OK - DME installed, probably 15 miles on the new tune right now. Nothing crazy just local streets - but this is nice. First - big shout out to the “new” Dinan/APR folks. I had the original Elite I pulled off and shipped on a Friday. I had the DME back in my hands with new tune on Wednesday and installed on Thursday. DME removal and replacement is very very simple and the Dinan Video on this is a big help until you get familiar with process.

My 2016 JCW has the 3 gauges (Oil Pressure, Boost Pressure, Track Timer) and boost pressure was never accurate with the Elite (the elite works but “hiding” the boost letting more boost pressure be added for HP…roughly). This one seems accurate now (OBDII fed) and be curious if it ever throws the old after pressure boost errors like the Elite did occasionally. Initial impressions are that drivability is awesome, spin both tires on a 1-2 shift entirely too easy and acceleration is noticeably improved. I also did lower engine mount bushing, brakes and a JCW Pro Exhaust so that combo makes this tune nice.

With Exhaust, valve open still get crackles and pops just not as obnoxious (frequent) - but when it goes it is LOUD and sharp crack vs. a pop. I like it but also glad I have option to close the valve as needed. Be curious once I put on the Bilstein Coilovers (B16 PSS10) how it feels as a package…but wanted to post back and say with limited use, seems like Dinan did a great job on this (Stage 1 93 octane). They also proved incredibly responsive, helpful and fast - as a vendor have to give them a 10/10.

 

I have been on the tuned DME now for 5 days and I will echo the previous posters comments - this tune is really good. Drivability still there but once you get on it, pulls like a freight train to redline. Green mode improved too - I used to hate it b/c the car felt dead from the neck down in Green Mode, now it has some responsiveness and I can eke out 400mi/tank. Sport mode does spin 1/2 and chirps 3. Really opens up around 3/3500 RPM. Before when I would “play with others” on the freeway it was always work. Now in many cases they don’t even attempt to keep up recognizing the car is significantly faster. I think I need to address the Intake because under WOT I have a whistle from the turbo sucking air through a straw aka the factory air box and snorkel.

 

This one I’m not sure there is a good answer. The intake is hampered by the tiny flattened snorkels - honestly should have used the hood scoop like Eventuri intake. BUT - no way I’m spending Eventuri money. I looked at so many intakes and not really a great solution out there. I love the look of the Dinan, and the change in filter media probably does help with airflow a bit…but in the end it is like every other intake (except Eventuri)…a stock sized intake box, the stock snorkel and fabric filter media.

For me I simply bought a green filter drop in for stock box pretend that works . Kills me they didn’t use the hood scoop but that horse has been beat to death…

 

I read the logic behind the Dinan solution and seems they investigated all sorts of options during the design phase, including the snorkel/cold air tract. They abandoned the hood scoop and snorkel all together and did some CFD to end up with their solution - a stock-like box with a huge flared opening on the wheel side. I am still curious just how much air is “stolen from under the hood” in this configuration but they state this was the best solution given the constraints.

I do question it a bit b/c as I understand things, any sharp edges or corners create standing waves with moving air and the air box is somewhat squared off.

I would love to hear someone from the Dinan design crew talk about the air box solution and address: a) air intake temp gains/losses with their airbox. Maybe not a drastic issue for many but I live in Miami and it is perennially hot here so anything to reduce underhood temps or intake air temps nets noticeable gains and b) the squared off design and how that affects airflow in their modeling. Examples or data would be nice.

I will buy one immediately if they can reasonably address my concerns as I am in the market for the Eventuri and it’s one of the next purchases on my list this month.

 

Hey Dinan, I just have a few questions about this stage one tune. My family and I generally stay away from tuned cars as we want our cars to stay reliable, so we normal buy faster cars so we never think about tuning; however, with my 2018 F60 MCS All4, I have trying to pick between the Stage One engine tune (D900-B46-B48-M-S1) listed from this thread vs the DINANTRONICS X - 2014-2022(D440-0136). I like the idea of not taking out the ECU if it is locked, or even tuning the stock ECU just in case something does happen. But I really want the increased tuning performance of the Stage one ECU Flash.
So the main thing that it really comes down to is reliability for me. This would be the first time tuning a car if I do go through (99.99% sure), but I will be going out of state for college with my brother sharing my mini(F60) with no family in the area. I don't want my car to break down due to the increased HP and torque.
Questions:
1. Y'all say that the increased HP doesn't go past the engineengine safeguards for both the stage 1 tune and DINANTRONICS X - 2014-2022, but can you share the engine safeguards listed and how close y'all are to exceeding those? Can you provide any numbers or a ball park please? I know that might not be possible and if that is the case can you make me feel better about the long term reliability?

