Supercharger/Turbo kits?

I've been searching the web and a few forum sites but can not find the answer I'm looking for. Is there any company that sells a turbo/supercharger kit for a 2004 325xi? Most of things things I've seen discussed or on websites have been for the ci ... etc etc. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Aa makes a supercharger kit for the xi at 8psi I believe, don't quote me but think you gain 75hp.and offer automatic trans tune to help hold the power better by increasing fluid pressure and other small things.no turbo kits unless you fab up yourself and will cost lots and lots of money, and not worth it for xi because it can only handle so much power due to transfer case.hope that helped,i want the supercharger for myself but just expensive.

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The transfer case will be fine. It's a constant meshed planetary gear system, I'm sure it can handle the load from a supercharger. The rumored (or whatever) spec limit on the transfer case is very close to the output of the 3.0L 330xi engine which seems like a dumb move on BMW's part, you don't make a part that walks that close to the line for failure hence why I don't think it's true.

I would be more concerned with the transmission, clutch, differential, brakes, suspension, tires, cooling, belts, and all that stuff before the transfer case...

Lastly, don't waste your money on supercharging your 325xi IMO. If you want power, sell it and get an M3. It's designed for that power from the get go and you don't have to mess around with changing/maintaining it.

my friendly BMW Dealer Parts Guy, told me that he heard the S/C's don't work good in the winter. I don't know if it's true for all S/C kits or just some though... (I had a supercharged big block a few years ago, and it ran fine in the winter)

I dunno why it wouldn't run well in the winter... I know turbos don't run so well in the winter when they are still cold, but they're ok when they come up to temp. maybe the same when it comes to superchargers?

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Originally Posted by 2000_328CI

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2011 Pre admission cantidate

hey; I'm just commenting on anything halfway interesting, to get my thread count up, so I can be as awesome as ........ my car!

but, you're right! S/C's have been covered, this post got me interested, and I just searched a bit...

Originally Posted by 2000_328CI

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do not go supercharger on and Xi! the car is not designed to handle that kind of Hp or torque! especially the transmission...the planetary gears wil strip, the differtential will strip. The entire drivetrain is NOT designed to handle that kind of power. I have a close freind here in NOLA, this gentleman is aged beyond me( i am 38) and has been racing since he was 18. He is from Bavaria...has owned a repair shop here for 20+ yrs, -is german and is a plethura of information! He also was a Formula One mechanic for quite sometime, started racing in Germany when he was 18, worked in a high performance auto shop in Miami during the 1980-(near thunder alley) This guy knows BMW, Audi, VW and Mercedes,Porsche like no other!!!!!. I asked him about a Super Chrger for my Xi and he looked at me with the most sarcastic respnses I ever heard! LOL.." zee xi is for AWD! not vor 2wd..racing!!!!"

He then went on a verbal tangient with me for twenty minutes as to why the automobile needs a proper foundation of equiptment-sensitivity-that is prepared to handle the HP...and he made alot of sense. he said " all dezz kids-ripping out exhausts-bigger vheeeels-intakes!" thats why they have zsssoooooooo many problems! bigger vheeels cause ball joint problems,control arm problems,bushings wear out faster!!! 22" rims on a car designed for 16' or 17'' rims! not omly do sheyy loook stupid... the transmissions vill vhere away! You strip the gears, the larger the diameter the more power it takes to rotate the rim around!!! you wil eventually tear apart the CV joints...everything ruined....the improper balancing, steering units will fail! control arms will need be replaced too, alignments,........ intakes will in time sandblast the MAFS and you wil buy a new one for $300+!!! you can upgrade but not contradict the engineering design of the automobile! Now you say a supercharger???? imagine what the transmission wil look like after 5000 miles with the constant reving of rpms for a car that comes stock to handle 185 HP! He went on and i listened...he was 100% right. Want to have HP? purchase a car that is desined to handle and deliver it...a M3! or purchase the proper equiptment to do it!!! lotsa $$$$$.
If you want to play...... you GOTTA PAY!

Originally Posted by theviking

my friendly BMW Dealer Parts Guy, told me that he heard the S/C's don't work good in the winter. I don't know if it's true for all S/C kits or just some though... (I had a supercharged big block a few years ago, and it ran fine in the winter)

I have ehard from numerous persons that they so not work wel in cold enviornments either...fluid circulation problems....

Originally Posted by 2000_328CI

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Originally Posted by GCoop

2011 Pre admission cantidate

It's the front diff/axles you should be worried about with the F/I. Dumping the clutch from 4.5k (slipping it a little to keep the revs up) will destroy your front drive train. You will need an upgraded clutch to be able to slip it off the launches so you don't bog. That is how my xi ended up RWD. I ruined my front diff and got sick of tearing the front end out of the car to fix stuff. The T case will be fine, the front/rear half shafts will be fine. But that front diff being up against the block gets way too hot. Going F/I is one thing, driving the car the way it should be driven without breaking stuff is another. GL with whatever you decide to do.

While I certainly can't comment whether the xi will hold up long term with forced induction, I tend to agree with the speculation above. Sure you could bold on a kit....but will it all work together harmoniously without prematurely wearing other components? Who knows.

6 months ago I was seriously deliberating installing a SC on my XI. I wanted the car to be a bit more fun and more powerful. However, then I realized with the stock gearing, I'd need a 6 speed manual instead of my 5 speed manual to keep the revs sensible on the highway. Then heck...bigger brakes....etc.

In the end, I kept my XI stock as a reliable daily driver and bought a well maintained 2002 M3 as a fun second car. Smart decision in my honest opinion.

I second that choice.....I have already began the stock replenishment tranformation of my car...and have looked at several 1990-2000 M3's for sale. All in a reasonable price range with feasible upgrades and easy on the wallet!

go for it. it will be fine as long as you dont launch your car at every street light

Originally Posted by mujjuman

go for it. it will be fine as long as you dont launch your car at every street light

+1

I've been running a Vortec Supercharger (and cooler) from ESS tuning here in Norway for about 80.000 Km now...!
Just take some precautions and you'll be fine.

Wow, really good thread, I too WAS considering an SC for my XI, but will not do it now!
I was concerned about the drive train vs. the added power of an SC, the considerations listed here are great.

Guess I'll be looking for an M3 instead of dropping the $$ into my XI.

Thanks for the opinions!

The whole point of having an awd car is so you can out launch rwd cars and have them run you down. The car wasn't engineered to have/use that much power. If you can't launch your awd car at 4 to 5k it's not worth owning. Thus again why I made mine RWD. Launching the car was destroying the front drive train.

They're great in crappy weather!