Dinan Stage 3 Installed

[NGEE]

Just had Dinan Stage 3 installed on my 135is N55. Intercooler upgrade and software. The original oil cooler will suffice for my needs, and the "is" trim already has the performance exhaust.

Car is a beast. A lot of traffic on the drive home, but even with dry roads the rear end wanted to get loose quite a bit, including on DCT gear changes. Jolting.

I may have to explore the M3 LSD.

I have no experience with the JB4 - are there cheaper alternatives to get onboard data for boost and times?

[MaC-N54-E82]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Just had Dinan Stage 3 installed on my 135is N55. Intercooler upgrade and software. The original oil cooler will suffice for my needs, and the "is" trim already has the performance exhaust.

Car is a beast. A lot of traffic on the drive home, but even with dry roads the rear end wanted to get loose quite a bit, including on DCT gear changes. Jolting.

I may have to explore the M3 LSD.

I have no experience with the JB4 - are there cheaper alternatives to get onboard data for boost and times?

Congrats!

Interested in hearing your longer term reviews of the upgrade. Are you coming from stock? If you’re willing Approximate cost?

Enjoy!

[blue135]

Well, my N54 was upgraded with Stage 3 in about 2010. I have had car since 2015. Absolutely no issues. No OFHG issue (upgraded fittings associated with oil cooler meant that it was likely addressed then though it was not leaking), no Valve Cover issue. Did have to replace water pump, but that I do not associate with Dinan.
Previous owner had new coils, plugs, injectors and ultimately a walnut shell blast at 45k mi to address drivability problem. Again, don't associate that with Dinan.
Love the acceleration and the performance.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by MaC-N54-E82

Congrats!

Interested in hearing your longer term reviews of the upgrade. Are you coming from stock? If you’re willing Approximate cost?

Enjoy!

Thanks. I upgraded from stock. Stage 3 on my N55 called for:

- Dinan intercooler upgrade
- Dinan oil cooler upgrade (not tracking, so I stuck with stock oil cooler)
- Performance exhaust (135is already has it, stock)
- Dinan Stage 3 software

I was kind of surprised that the stock intake was sufficient.

So the intercooler plus software plus labor was almost $3k. I had it done at the dealer, so it's probably cheaper elsewhere.

I may go for a turbocharger upgrade, but I need to find out if the Dinan software would need to be updated.

[________]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Thanks. I upgraded from stock. Stage 3 on my N55 called for:

- Dinan intercooler upgrade
- Dinan oil cooler upgrade (not tracking, so I stuck with stock oil cooler)
- Performance exhaust (135is already has it, stock)
- Dinan Stage 3 software

I was kind of surprised that the stock intake was sufficient.

So the intercooler plus software plus labor was almost $3k. I had it done at the dealer, so it's probably cheaper elsewhere.

I may go for a turbocharger upgrade, but I need to find out if the Dinan software would need to be updated.

I’m pretty certain if you change the size of the turbo you will throw away your Dinan tune. I don’t think they do custom tunes.

I hear good things about Dinan and driveability, feeling like stock but with more power. Confirm?

Do they claim HP and torque figures?

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Onesie

I’m pretty certain if you change the size of the turbo you will throw away your Dinan tune. I don’t think they do custom tunes.

I hear good things about Dinan and driveability, feeling like stock but with more power. Confirm?

Do they claim HP and torque figures?

Confirmed - feels like stock, lots more power.

I did not get torque figures, but was told by the tech +60HP. I have heard on other posts that S3/N55 is 398hp and 440tq. My butt dyno definitely feels the torque.

Strange how S3 does not include a CAI upgrade, but others have said that it adds another 10hp, which sounds high.

[________]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Confirmed - feels like stock, lots more power.

I did not get torque figures, but was told by the tech +60HP. I have heard on other posts that S3/N55 is 398hp and 440tq. My butt dyno definitely feels the torque.

Strange how S3 does not include a CAI upgrade, but others have said that it adds another 10hp, which sounds high.

I’d be skeptical about this claim. MHD doesn’t claim over 380 on its tune, which should be more aggressive and used a catless down pipe (which adds 20-30hp already), which Dinan doesn’t use.
It kinda says that if Dinan used catless downpipes they’d be able to reach 430hp, which is unheard of.

But it must be a “better” tune than MHD in the smoothness and reliability. Congrats, it’s a nice one for sure. Enjoy the extra power!!! It makes the car silly…

[1junkie]

Does the Dinan tune add in any pops and bangs like the PPK? I currently have the PPK and love the noise. I also have the Dinan tune on my MINI Clubman S and it added significant power and they programmed in the JCW pops.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 1junkie

Does the Dinan tune add in any pops and bangs like the PPK? I currently have the PPK and love the noise. I also have the Dinan tune on my MINI Clubman S and it added significant power and they programmed in the JCW pops.

I had PPK and added Dinan Stage 2 to my old 135i, and while I didn't notice any added sounds from the Dinan tune I still had the pops and crackles from PPK, which I was worried might be removed when adding the Dinan tune. I also had the Performance exhaust which enhanced the PPK sounds.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I had PPK and added Dinan Stage 2 to my old 135i, and while I didn't notice any added sounds from the Dinan tune I still had the pops and crackles from PPK, which I was worried might be removed when adding the Dinan tune. I also had the Performance exhaust which enhanced the PPK sounds.

