Dinan Stage 1

[kioko12]

Does anyone have the Dinan Stage 1 tune? If so, what do you think? It's supposed to bring 366 HP and 379 ft-lbs at the flywheel.

My Problem
My non-sport 135i 'vert didn't come with a factory oil cooler, so my only options are to either get stage 2 and the Dinan oil cooler ($4K total w/labor and discount), or go stage 1 with no oil cooler (still covered by Dinan warranty). For some context, I don't plan on tracking my car, but do drive enthusiastically every so often. Majority of the time I drive pretty normally (e.g. non-aggressive).

It's kind of enticing right now given their 20% off sale. I don't really feel like dropping $4K to get the stage 2. Technically, I can afford it, but if I did, I'd essentially be committing myself to this car for the long-term (e.g. at least through the end of the warranty period).

Thoughts?

[GaryS]

The Dinan figures are for 93 octane, so Stage 1 366hp - stock 330hp = 36hp gain. Stage 2 = 384hp - 330hp = 54hp gain.

Personally, I think not having an oil cooler is the best possible rationalization for Stage 3. Come on, you only live once.

[kioko12]

Originally Posted by GaryS

The Dinan figures are for 93 octane, so Stage 1 366hp - stock 330hp = 36hp gain. Stage 2 = 384hp - 330hp = 54hp gain.

Personally, I think not having an oil cooler is the best possible rationalization for Stage 3. Come on, you only live once.

Yeah, I run 93/94 where I can find it. Usually Shell, Exxon, or Hess. Otherwise, you think our cars make 330 hp stock? I wouldn't be surprised. As for Stage 3...hehe. Police around here are brutal.

[acivick]

Might just want to do the stage 1. If you decide later you want to further upgrade, you only have to pay the difference (+ labor probably).

[GaryS]

Dinan measures our cars at 330hp stock. The figures are in this press release for Stage 2.

http://www.dinancars.com/bmw/technia...-press-release

I don't know what Stage 1 is like. Stage 2 is great. With the stock BMW tune, I wanted my car to pull harder at highway speeds. Now it pulls like a beast at any speed.

[kioko12]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Dinan measures our cars at 330hp stock. The figures are in this press release for Stage 2.

http://www.dinancars.com/bmw/technia...-press-release

I don't know what Stage 1 is like. Stage 2 is great. With the stock BMW tune, I wanted my car to pull harder at highway speeds. Now it pulls like a beast at any speed.

Wow, there it is. 330 HP. I hear ya on the need to pull harder at highway speeds. It's that sense of urgency that you get with cars like the M3 that's somewhat missing on the stock 135i. I say somewhat, since it still pulls pretty hard under 60 mph. But to your point, I bet the extra power must be nice. Sucks that I'd have to spend nearly $2K to get the oil cooler...

[MMOTION]

Originally Posted by acivick

Might just want to do the stage 1. If you decide later you want to further upgrade, you only have to pay the difference (+ labor probably).

+1

why not try out stage I, if its not enough then go stage II as you only pay the difference.

[FactoryFast]

go for two!

[Smac355]

stage 2... shoulda have picked it up when they were running the 20% discount... maybe that's still going on... I'm waiting to install my oil cooler since w/ any tune car runs hotter and i want to protect my baby for years to come.