N55 135i stock vs PPK vs Dinan Stage 2

[Mikbek]

I had a great opportunity to drive a stock N55 135i, then a PPK version of the same car then a N55 135i with the newly available Dinan Stage 2. The stock car, as most of you would agree is pretty fast and has great torque from 1,500 rpm up to 6,500 rpm or so. Then I drove the N55 135i with BMW PPK installed. I definitely noticed a difference in acceleration from stock but there really was not a dramatic increase in my opinion. It was noticeable but I am not sure it was $1,000 worth of extra performance. From reading this forum I would guess many of you could get more performance spending the money on some other upgrade. It was then time to drive my car that just had the Dinan Stage 2 installed. I am being completely honest when I say I am not impressed that easily. My daily driver before I purchased this 2012 135i with sport package and 6 speed manual was a 2011 CTS-V coupe. The Dinan Stage 2 was and is amazing! It accellerates so much harder from 2,500 to about 6,500 rpm that I have a hard time believing that is all that was done to the car! It feels about the same from idle to between 2,000-2,500 then it just rips. Dinan rates it at 355 hp and 401 lb ft but I think it is conservative. I have no vested interest in promoting Dinan over any other mod. I did choose it with the warranty staying in place in mind. I know $2k can buy quite a bit of performance on this car but I did get a little better deal and I see it as money extremely well spent. I do plan on getting it on the dyno and will report those numbers. You can literally peel the tires off through 1st and 2nd and chirp hitting third gear. The acceleration is immediate and torque feels like a big-block V8. The pull stays strong well past 130mph. I am betting the numbers are higher than advertised. I called and talked Dinan and all Scott at Dinan would say is that they are very happy with the results with the new Stage 2 in the most recent DME which I have. As many of you know the PPK from BMW and Dinan upgrades were not available in 135i N55 engines produced after March or April of this year due to more complex encription in the new DME they were using. Anyway, you can tell I am happy with the results even though I had to wait almost 4 months after I paid for it to actually be installed. Any more info I can give let me know. The difference between stock and even PPK and Dinan Stage 2 on this car is completely and utterly dramatic and worth every penny and the wait!!!

[Vlaze]

I like your assessment. I too have the Dinan Stage 2 and love how to drives. The flash really makes it feel like the car should have come from the factory. Nothing funky about it or any issues, just feels nice and smooth with a distinct increase in power. The mid-range has the largest benefit, which is where most of us are driving around town.

[Clovef]

Glad to hear you like it. Deffenely the most power you can get with a warantee.

[Spoolin Montego]

For 2k You could of had all the mods that were done to my car already. Downpipes, Intake, Cobb, AND my apex wheels. If you thnk the Dinan is fast hop in an FBO car.

My SA think's my car is pretty sweet with my mods and he even said the downpipe wouldn't be an issue with replacing my turbos when they start rattling more.

[Spoolin Montego]

Originally Posted by Clovef

Glad to hear you like it. Deffenely the most power you can get with a warantee.

Does your car rub with the 275s on the Apex wheels? Considering upping to a 275 once I kill these 255s

[Suds]

Glad to here you enjoying the tune on the N55. I have had mine since February. Just drove 3600 miles in two weeks through Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, what a hoot, the boost is great on the high mountain passes.

You should consider a larger FMIC, it will add to the fun.

[ragingpanda]

Originally Posted by Spoolin Montego

For 2k You could of had all the mods that were done to my car already. Downpipes, Intake, Cobb, AND my apex wheels. If you thnk the Dinan is fast hop in an FBO car.

My SA think's my car is pretty sweet with my mods and he even said the downpipe wouldn't be an issue with replacing my turbos when they start rattling more.

He has an N55 where you have an N54. Cobb isn't available for the N55 either.

[Spoolin Montego]

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

He has an N55 where you have an N54. Cobb isn't available for the N55 either.

Of course, but jb4 and it's half the price too.

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by Spoolin Montego

Of course, but jb4 and it's half the price too.

Dude, glad you're happy with your tune. If you don't have anything good to say, stay quiet. OP said he loves his tune and his money was well spent. I guess that's all that needs to be said.

Congrats on your Dinan Stage 2!! I've had mine for a while and definitely agree with your assessment.

[Mikbek]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. I am open to additional mods that make sense. I guess I was expecting a truly noticeable difference but I definitely got way more than expected after reading on this forum from some that the Dinan stage 2 did not offer much more than the BMW PPK. The difference between the two is actually dramatic by any definition of the word!! It takes a fun, fast car and turns it into a true performance car. No drama, no flat spots. It is what BMW should offer as stock. The reviews and overall status of the 135i would reflect the brutally fast performance car that is there just waiting to be unleashed. I know you can get similar or more performance for the same amount of money or even less but this upgrade is so simple and does not jeopardize warranty. So what do I add next everyone? Looking for logical mods to add power, acceleration and a kick ass exhaust note. The exhaust note currently does not really sound much different than stock besides maybe a little more turbo whine. I prefer mods that do not void warranty and where I do not need to hide from my SA. Suggestions??? Benefit vs cost important too. Thanks everyone!!

