Anyone have any opinions about Dinan? Looking at TB and stage III software. I was told the car would have a quicker throttle response and more pick-up, as for the horsepower gains ... 10-12 more horse for about 1500.00. Thoughts?

Personally, I'm not a fan. The sound is nice with the cat-back exhaust, but I've found both the fitment and price to be out of whack. Dinan part quality is great, but it's primarily the fitment that pisses me off sometimes. I work for a dealer and have installed the majority of Dinan mods we've sold. I don't know what components are available from Active Autoworks for the 550, but I would research that option before dropping a relatively large amount of cash on anything Dinan (other than the wheels they sell for your car...those are well worth the $$ in my opinion). If warranty coverage is a serious consideration, then you're stuck with Dinan...fitment/price and all the rest. It's a shame really, as AA is at the very least comparable in quality and probably better in fitment (based on what I've personally seen) than the Dinan bolt-on offerings.

THanks!

No sweat! It's just my opinion, though I do deal with Dinan products quite a bit. Some dealer techs absolutely swear by their stuff, but IMO unless it's their Supercharger kit for the e46M3, a differential swap (ratio change) or their wheel offerings...I'd pass. The supercharger isn't available for your car, although I believe a diff ratio change is (not sure). If you're set on Dinan upgrades, I'd go for a diff first. It's not as 'cool' sounding as the TB/cat-back/intake, but I'd bet money on it that the right ratio would make all other Dinan bolt-ons for the 550 look silly for the average driver and money spent (even all other Dinan mods combined). Let us know what you end up doing!

It appears that performance modifications for a 2008 550 are slim. I checked out the web site you mentioned and didn't see many options at this point. If you have recommendations please share.

On another note, in your experience, what is the largest wheel size you can fit on a 550. Seems like the biggest issue is with the front. I would like to get 20' rims (Hartge Classic II, but worry about the figment.

Thanks again, and happy new year!

Cheers,

J.

It appears that performance modifications for a 2008 550 are slim. I checked out the web site you mentioned and didn't see many options at this point. If you have recommendations please share.

On another note, in your experience, what is the largest wheel size you can fit on a 550. Seems like the biggest issue is with the front. I would like to get 20' rims (Hartge Classic II, but worry about the figment.

Thanks again, and happy new year!

Cheers,

J.

You might be stuck with Dinan. I'd go diff first. Your car will pop a wheelie with the right ratio:D I'm not a wheel guru, but I LOVE the 19's offered for your car through Dinan. I've installed maybe 5 sets on e60s and they're unbelieveable. I don't know the weight(s), but when you take one out of the box you just giggle...every time. So beautifully light that you can't help but love them. They fill the wheel wells nicely, too, IMO. 20's...might be tough. I'm sure some people have done it, though. Here's a link to an e60 M5 with the Dinan wheels on it. Sickness...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/11/web/2039000-2039999/2039667_64_full.jpg

Didn't really consider the diff first. Can you explain to a novice the benefit. I agree with you, the Dinan wheels are sweet, but they are very expensive. I really like the Hamann wheels, and they come in 20".

Have you seen anyone put a dual exhaust on a 550?

Thanks again!

There are plenty of E60 guys that have done quad exhaust mods, check out e60.net... There are tons of information for the E60.

Didn't really consider the diff first. Can you explain to a novice the benefit. I agree with you, the Dinan wheels are sweet, but they are very expensive. I really like the Hamann wheels, and they come in 20".

Have you seen anyone put a dual exhaust on a 550?

Thanks again!