ Check us out on Facebook at BPMsportLabs

10-29-2012, 09:30 AM	#15
glockperfect Private First Class Drives: '08 e93 m3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 131 iTrader: (0)	Damn, that is awesome. I can't wait to hear it. Congrats. __________________ 2008 Melbourne Red vert, 6 MT

10-29-2012, 09:39 AM	#16
lorinzo Captain Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 629 iTrader: (0)	Awesome! __________________ \| 2011.75 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan free flow exhaust \| Dinan performance engine software \| Dinan underdrive pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian Ultimate LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio upgrade \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \|

10-29-2012, 10:48 AM	#19
Peahi Captain Drives: 2012 M3 CPE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 601 iTrader: (0)	Congrats man!!!! You need to put a superman sticker on your hood now!!! I think you'll be practicing your drifting skills a ton in the near future. __________________

10-29-2012, 10:58 AM	#20
kchu221 JDM whore Drives: 2012 E92 6MT Space Grey Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: los angeles Posts: 2,275 iTrader: (5)	damn vinny! looks great! haha hopefully i get to see it soon... __________________ \|AUTOTALENT\|JRZ RS DAMPER\|GC CAMBER PLATE\|SWIFT SPRINGS\|OG WHITE TE37\|MICHELLIN PSS\|TURNER STUDS\|PROJECT KICS R40\|RE SSK\|VARIS CF KNOB\|VARIS VRS FRONT LIP WITH EXTENSION\|ARQRAY RACE EXHAUST\|BAVX LS3\|VOLTEX TYPE 1 GT WING\|MASTERMIND STREET X-PIPE\|

10-29-2012, 01:54 PM	#21
tom @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 8,857 iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 ESS VT2-525 Z4MC [0.00] 2011 ESS VT2-625 M3 [0.00]	Congrats, I know you've been waiting a long time for this moment. Enjoy the newfound power! __________________ Tom G. \| european auto source (eas) email: tom@europeanautosource.com web: www.europeanautosource.com tel 866.669.0705 \| ca: 714.369.8524 x22 \| fax: 714.908.1796 Blog \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Flickr \| Twitter

10-29-2012, 02:05 PM	#22
McKenna Performance BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Norwalk, Ca Posts: 376 iTrader: (7)	Congratz Giggs! The white manifold looks stunning. Enjoy the power sir!

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