As a noob, this forum is a godsend! Chock full of information! Thanks to all!

I have a new 6 spd S Convertible and wanted to undertake a couple of minor drivetrain mods... just to make it sound more throaty and feel a bit more free breathing. I have no mechanical talent, and intended to rely on my dealer for the install (and wanted to keep the warranty intact); that seems to leave me with Dinan or JCW. All I really believe I wanted was an exhaust and airbox; Dinan also seems to indicate that their software offers some advantage as well. Any thoughts? Any idea on where I might be able to hear a Dinan vs. JCW exhaust?

Thanks in advance!
Mark Gibson

 

Dinan is warrantied through Dinan, not MINI/BWM, just as most other tuner shops warranty their products. JCW is directly through the dealer. If the warranty is the most important part to you then go with the JCW. Keep in mind that some dealers will also sell and warranty some minor performance mods, ala Dinan.

 

Thanks. My dealer is also an authorized Dinan distributor, they indicated no problem... thanks for the input!

 

Hey Mark,

There are several threads on the Dinan products, I pretty sure a search will take you there. I have the full Dinan S2 pkg, engine and suspension, and I have to say I'm really pleased with the whole deal. Specificly the air box and exhaust.

The air box cuts into the cowl area for true cold air intake and the exhaust is a 3 inch 1 in to 2 pipe. The sound of this combo is wonderful. I'm sure you would notice a huge kick. I'm also under the impresion that the software upgrade moves your redline to 7200 from the 6700, please check me here though I don't have any of that in writing.

None the less, I would recommend the Dinan equipment without hesitation.

Enjoy

 

might be waiting a while for Dinan to come up with 07 MCS products... maybe like next summer.... I got my 06 in Oct 05...and didn't see any Dinan software upgrades avail until after summer time of 06....

 

Yeah I hear ya, I waited while they were back ordered on a few things last October when I ordered mine.

I think mgibson61611 will be ok since he's got a cabrio and they didn't have any major changes from 06 tro 07.

Get on down to the dealership Mark!!!

 

For your purposes, you'll probably like the Dinan S1 kit. I like it, but I might do some more go-fast mods when my budget isn't tapped out from corner-fast mods.

I believe there is advantage to the Dinan stage 3 software - to me it is the part that plays the most important role in the package. It smooths out acceleration and gives you a nice push in the upper rev range - it takes advantage of the better breathing. This, of course, is all subjectively tested based on my driving experiences and is no way verifiable through dynos of any sort.

mb

 

I dig the stage 5....

 

I have not hear about any mods for the turbo yet from Steve D. I would go for Dinan over JCW any day.

 

Dinan

Pros:
The same performance as JCW but less $$
Full warranty at all MINI-Dinan dealers and Dinan dealers

Cons:
Not all MINI dealers are Dinan dealers - so on a trip you could end up paying for a repair - or trying to locate a stand alone Dinan dealer.

For my $$ I would choose Dinan over JCW.


Good luck!

 

I've got a JCW car, and if I were doing it over, I'd probably go with the Dinan, although I would likely skip their exhaust and go with something else (just sound issues). I didn't know about the Dinan stuff when I had the JCW installed, and could have saved a lot of money to get basically the same results. If your dealer is a Dinan dealer, then you're golden for maintenance and repairs.

 

Unless you move or your dealer drops Dinan...same as any other tuner shop.

 

As alluded to elsewhere in the thread, the Manufacturer does not differentiate between Dinan and any other tuner. any deal you work out on a Dinan modified Mini is between you, Dinan and the Dealership.

There are some dealerships who have sold Dinan cars and then severed their relationship a few years later. I was one of those unlucky enough to buy a Dinan M Roadster through a local BMW dealer and then have the dealer and Dinan go through a messy divorce. As is the case with most divorces, the children (me) suffered the most.

In other words, if you are concerned about maintaining your factory warranty, opt for the JCW.

 

Thanks for all the input! I'm going with the Dinan S1 stuff in a couple of weeks. (I sure which I could hear it first... Oh well).

Regards,
Mark Gibson
(noob w/o cool sig)

 

If you do the Dinan S1 Package you will get what you want, I did mine earlier this week and I am very pleased. You get the air box, exhaust, strut bar, software upgrade, interior mats and Dinan badge. Recommend it for the limited mods you are looking for especially since it keeps your warranty intact.