I'm curious as to whether the fact that the problem,
which developed concerning Elite performance, would
have been addressed better had the install been done at
one of their registered installers? Their thought process
could be, 'we don't know if it was installed properly, or if
there might have been an obvious red flag a trained Dinan
expert could have observed had they oversaw the install.'

 

A trained Dinan expert?
It’s not rocket science.
Let DME go to sleep.
Disconnect battery.
Disconnect 3 plugs.
Install harness at 3 plugs.
Connect battery.

My previous career was as an ASE certified tech.

I had to explain to a tech what was wrong with my steering
at the MINI dealer, and what was needed when my steering wheel would
not return to center when making left turns.

All he asked is if there were codes.

 

These Dinan shops are installing Elite and Sport
on a constant, ongoing basis and possibly could
have come across other aftermarket add on's being
present when specific problems developed, allowing
them to address the customer with any concerns they
might have noticed. Also, Dinan doesn't recommend any
shops that aren't in their network, nor do they state
'just about anyone could install it'. It looks like a simple
way for Dinan to please their installers as well as protecting
their own rear ends if certain situations arise.

 

No injuries/no blood. Clearly faulty installation

Still surprised at Dinan's lack of interest in your issue.

 

Your underselling the job. You have to reconnect 6 pieces of plastic that can't actually be plugged into the wrong connector unless you were GorillaMan.

It is a very simple install, easier than putting together an IKEA piece of furniture. Going to a Dinan dealer that up charges for install is plain silly.

 

And after a 'Bozo' like me installs it, and then finds
problems with performance, I can just tell Dinan I
followed the proper steps in installing it and want
them to resolve my problem(s)?

 

I'd leave out the "Bozo" when I contacted them.

If they didn't expect people to self install they wouldn't post a PDF on the website and they wouldn't have ECS Tuning selling them direct to end users. They would just limit sales to dealers and sell less of them.

btw - the issues I see from "Bozo" installs would be failure to let car sleep, not tying up wires to prevent them from getting caught up in fan. Neither is hard to accomplish.

 

Dinan has no issues selling this over the counter to anyone willing to install it themselves. Otherwise it would be an installer sale.
So let’s stop justifying Dinah’s point of view. Ok?

I’m bringing up an issue maybe st likely related to programming.
Too much boost is obviously being dumped during upshift.
I can understand a manual trans as you let off the throttle.
An auto trans obviously would program a little boost
being vented as the RPMs go down.
It didn’t happen with the Sport, it doesn’t happen with bypass.

I’m asking anyone who has an Elite if they have the same issue.

Do you have an Elite? Then please respond constructively.

 

No one here is suggesting that you shouldn't pay for a professional installation if the project seems daunting and/or the cost buys you peace of mind. As Dirty Harry said, "A man's got to know his limitations."

And I think you make a reasonable point that, if after a professional installation by an authorized Dinan installer, you had a complaint about how the unit was performing, you have, indeed, purchased the right to return to that installer and raise your concerns. Still doesn't buy any guarantee that an authorized installer will know what the problem is if an end user experiences strange drivability issues. Only thing that is taken off the table is possible debate regarding user error on the installation. But, with Dinan, you plug it in the only way it can be plugged in and then either the thing works or it doesn't.

I think the evidence suggests that it is an easy, straightforward install and that Dinan didn't show interest in exploring possible performance concerns end users might experience.

What we do know from past experience is that if someone thinks their unit, in warranty, may be defective, Dinan will take it back and either evaluate it or simply send a replacement. Perhaps an authorized Dinan installer might do the same.

But let's not confuse ease of installation with "service after the sale" concerns.

Bottom line, if one feels more comfortable having an authorized shop do the work, then that's what that person should do, whatever the extra cost does or doesn't buy.

 

Not at all surprised that you would be systematic in your approach. The problem goes away with by-pass. I'm sure, if you went to the trouble to totally disconnect the unit and restore the car to "as built" the problem would also vanish. So, that leaves us with the interaction between the Dinan unit and the DME and the car's response to that interaction.

So, is the Dinan exposing an issue with the way the car handles wastegate management -- maybe the problem was always there but the Elite cranks things up enough to expose it. Or maybe, as we are all suspecting, something is funky in the Elite.

Still tryin' to understand why Dinan wasn't fascinated by your problem...

The GOOD news is, Dinan claims that the extra warranty feature means either DInan or MINI needs to own the issue and they certainly imply that they stand ready to jump in to get it sorted.

