Has anyone had one installed? Reviews?

The S2 kit with springs+konis+swaybar sounds like it could be well-matched package, but it's a bit spendy. I work about 10 minutes from Dinan, so am contemplating this option, as my 1/04 build is shut out of warranty coverage on the JCW kit. Wondering if I might be able to get a deal, as my sense is that they are not moving many of these kits.

 

Huh. Guess I was right. They really aren't selling many of these...

 

Dinan has the kit installed on their car. I'm sure they will take you out on a test drive. Give us a review.

 

Will do. Mini... bad ***... hmm...

 

Spoke with a Dinan rep and have some more data to share... if anyone's interested.

1) Linear rate springs, made exclusively for Dinan (not re-branded)
2) Drop is ~3/4" front, ~1/2" rear
3) Given (2), no need for adjustable rear control arms, although negative rear camber is obviously increased somewhat
4) Rear sway bar is adjustable (not sure if 2 or 3 positions, though)
5) 8.4 hours labor to install and align the S2 kit with rear bar. Total installed cost with CA sales tax = $2507

Sounds like a pretty similar approach as that taken by JCW in terms of springs (and price).

 

As a Dinan car owner I just want to let you know that there are Dinan dealers that cost less per hour then Dinan themselves. Also, some offer a BMWCCA discount (I've had both parts and labor discounted in the past, can't say if that is stilll an option).

If you are interested in the suspension it would definately be worth it to you to call around.

I can't speak for the Mini but I love the Dinan Stage II suspension on my 3 series.

 

Thanks, eVal. Can you point me to any Bay Area Dinan dealers with reasonable labor rates? Who did your 3-series? Dinan were at $120/hour.

Thanks!

 

and some of that is for thier name. But they have excellent support and customer care, as the people who spend on thier stuff expect nothing less. But for $2500, you could do springs yourself (lots of vendors out there), ajustable rear arms, camber plates, and maybe wheels and tires, and still have enough to do an alligment at Custom Allignment in Mt View (they do tons of modified cars).

Just somethig to think about, but it would be on your shoulders to select the parts and sort the settings.

Matt

 

The place that did my 3 series was West Bay Bavarian in San Rafael:
http://westbaybavarian.com/

Very nice people who provided great customer support - when I had some noise from the suspension or needed to check the software (I once thought there was an upgrade) they took care of it no problem. At the time I had the work done, several years ago, I think the hourly was around $80, but that may have changed since then.

As I've said before, I had other aftermarket sways on the E46 prior to the Dinan and had major problems with warranty repair, so IMHO the abilty to have service done with no hassle is very valuable. Of course, before assuming this will be the case I would check with your Mini service dept to be sure they are on the Dinan wavelength

Cheers

 

Thanks, eVal. I'm in Berkeley, so San Rafael is pretty close. I'll definitely give them a call.

 

Just trying this again. Anyone out there install one of the Dinan suspension packages? Looking for some testimonials/comparos as a test drive is looking unlikely.

 

Wow, looks like the Dinan suspension kits are just flying off the shelves...

 

Xalfa,
You may not find a review of the Dinan Kit on this forum. Most will go w/ their choice of springs and Koni's if you need a more aggressive set up. I'm happy w/ my Hsport and stock shocks.
Emmanuel

 

I'll be getting one when I have the $$. For vehicles I've been in previously, Dinan has made great suspensions. I expect it will be pretty nice for the MINI. I'll post a review once it's done, but that won't be until most likely October or November.

 

I now have a theory about why there are so few Dinanized Minis - BMW/Mini dealers are not selling it!

I went to SF Mini, who is a big seller/supporter of Dinan for the BMW and the Mini dept played it like they had never heard of Dinan for the Mini. Really, I asked about it and they were like "gee, Dinan has stuff for the Mini out?". When I requested when they might be installing any of the products they had no answer.

Me thinks that they are not doing it soas not to compete with JCW. If this is happening around the country it could be why you do not see Dinan on Minis often. Makes me wonder how the Dinan authorized BMW/Mini dealers handle service to Dinan cars. (With my Dinan 3 I had an indi Dinan shop install everything but could take it to BMW for service.)

 

Makes sense, EVal, but why would Dinan invest in development if they knew JCW had a lock on their primary distribution channel?

 

Maybe they didnt know it would be this way, I dunno - I know that I'm surprised though. At least they have the network of indi dealers to support the enthusiasts that want it.

 

That could be true, but I know some dealerships are installing Dinan stuff. One example is Crevier BMW in Orange County, CA.

 

I have a Dinan stage 3 suspension and it is great. Dinan is expensive but the components are the best and the package is very well sorted out. You could probably piece something together for less but the cohesiveness of the package is outstanding and in my opinion worth the price. I also think the Dinan deck lid badge is really cool> The stage 3 suspension consists of springs, shocks, roll bars and camber plates and has a slightly stiffer ride but the tradeoff in handling is worth it. The camber plates give quite a bit of negative toe in to the detrement of tire wear but it gives very neutral handling.

 

Thought I'd bring this back - anyone with this now?

mb

 

My 06 MCS with the full Dinan engine and suspension pkg is on order, should be in my hands around mid November.

Dollar for dollar I felt the Dinan was more bang for the buck. Full engine & suspension for what a JCW engine pkg would cost.

 

Well I will chime in here since my MCS was the Development car for the 06' software and pretty much everything else. I have two of them and have every Dinan part. We did a stragith up comparission of a JCW and our Dinan car, both '06 and both with every mod equal to each other and the Dinan car won on a drag starting from 20mph rolling start. I dont want to give away too much info but I have the suspension on both MINI's so if anyone in the bay area is considering it let me know and you can come feel what it is like. But I had two sets of H&R coil over kits and those came off and Dinan went on if that says anything. To sum it all up, Dinan =

BTW I have two complete sets of H&R coil overs for sale now if anyone is interested.

 

MC2 magazine also did a comparo of a JCW car vs. a Dinan car....might want to check that out as well