g-power skII, or not?

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

hmm... interesting... ESS has only positive comments, where G-Power has both positive and negative. I'm a bit curious, of people that make negative comments, is it he say she say, or someone actually had a specific problem?

I am pretty set on getting a SC, and G-Power made a great offer on their product... I'm trying to work something out with ESS right now, and if I can't, I'll prob go with G-power... as to me it seems the residual value would be better on G-Power.

[TobiasMUC]

I have the SK-II installed for about 30.000 km now. No issues and i track my car a lot.
Since I live in Germany, ESS is not an option for me. ESS is not TUV compliant.

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

Tobias: how do you pass without cats? G-Power told me that I would need to have catless exhaust in order to run their system.

[TobiasMUC]

I have the Akrapovic Evolution System with 2 x 100 cpsi sports catalysts.
http://www.akrapovic.com/car-exhaust.../evolution-61/
Never heard about the need to have a catless exhaust.

Originally Posted by kotik

Tobias: how do you pass without cats? G-Power told me that I would need to have catless exhaust in order to run their system.

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by TobiasMUC

I have the Akrapovic Evolution System with 2 x 100 cpsi sports catalysts.
http://www.akrapovic.com/car-exhaust.../evolution-61/
Never heard about the need to have a catless exhaust.

Interesting - So 100 cell cats can pass emmisions/TUV in Germany? Reason I ask is because I was worried about my 200 cell Challenge sport set up. Planned on switching it out prior to inspection...but if I don't have to, I won't.

Also - do you get TUV letter/cert with G-Power to show the inspectors? More then just an exhaust change @ inspection time.

[aus]

Originally Posted by thedrknows

I was at the streetculture.de car show yesterday with my ESS powered car. I have only heard negative stuff about G-power here on the forum, but last night there were 2-3 Germans that came up to me and did not have too good of feedback on g-power. It just make me wonder what the real deal is.

What was their issue with G-Power and what car's did they have?

.

[TobiasMUC]

Originally Posted by Moxie

Interesting - So 100 cell cats can pass emmisions/TUV in Germany? Reason I ask is because I was worried about my 200 cell Challenge sport set up. Planned on switching it out prior to inspection...but if I don't have to, I won't.

Yes i will pass the emmisions in Germany.

Originally Posted by Moxie

Also - do you get TUV letter/cert with G-Power to show the inspectors? More then just an exhaust change @ inspection time.

Yes I did.

[REALESTBM]

I like both ESS VT2-650 and the G-POWER SK II CS "Sporty Drive"
But there are a few things that have me leaning towards ESS.

1. The DCT software deletes the shift down function of the transmission

G-POWER DCT Drive logic:

"After the installation of the G-POWER supercharger system the altered torque curve requires a custom-made G-POWER software for the BMW double clutch gearbox (DCG). In the course of this modification the kick-down option of the accelerator is terminated.”

Ref: http://www.g-power.de/934.html?L=1&c...#Produkt_Start

2. I am more comfortable with the liquid intercooler on the ESS system

3. ESS has support both in Europe and the USA.

4. G-POWER seems to be a bit more controlling over because of TUV. For example you have to have a specific rated tire before they will allow the max speed limit.

“(BMW OBD stays completely untouched), enabling an unlimited top speed of max. 320 km/h (max. 330 km/h with DCG), according to the capacity of the tires.”

Ref: http://www.g-power.de/934.html?L=1&c...#Produkt_Start

I understand this fully but it reminds me of how BMW handles us after we buy their product.

5. With ESS you can get a software package that you can use to save you stock tune as well as other tunes in case you remove your SC. I think this software program will allow diagnose/code read also. Basically I like the control and backup function with ESS.

6. One point for G-POWER, here in Germany they install themselves or a specific shop they use, in that case I feel more comfortable with the installation than to choose a shop myself and hope for the best.

So guys I am know expert, I have been researching for about 18 months. I am a minute from pulling the trigger...and above are my deciding facts. Hopefully the

The short answer is, if prices were the same I would buy the ESS VT-2 650.


BTW, this is just my opinion and based on what I feel comfortable with, and if I planned to stay in Germany for a long time with my car, I would be a bite more open to choosing the G-POWER.

Note: 320 KPH= 198.84 330 KPH=205.05

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

I'm pretty set on ESS, just waiting on some final info.

realestbm: install from GPower is 2k euro! Also, I was comparing SK II to the 575 kit. SK II is 570hp. Also, according to the GPower you have to be catless for SK II kit (I asked Konstantine twice!).
My pluses for GPower is: It looks good! I can get it for quite a bit cheaper than ESS. And lastly, they are here in Germany around the corner from me.
ESS: I can instal myself, A LOT of great reviews, easy to upgrade to next level, the eflash tool, warranty (still trying to get clarification on that if I do instal myself), and from what I gather I will still have great support from ESS even though I'm in Europe. I am planning to bring the car back statesides, but that won't be for another 2-3years.