I was also worried that the tune would mess with my PPK sound, but I have noticed no difference. What was your experience moving from PPK to PPK+Dinan S2?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by NGEE

I was also worried that the tune would mess with my PPK sound, but I have noticed no difference. What was your experience moving from PPK to PPK+Dinan S2?

I noticed the difference, mostly in the torque. Zero problems and felt like factory tune, just more power. Not a great amount but enough to make a difference. Of course you have more. Was what I expected and was happy with it.

Was also CARB friendly which mattered to me living in California.

[blue135]

I have the pops and burbles with my S3. Do not have PPK but have Dinan exhaust though I think the software is influencing the sounds.
Love them!

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by blue135

I have the pops and burbles with my S3. Do not have PPK but have Dinan exhaust though I think the software is influencing the sounds.
Love them!

Damn. Now I'm curious about the diff between BMW performance exhaust and Dinan exhaust.

[Esteban]

^ blue135 has an N54, so that is a different Dinan tune then your N55. I think the N54 tune makes more power, and might add the pops and burbles too.

I think the exhausts are pretty similar.

[blue135]

And one other thing that has been unsaid - the Dinan (and likely PPK) sound seems to be focused on a more "mature" clientelle. Some might find it, even with the burbles and pops, a bit too quiet. But my elderly ears do enjoy the sound when it bounces off the trees and stone in the forest or the mountains.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by blue135

And one other thing that has been unsaid - the Dinan (and likely PPK) sound seems to be focused on a more "mature" clientelle. Some might find it, even with the burbles and pops, a bit too quiet. But my elderly ears do enjoy the sound when it bounces off the trees and stone in the forest or the mountains.

In my mind the PPK exhaust is perfect. Obnoxious seems to be the trend though.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by NGEE

In my mind the PPK exhaust is perfect. Obnoxious seems to be the trend though.

Yeah, PPK and the Performance exhaust, which is what you have sounds pretty damn good in my book. I put off getting the Dinan tune for a couple of years because I was worried it might mess with that great sound, it didn't. BTW, mine was N55 like yours.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Yeah, PPK and the Performance exhaust, which is what you have sounds pretty damn good in my book. I put off getting the Dinan tune for a couple of years because I was worried it might mess with that great sound, it didn't. BTW, mine was N55 like yours.

Another concern I had was that it would mess somehow with the "Sport" button on the car. Pre-tune, it was a different car with the "Sport" mode on - more responsive throttle, more power, faster DCT shifts (at least it seemed that way).

Fortunately, that is all retained with the tune, except now "Regular" mode is like the former "Sport" mode, and "Sport" mode is more like a new "Beast" mode.

I had a question in my OP that hasn't been answered - is there something I can install (maybe less complex than a JB4) to get performance data real-time?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Another concern I had was that it would mess somehow with the "Sport" button on the car. Pre-tune, it was a different car with the "Sport" mode on - more responsive throttle, more power, faster DCT shifts (at least it seemed that way).

Fortunately, that is all retained with the tune, except now "Regular" mode is like the former "Sport" mode, and "Sport" mode is more like a new "Beast" mode.

I had a question in my OP that hasn't been answered - is there something I can install (maybe less complex than a JB4) to get performance data real-time?

It's funny you mention Beast. There's a member here Chunner, who called his 135is with Dinan S3 a beast as well. It's in his sig. He hasn't posted for a few months. Check it out if you like. He's a "friend" and you can find him in my profile.

Don't know about your question. Maybe MHD for the N55? Just be careful you don't do something to lose your tune. Enjoy your "Beast."

[ResinThirteen]

Originally Posted by NGEE

Just had Dinan Stage 3 installed on my 135is N55. Intercooler upgrade and software. The original oil cooler will suffice for my needs, and the "is" trim already has the performance exhaust.

Car is a beast. A lot of traffic on the drive home, but even with dry roads the rear end wanted to get loose quite a bit, including on DCT gear changes. Jolting.

I may have to explore the M3 LSD.

I have no experience with the JB4 - are there cheaper alternatives to get onboard data for boost and times?

Man, that's awesome! I've been really considering the Dinan S3 for my '09. Glad to hear you like it so much.

For your other question, yeah, there's tons of tools out there that'll give you that info in real time. I use a bluetooth OBDII scanner with BimmerLink when I want more info on what is going on in the engine. I'm not sure if JB4 just for monitoring is worth it, but there are SO many options out there, I'm sure you'll find one you like.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by ResinThirteen

I use a bluetooth OBDII scanner with BimmerLink when I want more info on what is going on in the engine. I'm not sure if JB4 just for monitoring is worth it, but there are SO many options out there, I'm sure you'll find one you like.

Thanks.

I have a scanner for getting codes and other information. I was looking for something that would give real-time performance data - boost, 0-60, 40-80, 60-100, etc. I want to play around with the best methods for launch, but can't determine which is best without live data.

[NGEE]

I normally mind my own biz, but today a Supra GR (I believe GR stands for G-o-R-g-e-o-u-s) was dogging me for miles on a single-lane back road. When we turned onto a two-lane road, I was tempted.

The GR as I understand runs 382/368. Would have been interesting, but I let him go. I was taking the 135 to a shop for some paint work that required a two-month advance booking, and just wanted to not miss my appt. by getting pulled over