2. I'm also curious if there will be any issues with the automatic transmission as it has ALL4, and if my transmission can handle the Increased HP and Torque for either from the DINANTRONICS X - 2014-2022 or Stage 1 tune?

3. If I ever want to remove the tune off the ECU maybe to sell the car in 5+ years or if I start to have problems, will there be a fee or anything that I should know?

4. What are the biggest issues related to the stage 1 ECU tune that you guys have seen from costumers and how common are they?
From what I can tell, people seem to be really happy and report no problem in the short term or long term. I actually can't find anybody complaining about the stage 1 it on internet, with very few complains with the DINANTRONICS X - 2014-2022, but those issues seem to be fixed.

5. With the Stage 1 tune I don't have a JCW, but I have the S, would I get the same popping as the JCW with the tune? I love the pops...

6. Final question(sorry), I see on your website for stage 1 ECU tune that I need to pick the gas that I will use every time I fill up, and this is a dumb question, but I live in a higher altitude area and with lower air pressure, the 93 at sea level becomes 91 for where I live and plan go to college. For the tune, should I go with 93 or 91?

Thank you, right now I'm for sure going to get at least the DINANTRONICS X - 2014-2022 from y'all in a month or so, but if everything seems to be good with the stage one ECU tune, I might go with that for increase gains. From what I know the B46 which is in my 2018 f60 mini if I understand that correctly?; I know that it has a different compression ratio, weaker engine block, rods, and pistons compared to the B48. That's why asking all these questions. Thank Y'all and have a good day

 

1. Up until we sold it a earlier this year our in house development Pre-LCI MCS had been running the max E85 file for 3 years with no issues. We did not treat it lightly either between numerous track days and every day hoonery. Frankly, the thing got abused and kept on ticking. I have heard nothing but positive things from the new owner as well. That's about as best a testimonial as I can give for reliability. The DPT X is a bit of a different animal since its retains the limitations from the factory floor unlike a flash. Generally speaking we try to maintain a 10-15% power padding from levels where a code would be triggered BUT not all cars are created equal and some may be running closer to the factory edge out of the gate. When you turn up boost and command a new voltage in those case it may then bring it past those acceptable parameters and trigger a code. I would say those have been extremely rare with the DPT X but it will never be zero just by the nature of the vehicels and how piggybacks work.

2. No. Automatic transmission is fine. Manual transmissions actually have more custom tuning involved then the automatics for safety since with the manual you can force the thing to do more questionable things.

3. No. No, fee from us or issues doing so. Car would just need to be flashed to stock via ISTA or whatever other tools the MINI/service shop may be using.

4. Honestly, outside of DME removal and some complaints about what that entails I have heard ZERO complaints or problems from anyone who has gotten the flash done. Even I think that sounds like a disguised sales pitch but that is the truth.

5. The flash incorporates the factory JCW exhaust burble programming whether it started as an S or JCW.

6. Does the pump say 91 or 93? Whatever the pump says and what you use everyday would be the map you want to select. Always go lower if unsure as going higher and then running lower grade fuel just means the engine will have to work harder (and not achieve advertised power), create more heat, and ultimately end up causing issues.

Teh Pre-LCI S was a B46 and the JCW was a B48 but yes there are some differences between the engines. While we sell it under 1 SKU to make it easier to deal with on the accounting/tracking side there are 2 different calibration families depending on what the car identifies as, as to what is loaded/flashed. The X is certainly a solution you can use and is a much simpler/easier installation/removal with modest gains but I can gaurantee that you would be happier with the flash. Everyone always is -- even in spite of the extra effort of pulling the ECU, etc.

 

WOW, thanks for getting back so soon. I am most likely going to go with the flash thanks to your help. Have a good day and I can't wait to get it on my mini. I would like to also state the costumer support is a huge reason that I will pick you guys compared to other flash/tuning companies. Thank you!

 

Any plans for flashing a LCI 2 car? I have a 2023 and I was just wondering if there was any flash tuning in the works for these as well?

 

Eventually. LCI flashing is still being worked on currently (callibration done, delivery being worked on) so first things first.

 

As I add more parts and work, will Dinan custom tune my car or modify the Stage 1 tune to include adjustments for the additional work done to the car?

 

We do not offer custom tuning unfortunately. Haven't for probably a little over a decade at this point. Ultimately, just don't have the bandwidth to offer the service while also doing everything else we are working on.