PostSound, you are our first test case. Sorry it's on you. Really sorry that Dinan didn't say, "We'll take it from here."

I'd PM Dinan, and, with the utmost courtesy, 'splain what I'm experiencing and, without talking down to them or showing any displeasure, I'd let them know that I was looking forward to their active engagement in getting to the bottom of what is, clearly, a real issue -- an issue that only rears its head when the Elite is engaged. No gettin' around that fact.

I really appreciate your taking the time to keep us posted. And I'm truly sorry you're havin' trouble. You were so happy with your Elite....

 

... or maybe it was the lack of blood sacrifice after all.

 

I don't see any logic in wanting to chance voiding the 'close to 4 years
left' on a warranty for the sake of not having it installed by a Dinan shop.
In addition to the peace of mind mentioned, the plain fact is that if I
decide to sell the car with remaining time left on the warranty, the
next owner will also have the same assurance as I had with my being
able to prove that an authorized Dinan installer was used. Even with what
may be the high priced installation ($180) quoted by my local Dinan shop,
which may be negotiable with him or another similar shop, it makes
sense to me. I mean, the worst scenario is that I'm paying $45 a year for
4 years. Novices like me should note all this if they want an Elite upgrade.
We're talking about less than a dollar a week, people.

 

WooHoo! Mines out for delivery. I'm heading out for an appointment at the VA in a few minutes so I won't see it until late this afternoon. No big deal though, because my SIL wan't be able to install it for me until Saturday. After paying for Christmas (and all the Black Friday deals) and year end taxes I'll be lucky to afford a tank of high test to check it out.

 

Others often choose different paths. Doesn't make them wrong. Doesn't make you wrong.

Since you don't see "any logic" in what you have determined might be taking chances, then you would be well-advised to follow your logic.

One of the enduring strengths of the broader MINI community is the number of motorers who have become expert at modding their MINIs. They take risks, they try stuff, they blow up their cars occasionally and learn, and many have a blast getting their knuckles bloody in the name of having fun with their cars. Has little to do with logic. Has everything to do with discovering the possibilities of what their cars can become. Lots of ways to get there. Bumps in the road are part of the adventure for some. There's room for all.

 

Speaking of blood sacrifice, good luck at the VA

And Happy Pearl Harbor Day.

 

 

I know I do not have an Dinan Elite. I had the Sport and then switched to the Racechip Ultimate. When I first switched to the Racechip, I noticed that it was dumping pressure as I was accelerating. I could hear the flutter of the waste gate when the car was shifting up from 1st to 2nd and then 2nd to 3rd. I contacted Racechip and they asked if I had any other modification on the car. So, I emailed them the list and they sent me the proper setting for the module. Since the change in the setting the issue has been resolved. I am just wondering that maybe the Elite may require some minor adjustment to resolve the issue. Does the Elite have any setting which can be adjusted or is it all in the programming? Thought I would share what I had experienced even though it is not with the same product.

 

No settings.

 

All I got from Dinan was "Any Codes" "we've never heard of that issue"

Thank you to ECS, they have sent me an RMA, and Im returning it under the
"If you aren't satisfied with what the Dinan solution brings to the table within 3 days of install you can go back to your dealer for a full refund "

Thank you ECS!!

 

Clearly, with what nqr31467 reported above, there's an issue that Dinan needs to study.

 

I'm no expert in waste gates, blow offs, etc.

I did however get to blast around this morning after waiting for the 20mph in the 40mph zoners to move on. I noticed zero auto shifting problems, the car was a freakin rocket, popping and burbling in sport mode. I had to order some new tires when I got home as the old ones had my rear end sliding all over the place.

The 2014 has a different engine and I also have not received the latest software update from MINI if either of those things come into play.

At least for me, the car is actually a bit too fast.

 

Elite, or Sport??

 

Both, last few days Elite.

 

So, medium throttle, without the Elite, do you hear the blowoff valve dumping
pressure into the exhaust?
Mine does, and blowoff enough pressure to shift without lurching.

With the Elite, it dumps enough pressure to slow the car down between shifts.

To me its a if the blowoff valve is blowing off too much pressure.
As if Dinan didn't take that into account.

 

Mine came today. Of course the part time UPS driver left it on my neighbor's back porch. Still shooting for Saturday.


EDIT: Snow Saturday so that's out. The weather next weekend looks more promising. Guess I'll add it to the stack of parts in my living room floor.