Dinan and Cruise Control Update

[joelk]

Called Dinan tech support. They are aware of the CC problem and are planning to fix it soon. They were hesitant to give a timeframe but it sounded like it would be a couple of months.

If you call they will put you on the list and contact you when they have it resolved.

edit: see my post below for new info.

[TrojanBMW]

What's the problem with CC?

[joelk]

Originally Posted by TrojanBMW

What's the problem with CC?

As it stands, the dinan software disables the CC.

[TrojanBMW]

Originally Posted by joelk

As it stands, the dinan software disables the CC.

Um, that ain't good. I don't really use CC, but it doesn't really fill me with confidence.

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by TrojanBMW

Um, that ain't good. I don't really use CC, but it doesn't really fill me with confidence.

I hear you ... I mean how much QA went into this .. lol

Crowley

[john970]

another reason i'm getting a juicebox mod.

[heyimsam]

A lot of engine managments delete the cruise control function, so I dont think you guys have anything to worry about.

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by heyimsam

A lot of engine managments delete the cruise control function, so I dont think you guys have anything to worry about.

This would be the first for me .. all of my other tunes (Fords / Chevy) have kept this function ..

Sounds like an oversite from Dinan to me ..

Crowley

[WhiteOne]

From what I have read, the CC is the least of their problems.

[asv]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

From what I have read, the CC is the least of their problems.

Care to elaborate?

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by joelk

As it stands, the dinan software disables the CC.

I only use cruise control on very long trips. In the past four years I've probably used it 2-3 times total. Even if I don't use it I think it's pretty lame that Dinan would spend so much time making top notch tuning software but not spend a few minutes to check something so simple.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

From what I have read, the CC is the least of their problems.

I'm sure he's referring to the warranty issue. If you really think about it Dinan has no problem. If BMW blames more failures on Dinan than in the past.. I think Dinan can afford it.

Software is nearly 100% profit. They spend a few weeks tuning one car then sell the same tune to everyone else. Assuming they currently sell 200 335i software upgrades per month at $2k/ea that's $400,000/month. The 135i market will only add to those sales numbers. I'd guess it's safe to say they'll make at least $4.5 million in one year. If 10% of the 2400 cars upgraded per year come in needing a major repair ($10k?) that's around $2.4 million. Given BMW's over engineering, the percentange of failures will be much less than that.

Let's see: $4.5M-2.4M = $2.1 million per year.

I seriously doubt Dinan is concerned about being responsible for more warranty claims. Of course, I didn't factor in dealer network profit but it's a pretty good estimate.

[akak1997]

Originally Posted by crzy4135i

Software is nearly 100% profit. They spend a few weeks tuning one car then sell the same tune to everyone else.

As a Software developer, this is the kinda BS I've to deal with Daily. Software is Free. After it's done, it'll work forever... WTF!?

Using the 135 as a perfect example, recently, BMW changed the encryption on the ECU, and now Dinan will have to spend money to figure out how to crack it and re-install the software. So, what makes you think BMW won't do it again?

Software does not have to be manufactured and there're no material cost doesn't mean that it's free once you've finished it.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by akak1997

As a Software developer, this is the kinda BS I've to deal with Daily. Software is Free. After it's done, it'll work forever... WTF!?

Using the 135 as a perfect example, recently, BMW changed the encryption on the ECU, and now Dinan will have to spend money to figure out how to crack it and re-install the software. So, what makes you think BMW won't do it again?

Software does not have to be manufactured and there're no material cost doesn't mean that it's free once you've finished it.

True, but compare it to other products they sell such as cat-back exhaust. They have to manufacture EVERY exhaust system they sell. They do not have to tune every single car that gets the software upgrade. I knew I'd hear from some of Bill Gate's employees.

[larryn]

I would think most of their resources are working on the DME issue with the MSD81 cars, first and foremost.

One is a fix for their existing customer base that they make $0 on, and the DME issue keeps their bread n butter line open. It's a no brainer to figure out what their priorities are.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by akak1997

As a Software developer, this is the kinda BS I've to deal with Daily. Software is Free. After it's done, it'll work forever... WTF!?

