I'm considering some Dinan options. What options will give me the "best bang for your buck"? Whats the most I can increase hp without adding a super charger?

EDIT - OK correction: Doen't HAVE to be Dinan (let me know what you think about these guys). If you have a favorite brand let me know!!!

I'm considering some Dinan options. What options will give me the "best bang for your buck"? Whats the most I can increase hp without adding a super charger?


Bang for Buck and Dinan should not be used in the same sentence :lol:
But seriously... Intake, Software, and some other brand of exhausts should be your 1st mods for HP... The Dinan M3 exhaust is A waste, get an eisemann or Borla. they sound great and should help the car breathe a little more.

Bang for Buck and Dinan should not be used in the same sentence :lol:
But seriously... Intake, Software, and some other brand of exhausts should be your 1st mods for HP... The Dinan M3 exhaust is A waste, get an eisemann or Borla. they sound great and should help the car breathe a little more.
I want the car to have a "strong" note but not be TOO loud. What will be best for that (and of course performance)? Whats the cost?

There's no Dinan supercharger for your car. From what I hear, the best option in getting power in your car is the Euro headers and cats, and some cams with custom tuning.

There's no Dinan supercharger for your car. From what I hear, the best option in getting power in your car is the Euro headers and cats, and some cams with custom tuning.
Whats that run? Will it void my warranty?

Not sure about your warranty, better to ask in E46 M3 forum.

I'm pretty sure Dinan is the only tuner that you can get away with that will not void your warranty.

Kennesaw,

hey look me up at the meet, we'll talk. im in a rush to wash my car right now so cant go through it all now.

I would agree bang for the buck and Dinan don't mix. I waffled for sometime on what parts to get. I had to wait a lifetime for this car and ordered exactly what I wanted. So, when it came down to price for aftermarket mods I scored price as last on my list. I had always herd of Dinan and wanted their parts for my e36s but I couldn't afford them at the time. With the new beast I wanted the best quality; I didn't want to have to sweat warranty concerns; and I wanted to keep the luxury element of the car. I have always had really bad luck with aftermarket accessories (stereo, springs, etc) on my other cars. The stock M is awesome in its own right. I just wanted to dial out the sound and take the performance up a notch. With all of this in mind. Dinan worked for me. I did the S package with the RaspX midpipes.

I love the car, it sounds amazing. The car does perform better than before, but it is like going from a 7 to a 9.5! All in I spent about $4600 at Global Imports (tax, install, and all). Yes that is a lot for a marginal increase in performance but fit, quality, sound, and performance are all there. Could you spend that doe and do better? Absolutely, but taking the big picture in mind would I do my setup again, absolutely.

If you want bang for the buck, I started with the chip and then did the full upgrade. The difference in stock was like the difference between normal mode and sport. The chip is well worth the $360 bucks. There are better chips on the market than Dinan but they are not available on the '04. I would start there and then regroup.

Sorry for the long response, but I have taken a beating already for going Dinan! Many of the forums nag and complain about Dinan - bottom line, its my car - I'll do what I want!

Cheers...

Sorry for the long response, but I have taken a beating already for going Dinan! Many of the forums nag and complain about Dinan - bottom line, its my car - I'll do what I want!

Cheers...

Amen. I've had no problems with any of the Dinan stuff I put on (CAI, TB, Stage 1 flywheel/clutch, exhaust). The only people that I've heard having issues were with their superchargers a few years ago.

If you want to save bucks by going with someone else's stuff that's cheaper, go for it. It's your car, your money and your decision.

If my Dinan stuff breaks or if I have any issues with their company, I'll be the first to let everyone know it.....

I would agree bang for the buck and Dinan don't mix. I waffled for sometime on what parts to get. I had to wait a lifetime for this car and ordered exactly what I wanted. So, when it came down to price for aftermarket mods I scored price as last on my list. I had always herd of Dinan and wanted their parts for my e36s but I couldn't afford them at the time. With the new beast I wanted the best quality; I didn't want to have to sweat warranty concerns; and I wanted to keep the luxury element of the car. I have always had really bad luck with aftermarket accessories (stereo, springs, etc) on my other cars. The stock M is awesome in its own right. I just wanted to dial out the sound and take the performance up a notch. With all of this in mind. Dinan worked for me. I did the S package with the RaspX midpipes.

