I have a MCS/04 and is considering using Dinan Engine software for different upgrades and have been told that they will shortly have pulley and software available
I like the fact that Dinan is available through BMW/MINI dealers and authorized distributors and backed up with a warranty.
Has any one used Dinan? Does it perform well?
Danish
:smile:

 

dinans software is like 500+ and you have to upgrade (pay more for a new ecu tuning) whenever you add stuff on

 

Overpriced & not any good. my two cents.

 

The way it works is this: Dinan warrantys its own parts, and any upgrades that are Dinan mods do not violate the vehicles warranty. However, any problem that you may have with the Dinan mod or a problem that may arise as a result of it, must be handled by the certified Dinan installer. Furthermore, Dinan is VERY overpriced and you get the least HP/$ with their products becuase of that. If you are worried about warrantys, the John Cooper upgrades are much more worth the money.

This is my two cents based on owning and modifying MANY BMW's that I have owned.

 

Not in my experience.I paid for stage I engine software on my BMW and when I added the cai the engine software upgrade to stage II was no charge. I imagine that the other stages might cost a bit more over the stage I, but not full price in addition to it - perhaps someone has done the upgrades and can say?

I'm not gonna argue price, but I can say that on my BMW having Dinan was a big benefit when it came to warranty work. Prior to Dinan I had other aftermarket suspension componants on my car and BMW had issues with it. First they removed a sway bar to access something and reinstalled it incorrectly and refused to correct that since it was not OEM. After that they refused to do warranty work around the suspension and I could not have a warranty problem addessed. I replaced it with the Dinan suspension and then had the warranty work done at a BMW/Dinan dealer no problem. The stage II suspension has been great too, with the added benefit of the quiter rubber sway bar bushings (the other aftermarket poly bushings were so noisy even with regular greasing and teflon tape).

Anyway, I have found the Dinan warranty and support of the dealer network top notch. I am not going to justify the prices for them but understand that R&D, dealer support, etc, must be expensive - plus, you can save on labor quite a bit if you shop around the different dealers since they will have varying labor rates and some have BMWCCA discounts.

Of course with Mini you have the JCW upgrades so there are different dealer supported options. If it were all equal I would lean to JCW upgrades since it is directly supported.

Best of luck and enjoy whatever you get

 

The way it works with Dinan software, is you can install in stages and you just pay the difference between the stages as you up grade. As far as price its just like all the other stuff for minis (expensive) and your paying for the name. I am pleased with the S3 software made a noticable difference. When I install the throttle body I will upgrade to S4

 

Did you install the Dinan intake your self? How is the noice level?
Who did the install of the S3 software? Did you also install the S1?
I understand that a pulley is in the works along with software.
I suspect that I will have a Milltek exhaust installed, would I have to install the S2 software?

Thans guys for your replys.
Danish

 

http://dinancars.com/Mini.asp?Series...is=40&Model=91

Dinan software is only 300.00 and gives you 9ft-lbs and 12 hp. Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

http://dinancars.com/Mini.asp?Series...is=40&Model=91

Hmmm...

their air intake system that gives is only 250.00 that give 4 ft-lbs and 6hp.
Their software is only 300.00 that gives 9ft-lbs and 12 hp while others are selling for $700.
Their exhauast is only 650.00 that gives 4ft-lbs while others are selling for $800.
Their throttle body is $400 while others are selling for $469.

 

I won't argue price; that's dependent on the individual. However, would you care to share how you arrived at the determination that Dinan is "not any good"?

 

just go injectors&gaip save a-lot of $

 

------------------------------------------------------------- I went with the S3 because of the mods I had already done. S1 is stock no mods,S2 is exhaust mod only,S3 is cowl induction and exhaust, and S4 is cowl ind,exhaust and throttle body.
As far as software install the dealer does it. As far as the intake it's an easy install if your mech inclined, noise it is a little louder than stock not much.

 

I've heard people say that because some of the Dinan upgrades do not have as extreme results as other aftermarket products. Of course the others do not have a similar warranty, a dealer network to suppot the warranty, and I've heard plenty of reports of knocking/pinging with some other engine software upgrades (in BMWs anyway).

 

Has anyone posted any independent testing to back up those claims?

 

I doubt it. It's hard to find anyone who has these parts installed much less independant dyno testing.

Even my dealership sells and installs Dinan for BMW's but not for the MINI. So it appears there hasn't been much of a push by Dinan to market their MINI product line to the dealerships. I wonder when this will happen....

 

What he said Those are all marketing numbers... I HIGHLY doubt their products make that much power... especially their chip.

 

I have done a Dinan exhaust/throttle body and air intake...also stage 2 sw upgrade...im planning on doing the pully once it get in and stage 3 sw upgrade...no problems or complaints with me...and Patrick Mini warranties it...as Adam bout my "Tank" Adam is the service guy over at Patrick for those who dont know...

 

I am much in favor of going with Dinan equipment largely because of the warranty. Starting with stage1 followexpect to do the pulley later much like you Caress.
How long have you had your intake and is it much louder than stock. I can handle the noise from the exhaust but don't care for intake wine. Which xhaust system do you have?
Patrick Mini is in IL.?
I am in southern florida and hope I can be as fortunate as you having a knowledgeable service man. Is the service warranty still good if installed by an authorized dealer, aki a non Mini Dealer?

Danish.

 

From the throttle body I saw which was one day old from being installed by a Dinan dealer they are going to need that warrenty. The cover was held on by ELECTRICAL tape and was falling off. Needless to say the " proud " owner of the kit was rather embarassed. As for those numbers the one in particular that stands out is the $300 for the claimed 9 hp chip improvment. The $75 MTH software has been documented to make at LEAST that. $300 doesnt look like much a deal to me .

 

Sounds like it might be an improper install - he should check with Dinan on whether that is the way it is supposed to be. Not every mechanic is equal, doing aftermarket stuff or warranty work

I can't speak for the MTH stuff, it might be super, but I'm curious how they support the product and if there is any warranty or guarantee? Also, don't you need to buy hardware to install it?

 

The electrical tape may be referring to something like this:

http://www.mini-madness.com/tb_comparrison.htm

 

That is exactly what i was referring to. This had nothing to do with the install it was the way it was shipped from the " factory ". They used tape to reseal the platic cover which is needed to be taken off to re bore the inlet. I actually felt bad for the guy as this was a Randy Webb / M7 / Steves Auto Clinic install party and everyone had crowded around to see his new Dinan air box and then someone pointed out that the plastic cap the the TB had almost fallen off. He was embarassed first then pissed and was definatly going to give Dinan a ear full the next day. The fact that many there were getting throttle bodies from both M7 and Randy with the proper metal retainer in place for less than he paid for the Dinan did not sit well either.

 

As for the MTH software upgrade you do need a cable which costs about $125 . Now since everyone doesn't want to do this there has aleady been a " cottage industry " of sorts sprouting up and many clubs and groups are buying a cable as a group and splitting the cost. At Steve's Auto they have a guy that stops by and does all the legg work including the file down and up loading as well as the registration for a fee of $50. The customer drives in , he downloads the stock file, fills out a mod questionair and the goals of the owner as well as any special notes. He then takes it from there and when the file is sent back a few days later he has the owner come back in , uploads it in 20 min and for a grand total of $ 125 drives off with a significantly better car.

 

Looks like 20 HP for $1600+!

No Thanks!!!

Why not just do any CAI and a 15% pulley for $300 !?!?!

TJM

 

Gee if you compare the 20 hp for $1600 it looks kind of good compared to 37 hp for $4500 plus 10 to 15 hrs BMW labor charge