4.6iS ESS Supercharger conversion

[aeroresh]

Im seriously thinking about having the ESS supercharger conversion on my car. Been quoted £7000 fitted by Linden Special Vehicles here in the UK to do it which sounds a bit expensive but palletable if they do a top notch "turn key" type job.

My question is basically what's the car like to live with on a daily basis once the initial novelty value wears off? how reliable is the car after a year or two? Do the suspension and brakes feel innadequate after the conversion?

Cheers

[PeteM]

Originally Posted by aeroresh

Im seriously thinking about having the ESS supercharger conversion on my car. Been quoted £7000 fitted by Linden Special Vehicles here in the UK to do it which sounds a bit expensive but palletable if they do a top notch "turn key" type job.

My question is basically what's the car like to live with on a daily basis once the initial novelty value wears off? how reliable is the car after a year or two? Do the suspension and brakes feel innadequate after the conversion?

Cheers

Why ESS? Any particular reason.

With the question of 'top notch' job, whats their (Linden's) pedigree, I have not heard of them plenty of others but not them in respect of X's.

With 'Turn Key' are you talking about the 'physical' expression or the contractual one?

From a practical point of view you should not have a problem except the usual.. Insurance, petrol, Higher maintenance, but as far as 'novelty factor' goes I really dont think you will lose that!!!

Most performance tunes are designed around the OEM vehicle and where needed improvements are recommended by the designer and supplier, in addition the fitter will also advise from his own experience of the X, but that goes back to my point on the track record and experience of Linden in respect of the X not just BMW engines.

[aeroresh]

I figure there's a choice of 2 supercharger conversions, ESS or Dinan. Unfortunately Dinan dont have a UK distributor and the kit is almost double the price even though it uses the same supercharger.

PeteM, Im surprised you've not heard of Linden if you're based in the UK, they were the first to bring over the Holden brand from Australia and are largely responsible for Vauxhall importing the Monaro. They also happen to be UK agents for ESS and certainly seem very knowledgable on the phone and are V8 gurus, however Ive never used them before but they seem to be on the case.

When I say "turn key", all I mean is I give them the keys, they take the car away and return it... job done, all I have to do is phone them up to give them my credit card number, no standing, or waiting around or having to take a couple of days out of work to sort it all out which I dont have time for unfortunately

Ive not gone out specifically to use ESS, so if anyone has any better suggestions for the same kind of money, please tell.

[PeteM]

I probably didnt make my comment clear enough for you regarding Linden, That was their pedigree in respect of the X, and then in turn your question on life cycle issues.

There are other options as you said Dinan - there is one authorised dealer over here as well as Hartge, also Hamann franchise some outlets over here and there are a couple of bespoke designers and installers.

As for prices on the X, I cant say as most will negotiate at point of sales even on advertised prices.

I have also seen a couple of NOS kits which might be an option.

Good Luck.

[Zulu95]

Couple more companies for your mix:

United Kingdom
Turbo Technics Ltd
2 Sketty Close
NORTHAMPTON
NN4 7PL
Tel: 44(0) 1604 705050
Fax: 44(0) 1604 769668

BTN Turbo Ltdz
Master Distributor
BTN House
Arundel Road
Uxbridge Trading Estate
UXBRIDGE
UB8 2RP
Tel: 44(0) 1895 466666
Fax: 44(0) 1895 466667
http://www.turbo-schweiz.ch/


Owen Developments (UK) Limited
28 Kingston Business Park
Kingston Bagpuize
OXFORD
OX13 5AS
United Kingdom
Tel:+44 (0)1865 821062
Fax:+44 (0)1865 821076
http://www.owendevelopments.co.uk/

Never hurts to have too much info!

[ESS4.6is]

It is a decent kit. It does make the vehicle more fun to drive, but I have had issues with mine even before I started to change it from the original ESS kit. From what I hear it provides the largest jump in numbers for the supercharger kits available for the the 4.6. I have not have major problems with the kit, but the problems I did experience before doing some chnages to the ESS kit were failing injectors, constant SES light due to the sensors in the cats and once I lost all boost due to a faulty vacuum line. But generally it is a good kit. I have a lot of faith in vortech products.