I love the car, it sounds amazing. The car does perform better than before, but it is like going from a 7 to a 9.5! All in I spent about $4600 at Global Imports (tax, install, and all). Yes that is a lot for a marginal increase in performance but fit, quality, sound, and performance are all there. Could you spend that doe and do better? Absolutely, but taking the big picture in mind would I do my setup again, absolutely.

If you want bang for the buck, I started with the chip and then did the full upgrade. The difference in stock was like the difference between normal mode and sport. The chip is well worth the $360 bucks. There are better chips on the market than Dinan but they are not available on the '04. I would start there and then regroup.

Sorry for the long response, but I have taken a beating already for going Dinan! Many of the forums nag and complain about Dinan - bottom line, its my car - I'll do what I want!

Cheers...
I went to the meet on Sunday and I have to say that after talking to several people I do think that I will go with Dinan. After all there is a reason that they are the number 1 company that people use to mod their BMW's. I also think that they have to most to loose if they dont keep us BMW peeps happy. If they get too many complaints BMW will stop supporting them and I have to think their company will go under.

Therefore it is definately to their advantage to make a great product and to support it. If the price is a little higher so what? At least I have piece of mind...

Quality, warranty, performance, wow factor...it's all there. I am happy with the total package. Talk to Collin at Global - he saved me about 15-16% - he drives an 95 e36 M3. If I had to do it again I will still choose the same options: S package with UUC RaspX midpipes. If I wanted to save a few dollars I would do the diffrential ($2800 and the chip $360). That would be your best bang for the buck.

Just ignore the guys on Roadfly that knock Dinan. Mark knows what I am talking about!

I went to the meet on Sunday and I have to say that after talking to several people I do think that I will go with Dinan. After all there is a reason that they are the number 1 company that people use to mod their BMW's. I also think that they have to most to loose if they dont keep us BMW peeps happy. If they get too many complaints BMW will stop supporting them and I have to think their company will go under.

Therefore it is definately to their advantage to make a great product and to support it. If the price is a little higher so what? At least I have piece of mind...

oh and try to lure collin onto our site...

Just ignore the guys on Roadfly that knock Dinan.

Pierre Collet (UMP) is the biggest Dinan basher you will see on Roadfly. His E36 M3 was capable of running ~1:34-35's @ Road Atlanta after he took all his Dinan parts off.

If power is your goal with your E46 M3, take it to the drag strip. Pay attention to your 1/4 trap speed. Do whatever Dinan mods you want. Take it back and see if you picked up any speed. I went 106mph in my bone stock E46 M3 @ commerce. Spend all you want on dinan mods available for the E46 M3 and w/o massive weight reduction/forced induction/nitrous I seriously doubt you'll see a 108mph trap speed. The claims on their website for the E46 M3 crack me up.

-Clark

Dinans SC is almost done btw

http://dinancars.com/NewProducts.asp

oh and try to lure collin onto our site...
He's already here. He goes by the screen name GLOBALGUY.

someone said global sucked once.

I could not imagine this car with that kind of power. That would be a beast.

http://dinancars.com/NewProducts.asp[/QUOTE]

someone said global sucked once.

IMHO, don't all stealers suck? But yes I think Global sucks. I only go up there to buy parts if I have no choice if i need it asap. I will never buy a car new from the stealer. Used from now on and from a private seller.

Cars depreciate over 20% after the first year so i dont think i'll ever buy a new car.

someone said global sucked once.
Certain aspects of Global don't suck. The guys at the parts desk are enthusiasts just like us, and they're cool. They extend a 15% discount on parts to BMW CCA members. I buy new parts there all the time.

Global's BMW and MINI service departments have let us down one time too many, so Doctor Wha and I prefer to take our business to Ron at Performing Imports. He's earned it.

