Dinan Stage 2

[PhillyfaanM3]

So...getting my Dinan Stage 2 installed this AM. I did consider other tunes, but decided this was the best option for me. Yes I know...some options cost less money & provide more HP & Tq gains. I got a really good deal from my local dealer (Thompson BMW in Doylestown) Can't wait till the weather warms up & they fix the roads. Gonna be a fun Spring & summer.

[MightyMouseTech]

Nice. I understand, I will probably be getting a Dinan tune as well.

In before all the haters "ER-MA-GERD! You can haz more powa for less with other options....."

[135TX]

Whats a "really good deal", i have been entertaining the idea of going this route since im still on warranty...

Thanks

[davis449]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Nice. I understand, I will probably be getting a Dinan tune as well.

In before all the haters "ER-MA-GERD! You can haz more powa for less with other options....."

I'm so sick of hearing this crap from Dinan fanboys. Most owners that bag on Dinan aren't "haters", they're just smart enough to realize that their "godsend" warranty is mostly bullshit and their products are way overpriced. BMW dealers count the flashes on your ECU. That's how they tell you're tuned (or, if using a piggy back, the fact that it's present and, if it's not there because you took it off, logging will clearly show the presence of something that altered engine's output parameters). They can and will deny your claims "at will" in such cases and there have been many documented cases where the finger pointing results in the end user getting fucked. The point is, if purchasing Dinan for their "warranty" helps you sleep at night and you're comfortable overpaying for performance, I say go for it...just understand that, no matter what, you are rolling the dice when you modify your car.

Hell, aftermarket warranty companies are now heavily investigating warranty claims on cars and denying them due to modifications. So, take a guy like me who's situation is very close to 135TX's, warranty wise, and ask if it's really worth paying that much money for one year of "warranty" coverage from Dinan (because they, to my knowledge, match the new car warranty not CPO or aftermarket coverage).

[Zombie1]

If your happy that's all that matters man. I can see why someone with a new BMW would go that route but your car is a 2011 and Dinan only covers the initial 4 years or 50K, but If it was a "good deal" and your happy.

[darkrom]

Wasn't someone on here having issues with their warranty not being covered after a dinan tune recently?

I mean besides the "warranty" the dinan tune isn't better at anything at all, so if the warranty isnt worth it then what's the point?

I know you said you considered other tunes, but we should discuss them anyway. Unless of course you started this thread just to tell us you are going to earn some points for a cool badge and you just want a thumbs up.

Sounds like a TERRIBLE idea to overpay that bad for a year of warranty.

[PhillyfaanM3]

Thanks everyone for your input and questions. This post isn't a...one tune is better than another. This is merely me telling my fellow 1 addicts my experience so far with this tune. This community has been a wealth of information and I'm just trying to return the favor. At the end of the day every member has to decide what option is the best for them for whatever the reason.

So. I only got to drive the car briefly this morning on the way to work and I gotta say I think It's night and day. I think we can all agree the 135i is a great car out of the box with it's 300/300. It's more than sufficient.

When you get in the car, it feels stock if your driving conservatively and below 1500 RPM's. But as soon as you push down on the pedal...WOW. It's like someone just let Dr. Jekyl out for a little fun. It just pushes you back and the RPM's climb much faster than in stock form. I've heard others say it pulls like a freight train and I'd have to agree.

1st doesn't feel crazy, but once you hit 2nd gear, you're at 7000 RPM's and at 80 before you even have a chance to look down at the Tach. 3rd pulls really hard also and before you know it you're at 100+ thinking holy S#$%...reel it in. Put Dr. Jekyl away before I get pulled over.

I got the Tune for about $600 off which included the discount and a customer referral bonus.

Unfortunatley I won't get a chance to really drive it for a prolonged period of time as we still have some snow on the ground here and our roads are a total mess. Can't wait to really spend some time behind the wheel.

[MightyMouseTech]

Excited to hear more results. Let us know!