 

A comment on reliability: These engines seem to be pretty robust. I’ve been running a moderately aggressive “stage 1” tune on my B46 engine for five years or so. Never an issue. Dinan has a long track record of sane, safe tunes and modifications, so I think their tune here is very unlikely to cause any problems.

 

Just saw Dinan has a tune for the LCI version. Why does the LCI make less power? That is significant! Glad I have a 2016 and '17. 16 is Dinan tuned...time to do the 17.

 

Difference is due to differing transmissions in the various test vehicles. The primary development LCI was a 7 speed DCT and not a manual or 8-speed auto (used both on the Pre-LCI). The 7-speed has a lower threshold before the trans starts slipping. When we get a manual in we could can revisit the files and offer a higher torque file for those transmissions but currently we are just being safe so the same file could accomodate all tranmission types without issue.

 

I'm excited to now see a Stage 1 software option for my LCI 2020 F54 Clubman S ALL4 on the Dinan website! I also took note of the decrease in power for LCI... Happy to see that question being addressed. However I still have an 8 speed automatic. With my F54 ALL4, 8 speed auto, is the higher torque file ready to go for my application? Can I expect the same numbers as the pre-LCI tune? I am looking at just the 91 octane tune, as that is the highest available at the pump in Utah.

 

Current file is the only one available at present for any of the 3 transmission variants. Would need a manual or 8 speed (ideally a manual so additional nuance present within it can be addressed) in for a bit more prolonged development in order to offer an updated file that would take advantage of the higher thresholds with those transmissions. Thus far having volunteers willing to donate a vehicle for 2+ weeks has been a challenge to say the least (only being one model year doesn't help matters), hence releasing with only the low output file. It should be noted that when the software does get updated to support the higher output file it would be a free software update so you wouldn't always be "stuck" with the lower torque file. In regards to the actual numbers of a LCI high torque file --- remains to be seen how close they would be to the pre-LCI ones but we don't see why they would be drastically different at the end of the day. Again, would need a development vehicle to find out and to create the alternative mapping. If anyone with a 8AT or Manual 2020MY F54/F56/F60 S is in the Auburn, AL or surrounding couple hundred miles and is willing to donate their vehicle for 2 weeks or so they should reach out to developmentcars@dinancars.com with their VIN and contact information.

 

Just got mine flashed from a 2018 HT JCW Vin : WMWXM9C59J2F66209......How would I know if it was flashed for 91 or 93 octane as I forgot to ask Seth, Salesperson thru email.

THX

Nvm.., The Engineer made a note taped to the DME,
it was flashed at 91 Octane

 

Since my Dinan 93 flash, I have added a lot of parts. Can I pay Dinan to custom tune the car based on my changes? (of course I would have the car delivered)

 

i read some where on this thread and a reply from Dinan Engineering that they don’t do custom tunes but never know, time may change as more ppl request them

 

I watched the Dinan video but this video cut /saves time tremendously. Note: I took pics of every step so the reverse was very straightforward.

Take your time & it’s easy

 

After 1 day with the DME stage 1 “91” octane tune, I can say it’s a big difference from the stock JCW power/pull. As the car is driven more, I am sure the DME will be even better but the initials thoughts are Fantastic, the pulls are not jerky but smooth & linear in every gear of the 6sp.
so glad I added the forge short shifter a week ago. I have ordered the Dinan CAI but on back order per the status page. I also plan to add the Dinan Throttle booster after I receive the CAI. I bet the adjusts of the throttle response will make even better….

Will update after CAI & Throttle Booster.

Worth every penny for the tune & overnight delivery!

 

Do not do custom tunes unfortunately. Main reason is we don't have the manpower to support it but also most of the requests we would inevitably get for custom tunes would be features we won't integrate anyway. Clearing the CEL from a DP or simply just tuning for a DP as examples as it would open us up to legal funny business.

Glas you are enjoying it thus far!

 

@Dinan Engineering - any update on CARB cert? Your website still shows pending. ETA?

 

@Dinan Engineering - Just curious if there had been any progress on making this available for my 2021 Cooper S? In the past I have had a Dinan tune on my BMW 135i and M3. Both of them were fantastic and I am really hoping I can upgrade my Mini soon...???

 

ETA is unknown. As far as I am aware we are still waiting on a test letter from CARB requesting whatever specific variation of vehicle to do their testing. Its a super fun process. I have a wide array of comments I would interject here about the tribulations of the process but I will refrain. Lets just say it isn't the most transparent and fair process out there.

There has not. 21+ MY vehicles are still locked out and there is nothing on the immediate horizon. The tune itself will likely be nearly identical to the 20 MY but delivery is the issue. Continues to be worked on but as to when a breakthrough will occur is anyones guess.