[Rshane]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

I've been to their factory... and G-Power (IMHO) is amazing when it comes to quality and performance. We Germans are a picky bunch, and G-Power is doing rather well there...

+1. I went to their "factory" for my Akrapovic install. Top notch service and some high quality products. Christian even took the time to give me a ride in his record setting M3. I also checked out the M5 Hurricane, and at the time they where supercharging a M3 GTS.

Most of the folks who are talking bad about G Power have absolutely no experience what-so-ever with the company.

[REALESTBM]

Kotik: I have a installer her in Ktown that estimates to install a ESS VT2-650 for about 1000 EUR/$1350.00 but I expect it to grow to 1500 EUR/$2000 by time it's all don't and said.

Also I am not talking bad about G-Power, right now they are offering The "M Flight Club" members a Great Club Price for The SK II kit that beats the ESS VT-650 price even including the 2000 EUR/$2700.00 installation cost of the G-Power included.

So ESS owners, Expect some new 500 plus HP Club Member in Germany soon!!!

V/r Reastbm

[GrumpyBimmerFan]

Realstbm, yes, I am Mflight member, and fully aware of that deal.. and comparign the 570 vs 575 kit of ESS, the gpower kit is quite a bit cheaper, but install is harder.... yea, Germans are quick to charge a liver for the instal, so I'll probably do it myself (will probably kick myself later), or use a mechanic I found on ramstein yard sales (he said he'll do it for $450).

[Donbona]

Here is my GPower... no cutting required... people on here talk so much horse manure. I also dynod at 642bhp... graph below.
With regards to running it catless, I have the Akrapovic Evo system with cats and it runs fine. I have taken it to the Nurburg ring and hit over 200mph on the way there.

[Kyoshi71]

G-Power has a stellar reputation and makes excellent stuff. A couple of douchebags here (who will remain nameless) tainted their reputation and popularity.

[Beedub]

when i saw the g-power instructions i was blown away, by FAR the best and most comprehensive set of drawings ive ever seen, bmw standard!! Either id be happy with i LIKE the fmic setup on the gpower, and the Tq rich asa blowers, i prefur ESS for other reasons...

[Superfly_M3]

Originally Posted by Donbona

Here is my GPower... no cutting required... people on here talk so much horse manure. I also dynod at 642bhp... graph below.
With regards to running it catless, I have the Akrapovic Evo system with cats and it runs fine. I have taken it to the Nurburg ring and hit over 200mph on the way there.

Wow 642whp? what G-power kit are you running?
Does G-Power provide some kind of warranty on their kits? From what I heard in my brief search of this site is that G-Power has had an engine or two blow up, while ESS didn't even have one.

The other interesting observation is that the ESS kit hosts the air filter down low in the front bumper opening, while G-Power hosts it up to where the OEM nostril intake was. To my personally, I think the G-Power site is better, however I don't know how restrictive that intake is. I would be worried driving through rain and puddles with the filter down low like that.

[stefan]

I'd like to point out that, although ESS is generally proven, they are probably the most popular kit as a result of being the most affordable more than anything.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Superfly_M3

Wow 642whp? what G-power kit are you running?
Does G-Power provide some kind of warranty on their kits? From what I heard in my brief search of this site is that G-Power has had an engine or two blow up, while ESS didn't even have one.

The other interesting observation is that the ESS kit hosts the air filter down low in the front bumper opening, while G-Power hosts it up to where the OEM nostril intake was. To my personally, I think the G-Power site is better, however I don't know how restrictive that intake is. I would be worried driving through rain and puddles with the filter down low like that.

The only reason I heard that a G power motor blew up was the owner loaded a high octane map and ran lower octane fuel.
Take what I heard with a grain of salt since I didn't speak to the owner of the car or anyone directly related to it, it's pretty much a "he said" type of thing

I feel they're all great kits if used correctly, meaning don't tamper with it...run more boost than they tell you to, run the gas they tell you to, etc (g power ess aa gintani vf etc)


I personally love the way the G power kit looks.. crazy badass.

If I had bought My m3 and knew I'd be keeping it for a while, and had the extra $$, that would be the kit I'd personally buy.
But it's fking expensive! double the price of an ESS 535 kit I think no? (I'm no t too familiar with the pricing of the kits since I've never considered them)