[tennis_pr0]

I will def be ordering an fmic tomorrow. Deciding between the vrsf and the ets 5". If i have the wastegate rattle or hpfp problems in the future i dont want the fmic to void that, so i would want to install the stock fmic back on before going in. My question is, since the vrsf requires cutting, would i be able to put the stock on back in, and would they notice that there was an after market one on there because of the cutting? Thanks

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have no idea but have had warranty service with 5" ETS installed, your results may vary.

[AndyR83]

VRSF makes a good product, but their communication is poor from my experience.

[tennis_pr0]

My only concern is warranty. I want to be able to put the stock one back in if needed...woth cutting for the vrsf can u do that?

[Groganrocket]

Vrsf

[ken1137]

Dont do it if you are concerned about your warranty but I recommend you read up on the Magnuson Moss Act and FTC report regarding warranties. So many posts and comments about this and there is a sticky.

[thenewrick]

My vsrf 5" didn't require cutting

[Be Awesome 335i]

BMW will NOT void your warranty repair work based off of a front mount intercooler kit.

Im assuming VRSF is even in the equation because of its price compared to that of the other intercoolers and if that's the case then purchase what your budget allows.

I have read mixed reviews on the VRSF product line but from what I can tell is that many are just upset that someone is selling a quality product for a great deal....maybe.... Personally, i like what they have to offer and would consider there 7'' FMIC for my personal vehicle!

As far as cutting the front bumper then, re-installing your stock front meant and bumper cover, i doubt there will be any signs of the swap UNLESS the SA removes the bumper.....regardless, a cut/trimmed support will NOT void a warranty for turbos or wastegates so leave the aftermarket IC on and call it a day..

Just my .02

[tennis_pr0]

Originally Posted by Be Awesome 335i

BMW will NOT void your warranty repair work based off of a front mount intercooler kit.

Im assuming VRSF is even in the equation because of its price compared to that of the other intercoolers and if that's the case then purchase what your budget allows.

I have read mixed reviews on the VRSF product line but from what I can tell is that many are just upset that someone is selling a quality product for a great deal....maybe.... Personally, i like what they have to offer and would consider there 7'' FMIC for my personal vehicle!

As far as cutting the front bumper then, re-installing your stock front meant and bumper cover, i doubt there will be any signs of the swap UNLESS the SA removes the bumper.....regardless, a cut/trimmed support will NOT void a warranty for turbos or wastegates so leave the aftermarket IC on and call it a day..

Just my .02

Great post, thanks! Well I guess I will go with the VRSF then, I mean 400 cheaper and if it's a good product then I would be stupid to spend an extra 400 on the ETS if I don't need to. I will be doing the install with my neighbor once I get it then flash to stage 1+

[Be Awesome 335i]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

Great post, thanks! Well I guess I will go with the VRSF then, I mean 400 cheaper and if it's a good product then I would be stupid to spend an extra 400 on the ETS if I don't need to. I will be doing the install with my neighbor once I get it then flash to stage 1+

Cool! Keep us posted and come back to showoff the finished product!

Annnnnd of course......take a bunch of pictures along the way during the install

[fazman]

Why not the ER FMIC?? I think mine went on with minimal if any trimming. Plus if my car goes in for any service warranty stuff... I leave it on map 0 but FBO ***less (never been an issue in 66k miles)

[autoart]

I would not worry about trimming the bumper, I would worry about how the inlet and outlet go on. I have a ETS and you have to cut a clamp and install a different silicon hose on the inlet and outlet. Others use the oem connections, you just remove a c clip swap it out and install the same c clamp. Dinan uses this and I know there are others but I cant think of them right now. Good luck

[buster84]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

Great post, thanks! Well I guess I will go with the VRSF then, I mean 400 cheaper and if it's a good product then I would be stupid to spend an extra 400 on the ETS if I don't need to. I will be doing the install with my neighbor once I get it then flash to stage 1+

I agree with the rest of them. I just bought a 7" VRSF and i plan to install it when it arrives. I have an extended warranty as well and plan to install my stock one if i ever need to use it. Most people trim, or sand the plastic down or cut it away.

I cant imagine them voiding the warranty for cut plastic. If you bought the car used, you can always use the, "WTF, i bought it from you guys and never touched it." excuse.

Shops that do warranty work get paid by bmw so its in there best intention to want to do the work anyways, especially if that bmw dealership isn't doing so well.

Btw, i wanted an ETS one as well, but cant justify paying that kind of money when i know for a fact that an intercooler is just an intercooler. I used to own built 600+ RWHP mustang that had a CRX racing intercooler. I had it custom made for the car. I then decided to upgrade the intercooler at a later date, bought a reputable used paxton novi 2000 intercooler and on the dyno i swapped out the ebay one for the new one and i only gained 4hp, 8tq. It wasn't even worth the upgrade. So i took it off and re-sold it on ebay. My tuner even adjusted the tune and said the Iat's looked just like they were with the other intercooler. (probably had a .01/.02 less of pressure loss)

I have no problem supporting USA based companies, but in order to do that they need to market their prices better. For ETS to have gotten my money, it would have to have been priced at $700 for the 7" and $600 for the 5".

I always choose the USA based company when they are actually trying to make money. You make more money selling More for less than you would selling less for more. It's a fact, and one company that does this and has become the worlds leader is "Walmart".

When car shops also join in, then i'll buy from them. Till then, all those graphs, logs, dyno's mean nothing. Any dyno rep, can adjust variables to make anything look better. Unless you actually buy both and test them you'll just be relying on what people say or buyers that are (biased) because they spent alot on it.

Its cool though, these companies will learn. They always do. You will always get those guys who think (higher cost means better performance) those will be your main customers. Once they die out, you are forced to change your direction. Its similar to the xbox one. Microsoft tried to make it so used games cant be sold, this showed how greedy they were and within a few days after e3 they did a 180. They lost so many customers they are struggling to get them back. If usa companies keep selling products for 100% more than china the usa company will fail. 20% is fine, but 100% is like a slap in the face.

[TeinBMW]

I would say vrsf. Prices seem good and tons of ppl here have good reviews on them.

[srcstc]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

My only concern is warranty. I want to be able to put the stock one back in if needed...woth cutting for the vrsf can u do that?

If you're going to be reverting back to stock for dealer work, I'd get something like the HPF. While it does require cutting, it's easier to remove and reinstall since it uses the stock tubing. When I did my ETS 5" that was the hardest part.


Rich