Supercharger

[mfanatic325]

VF takes forever to do everything. Definitely not happy with their customer service

Go with ESS or G-Power guys lol...I can surely say that any other vendor's service will be lightyears ahead of VF's

[Beedub]

another trackday done and dusted, no movement in oil temps with an outside temp of 19 deg C, the car runs perfectly although boost seemed alittle high that day....... every single passenger taken out in the car was blown away and fell in love with the car!! my Girlfriend said this car is frightening!! ( first time out in the car) lool!!!

Even more impressive was the new VT engine mounts.... jesus the difference they have made is insane.....

Good luck for you S/C guys, great to see a new community emerging now, sadly i still remain the only UK s/c z4m ......

these cars with the added power are just awesome!!! excuse the pics but hey... we all love a few pics right!!

pics from the event!



me and wifey ( her first run in the car)

[seank]

Originally Posted by aerobod

The kit comes with a cable and HexFlash software that becomes coded to the car VIN. The encrypted ECU / MSS70 DME flash is then downloaded onto a PC via the OBDII port and emailed to VF for a custom build. They have my ECU download, I'm waiting for the custom build to re-load.

So, they don't send one to you to put in the car (with your mods given to them) with the parts?

It is different than ess sending you a cable?

Sorry if I am being dense.

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by seank

So, they don't send one to you to put in the car (with your mods given to them) with the parts?

It is different than ess sending you a cable?

Sorry if I am being dense.

When you buy a kit from VF...
1) they include a OBD2 cable along with the kit
2) you have to first extract your car's information using the cable provided
3) then you send that information file via e-mail to VF
4) then VF sends back a tune file specific to your kit
5) then you "flash" the tune into your ECU via the cable originally provided

The problem is that unlike normal vendors, VF likes to take their dandy time with things. They give you empty promises about calling you back. They don't like to respond to your emails. They are tough get a hold of, period. And they sure as heck don't follow up with you on the status of your order
At least that has been my experience thus far. Hence why despite the fact that I have a VF kit, I urged folks to stay away from VF.

I've asked a few others about their experiences with VF, and most of the ones I've asked have experienced the same things I have. Almost right down to the T. Stuff like how VF comes up with BS excuses for their delays (such as personnel being out of the office, family member being ill, power outage at the shop, and other emergencies that come up, etc.)
Under normal circumstances, I can understand the very first example, where they're just shorthanded on people and they can't get to every single incoming call and/or email. But if that crap persistently happens even after two or three weeks? I call effing BS okay...I'm not freakin' stupid. They have seriously insulted my intelligence. If their poor service continues, I'm definitely going to start an entire thread about my personal experiences working with them
I'll show no remorse, since I'm studying service systems for my elective class at the university, and VF is simply failing at serving me.

[Geauxkart]

^^^ Wow. Sorry to hear that. Knocks them down a bit in my book.

[seank]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

When you buy a kit from VF...
1) they include a OBD2 cable along with the kit
2) you have to first extract your car's information using the cable provided
3) then you send that information file via e-mail to VF
4) then VF sends back a tune file specific to your kit
5) then you "flash" the tune into your ECU via the cable originally provided

The problem is that unlike normal vendors, VF likes to take their dandy time with things. They give you empty promises about calling you back. They don't like to respond to your emails. They are tough get a hold of, period. And they sure as heck don't follow up with you on the status of your order
At least that has been my experience thus far. Hence why despite the fact that I have a VF kit, I urged folks to stay away from VF.

I've asked a few others about their experiences with VF, and most of the ones I've asked have experienced the same things I have. Almost right down to the T. Stuff like how VF comes up with BS excuses for their delays (such as personnel being out of the office, family member being ill, power outage at the shop, and other emergencies that come up, etc.)
Under normal circumstances, I can understand the very first example, where they're just shorthanded on people and they can't get to every single incoming call and/or email. But if that crap persistently happens even after two or three weeks? I call effing BS okay...I'm not freakin' stupid. They have seriously insulted my intelligence. If their poor service continues, I'm definitely going to start an entire thread about my personal experiences working with them
I'll show no remorse, since I'm studying service systems for my elective class at the university, and VF is simply failing at serving me.

Well that sucks. My mechanic requested a quote from VF and ESS, and VF is the only company that has gotten back to him. So, now ESS isn't looking too good in my back. Now what do you do???