[litebulb]

I brought my cab with S2 installed so I don't know the difference between stock, but I would highly suggest whiteline inserts or m3 rear bushings which I noticed really helped keep the backend planted.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Frank 135i Vert

So...getting my Dinan Stage 2 installed this AM. I did consider other tunes, but decided this was the best option for me. Yes I know...some options cost less money & provide more HP & Tq gains. I got a really good deal from my local dealer (Thompson BMW in Doylestown) Can't wait till the weather warms up & they fix the roads. Gonna be a fun Spring & summer.

Congrats

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by davis449

I'm so sick of hearing this crap from Dinan fanboys. Most owners that bag on Dinan aren't a "haters", they're just smart enough to realize that their "godsend" warranty is mostly bullshit and their products are way overpriced. BMW dealers count the flashes on your ECU. That's how they tell you're tuned (or, if using a piggy back, the fact that it's present and, if it's not there because you took it off, logging will clearly show the presence of something that altered engine's output parameters). They can and will deny your claims "at will" in such cases and there have been many documented cases where the finger pointing results in the end user getting fucked. The point is, if purchasing Dinan for their "warranty" helps you sleep at night and you're comfortable overpaying for performance, I say go for it...just understand that, no matter what, you are rolling the dice when you modify your car.

Hell, aftermarket warranty companies are now heavily investigating warranty claims on cars and denying them due to modifications. So, take a guy like me who's situation is very close to 135TX's, warranty wise, and ask if it's really worth paying that much money for one year of "warranty" coverage from Dinan (because they, to my knowledge, match the new car warranty not CPO or aftermarket coverage).

You're forgetting that the OP's local service department is doing the install (and making money on the product). If this was a third-party product or warranty- then sure, you could see finger pointing... but I don't see that being the case with a DINAN product sold, installed and serviced by his dealer.

Moreover- having recourse (how much, you'll argue, is debatable) to DINAN means that you're likely getting a product that best balances maximum output and longevity. No one else (this side of Alpina) is underwriting the risks that DINAN is (which is why they have a few dozen engineers on staff).

My car isn't tuned- but if it were to be, DINAN would get a good hard look. That said, I respect that some folks are comfortable self-insuring and/or pushing the limits of their motors.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by Frank 135i Vert

Thanks everyone for your input and questions. This post isn't a...one tune is better than another. This is merely me telling my fellow 1 addicts my experience so far with this tune. This community has been a wealth of information and I'm just trying to return the favor. At the end of the day every member has to decide what option is the best for them for whatever the reason.

So. I only got to drive the car briefly this morning on the way to work and I gotta say I think It's night and day. I think we can all agree the 135i is a great car out of the box with it's 300/300. It's more than sufficient.

When you get in the car, it feels stock if your driving conservatively and below 1500 RPM's. But as soon as you push down on the pedal...WOW. It's like someone just let Dr. Jekyl out for a little fun. It just pushes you back and the RPM's climb much faster than in stock form. I've heard others say it pulls like a freight train and I'd have to agree.

1st doesn't feel crazy, but once you hit 2nd gear, you're at 7000 RPM's and at 80 before you even have a chance to look down at the Tach. 3rd pulls really hard also and before you know it you're at 100+ thinking holy S#$%...reel it in. Put Dr. Jekyl away before I get pulled over.

I got the Tune for about $600 off which included the discount and a customer referral bonus.

Unfortunatley I won't get a chance to really drive it for a prolonged period of time as we still have some snow on the ground here and our roads are a total mess. Can't wait to really spend some time behind the wheel.

Frank, first and foremost glad you like the car and your decisions. That's really all that matters. But save your breath and don't expect much positive support for a Dinan tune around here. If you don't believe me, do a search for my name and you'll find some pretty animated Dinan threads that were pretty much useless. I have the Dinan stage 2 (N54) and Dinan intercooler with some 3rd party exhaust/intake mods. I'm happy with the car.

