I don't actually have a Mini yet, but out of curiousity I gave Dinan a call today to see what the status of the Mini line-up is. You may recall that they included some details in an October 2003 newsletter -- it is no longer available on their website (I think they recently redesigned it), but is available in Google's cache.

I traded voicemails with Eric Bateman, the "Performance Representatitve" handling Mini stuff at Dinan (408-779-8584, ext. 105). He indicated that Dinan expects to have a line of MCS equipment out in "8-9 weeks" and said that it will include "upgrades for suspension, exhaust, throttle body, cold air intake, software, and strut braces." He promied to let me know when the line is released.

Though I know there are some Dinan naysayers, I think this would present an attractive alternative to the expensive JCW package. I'd do the pulley mod in a heartbeat, and would pay double for it, if the installer would commit to: if Mini says the pulley upgrade causes your engine problems, I'll work with Mini and either they or I will repair it under warranty -- essentially the commitment it appears Dinan makes.

 

A warrantied lsd from Dinan would be nice...

 

I don't remember where I saw it, but I remember seeing a press release within the last week or so that showed a stage 1 kit that took the car to just under 200hp and cost $3000 plus labor.

 

something that actually made it to market would be nicer

 

>>something that actually made it to market would be nicer

Indeed.

 

Posted: Sep 21, 2002 Performance Modifications :: Dinan parts for the Mini
Posted: Mar 26, 2003 Performance Modifications :: Dinan...
Posted: May 10, 2003 Performance Modifications :: Dinan Package
Posted: Jul 11, 2003 Performance Modifications :: Dinan MINI rumors...
Posted: Oct 28, 2003 Performance Modifications :: New DINAN stage 1 and 2 performance upgrades for MCS announced
Posted: Feb 18, 2004 Performance Modifications :: Any updates on Dinan's MINI system?

Edited: the above is not to show this topic is a repost, rather to show how long people have been waiting for real product to materialize in a customer's hands.
_________________
:: David Bunting :: North American Motoring :: Send me a PM ::

 

Yeesh.

Makes me wonder what sort of political process Dinan has to go through before releasing new products. With the warranty structure, each new product commits dozens of dealers nationwide to do warranty work -- here it is work to a whole 'nother class of car. I wonder if the Dinan mothership just gets to pick what products they wish, or whether they need to consult their network of dealers.

Plus being a California dealer, I imagine he'll be seeking CARB approval for his stuff. That can't be quick either.

Ah well, my MCS won't come until July. Maybe it'll be released by then?

 

I gave up waiting for Dinan and went with Randy Webb at webbmotorsports. (a sponsor here).

I got quite a few mods and will fight with MINI if it comes down to it.

Earl

 

Below is excerpt from an email I received from Habberstad Mini on Long Island (NY).

After Dinan's company meeting yesterday the Mini Cooper upgrades will be released in 10-12 weeks they say. As for what will be released for performance parts is a SOFTWARE UPGRADE, COLD AIR INTAKE, EXHAUST, THROTTLE BODY, FRONT STRUT BRACE. As for the supercharger pulley , there still in debate on that product and wont give me an exact answer on that issue.

 

Initially the early reports from last year mentioned that March or April 2004 would be the release dates for the MCS stage 1 and 2 kits with more to follow including kits for the MC.

Now we are realistically looking at July 2004. I think they are missing the boat and will loose business if the dates keep slipping as many have been waiting for over a year already.

Promises, promises. Just more vaporware.

 

RE: missing the boat

If Dinan comes out in July, that's just before MINI enters it's fourth model year (MY2005). The R56 MINI with the Peugeot engine is due in MY2007. That leaves Dinan MY2005 and MY2006 to recoup costs from all this time spent in developement. I'd bet MY2006 isn't as strong in the modifications market given the impending arrival of the R56.

In my book, Dinan already missed the boat.

 

>>In my book, Dinan already missed the boat.

I disagree with this. The large numbers of exsisting cars will provide more than enough revenue to make it worth their effort. Just look at the huge market for aftermarket parts for the early build Miata's. They stopped making the early build Miata in '97 and aftermarket companies still do a huge amount of business for the early models.

No Flames! Just a respectful disagreement open to discussion! Sorry you never know when you might get blasted around here!

 

Dinan is just around the corner from me... minutes away. That, along with their reputation, had me thinking of them as soon as I got on the the waitlist when the MCS made Playboy way back when...

I'm glad that I didn't wait though. I have a mutt MCS, and proud of it!

To be honest, we are obviously not a priority for Dinan, and that concerns me. The MCS crossed the pond over 2 years ago, and still nothing. They have bigger fish to fry apparently, and there is probably a wise or prudent business justification for doing so...

