I've gone and bought one!
Discussion
Hi all,
After eight years of tvr ownership I've seen sense and bought an E92 M3. Just in case it wasn't quick enough it's got an ESS supercharger conversion. Picked it up today. 250 mile drive home and can't stop grinning! I only wish I'd done it sooner!
I've got a couple of questions which I'll put up later. Pics to follow.
After eight years of tvr ownership I've seen sense and bought an E92 M3. Just in case it wasn't quick enough it's got an ESS supercharger conversion. Picked it up today. 250 mile drive home and can't stop grinning! I only wish I'd done it sooner!
I've got a couple of questions which I'll put up later. Pics to follow.
would have been off track with an SC 
Enjoy 
No dyno print out but it's around the 600 mark with an Evolve x type exhaust too. It's ridiculously fast and makes my tvr tuscan feel like a nissan note in comparison. I got a bit brave bringing it home yesterday, gave it a boot full in third gear and the back end stepped out. It's going to take a while to tame!!
It's black on black with lots of extras. I'll download some pics when I get the chance and put them up.
A large thumbs up to Sky insurance who have done me a great deal on my policy. The tuscan was on a classic policy so I had no ncb and quite a large claim two years ago.
Also unlike the tuscan the mirrors work, the doors close properly, the windows work, the heater works, the engine starts every time and it doesn't throw me across the road every time I go over a bump!! I think this will be a keeper...!
Simpson Motorsport carried out the original conversion and I was thinking of taking it there for a health check and dyno run. Does anyone here have any experience of them? Looking at their website they appear to know what they are doing.
It's black on black with lots of extras. I'll download some pics when I get the chance and put them up.
A large thumbs up to Sky insurance who have done me a great deal on my policy. The tuscan was on a classic policy so I had no ncb and quite a large claim two years ago.
Also unlike the tuscan the mirrors work, the doors close properly, the windows work, the heater works, the engine starts every time and it doesn't throw me across the road every time I go over a bump!! I think this will be a keeper...!
Simpson Motorsport carried out the original conversion and I was thinking of taking it there for a health check and dyno run. Does anyone here have any experience of them? Looking at their website they appear to know what they are doing.
Is it Simpson Motorsport. Lydney?
They did the brake upgrades on my M3. Chaps there are great and highly knowledgeable. They had some other rather tasty cars being worked on at the time too, one being a F40 LM for a customer from abroad. A few M3's that were stripped out et or in the process of being converted. They are also importers for Turner Motorsport stuff I think?
They did the brake upgrades on my M3. Chaps there are great and highly knowledgeable. They had some other rather tasty cars being worked on at the time too, one being a F40 LM for a customer from abroad. A few M3's that were stripped out et or in the process of being converted. They are also importers for Turner Motorsport stuff I think?
Simpsons really know there stuff when it comes to m3s (both e46 an 93) and in particular ess supercharger conversions. I've been taking my cars there for a while now and haven't considered going elsewhere.
As with all shops though no doubt someone will be along with negative comments soon enough...
As with all shops though no doubt someone will be along with negative comments soon enough...
Very nice!
Can you tell us a little more about the car - age, mileage etc?
How many miles has the supercharger been fitted for? You may want to enquire as to whether the big end bearings have been upgraded as they are marginal even on a standard car.
How did you find a supercharged one? Was it for sale privately or from a dealer?
Cheers
Jack
Can you tell us a little more about the car - age, mileage etc?
How many miles has the supercharger been fitted for? You may want to enquire as to whether the big end bearings have been upgraded as they are marginal even on a standard car.
How did you find a supercharged one? Was it for sale privately or from a dealer?
Cheers
Jack
It's a 57 reg 2008 with 70k. Bought from a dealer advertising on ebay. I was very lucky to spot it quickly and paid a deposit before viewing on the agreement it was as described. Apart from the tiniest mark on the drivers bolster you would think it was brand new. There is not one mark or car park dent on the body. Typically of black it does need a decent detail and polish though although I'm probably being fussy. It's got a carbon front bib, boot spoiler, bonnet vents and the roof is unpainted so you see that too. Every toy imaginable inside as well as 'extended leather.' I haven't even started getting my head round the iDrive yet. No doubt I'll be asking a myriad of questions on here over the next few weeks.
It drives like a new car. The steering rack was reconditioned recently; is this a common problem?
The conversion was done around 30k ago. I'm waiting to hear back from Simpsons who were going to check their records for me about the conversion but I understand the big end bearings were changed at the same time. The conversion uses the bigger ESS VT3 charger and a water/air intercooler which looking at their website leads me to believe it's at least 625hp but we shall see...
It drives like a new car. The steering rack was reconditioned recently; is this a common problem?
The conversion was done around 30k ago. I'm waiting to hear back from Simpsons who were going to check their records for me about the conversion but I understand the big end bearings were changed at the same time. The conversion uses the bigger ESS VT3 charger and a water/air intercooler which looking at their website leads me to believe it's at least 625hp but we shall see...
Edited by Andy_mr2sc on Friday 1st September 17:59
Thanks for all the info.
Definitely check whether Simpsons changed the bearings. The spark plugs will need changing more frequently with a supercharged car and I would recommend getting the oil and filter changed every 7,500 miles, rather than the roughly 15,000 miles the car's computer will flag up.
