Roundel Cover Story of Dinan S2 135i

[///M1]

Did you guys catch the long article (and cover story) in the last issue of Roundel?

Thought it was very fair, reviewer picked up a brand new stock 135i on the way to Laguna Seca (which he took on several backroads), so he was able to compare both the stock and the 398hp-claimed Dinan S2.

I don't think there was one thing I disagreed with. He seemed to oppose his colleagues' prior review (June 08 I think) in Roundel, especially as far as looks. He was left utterly surprised (so am I) how the Dinan S2 runs on the stock rims and skinny tires given the vast amount of power and tq (421lbs). His second gripe on the S2 car (which again I wholeheartedly agree with) is that the stock brakes (despite being 6-pot up front) don't cut the mustard on the track, even for a stock 135i.

One thing he didn't mention, but I am still baffled at, is that the S2 runs on stock airbox. I think after the remap, bigger intercooler and oil cooler, the stock intake becomes a clear bottleneck. People here have claimed a 20whp increase with bolt ons like AFE, and Dinan offers a cold air intake for all it's other cars, wonder why they decided to not tinker with it on the 135i (the brakes and wheels I kinda understand in the sake of keeping the $$$ low, but this should be well worth the bang for the buck)...

Anyhow, check it out, a worthy read.

[Monaco35Dream]

what issue is this from? which month i mean? i dont think i have gotten this yet

[MastaMind]

The real question is, did they change the pads and fluid? If not, then that would be the obvious next step before going with a BBK.

It was a fair review, but I was hoping they would quantify the improvements in some manner. They had a stock 135 and the S2 135, so it could have been done pretty easily.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by Monaco35Dream

what issue is this from? which month i mean? i dont think i have gotten this yet

Latest issue, just got it this Monday.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

The real question is, did they change the pads and fluid? If not, then that would be the obvious next step before going with a BBK.

It was a fair review, but I was hoping they would quantify the improvements in some manner. They had a stock 135 and the S2 135, so it could have been done pretty easily.

I think they had custom pads, I recall reading something that they had to do some manual adjustment as the stock bedding was a different shape or something. I think even something simple as putting in StopTech SS brake lines would help at least with pedal mushiness.

Yeah, I too hoped it would be a S2 vs stock review, but alas. Granted, the stock car was brand new and journalist was asked to brake it in nicely (under 5K rpm at all times)...

[JasonCSU]

I just read that article as well. I was not aware of the brake failure issues on 135's that he had mentioned though.

[SV Concepts III]

Didn't have a chance to read the article but looking forward to it. Dinan has been pretty impressive with the N54 engine, I just find for the price, there are much better aftermarket options.

[UR2SLOW1]

FWIW I recently spoke with the Dinan rep and he assured me that a new airbox is in development will be released soon.

[Robert]

I liked the review, fair and balanced. I wasn't aware of the 6 piston brake failure at all, in fact, my first time hearing about it. Dinan's S2 setup is ridiculous, nearly 470 hp and 500 lbs of torque at the crank if transmission loss is pegged at 15%.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I just read that article as well. I was not aware of the brake failure issues on 135's that he had mentioned though.

That's funny, because he clearly read about it from the posts on THIS forum.

[arrutled]

yep, he sure did. I remember reading those about 4/5 months ago. nothing to worry about though unless your a serious track person

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

That's funny, because he clearly read about it from the posts on THIS forum.

That is funny. I somehow missed it entirely.

[2AD Tanker]

Good read and awesome photo on the cover!!!

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by Turtle

Good read and awesome photo on the cover!!!

my friend took those pics (including the cover). I saw all of the pics he took for the story. Of course not all of them made it into Roundel. I will see if he will all me to share the rest with everyone here.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Robert

I liked the review, fair and balanced. I wasn't aware of the 6 piston brake failure at all, in fact, my first time hearing about it. Dinan's S2 setup is ridiculous, nearly 470 hp and 500 lbs of torque at the crank if transmission loss is pegged at 15%.

In regard to the brake problems, it seems as though the prevailing thought is that there is insufficient cooling to the brake assembly. I believe the author noted talking to another person, one who has all kinds of mods on his 135, including ceramic pads, and that even THOSE were fading.