[blutattoo]

Love my Dinan tune and I also love my warranty. A lot of people bag on Dinan because the peak horsepower numbers aren't as high as the piggy back tunes, but it offers very linear usable power with unmatched reliability. I have the new stage 3 tune on my N55 and absolutely love it. I track my car 4+ times a month and I have had zero problems with any of the Dinan stuff. Yes, the other tunes are capable of more peak power, but on the track I eat up most cars so what more can I ask for.

[yaymitch]

BMW Performance Exhaust has a great sound!! FMIC will also help with power. I spent most of my money on suspension stuff after that.

[alexmtl_135i]

Anyone tried both JB4 and Dinan Stage 1 for the N55 ? I have the JB4 and it does feel noticeably faster, but not as much as you described. Maybe because my rear tires are spoiling all the fun though .

For the sound, you won't be disappointed with the BMW Performance exhaust. The sound is just amazing!

[jsmonet]

Originally Posted by alexmtl_135i

Anyone tried both JB4 and Dinan Stage 1 for the N55 ? I have the JB4 and it does feel noticeably faster, but not as much as you described. Maybe because my rear tires are spoiling all the fun though .

For the sound, you won't be disappointed with the BMW Performance exhaust. The sound is just amazing!

I had the jb4 running the map that runs on stock exhaust. To be perfectly honest I just didn't like it that much. pulled it, sold it, got the dinan stg2 tune and have been quite happy with it.

I'm now idly curious if I really want to throw down the money for stage 3. I wish some people would do so and throw their cars on a dyno before and after. I'm really curious if there is a noticeable difference.

[tuco44]

Good to read favorable comments on the Dinan Stage 2 as I am seriously considering it for my 2012 135i. Warranty and ease of install are important to me, as is not adding extra after-market stuff. Also, Dinan has a sale on right to end of Oct that saves another about $300 on the price.

There is no way I am adding pieces that jeopardize the warranty or cause related problems. I am older, and just naturally cautious when it comes to warranty on complex cars.

[lazyd0c]

how does a 135i on dinan stage2 compare with the 135is and hopeful future dinan options?

[Suds]

135is is the N54 motor, it has lots of tuning options, a 2011 or later 135i will always be a single turbo N55 motor, Dinan s2 is good on the N55, I have one, but not as tune able as the N54, and the Dinan on a N54 was stronger per there specs.

[wibbit]

I have recently had Dinan Stage 2 installed. I can confirm that after the tune, the car feels like it pulls much harder when provoked, but still maintains the stock feel when driving like a grandma.

That it adds so much torque (acceleration on the street), maintains stock like drivability and comes with factory matching warranty - it's a big win.

Recommend.

[jsmonet]

Originally Posted by Suds

135is is the N54 motor, it has lots of tuning options, a 2011 or later 135i will always be a single turbo N55 motor, Dinan s2 is good on the N55, I have one, but not as tune able as the N54, and the Dinan on a N54 was stronger per there specs.

O_o no.

the 135is gets the blacked out goods, different rims, perf exhaust, and the ppk tune...on its n55 motor.

[alexmtl_135i]

Originally Posted by jsmonet

O_o no.

the 135is gets the blacked out goods, different rims, perf exhaust, and the ppk tune...on its n55 motor.

Yep, 135is is a N55 with PPK. Unline the 335is which is an N54.

[Vlaze]

That's 5 people in this thread (including myself) that all confirm they love the Dinan stage 2 tune for the N55 motor. I understand where some of the other posts are coming from saying you can get the same or more power with other mods (JB4, and others), but some people prefer peace of mind, and a BMW that actually drives like an BMW from the factory,...with more power.

I generally prefer not to takes sides in topics like these, but having experienced both the Dinan and JB4 on the N55 motor, a Dinan tune just 'feels' better when driving(again, personal opinion here). The car seems to respond better and there are no weird hiccups or inconsistent power issues either. Yes, the Dinan tune is an outrageous price compared to the other options, but you are also driving a car that is around 40K+ brand new, and this the only option allows you to legitimately keep a warranty as well.

There are multiple options out there that give you great power, but I would personally recommend the Dinan tune for anyone who is thinking about it.

[lazyd0c]

Originally Posted by alexmtl_135i

Yep, 135is is a N55 with PPK. Unline the 335is which is an N54.

Thanks for the responses! Originally, I've decided to order a 135is in a few months, but after reading more and more, should I opt for a 135 instead and use the extra cash I save and spend it on tunes (jb4 or dinan)? Strictly performance wise, would this be a better option?
I know the 135is has other cosmetic mods, etc... so that's why I've been torn between the 135 and the 135is