S/C AA vs. ESS for 2001 M3

[amlteam]

Hey guys i'm also looking S/C for my M3... 2001 Euro Spec. Cabrio... I was looking AA sc but some other cars which have ESS or VF are also looking good.. So please tell me the advantages and disadvantages of these 3 Kits...?:rolleyes:

[joema]

That's a simple sounding question but hard to answer definitively. I think the ESS kit does not require tapping the oil pan, which can be tricky or laborious to do correctly. OTOH I think the VF kit for the M3 has an air-to-water intercooler which is higher performance than the usual air-to-air versions. The ESS and Technik kits use ASA compressors which are very quiet at idle due to an internal clutch. In the U.S, AA has been around since 1981, and is quite popular there.

They all have pros/cons and it's difficult to evaluate all aspects since nobody (to my knowledge) owns or has installed them all. If any installer has done them all, it would be interesting to hear from them.

More info:

http://www.koperformance.com/the_hot_spot/tech_articles/bmw/bmw_superchargers_and_turbochargers_101.htm
http://www.koperformance.com/BMW/turbo_superchargers/index.htm

[OCswedishM3]

That's a simple sounding question but hard to answer definitively. I think the ESS kit does not require tapping the oil pan, which can be tricky or laborious to do correctly. OTOH I think the VF kit for the M3 has an air-to-water intercooler which is higher performance than the usual air-to-air versions. The ESS and Technik kits use ASA compressors which are very quiet at idle due to an internal clutch. In the U.S, AA has been around since 1981, and is quite popular there.

They all have pros/cons and it's difficult to evaluate all aspects since nobody (to my knowledge) owns or has installed them all. If any installer has done them all, it would be interesting to hear from them.

More info:

http://www.koperformance.com/the_hot_spot/tech_articles/bmw/bmw_superchargers_and_turbochargers_101.htm
http://www.koperformance.com/BMW/turbo_superchargers/index.htm

U have posted some incorrect facts...Im really tired to go through them but 1 is that ESS doesnt use an ASA compressor. They use a Vortech V2-SQ...

[TaZaM3]

That's a simple sounding question but hard to answer definitively. I think the ESS kit does not require tapping the oil pan, which can be tricky or laborious to do correctly. OTOH I think the VF kit for the M3 has an air-to-water intercooler which is higher performance than the usual air-to-air versions. The ESS and Technik kits use ASA compressors which are very quiet at idle due to an internal clutch. In the U.S, AA has been around since 1981, and is quite popular there.

They all have pros/cons and it's difficult to evaluate all aspects since nobody (to my knowledge) owns or has installed them all. If any installer has done them all, it would be interesting to hear from them.

More info:

http://www.koperformance.com/the_hot_spot/tech_articles/bmw/bmw_superchargers_and_turbochargers_101.htm
http://www.koperformance.com/BMW/turbo_superchargers/index.htm

The ESS and VF kit will both use a Water/Air cooler along with a Vortech CF. The cooling kit with the those two doesnt neccesarily mean it increases performance, it just might cool the air better. The cooler the air the better you keep your power. Air-Air setup runs good also.

ESS requires tapping the engine for oil. AA uses a Rotrex SC that uses its own reservoir.

As far as which is better, i have my own opinions. Not only power but you need reliability and support also.

[Juha 323Ci]

As far as which is better, i have my own opinions. Not only power but you need reliability and support also.

:werd:

AA stands behind their products 100% and their customer service is A class!:thumbup:

[Cruzer03]

You live in Instanbul, check DA motorsport about their turbo kit. Then report back to us with the updates.

[noBenz]

:werd:

AA stands behind their products 100% and their customer service is A class!:thumbup:

Not to bash AA, but under old managment I've heard plenty of nightmare stories about AA. Check bimmerfest. C O M out if interested.

BUT under new management I heard nothing but good stories.. and not just from people that are associated with AA in certain ways.

That being said, I believe AA's power numbers are higher.

Haven't seen a blown ESS M3 around.

[Juha 323Ci]

Not to bash AA, but under old managment I've heard plenty of nightmare stories about AA. Check bimmerfest. C O M out if interested.

BUT under new management I heard nothing but good stories.. and not just from people that are associated with AA in certain ways.

That being said, I believe AA's power numbers are higher.

Haven't seen a blown ESS M3 around.

Well, I'm not associated with AA in any way. I'm just one of their customers and a really happy one...:thumbup:

[Active Autowerke]

:werd:

AA stands behind their products 100% and their customer service is A class!:thumbup:

Thanks for the kind words Juha..

[BMW_DK]

As you are based in Europe, I would recommend the ESS kit, since they are based in Norway. If you want to know how far it can be driven, then go to www.loaded.com or even try to see that car live.

[joema]

ESS does not require tapping the oil pan, at least on their non-M e46 kit. Here's a good description: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=2729489#post2729489 Maybe for the M3 kit it does? Does anybody know for sure?

You're right, although ESS uses ASA compressors on the non-M e46, their M3 kit uses a Vorteq V2SQ. Sorry about that.

[amlteam]

You live in Instanbul, check DA motorsport about their turbo kit. Then report back to us with the updates.

I'm Turkish I'm going Istanbul a lot but my car is in Rotterdam so... and DA Turbo kit still in project so... anyway i'll think about that ;)