Supercharge the M3 or get an M6?

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

Sure but seeing hundreds of supercharged M3s without earing about a single engine failure related to boost(again with the ESS kits) really contributed at making me realize that the M3 is a very realiable car even when supercharged! And trust me, I'm the most concerned person about reliability of my cars, after I blew up my 4th engine(2nd out of warranty) on my 09 STI I really thought that I would never modified any car again but now I'm supercharged and I feel that my set-up is really safe!

And yes the probability of having problems on a stock M3 VS supercharged M3 are not the same, same with the probability of winning the lottery when you buy one ticket VS 5 tickets, still slim chances that it will happen!

How long has the ESS supercharger kit been on the market now?

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

If I wanted a very comfortable and usable GT car for daily use only (no tracking), I'd get the M6 with all the options. Its competitor in my mind is a SL 63 AMG type vehicle. No fuss, just clean OEM FI power. Done.

A supercharged M3 has an entirely different purpose IMHO. I would want to drive it hard, throw it around, continually mod it, and track it occasionally. Not that the M6 couldn't do that, but given its size, and reviews from top editors, it just didn't seem like a car that would be as fun as a 750hp supercharged lightweight M3. Lastly, I think if I had to factor in the car for family use in some way (i.e. kids, etc.), the M6 would be more practical and comfortable.

My M3 has a ESS VT1 and I can honestly say that the car serves the exact same purposes has when it was stock, there is absolutly no compromises in the every day drivability compared to a stock M3. Also, I really think that the M3 IS a confortable GT.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by Crisp

How long has the ESS supercharger kit been on the market now?

I don't know exactly, but there sure is enough proof of long time reliability from these kits, specially the fact that there has been zero engine failure to date even with plenty of people tracking their 600+hp kits. That's why I feel pretty confortable daily driving my 550hp M3.

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

I don't know exactly, but there sure is enough proof of long time reliability from these kits, specially the fact that there has been zero engine failure to date even with plenty of people tracking their 600+hp kits. That's why I feel pretty confortable daily driving my 550hp M3.

Wait till the miles start racking up then will see how reliable they are...

I saw a guy at mfest a couple year back, his engine blew on a 2008 supercharged m3.

[Khrishna]

Its common knowledge that boosted engines dont last as long as their NA counterparts.

Its not if..its when

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by KKM3

Wait till the miles start racking up then will see how reliable they are...

I saw a guy at mfest a couple year back, his engine blew on a 2008 supercharged m3.

"A" supercharged M3 is not the same as "An ESS" supercharged M3. There is a difference.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

My M3 has a ESS VT1 and I can honestly say that the car serves the exact same purposes has when it was stock, there is absolutly no compromises in the every day drivability compared to a stock M3. Also, I really think that the M3 IS a confortable GT.

Good for you and heard how reliable the SC cars can be. Let's just say you can't compare to the peace of mind of an OEM BMW warranty of the M6.

I didn't indicate the M3 did not have everyday drivability or wasn't comfortable, but that the M6 does a better job on the purposes I describe. It's simply a more luxurious, roomier, etc. GT car for the family than the M3. "different purpose" was pointing to the tracking, modding, driving style, etc.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I'm not worried, but it is definitely something to consider. This is a personal choice, and if it keeps the person up at night worrying it is not worth it. The kits are very safe, but shit happens, that is part of the heavy modding scene, and it is not for everyone.

The "just buy a faster car and keep it stock" just doesn't apply or work for me - I would just mod that faster car as well. For me modding is a hobby, and it isn't necessarily just to have a faster car - it is the process.

In the end it comes down to your comfort level, and the realization that your warranty is out the window. You have to deal with CEL's, tinker with engine software, custom coding, etc; and that brings me joy. Knowing that my car is very unique, and will crush a GT-R or a Ferrari 458 with two cases of beer in the trunk is just a added bonus.

Very true, some people just simply enjoy the process of modding. I definitely agree there.

But...would you trade your car outright for a 458? I'd need two cars though so I'd have to buy a jeep or something. Damn 458s aren't very good DDs.

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I had those conversations a lot at car meets... people would ask me why I didn't just buy a Porsche GT3 RS for the money I spent on my M3, and my answer is always... "but it would be stock".

Haha, I feel like I'd definitely be someone who would ask that. In all honesty though, from driving my fathers 997 turbo, the M3 does have some positives the Porsche doesnt.