[Rated M Roadster]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

The problem is that unlike normal vendors, VF likes to take their dandy time with things. They give you empty promises about calling you back. They don't like to respond to your emails. They are tough get a hold of, period. And they sure as heck don't follow up with you on the status of your order
At least that has been my experience thus far. Hence why despite the fact that I have a VF kit, I urged folks to stay away from VF.

I've asked a few others about their experiences with VF, and most of the ones I've asked have experienced the same things I have. Almost right down to the T. Stuff like how VF comes up with BS excuses for their delays (such as personnel being out of the office, family member being ill, power outage at the shop, and other emergencies that come up, etc.)
Under normal circumstances, I can understand the very first example, where they're just shorthanded on people and they can't get to every single incoming call and/or email. But if that crap persistently happens even after two or three weeks? I call effing BS okay...I'm not freakin' stupid. They have seriously insulted my intelligence. If their poor service continues, I'm definitely going to start an entire thread about my personal experiences working with them
I'll show no remorse, since I'm studying service systems for my elective class at the university, and VF is simply failing at serving me.

You should try a different approach if you're not receiving the service you want... They're less likely to provide a great experience if they're already receiving bad reviews before the product has ever been delivered. Patience my friend.

[EAS]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Please update the list on page 1:

E92 M3 - ESS VT2-625



Z4M - ESS VT2-525

[Rated M Roadster]

Originally Posted by EAS

Hey Guys and Gals,

Please update the list on page 1:

You already requested that:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Former VF620 for the past couple of years, swapped for ESS VT2-625:

And it was updated in that thread (which is for M3s).

There is no list for Z4Ms.

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by Rated M Roadster

You should try a different approach if you're not receiving the service you want... They're less likely to provide a great experience if they're already receiving bad reviews before the product has ever been delivered. Patience my friend.

Thing is, I feel like I've been more than patient enough with them as-is. It's been well over 3 weeks now, just trying to SEND payment
What a joke. What I'm pissed off most about is the fact that Robert couldn't even try and START the allocation process for a hex flash cable for me ahead of time. It's not like he didn't know my intentions on getting a tune from them
Because when I first sent payment I was on the phone with him, and he said he'd have to check inventory for overall item availability. I was like...DAFUQ? WTF have you been doing for the past 3 weeks while I've been frantically trying to reach you lol. SOB...
And various other BS from them all added together just drives me crazy

I feel like this might be the only way for them to hopefully pay me some attention, and provide me some service. May have to straight up call them out on their lack of care for customers.

It'd also be nice if EAS could hound on VF for me, since they're just down the street from them, and have good close relations with VF. I did buy this SC kit from EAS after all...

[seank]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

Thing is, I feel like I've been more than patient enough with them as-is. It's been well over 3 weeks now, just trying to SEND payment
What a joke. What I'm pissed off most about is the fact that Robert couldn't even try and START the allocation process for a hex flash cable for me ahead of time. It's not like he didn't know my intentions on getting a tune from them
Because when I first sent payment I was on the phone with him, and he said he'd have to check inventory for overall item availability. I was like...DAFUQ? WTF have you been doing for the past 3 weeks while I've been frantically trying to reach you lol. SOB...
And various other BS from them all added together just drives me crazy

I feel like this might be the only way for them to hopefully pay me some attention, and provide me some service. May have to straight up call them out on their lack of care for customers.

It'd also be nice if EAS could hound on VF for me, since they're just down the street from them, and have good close relations with VF. I did buy this SC kit from EAS after all...

From what you have said, I would have immediately contacted EAS, since that is where you spent your money. Let them deal with it. I have also found that a dealer will be treated better, since they are the ones telling people what to buy.

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by seank

From what you have said, I would have immediately contacted EAS, since that is where you spent your money. Let them deal with it. I have also found that a dealer will be treated better, since they are the ones telling people what to buy.

Prob is, EAS did specifically say "...the tune is on you"
That was the original agreement when I was negotiating pricing of the kit with them. So...I really can't criticize EAS for any lack of help on this matter.

[tikamak]

Originally Posted by seank

Well that sucks. My mechanic requested a quote from VF and ESS, and VF is the only company that has gotten back to him. So, now ESS isn't looking too good in my back. Now what do you do???

You see, people who run a business reply to mails that might bring them money. This doesn't mean good customer service .

ESS is just probably receiving too many price request mails and need to study the discount before sending it.

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by tikamak

You see, people who run a business reply to mails that might bring them money. This doesn't mean good customer service .

ESS is just probably receiving too many price request mails and need to study the discount before sending it.

I don't know....I've always believed in shooting quotes left and right, because it's a numbers game, yeah? The more people you reach out to, the more potential for business.

