Thinking about getting either a E46 or RS6 as a new daily. If I get the E46 M3 I will most definately get SMG and eventually go HPF turbo kit (STG2) My question is how reliable are they with the SMG transmision. How many trouble free miles can I expect to get and what are some of the issues people have/had with the HPF kits. I've done a few searches and for the most part these kits seem bullet proof....

 

The largest population of HPF owners is probably on e46fanatics. I would suggest that you post your question in their forced induction forum.

 

I am pretty active over on M3F, and I can tell you that there are a couple people running around with HPF SMG cars. There was actually a local to me who had a HPF STG 2 on SMG, and he never reported any problems. IIRC, his car had about 40k miles.

 

If you want reliability, HPF is not your optimal choice. VF-Engineering is.
If you want insane sick power, HPF is your best bet.

Call JleviSW if you have questions they'll be happy to help.

 

Gonna shoot you a PM now... Its a great kit, but you do have to expect issues...
Evan

 

The VF kit is great/reliable, and puts down excellent numbers. Also has the new V3 self contained Vortech head unit.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before internal engine failure occured on the particular car I installed the kit on. It's happened more than once, on lower mileage E46s Ms with the kit.

Either way, always plan to spend more than you originally intended.

 

What the f*ck? Please post up several unreliability issues or problems with the HPF kit because I can go on m3forums and search for vf engineering issues and probably come up with a couple dozen threads. If you really don't know anything about these kits except that you profit from one and not the other, I would advise you not to chime in.

You will be perfectly safe with an SMG and the horsepower freaks turbo kit. In fact the first stage 3 and stage 4 cars were SMG. All I would recommend is that you have HPF install it, as it is a very detailed oriented kit. If there is any issues Chris and the crew at hpf will go to extreme lengths to solve it and that's an understatement.

 

I hope they are reliable. The HPF M3s are sick. My ten year attainable dream car is one of these or an E92 M3. Good luck if you buy it, I'm sure you will have fun. A member AMG_ETR, or I think that's how you spell it, has one.

 

hpf has mad power but the cost is crazy