It sounds like a bad idea to me. The rest of the drive train components (trans, drive shaft, differential, axels, bearings, etc.) are not designed to handle the resulting load. At best you would probably need to moderate your driving by avoiding hard launches, fast/power shifts, and so on. At worst you'll be breaking & repairing stuff often. If you want that kind of crazy horespower & torque, buy an M5 or something designed from the ground up to handle that kind of engine power.

 

A conservative bunch on this forum.

Coming from a 300ZX TT that was 300hp in stock form and frequently modified - I have some idea of what that car could handle. The car will not necessarily self destruct with more power like some here seem to be saying.

The 300 was tried and tested. People knew what it could handle. Block - 600 hp. Clutch 400 hp. Auto tranny - some # - don't remember. I had 400 reliable hp with a clutch upgrade as my only drivetrain "mod". It was a blown motor to start so it is obviously a different situation.

If I thought BMWs drivetrain was not built at least as well as Nissan's - I would never have bought it. I am sure that most components could handle a 20-30% in power with modest reliability issues. But it might be nice to wait until a committed (to BMW) company has a chance to test everything.

 

Many people upgrade they engine etc. today with minor modifications which are not proven by manufacturer. Including me. Of course we take risk because regardless what modifications car can handle, manufacturer can always say that warranty is void because of these modifications! If someone is ready to fight to prove manufacturer to be wrong, that can be futile! Most probably manufacturer will win.

If anyone, who make mod's, can accept this, then go ahead. Just don't play Your grannies money in that game.

Skaffa

 

As for SCing and such, you might want check into some other Bimmerforums (.com) that are more into that kinda thing. You might even find a whole forum that deals specifically with the subject of Forced Induction.

Just a thought...

 

if they would give it for free i would consider it but i would not pay for a untested superc.

 

The power increase sounds great but I'm sure BMW will renege on the warranty as soon Idrive spills the beans during a service.

Go for it - you only live once.

If you want more speed you should import a 535d and chip it up

 

I have thought about it briefly after talking with an independent BMW mech. It is very tempting.

I would wait until the initial warranty is over. The last thing you want to have is some major problem that is not covered on a 60k+ car.

Although the discount sounds intriguing, the 8k is not huge money in relation to your initial investment.

Then I would research and buy the best.

I would think that the drive train would handle the power, however, as pointed out earlier, you may want to be cautious with how fast you apply the power.
A friend of mine did it on a NSX and it was amazing.

Of course, when you look at 8-10k for a supercharger, you may just want to take the hit on the car and buy a 550 if it is really important to you. Granted, it would not be as fast, but then everything is factory.

Track down some BMW mechanics that have done it and get thier opinion.

 

Dinan is not BMW authorized and still voids the warranty. in fact its no different then other aftermarket parts except bmw knows what to look for when they open your hood. trust me my friend has an m3 which is no longer certified thanx to dinan parts

 

The drivetrain should be able to take it, 6psi sounds fine. BMWs 3.0L I-6s can run 7 psi (good for ~320hp, ASA S/C kit) no problem, no reason the V8 isn't engineered to such standards. Go for it.

 

OK I spoke with Nick at VF Engineering... they are looking at a summer launch of the supercharger for the 545i/645ci. They also said that they are looking for a few test cars on which to fine-tune the thing, so if you have a 545i in California and you want a free/discounted supercharger, give them a call. (You may have to lend them the car for a few months. He says HP at the engine should go up from 325 to mid-400's (with increased power across the curve), and thought that the car could handle the increased stress fine. Price around 8 grand.

Looks like I'll have to choose between a discounted 545i+super vs. a 550i (assuming I don't go bankrupt in the next few months).