First - this is not going to be an advertisement for Dinan; it is going to be a customer trying to be objective about performance bits for a car he loves. I've had it on the car for a week now, I went on a rally with it, and I believe I've got my head around where the car improved and what I think about it.

Small preface - I researched and watched these boards for 2 years and 45,000 miles in order to make the best decision for ME, not you. I'm extremely **** about improving a car I already love, so my impressions will be specific. Blah blah blah here we go:

What I got:
- exhaust
- intake
- stage 3 software
- plaque (on the way)
- floor mats (on the way)
- Dinan decklid badge (apparently they don't give this to you until the shop proves that the parts were installed on the car)
- STB

What I paid:
- all in all, everything installed, it was 1,850
- I got the STB for free
- I got an additional 10% off 'cause I'm persuasive. Or not. Who knows.
- No sales tax, and I think they forgot to charge shipping. Hopefully they don't watch this board.

Impressions:
Exhaust- The exhaust is pretty freaking loud at anything above slight throttle- I can actually FEEL the pops while the engine winds down.
- At the same time, I'm happy with the sound at cruising speeds. It's only slightly louder than stock. Hit the gas, and it's deep and loud. The sound is not as, hmm, how should I put this, clean as say a Milltek. Where the Milltek sounds extremely crisp, the Dinan exhaust sounds more like a throaty roar, more spurratic. I don't think I explained that well.
- I love the style of tips (see pic below), but they sit a little low. Also, it seems that the LEFT tip gets dirty while the right one doesn't. It bothers me.
- All said - I like it and it is growing on me. On my rally (run, whatever you call it), the Dinan was not the loudest exhaust by far - there was a UUC, Borla, and Magnaflow, and it was definitely quieter (and better sounding in my opinion) than those exhausts. The popping is almost scary - doesn't sound bad, just alarming.
Here's the pic of the tips:


Intake - This is very similar to my previous JCW unit with the removed flap. This intake has a smaller hole to accept fresh air and uses a blue K&N style filter (not sure of brand) instead of the foam ITG I had. The whine is definitely not as significant with this intake. As far as power goes, it seems like this is a complete wash between the Dinan and the JCW. But how do I really know? I don't.
- I went with the Dinan over the JCW I have because the S1 kit was designed with the specific intake in mind. The software was programmed for its specific gain, so I went with that.

ECU - This is where I feel the real gains are. The intake and the exhaust certainly help the car breathe, but above 4500 rpm, the car sounds and feels different. It is smoother, and it seems to use the rpm better. I find torque later than I did before, and the pushed back redline will come in handy on the track, especially since it feels like it's still making power up there.

STB - Pure blingage - feel no difference at all. I saw a difference in my popped up hood. Soaked and slammed - all is well.

System as a whole:
I'm happy with the purchase for what I do with the car. The top end improvements will help on the track, and I was happy with the stock power to begin with. You won't see me in the market for TCs or M62s. I like how the power is cleaned up - it comes on with smoother delivery, and the exhaust adds a serious growl to everything. If I ever want for more power, I'll probably add the boost upgrade system. The car certainly feels more "awake" after these mods, but it is definitely in a refined manner. Granted, the exhaust is not as refined as the JCW or Milltek - it still sounds right to me.

Why Dinan?
Please know that I don't think everyone should purchase these products. I bought them because the most important thing to me is trust, and as a part of the BMW community for years before entering the MINI world, Dinan has my trust and respect. I like their goals when they set out to engineer these systems, and I like the quality and reputation that come with it. I guess I always knew I'd go with them, but man some of these threads are so persuasive!

Welp, if you read it, thanks! If not, here's the Cliff's notes: I spent about 2 grand and now my car is more fun to drive. Ha, I bet we could synopsize lots of threads on this board with that sentence.

mb

 

Thanks for the writeup. I'm glad you're enjoying your car, since that's really what it's all about.

Scott
90SM

 

Nice job.

 

does this include a reduction pulley?

Congrats on the purchase and nice writeup!!

 

Thanks mb. I drove my car as an S1 for many months and your comments are very accurate. I hope that others who think of mods will read this thread and consider DINAN as one of the alternatives. For "SC" the S2 introduces the reduction pulley, fuel system boost upgrade, stage 5-6 software, different suspension components and S2 plate for the engine compartment. I strongly feel that the smooth power delivery for S1 or S2 is the result of all DINAN components working together as an engineered package and substituting another component is a mistake. This error may have been referred to as a "dead spot" by some of the DINAN enthusiasts who have mixed components. The S2 is a slighter different experience with more torque (same as JCW), hp (205) and stiffer ride.

 

Your description of the Dinan exhaust seems pretty good. I'd like to nice growl every now and them, but still enjoyable driving. Any chance of a sound or video clip to illustrate the sound?

All in all great write up

 

Enjoyed the write up. Thanks. I've considered Dinan and this adds one more input.

 

Agree with everything mbcoops said and then some..."IT'S GREAT".

 

Would like to chime in as a fellow S1 owner/enjoyer. Still getting used to the xhaust, but definitely like the sound and feel of the upper rpms. At WOT this thing goes like stink. Way beyond my expectations, really like to open it up.

 

Thanks for the comments, everybody.


I probably won't post a sound clip or video for two reasons: 1. I don't have a camera that can do that. 2. I've heard exhaust sound clips and then heard the real version, and the clips don't come close to telling the story of an exhaust. I guess people with serious sound systems hooked up to their computers might have a different experience, but I didn't really get to know how these exhausts sound 'till I heard them in person.

I put a call into Dinan to find out who makes the intake filter. We'll see if they divulge the info.

mb