Using the 135 as a perfect example, recently, BMW changed the encryption on the ECU, and now Dinan will have to spend money to figure out how to crack it and re-install the software. So, what makes you think BMW won't do it again?

Software does not have to be manufactured and there're no material cost doesn't mean that it's free once you've finished it.

I work for a ginormous conglomerate in a software company, and know that the product I'm working on cost my company millions in development costs so far, and we are just starting to implement on a few betas now.

As far as Dinan and their tune, read both Bimmer magazine, last month, and Roundel, who both did in-depth articles about this specific tune. It wasn't a slap it together solution, by any stretch of the imagination.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by larryn

I would think most of their resources are working on the DME issue with the MSD81 cars, first and foremost.

One is a fix for their existing customer base that they make $0 on, and the DME issue keeps their bread n butter line open. It's a no brainer to figure out what their priorities are.

true but it will very much speak to their professionalism. half-assed products don't do much for the brand. i'm expecting it to take a while but it shows shoddy work and they should be embarrassed. (irrespective of whether their base actually uses CC or not) cheers!

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by joelk

true but it will very much speak to their professionalism. half-assed products don't do much for the brand. i'm expecting it to take a while but it shows shoddy work and they should be embarrassed. (irrespective of whether their base actually uses CC or not) cheers!

I think we can all agree on that. It makes me wonder if there are any other glitches. I'm sure they are very embarrassed about it.

[joelk]

I went to my Dinan dealer today to get my car reflashed. When I walked in he was actually on the phone with Steve Dinan. Things to report:

1) the CC issue will be fixed in next months software update
2) expect the Dinan Stage 3 software which produces 400 hp and 430 ft-lb. this requires their intercooler and their oil cooler.
3) they've cracked the new computer and will have a plan in place as soon as next month to upgrade these newer 1ers.

My observations:

1) The new Dinan software (with the adjusted throttle map) is amazing. It feels so good.

2) There is such a difference now that I've gone back to the original software and then reflashed with Dinan. It's practically a new car. The power increase is perfect and really in retrospect the stock car wasn't fast enough for me. When I originally had the Dinan flash I hadn't had a chance to get to know the car. After having to go back to the original software for a few weeks (because of the CC issues) I've learned to appreciate the substantial improvement that Dinan offers.

3) I was too hard on them about fixing the CC. Given how often BMW changes their software it is amazing they can keep up.

This latest Dinan software rocks! Seriously people should stop worrying! it's great.

[Johnnyr135]

You said something about newer cars not being able to use it. How do I know if I can use this update. My car is stock but I want to try and get a Dinan flash this week

[ansun]

As a result of this I will be getting my $2200 back and get a AA tune.

[b2nvs2001]

Originally Posted by joelk

I went to my Dinan dealer today to get my car reflashed. When I walked in he was actually on the phone with Steve Dinan. Things to report:

1) the CC issue will be fixed in next months software update
2) expect the Dinan Stage 3 software which produces 400 hp and 430 ft-lb. this requires their intercooler and their oil cooler.
3) they've cracked the new computer and will have a plan in place as soon as next month to upgrade these newer 1ers.

My observations:

1) The new Dinan software (with the adjusted throttle map) is amazing. It feels so good.

2) There is such a difference now that I've gone back to the original software and then reflashed with Dinan. It's practically a new car. The power increase is perfect and really in retrospect the stock car wasn't fast enough for me. When I originally had the Dinan flash I hadn't had a chance to get to know the car. After having to go back to the original software for a few weeks (because of the CC issues) I've learned to appreciate the substantial improvement that Dinan offers.

3) I was too hard on them about fixing the CC. Given how often BMW changes their software it is amazing they can keep up.

This latest Dinan software rocks! Seriously people should stop worrying! it's great.

Do you feel the flat spot too when you floor it but not when you put it only 2/5 of the way down?