I've not heard that the steering rack is a common problem.
I would recommend you join the M3Cutters forum. Lots of knowledgable people there.
Oh and by the way I've also got a Jerez black E92 M3 which I bought from new in 2013 and which I had supercharged by A Reeve Performance a year ago. I've got the ESS 625 kit and it's great! It sounds like you may have this one.
Definitely check whether Simpsons changed the bearings. The spark plugs will need changing more frequently with a supercharged car and I would recommend getting the oil and filter changed every 7,500 miles, rather than the roughly 15,000 miles the car's computer will flag up.
I've not heard that the steering rack is a common problem.
I would recommend you join the M3Cutters forum. Lots of knowledgable people there.
Oh and by the way I've also got a Jerez black E92 M3 which I bought from new in 2013 and which I had supercharged by A Reeve Performance a year ago. I've got the ESS 625 kit and it's great! It sounds like you may have this one.
I've been having a look on the M3Cutters forum and as you say it appears to have a wealth of knowledge on it.
I've noticed in the history it is having more frequent engine oil changes as well as supercharger oil at a similar mileage.
Fazerboy have you found any down sides or weaknesses with this conversion? Anything I should keep an eye on? Do you get used to the power?
Re. coming from a tvr. Without sounding big headed I've owned tvrs for 8 years and grew up with rwd cars and I could confidently push my tuscan along a road quicker than most I met. It was a reasonable amount of power for the chassis and I could happily get it in and out of slides at will. I really can't describe just how much quicker this thing is. It is going to take me a few seasons to get used to just how much power is on tap. The chassis is fantastic and I bet you could drive a standard one very hard with confidence. I haven't driven a standard one but I would guess it's very balanced.
I've noticed in the history it is having more frequent engine oil changes as well as supercharger oil at a similar mileage.
Fazerboy have you found any down sides or weaknesses with this conversion? Anything I should keep an eye on? Do you get used to the power?
Re. coming from a tvr. Without sounding big headed I've owned tvrs for 8 years and grew up with rwd cars and I could confidently push my tuscan along a road quicker than most I met. It was a reasonable amount of power for the chassis and I could happily get it in and out of slides at will. I really can't describe just how much quicker this thing is. It is going to take me a few seasons to get used to just how much power is on tap. The chassis is fantastic and I bet you could drive a standard one very hard with confidence. I haven't driven a standard one but I would guess it's very balanced.
Edited by Andy_mr2sc on Friday 1st September 18:14
Andy_mr2sc said:
I've been having a look on the M3Cutters forum and as you say it appears to have a wealth of knowledge on it.
I've noticed in the history it is having more frequent engine oil changes as well as supercharger oil at a similar mileage.
Fazerboy have you found any down sides or weaknesses with this conversion? Anything I should keep an eye on? Do you get used to the power?
Re. coming from a tvr. Without sounding big headed I've owned tvrs for 8 years and grew up with rwd cars and I could confidently push my tuscan along a road quicker than most I met. It was a reasonable amount of power for the chassis and I could happily get it in and out of slides at will. I really can't describe just how much quicker this thing is. It is going to take me a few seasons to get used to just how much power is on tap. The chassis is fantastic and I bet you could drive a standard one very hard with confidence. I haven't driven a standard one but I would guess it's very balanced.
No real downsides so far. Obviously it will be more expensive to run than a standard car and consumables will be required more frequently if you make full use of the increased power. I presume you have notified your insurance company of the modifications.I've noticed in the history it is having more frequent engine oil changes as well as supercharger oil at a similar mileage.
Fazerboy have you found any down sides or weaknesses with this conversion? Anything I should keep an eye on? Do you get used to the power?
Re. coming from a tvr. Without sounding big headed I've owned tvrs for 8 years and grew up with rwd cars and I could confidently push my tuscan along a road quicker than most I met. It was a reasonable amount of power for the chassis and I could happily get it in and out of slides at will. I really can't describe just how much quicker this thing is. It is going to take me a few seasons to get used to just how much power is on tap. The chassis is fantastic and I bet you could drive a standard one very hard with confidence. I haven't driven a standard one but I would guess it's very balanced.
Edited by Andy_mr2sc on Friday 1st September 18:14
With regard to getting used to the power it's like anything really - build up your experience gradually. I ride motorcycles too and am used to feeding in the massive power of a superbike (almost 200bhp) going through one wheel and the skills are generally transferable. As fast as you think the supercharged M3 is a Fireblade is a lot quicker!
I wouldn't push it in 30mph and 40mph limits and I try to be aware of the risk to others if something were to go wrong before I press the throttle too far down.
You're right I used to ride some big bikes too and it does take a similar throttle control.
You could never open it up in 30 or 40 zones. In seconds you're doing three or four times the speed limit! One thing I'm really impressed with is the tractability of the engine. You can tickle it along just off idle and it still pulls well.
You could never open it up in 30 or 40 zones. In seconds you're doing three or four times the speed limit! One thing I'm really impressed with is the tractability of the engine. You can tickle it along just off idle and it still pulls well.
Brew said:
Been a while Andy - hope all good with you. The M3 sounds like an absolute weapon!!!
Hi! How are you both? All is great here. How come you are lurking in the M forum? After eight years spent under a tvr bonnet I thought I'd get something with some proper power and a bit of reliability thrown in! Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff