For everyone with a 530i (M54 engine) looking for a less expensive option to supercharge than the ESS, I have spoke with Active Autowerke, and they are willing to set up a group buy for us.

We need to pull together a minimum of 5 people. List price is $4400 (already pretty low IMO), but if we get 5+ people we will receive a 10% discount, and if we can get over 10 people, the discount would be higher. This is an amazing deal for an 8 psi supercharger.

Here are the details, directly from Active Autowerke, that I was asked to post on this group-buy thread:

"Here is a link to the hardware and info from our site. http://activeautowerke.com/viewprodu...?id=Product16A

These kits will only work on E60 5 series with the M54 (E46 330 engines). E60 Series which are produced with the N52 or N series engines will not be able to take advantage of this deal as we do not provide a kit for those engines.

We have installed a few kits on the E39 5 series bodies but have NOT installed a kit on an E60 body in house. I do have a few customers who have installed kits themselves or by their local performance shops. The install will be straight forward however there maybe a few issues with piping not fitting 100% correctly due to the difference in the bodies (3 series body vs 5 series body). I would only recommend having a competent installer take on this task. Once everything is installed correctly you will have a reliable supercharged 5 series.

I do not recommend anything more than level 1 for an automatic vehicle. The automatic transmission may not be able to handle the power/torque increase from our level 2 kit. There is still a chance our level 1 maybe too much as well. For the time being we have well over 100 kits on automatic cars with no issues. That does not mean it will not or may not happen. Please be fully aware of this and the risk before purchasing and installing a supercharger kit.

Our level 2 will work fine with the 5 series (manual version) except for the intercooler. The radiator on the 5 series is wider than the 3 series and this causes an issue with the end tanks and piping for the intercooler. This will require custom fabrication to make the intercooler and piping work.

Software is included in the kit (we do not modify the transmission software for auto's). The DME will have to be sent to us during install so we can tune it for the supercharger and supporting mods (such as exhaust if you have one on the your vehicle).

I am willing to offer a 10% discount direct to anyone who takes advantage of the group buy. The group buy will require at least 5 people. If the number of people goes above 10 i will be willing to offer an additional discount."

 

IM IN THIS GROUP BUY 100%...

1. jashy247!!!
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

 

how much power will the stage 1 add?

 

The link in the initial post has dynos posted.

 

Suppose I should probably add my name to the list :

1. jashy247!!!
2. dbpack
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

 

1. jashy247!!!
2. dbpack
3.Bimmer530iguy
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

 

1. jashy247!!!
2. dbpack
3.Bimmer530iguy
4.khalil530
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

 

how much more is the Level 2 kit, do we need to buy the Level 1 and Level 2 upgrade kit together? Or is it a different system with different components? thanks

 

I'll get an e-mail out to Jean at AA to find out...otherwise you can try to contact him. Keep in mind, as stated in the original post, the stage II intercooler will require some custom fabrication, as the piping was designed for a 3-series body and won't fit stock around the e60 radiator.

 

I would keep stage 1 for now then upgrade a little later on. But I am so down...1 MORE PERSON PLEASEEEE