I'd love to drive the 997.2 GT3/GT3RS. I'm just not impressed by the Turbo

[CSanto]

I vote for finishing your write up and posting it!

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by HREM3

Damn 458s aren't very good DDs.

I dunno. I know a guy that DDs his 458 and has been for the past 3 months

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

I dunno. I know a guy that DDs his 458 and has been for the past 3 months

Yeah, it's probably easier to daily drive one in Texas then in Quebec but I don't see someone putting winter tires on their 458 like I do on my M3! But yeah some people daily drive motorcycles so it's not impossible!

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by Khrishna

Its common knowledge that boosted engines dont last as long as their NA counterparts.

Its not if..its when

Sure, but the answer to the when is probably and hopefully in a long long time, like when I wont have the car anymore!

[AlteredBe4st]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

Yes, I'd trade my car outright for a 458 in a second. And then I would start modding it.

I had those conversations a lot at car meets... people would ask me why I didn't just buy a Porsche GT3 RS for the money I spent on my M3, and my answer is always... "but it would be stock".

LOVE YOUR REPLY .

[Optherion]

M6 is an incredible car. My buddy just got a convertible. BEAUTIFUL interior. It would be my pick over a Aston Martin Vantage in a heart beat. Its still a luxury cruiser though. Nothing wrong with that But its also in the class of the SL Mercedes which needs to be considered then.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

Yeah, I think in the end it comes down to the question "why do we mod". I actually started to write a long post about it, maybe I should finish it and finally post it.

For me it isn't really about the power, and who I could take on the track or drag strip, it is the overall journey as hooky as it sounds. The modding hobby gave me tons of fun within the last 2 years, letting me enjoy the car even besides "just" driving it. It also renders the car somewhat timeless, nobody will ever ask me what year my car is, it simply doesn't matter anymore; it will never be "outdated" to me.

A few years back, I owned a heavily modded Audi S4, then a heavily modded Nissan 350Z. My Audi RS4 was "moderately" modded. When you talk about heavily modding, you need to seperate into two categories.

1. Engine
2. Everything else

Adding body parts, changing your suspension, brakes, wheels/tires, exhaust is a very different thing in terms of serious reliability issues than is tuning an engine.

Furthermore, with factory forced induction, you can get 50-80 hp with less than a $1k ECU flash. Adding forced induction to factory NA car is a whole different ball game.

Still, the safety record of ESS SC units on the S65 motor can not be denied. They have stood the test of time and that's what has peaked my interest here.

In the end however, even for people who love to mod and enjoy the process, there is a line which, if you cross, takes you to a very different risk level.

[E92///M3]

The money you spend for an m6... you can make an m3 top notch and go faster in no time.

[rjd598]

really cant go wrong either way here. both have great pros. i would do the sc on the m3 but that's because i don't really like bigger cars

[erm324]

If you are referring to the old M6, then I would much rather have a blown M3.

I would however take the F12 M6 over a blown M3 anyday (and just wait until the performance market opens up for that car, they are already seeing 80+rwhp with a tune) Downpipes, tune, intercooler, etc... I anticipate the M6 would be up to a blown M3 performance

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

Good for you and heard how reliable the SC cars can be. Let's just say you can't compare to the peace of mind of an OEM BMW warranty of the M6.

I didn't indicate the M3 did not have everyday drivability or wasn't comfortable, but that the M6 does a better job on the purposes I describe. It's simply a more luxurious, roomier, etc. GT car for the family than the M3. "different purpose" was pointing to the tracking, modding, driving style, etc.

M6 actually has less room in the back than an M3. I wouldn't consider a coupe a 'family' car anyway. The M5 is much more functional if that's what the owner is looking for.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by Crisp

M6 actually has less room in the back than an M3. I wouldn't consider a coupe a 'family' car anyway. The M5 is much more functional if that's what the owner is looking for.

I agree on the M5, but we're talking GT cars here ...hahaa, pay attention.

I don't believe you're correct M6 coupe vs. M3 coupe. Head room is slightly better in the M3 (an inch), but width and trunk space for family needs is bigger in the M6. Also you can rake the front seat forward to create more space for occupants in the M6. I never said it was a "family" car anyway. What I pointed out was GT vs GT car, one would be more convenient to have.

[sycd]

Proper intercooled supercharger kit for M3 is too pricey, and being NA is one of the traits of this car I wouldn't compromise on. I'd Leave superchargers to pony cars

M6 looks nice and fast, but would probably get boring fast. The 911 Gt3 looks properly exciting and would be on my short list.