Global's BMW and MINI service departments have let us down one time too many, so Doctor Wha and I prefer to take our business to Ron at Performing Imports. He's earned it.

Hear hear... Ron & Performing Imports rock. :buttrock

The tale of the mess that was Global "service" when I took them my car is a LONG story, and I don't know if I want the flames from the short attention-span bunch. But G.P. can vouch for the fact that those involved were some seriously pathetic sots.

Suffice to say:

Parts Department Guys = Cool. :wave:

Service, etc. = Shi-ot. :pissed:

DW

Ron tried to charge me $900 more for the same dinan package as Global. And that's after I had already purchased the chip from him. no thanks...

Hear hear... Ron & Performing Imports rock. :buttrock

The tale of the mess that was Global "service" when I took them my car is a LONG story, and I don't know if I want the flames from the short attention-span bunch. But G.P. can vouch for the fact that those involved were some seriously pathetic sots.

Suffice to say:

Parts Department Guys = Cool. :wave:

Service, etc. = Shi-ot. :pissed:

DW

The price for the parts are the same across the board, it the labor that differs. Chances of a poor or improperly installed part is greater at Global than at Rons, hence you get what you pay for. Granted, he is generally higher than others though.

No, Ron isn't cheap. But quality counts, and "cheap" usually doesn't show up in the same locale as "quality."

If I gotta pay somebody to do the work, I'd rather pay an extremely diligent and competent person who I know will do it right. Ron is an absolute hardass about doing things the right way in his profession (as opposed to a trade, a la dealer techs). I'm the same way in my job: I ain't cheap, but if I do a job, it's damn sure done right.

So I can definitely respect that.

DW

No, Ron isn't cheap. But quality counts, and "cheap" usually doesn't show up in the same locale as "quality."

If I gotta pay somebody to do the work, I'd rather pay an extremely diligent and competent person who I know will do it right. Ron is an absolute hardass about doing things the right way in his profession (as opposed to a trade, a la dealer techs). I'm the same way in my job: I ain't cheap, but if I do a job, it's damn sure done right.

So I can definitely respect that.

DW

That's exactly why I have him do my work. I'd rather have someone whose anal about the details of their work and not afraid to tell you when you've got some idea about doing something to your car that you hear about from some of the other "experts" out here.

Also, I've sent about 7 different people over to his shop for work (including 2 E39 M5's and a Z8 as well as 2 Benz') and they all are happy with everything that he has done.

Bottom line: I've never had to take the car back after he's fixed an issue.

The price for the parts are the same across the board, it the labor that differs. Chances of a poor or improperly installed part is greater at Global than at Rons, hence you get what you pay for. Granted, he is generally higher than others though.


ahh no, do the math, that 20% off...it's not just the parts... and I did take the car to united in roswell to double check thier work afterwards...

WytLytnyn
Abuser of Michelin Pilots

I like your title...any abuser of michelins is a friend of mine

ahh no, do the math, that 20% off...it's not just the parts... and I did take the car to united in roswell to double check thier work afterwards...

You took the car to United to check on Globals work? Are you talking about the Dinan stuff that you had installed? I didn't think that United was a Dinan dealer/installer...not following the logic there.
:confused:

You took the car to United to check on Globals work? Are you talking about the Dinan stuff that you had installed? I didn't think that United was a Dinan dealer/installer...not following the logic there.
:confused:

I took the car in for my usual 4K oil change and had them look over their work...yes I am that anal...

WytLytnyn
Abuser of Michelin Pilots

I like your title...any abuser of michelins is a friend of mine

Actually, I really like them alot and mine are almost worn out (thanks the mountain drive).

I want to get a set of the new PS2's. I've heard that they are incredible. A buddy of mine put them on his 2002 M3 SMG and he said it dramatically changed how the car performed over the Conti's that originally came on the car.

I took the car in for my usual 4K oil change and had them look over their work...yes I am that anal...


I'd take it to Performing Imports to have both of their handiwork checked.