Mentioned something about the pistons themselves overheating? I would think there would have to be a way to get some more air through there and help dissapate some of the heat.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by UR2SLOW1

FWIW I recently spoke with the Dinan rep and he assured me that a new airbox is in development will be released soon.

I hope that's true! Def the bottleneck and you can squeeze a good 20+whp IMO.

Nordique, would be great if your friend allows you to post some pics that he took, especially in that secluded road near Morgan Hill the writer was referring to!

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

In regard to the brake problems, it seems as though the prevailing thought is that there is insufficient cooling to the brake assembly. I believe the author noted talking to another person, one who has all kinds of mods on his 135, including ceramic pads, and that even THOSE were fading.

Mentioned something about the pistons themselves overheating? I would think there would have to be a way to get some more air through there and help dissapate some of the heat.

Just so there's no confusion, there were two separate issues being discussed -- brake fade and piston failure.

The brake fade issue appears to be a problem with the stock brakes being put to tough use on the track. As a result, some people who track their 135i started using aftermarket track pads.

The piston failure seemed to be a problem with the use of poorly-designed aftermarket track pads.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...piston+failure

[ktdw]

I read the article, or should I say "advertisement", about the Dinan 135i. It was a good review, but it's hard to say it was independant and fair, since they didn't do a back-to-back comparison with a stock 135. Also, they seemed to pull the performance figures right from the Dinan website.

BTW, although I've only read Roundel for a year or so, I don't think I ever recall reading any mention of the other popular tuners (BMS or Vishnu). Kinda funny.

[Jewpac]

Originally Posted by ktdw

I read the article, or should I say "advertisement", about the Dinan 135i. It was a good review, but it's hard to say it was independant and fair, since they didn't do a back-to-back comparison with a stock 135. Also, they seemed to pull the performance figures right from the Dinan website.

BTW, although I've only read Roundel for a year or so, I don't think I ever recall reading any mention of the other popular tuners (BMS or Vishnu). Kinda funny.

I wouldn't trust my car with Vishnu, I can tell you that.

As far as the airbox goes, seeing as how this is a turbo car a cooler intake charge will do much less than it would for an N/A car seeing as how the air has to pass through the very, very hot turbos.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by ktdw

I read the article, or should I say "advertisement", about the Dinan 135i. It was a good review, but it's hard to say it was independant and fair, since they didn't do a back-to-back comparison with a stock 135. Also, they seemed to pull the performance figures right from the Dinan website.

BTW, although I've only read Roundel for a year or so, I don't think I ever recall reading any mention of the other popular tuners (BMS or Vishnu). Kinda funny.

Yeah, it was a good article to read, but it did have an Dinan advertisement feel about it. Just like the article about exterior care--sponsored by Grigot's Garage--a month or two ago. It would be interesting if they tried out other tuners' offerings for the 135i.

Truth be told, the only part of Roundel that isn't hit or miss is Mike Miller's tech letter section. That section is always golden.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by Jewpac

I wouldn't trust my car with Vishnu, I can tell you that.

Can you expand on that pls? I am in early rounds of research as far as which ECU remap tuner to go with, so any color and prior experience would be appreciated.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by ktdw

I read the article, or should I say "advertisement", about the Dinan 135i. It was a good review, but it's hard to say it was independant and fair, since they didn't do a back-to-back comparison with a stock 135. Also, they seemed to pull the performance figures right from the Dinan website.

BTW, although I've only read Roundel for a year or so, I don't think I ever recall reading any mention of the other popular tuners (BMS or Vishnu). Kinda funny.

Roundel has always been pro-Dinan. Just follow the lead: Roundel-BMW CCA-BMW NA-Exclusive Arrangement with Dinan (warranty wise). Add the fact that Dinan offers installs at many BMW centers, then part of the money goes back to BMW NA, then BMW CCA chapters, etc. It is a 'simbiotic' relationship...

So sadly there is bias, would love nothing more for Roundel to be a 'shoot-out' comparo magazine of various tuner options out there and giving a non biased and unsubjective review,