I have a passion for this car, like many of us do. Likewise, I want to work with a shop that sees the MINI in the same way. For the likes of Randy and Peter (I have not worked with Eric, but he seems to certainly qualify), the MINI is their bread & butter. Not only do I want products now, but I want to work with people who have and share the same enthusiasm that I do about this little guy.

I hope that when Dinan does finally come-out with some stuff, it is truly unique. If we see re-badged products, the basic intake designs, reduction pullies, etc... the wait was simply due to lack of attention, not brilliant minds concocting a new SC or something else "revolutionary."

Anf if that is the case (I hope I'm wrong), I would have waited two years to get less, and pay more for it. For those who will be in the mkt when they are finally ready, I'm sure they will be considered a viable option. The fact that they will be more expensive than other vendors/tuners, and that the MINI is not their focus, will have many thinking twice though...

I give the BMWs I encounter on my canyon roads all they can handle. When I see a Dinan nameplate on the back, I turn it up a notch To each their own. Seriously, I'm glad that there will be more options for MINI owners...

 

This is the first I heard of this - details please?

 

MotoringFile:: Lighter/More Powerful Engines for the R56
MotoringFile:: More Next Generation MINI Details
MotoringFile:: More Details on MINIs Upcoming Engine Change

 

Haven't missed the boat for me -- I won't have mine until July. If they have something out by then, I'll give it a hard look. And, honestly, even if it is repackaged Mini Mania stuff, I'd still likely jump at it if it isn't sold at too steep a premium. Despite my posturing in the "ruined my clutch" thread (which I stand behind), I'm a jittery guy & the warranty is very important to me -- I don't want to risk voiding it.

Dinan has updated its website, btw. It'll probably do more to enrage than pacify, as there are still no real details.

 

I think many of us respect the DINAN name and philosophy. If they make upgrades and kits for the MINI then great. It adds to the legitimacy of it as a sportscar and it recognizes MINI as a "BMW" worthy of their time for R&D.

While it is true that time has passed by since 2002 and the first MINIs arrived, it is also true that the vast majority of MINIs out there are not modded much at all. Only a small fraction are modded (the crazy ones). Obviously for many of us that have decided not to wait the DINAN upgrades are more of a non workable option but I do know that there are plenty of MINI owners with stock MINIs and intact warranties that are still waiting for DINAN and willing to keep their warranties.

DINAN will offer a four year warranty on their kits even if the MINI is 2 or 3 years old. So for those who want warranty this is a good thing.

When I say missing the boat I mean for those enthusiasts that want the best and can't wait there is only so much time that can go by before they are doing one mod after another. At some point to consider DINAN upgrades you have to start over and buy a fresh used stock MINI and take it up from there which is certainly an option. We have learned much about upgrades and we would know which things from DINAN look good compared to other aftermarket options. Remember that good DINAN warranty when you are choosing.

The other thing about DINAN is that there are alot of options they offer, like a complete line of upgrades and it is in the US so no getting european parts from far away. DINAN wheels, brakes, suspension, exhaust, you name it.

So I guess if I get another MINI like a used MC and keep it stock then it might have a chance to get some DINAN kit and upgrades down the road plus a warranty on those upgrades. A nice DINAN badge would be kinda nice.

 

Hmmm, I thought this was interesting. Check out this link...

http://www.dinancars.com/Mini.asp?Se...0&Model=91

It seems like they're almost there.

 

That stuff has been on their site for months. I've seen vendors with "TBA" and "Coming Soon" on their websites for as much as a year. It couldn't be taking this long to develop their products. With Dinan's business model of being factory approved, I would guess they're struggling to negotiate warranty issues with MINI/BMW or maybe having trouble with emissions approval (all complete speculation on my part).

Cheers,

James

 

>>>>
>>
>>That stuff has been on their site for months. I've seen vendors with "TBA" and "Coming Soon" on their websites for as much as a year. It couldn't be taking this long to develop their products. With Dinan's business model of being factory approved, I would guess they're struggling to negotiate warranty issues with MINI/BMW or maybe having trouble with emissions approval (all complete speculation on my part).
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>James
>>

There are no warranty issues with BMW/MINI because Dinan's warranty has no association with BMW/MINI. MINI is very keen to distance themselves from Dinan and has done so in several internal dealer memos.

It's important to remember that a Dinan warranty is not a MINI warranty.

 

They will lose business, not loose it.

 

maybe Dinan has produced the kit and realized that it made the MINI just too damn good and they are afraid that their over-sized BMW's will be out-done too easily. . .?

Or perhaps they are just really really dumb to not tap into a very enthusiastic new marketplace ripe for a brand name aftermarket hot-rod option?