I have first hand experience with needing CPO warranty work on my car for intercooler piping problems, charge pipe diverter valves, and gaskets. Never once had an issue with the dealer honoring the warranty. If fact I have a thread thats only a few days old talking about my experience with CEL.

Dinan makes a solid product. Its marketing is good and the price shows. Its a conservative product but as long as you know that and accept it, who cares

That all said, I still want more power! ha

[135TX]

Originally Posted by davis449

I'm so sick of hearing this crap from Dinan fanboys. Most owners that bag on Dinan aren't a "haters", they're just smart enough to realize that their "godsend" warranty is mostly bullshit and their products are way overpriced. BMW dealers count the flashes on your ECU. That's how they tell you're tuned (or, if using a piggy back, the fact that it's present and, if it's not there because you took it off, logging will clearly show the presence of something that altered engine's output parameters). They can and will deny your claims "at will" in such cases and there have been many documented cases where the finger pointing results in the end user getting fucked. The point is, if purchasing Dinan for their "warranty" helps you sleep at night and you're comfortable overpaying for performance, I say go for it...just understand that, no matter what, you are rolling the dice when you modify your car.

Hell, aftermarket warranty companies are now heavily investigating warranty claims on cars and denying them due to modifications. So, take a guy like me who's situation is very close to 135TX's, warranty wise, and ask if it's really worth paying that much money for one year of "warranty" coverage from Dinan (because they, to my knowledge, match the new car warranty not CPO or aftermarket coverage).

Let me elaborate on my POV, I have an aftermarket warranty (Easy Care, if anyone is curious).

Per easy care, any parts that can be supplied and installed via a BMW will be covered under warranty. From their standpoint if BMW is supplying the part and not some aftermarket supplier then the quality and the engineering is in place so as not to greanade your engine or other related parts.

Now im not debating whether or not DINAN will cover anything, this is specific to only EASYCARE, and BMWNA is irrelevant to me.

In addition unlike JB4 or COBB, DINAN speeds up the water pump to compensate for added heat that extra boost puts on the engine. This uniique feature would be worth paying extra to ANY N54 owner who has not upgraded cooling components. But for me (N55 BTW) who tracks my car in Texas summer this is worth a little extra IMO..

OP , Glad you are enjoying the tune, Thanks for the great info.

Haters gon hate.... Its your money and your car, glad you are happy because that's who matters.

Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one and most of them stink....

[MightyMouseTech]

And stop posting here, go out and enjoy it.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by davis449

ask if it's really worth paying that much money for one year of "warranty" coverage from Dinan (because they, to my knowledge, match the new car warranty not CPO or aftermarket coverage).

Not to support one side or the other on this argument, but my local Dinan dealer (also my local BMW dealer) told me that in the case of a used or CPO car, like mine, they will provide a two year warranty from time of install, regardless of duration of factory or CPO warranty. In my case, I have one year of factory left and two of CPO, so if I were to go Dinan, I would still have CPO warranty after the Dinan runs out. The fact that my local dealer is still a Dinan dealer would give me great confidence that they would not void my warranty for Dinan products installed in their own shop.

That said, I have decided to likely go with another tune.

[davis449]

I have first hand experience with needing CPO warranty work on my car for intercooler piping problems, charge pipe diverter valves, and gaskets. Never once had an issue with the dealer honoring the warranty. If fact I have a thread thats only a few days old talking about my experience with CEL.

Yeah, and I have first hand experience getting warranty work done with no issues on two different heavily modded APR tuned Audi's (a company's whose products were sold by very few Audi dealers in the past that I did not actually get installed at an Audi dealer)...what's your point? If I had experienced something truly catastrophic, I highly doubt they would've covered it. Go look at people who got screwed by Stasis' warranty (a company who offered the same type of "warranty" DINAN does for BMW's). Instances have been brought to light here in this forum where owners have been screwed by the DINAN warranty due to finger pointing. You are simply proving the point I've already made and will reiterate so you blind fanboys will understand: No matter what, when you modify the car you are rolling the dice with your warranty. Period.

