I got interested in the topic, did some research:
FYI, VAC motorsports has a great deal of S54-related info on their site. I cross-referenced with Dinan and Turner for pricing/labor.
S54 280/272 Camshaft Set, .25mm / .010" Lash - Requires Schrick Rocker Arms on Intake side, New OEM on Exhaust Side ~
$1650.00
Schrick - S54 DLC Coated Followers / Rockers (12) ~
$600.00
BMW S54 Cam Follower (exhaust side) ~
$300.00
Labor: ~
$1200.00
BMW says ~12 hours (!) @ dealer rates, Dinan says 11 hours.
A good independent shop is around $100/hour for labor here in LA.
You might talk them into a flat $1000 for the labor if you brought beer.
EST. TOTALS: $3500 to $3800
That gains you from 15(ish) to 25(ish) horsepower, some claim 30 with a modified tune/intake etc. Assuming a 25hp gain, thats $140 per HP.
For comparison: The ESS stage 1 kit provides an additional 109 HP (439 - 330) for $7457.00 (inc. CA sales tax) PLUS installation, assume one day @ $800, that's ~ $8257.00 or around $75 per HP gained. I guess they get cheaper when you buy in bulk
Incidentally the Active Autowerke E46 M3 Prima Supercharger Kit is "only" $6200, but they claim not to have a Z4M ECU flash despite evidence to the contrary posted on this board:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...t=AA+Ecu+flash .......what gives?