And the whole VF thing...they're really missing out on great opportunities to potentially create loyal lifetime customers. Instead, they're not even dealing with service failure recovery; which is extremely sad to say the least. It's as if they don't want my money/business

[Beedub]

one thing i'll say about ess... in all these years... i think I've had 1 unanswered email..... when my supercharger spat its guts out all over the floor and died ( installer error) ESS got me a new blower FREE of charge within 5 days and EVEN offered to pay for a courtesy car..... they are slow sometimes and i have had running's with ~AJ BUT... i cant lie... they've been a pleasure to deal with and more importantly i very very very rarely contact them as the kit just works, its a proper plug and play setup... if i'm contacting them its usually for maintenance part numbers!!

Very happy really in general with ess although weve had our issues!!

[GuidoK]

If you mail ess you get an answer from Asbjorn almost right away. Even if it's the middle of the night. I think he's a bot or something lol.
Also they're really helpful and knowledgeable If something doesn't work 100% (Hans is fantastic ). They really know their product and bmw's internals.
Like in: connecting the fuel line to the fuel rail is difficult because of the manifold you have to bend the pipe. "you can get a fuel line from a 5 series; it's 7cm longer". (including the $5 fuel line would be better though)
That said I got a kit for a 3 series (which differs) and with the upgrade the belt was missing (still not recieved ), so they're probably true technicians: knowing everything about the system but maybe a bit absent-minded about commercial trade (Which techie isn't ).
Sending/recieving the programmed ecu takes ages though if you're european and ship to their norway branche. They're situated in the middle of nowhere, and a secondary transporter picks up the goods who consequently misses the drop off time in oslo required for air delivery. A truck through europe is faster.
So it's a mixed bag, but what isn't. Installing FI on daily drives isn't smart in the first place. Technical support is probably the most important. You can only communicate a problem by phone or mail, so they also can have a hard time interpreting what kind of problem a customer has.

There's only one rule: don't install a FI kit if you're working against a deadline. It will take at least one month longer than you expect!
Not the build itself, but something will break (bmw part or FI part), or something will be missing, or a foreign national holiday will delay shipment or something in the manual doesn't work IRL (it's never 100% PnP) or.....all of the above

[beta]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

My tear down commenced today. Really looking forward to see what G-Power can do

Any update on the install?

[NWMcoupe]

So for anyone who has bought the VT1 445 what are your thoughts on it? Would you rather have spent the money for the VT2 525?

[Beedub]

i love the 445 but it got to slow after prolonged use!!! after hard hard driving it felt like stock??

[pokeybritches]

As someone who has worked 70-80 hours per week since I can remember, I don't give passes or excuses to vendors that take thousands of dollars from me. It's totally unacceptable in any business, including aftermarket car parts. While vendors do tend to see a lot of empty promises and don't want to waste time with quotes from kids without the means to back it up, there is no reason to not follow up on a paying customer. If you're swamped, get more employees. Either emails and phone calls are answered, or they are not. I don't care about the why.

One problem is that most people buying aftermarket car parts are younger and haven't yet experienced the brutal world of business. Unanswered phone calls or emails are totally unacceptable, no matter what the reason. It takes the older crowd to set everything in line, the cranky old assholes that make no emotional connection with the person that just emptied their wallet. Most companies would not survive a year in a different industry.

I'm fortunate enough to have found an outstanding shop that treats a customer exactly as a customer should be treated. They are competent, do things right, and don't give excuses. Excellent communication. I'll post a full review when my kit is complete.

[mfanatic325]

I'm jelly Josh

[seank]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

As someone who has worked 70-80 hours per week since I can remember, I don't give passes or excuses to vendors that take thousands of dollars from me. It's totally unacceptable in any business, including aftermarket car parts. While vendors do tend to see a lot of empty promises and don't want to waste time with quotes from kids without the means to back it up, there is no reason to not follow up on a paying customer. If you're swamped, get more employees. Either emails and phone calls are answered, or they are not. I don't care about the why.

One problem is that most people buying aftermarket car parts are younger and haven't yet experienced the brutal world of business. Unanswered phone calls or emails are totally unacceptable, no matter what the reason. It takes the older crowd to set everything in line, the cranky old assholes that make no emotional connection with the person that just emptied their wallet. Most companies would not survive a year in a different industry.

I'm fortunate enough to have found an outstanding shop that treats a customer exactly as a customer should be treated. They are competent, do things right, and don't give excuses. Excellent communication. I'll post a full review when my kit is complete.

Couldn't agree more.