Dinan makes a solid product. Its marketing is good and the price shows. Its a conservative product but as long as you know that and accept it, who cares

And Bose sells a lot of "high end, quality audiophile grade" products...

Let me elaborate on my POV, I have an aftermarket warranty (Easy Care, if anyone is curious).

Per easy care, any parts that can be supplied and installed via a BMW will be covered under warranty. From their standpoint if BMW is supplying the part and not some aftermarket supplier then the quality and the engineering is in place so as not to greanade your engine or other related parts.

I hope, for your sake, you never have test the fine print on this one...

[edisapimp]

Originally Posted by Frank 135i Vert

When you get in the car, it feels stock if your driving conservatively and below 1500 RPM's. But as soon as you push down on the pedal...WOW. It's like someone just let Dr. Jekyl out for a little fun. It just pushes you back and the RPM's climb much faster than in stock form. I've heard others say it pulls like a freight train and I'd have to agree.

Seriously???

Originally Posted by cbl117

Frank, first and foremost glad you like the car and your decisions. That's really all that matters...
That all said, I still want more power! ha

Seriously???

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

Seriously???



Seriously???

Seriously what? The fact that you made it clear you don't understand light humor? Go troll elsewhere.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by davis449

Yeah, and I have first hand experience getting warranty work done with no issues on two different heavily modded APR tuned Audi's (a company's whose products were sold by very few Audi dealers in the past that I did not actually get installed at an Audi dealer)...what's your point? If I had experienced something truly catastrophic, I highly doubt they would've covered it. Go look at people who got screwed by Stasis' warranty (a company who offered the same type of "warranty" DINAN does for BMW's). Instances have been brought to light here in this forum where owners have been screwed by the DINAN warranty due to finger pointing. You are simply proving the point I've already made and will reiterate so you blind fanboys will understand: No matter what, when you modify the car you are rolling the dice with your warranty. Period.



And Bose sells a lot of "high end, quality audiophile grade" products...


I hope, for your sake, you never have test the fine print on this one...

Let me spell out my point since you didn't get it. The OP is discussing Dinan and some following posts were discussing warranty. Then Darkrom dumps some anecdotal statement that BMW might not honor the warranty with Dinan products. It seems appropriate for me the share my experience with warranty work and Dinan products. Good info for someone considering Dinan.

Whats your point? No one is talking about Audi, actually this is a BMW forum last I checked. Don't know what Stasis warranty is and don't care to look it up.

How much do you know about audiophiles and high fidelity stereo? Do you know Wilson Audio, VPI, Benz Micro, Cardas? Because I do, and I use all their equipment and still bought a pair of bose soundsport in ears for the gym. Guess I'm a sucker.

[darkrom]

Originally Posted by 135TX

In addition unlike JB4 or COBB, DINAN speeds up the water pump to compensate for added heat that extra boost puts on the engine. This uniique feature would be worth paying extra to ANY N54 owner who has not upgraded cooling components. But for me (N55 BTW) who tracks my car in Texas summer this is worth a little extra IMO...

The jb4 can do this if you want. Its a simple option. Having it default working the water pump harder is not a good idea IMO. Working one of the most common failure points on the n54 harder?

Me and many others run much higher boost on stock cooling and aren't seeing increased temps.

[edisapimp]

Originally Posted by cbl117

Seriously what? The fact that you made it clear you don't understand light humor? Go troll elsewhere.

Not trolling, Frodo - I just find what you said funny, as in: Seriously? Did you seriously say you want more power after saying how you appreciate your Dinan tune?

If you go back and read any of my posts about the subject, you'll find that I really don't give a shit what tune anyone has and I don't support one over the other.

Sod off.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

Not trolling, Frodo - I just find what you said funny, as in: Seriously? Did you seriously say you want more power after saying how you appreciate your Dinan tune?

If you go back and read any of my posts about the subject, you'll find that I really don't give a shit what tune anyone has and I don't support one over the other.

Sod off.

That mentality (that you find funny) created the aftermarket tuning industry.