To supercharge or not to supercharge?

Yeah no BBK needed unless you track and even then it's not a necessity.

I've been debating this too....

One the one hand it would be great to have a SC's power with the M, it really would. But then at the same token, I spent $62k on this car (minus T&L) and for me to spend $13k alone for a supercharger kit, that's 21% of my entire car's value. Just from a numbers standpoint, to me that doesn't make sense. But then again, I was crazy enough to spend $5k on an exhaust system, but $5k is considerable less than spending $13k(and voiding the engine warranty if you still have it). I think if I need this kind of power out of an M, I'm better off finding another vehicle with a turbo or sc platform. We as car enthusiasts are always searching for more power, when is enough enough Granted, folks who have SC's on their M's do so for their own reasons and that's perfectly fine. But at the moment I'm leanining more towards picking up a brand new leftover 2009 or 2010 model sport-bike and having the best of both worlds, an M and a bike . I've been without a bike going on two years now, and with summer coming up I'm getting an itch.

Mr.Bimmer wrote

I've been debating this too....

One the one hand it would be great to have a SC's power with the M, it really would. But then at the same token, I spent $62k on this car (minus T&L) and for me to spend $13k alone for a supercharger kit, that's 21% of my entire car's value. Just from a numbers standpoint, to me that doesn't make sense. But then again, I was crazy enough to spend $5k on an exhaust system, but $5k is considerable less than spending $13k(and voiding the engine warranty if you still have it). I think if I need this kind of power out of an M, I'm better off finding another vehicle with a turbo or sc platform. We as car enthusiasts are always searching for more power, when is enough enough Granted, folks who have SC's on their M's do so for their own reasons and that's perfectly fine. But at the moment I'm leanining more towards picking up a brand new leftover 2009 or 2010 model sport-bike and having the best of both worlds, an M and a bike . I've been without a bike going on two years now, and with summer coming up I'm getting an itch.

I have an M and a bike... and I still want more power from my car

ee8 wrote

I have an M and a bike... and I still want more power from my car

That's too funny. Upgrade to a 750, or do you already have a litre bike?

The ESS VT1-535 is only $7995. This gives you a 110+whp increase in power with factory driveability.

C///M_D wrote

I was wondering about your thoughts on supercharging and E9X M3. I know the power advantages are obviously tremendous but the pressure it puts on the engine are great too. Plus isn't that one of the things that makes and M3 so special the naturally aspirated motor. So what do you think because I'm having a hard time deciding what would be best looking at every aspect. What would or did you do?

I don't really understand the "M3 is special because it's NA" argument against adding a supercharger... it's still the same car with the same engine as every other M3, just even more powerful.

tlr wrote

I don't really understand the "M3 is special because it's NA" argument against adding a supercharger... it's still the same car with the same engine as every other M3, just event more powerful.

Agreed. That is one of the beauties of supercharging. My car drives virtually like it was NA only with 180 or so more horsepower. Turbos, on the other hand, change the driveability of the car fairly dramatically IMHO.

C///M_D wrote

I was wondering about your thoughts on supercharging and E9X M3. I know the power advantages are obviously tremendous but the pressure it puts on the engine are great too. Plus isn't that one of the things that makes and M3 so special the naturally aspirated motor. So what do you think because I'm having a hard time deciding what would be best looking at every aspect. What would or did you do?

It all depends on what you want out of the charger... different brands act in different ways... I for one will never get a chance to take my M to the max mph. But if you want instant kick ass power then there are certain chargers that would give you that. Until you go in a charged M3 with at least 600bhp then you wont know what it feels like. I always said I couldnt justify spending that sort of money on a charger until I test drove one. It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. Needless to say 3 days later I ordered one.

Just ask the guys on here that own a charged M3 im sure they will say the same. My GPower for instance kicks in almost instantly.... I cant wait to drive it everyday.

Here is a thread with all the charged owners
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436070

I will tell that my only regret is not doing it sooner. You can definitely drive lower in the rpm band. I used to never drive with the M button off, now it is hardly ever on. The surge of power at 4,000rpm is unbelievable all while being otherwise unnoticeable in everyday driving.

Why did I do it? Acceleration.

If my winter beater truck did not have 93K on the odometer, I would supercharge that too

Thanks i really appreciate all the responses, and I have a question why not get a level 3 tune instead cuz that's also a option with great gains for cheaper so what's ur take on that?

C///M_D wrote

Thanks i really appreciate all the responses, and I have a question why not get a level 3 tune instead cuz that's also a option with great gains for cheaper so what's ur take on that?

Realistically you are looking at 10-20 honest whp from a good tune on 91AKI. A entry level VT1-535 SC kit will give you 110+whp over stock.

MPG increases when out of boost " light throttle & under 4K rpm " due to injectors not having to work as hard to get the car rolling .( bigger injectors Proper tune = efficiency )
Now under boost you will average 15 to 14 mpg and i have never seen less then 13 mpg and that's with serious all day hard driving.
FYI i get these calculations by dividing full tank gallons into total miles achieved during that full tank usage ( example 16 gallons Divided 220 miles = 13.75 mpg )

go for it. I've never heard of a supercharger owner having any regrets. that means more than dyno charts to me.

Brosef wrote

go for it. I've never heard of a supercharger owner having any regrets. that means more than dyno charts to me.

It's a good feeling being able to own an E9X M3 but having it supercharged is breath taking !!!!!!

"Realistically you are looking at 10-20 honest whp from a good tune on 91AKI. A entry level VT1-535 SC kit will give you 110 whp over stock."

Sorry forgot to mention a powerchip as well. Which gave my one friend enough bhp to beat a C63 in a race to 120 so it's looking pretty good for me. Also a lot cheaper

A powerchip?? You know powerchip is just a tuning company right, not something you add on top of a tune.

C///M_D wrote

"Realistically you are looking at 10-20 honest whp from a good tune on 91AKI. A entry level VT1-535 SC kit will give you 110 whp over stock."

Sorry forgot to mention a powerchip as well. Which gave my one friend enough bhp to beat a C63 in a race to 120 so it's looking pretty good for me. Also a lot cheaper

"A powerchip?? You know powerchip is just a tuning company right, not something you add on top of a tune."

I did I just thought u get more whp then like 10-20.

Supercharging your car will = to a lot of fun

do it

C///M_D wrote

"A powerchip?? You know powerchip is just a tuning company right, not something you add on top of a tune."

I did I just thought u get more whp then like 10-20.

full bolt ons with a good tune will get you about 35-40whp

Guys its the way the M3 should have come out.

You should have no concerns on wear etc. Mine was flawless and smooth as hell

Cant wait to build another one

Just do it!!

As I debated this one I came to realize that I enjoy listening to that great M3 powerplant run up through the gears. An S/C would run it up that much faster, and in a perverse way, lessen the fun - at least that little part of it. I also didn't want to change the character of the car in any way because it's about perfect right now. Plus, I'm investing the $$ I saved in other track toys. My 2 cents.