550 Dinan Is it worth it?
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 511
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From: NorCal
My Ride: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT
Estimated 390 horses per Dinan Engineering with all my current mods. Dyno proven? No. But Steve Dinan's project 545i was dyno-proven at 354 hp, a 29 hp increase. So since my car has all the Dinan power mods (minus the flywheel and 3.45 differential), I'm quite sure 390 hp isn't an under- or over- statement. When the S-packages will be released, then I'll know for sure what kind of hp my car truly makes. It's up to you how much you want to spend. Me ... I've always wanted a Dinan-tuned 5 for the exclusivity. The best certification I got was Steve Dinan telling me that my car now drives almost the same as the E39 M5. Good enough for me! 
E39 M5 power in an E60 body. Worth every penny? You damn right! 
E39 M5 power in an E60 body. Worth every penny? You damn right!
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Joined: Oct 2007
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You have to keep in mind peak hp gains are not what most NA car tuning is all about. Software along with various items such as exhaust and intakes, throttle bodies etc improve gains throughout the torque and hp curve.
So say your car peaks at 320 whp hp at 6500 rpms (not exactly sure what the stock 550 dynoes at ) you may only get 10-20 peak hp increase but take for example the hp at 3500-6000 or something-You may see 30hp gains there but since it is lower hp to start with there the 30hp gain will not be much higher than the peak produced at a higher rpm so it will not technically be much gain over PEAK hp but throughout the band you may see nice gains which is what makes the car a lot more fun after its modified than increase in peak hp would suggest
So say your car peaks at 320 whp hp at 6500 rpms (not exactly sure what the stock 550 dynoes at ) you may only get 10-20 peak hp increase but take for example the hp at 3500-6000 or something-You may see 30hp gains there but since it is lower hp to start with there the 30hp gain will not be much higher than the peak produced at a higher rpm so it will not technically be much gain over PEAK hp but throughout the band you may see nice gains which is what makes the car a lot more fun after its modified than increase in peak hp would suggest
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,167
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From: Southern California
My Ride: 2006 550i SMG
Originally Posted by tachyon' post='490315' date='Nov 5 2007, 01:11 PM
But think about this ... you can spend $7,500 on Dinan stuff and gain maybe 35HP and improved handling, or you can spend about $20,000 and trade in for a 2006 M5 and gain 140HP plus world-class handling. 
More importantly, you will get very little return on your $7,500 Dinan investment when you sell the 550. The M5 on the other hand, will likely hold a $15,000 to $20,000 premium over the 550i for several years, so you will get almost all of your investment in the M5 back.
So it seems to me that the better investment - financially and emotionally
- is to get an M5 instead of enhancing the 550.
More importantly, you will get very little return on your $7,500 Dinan investment when you sell the 550. The M5 on the other hand, will likely hold a $15,000 to $20,000 premium over the 550i for several years, so you will get almost all of your investment in the M5 back.
So it seems to me that the better investment - financially and emotionally
- is to get an M5 instead of enhancing the 550.
....my WIFE hates you TACHYON!!!! 
Contributors
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,432
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From: San Jose, CA
My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
I like Tachyon's reasoning, hence I got the M5. 
But I also had all the Dinan mods on my 545 and although I loved how it transformed my car, it was never going to be an M5. Of course, the M5 isn't everything and for a lot of people, a stock or tuned regular E60 is more than enough to satisfy their needs.
Even better, how about a Dinan-tuned M5? Or a modified M5 from any of the many tuners out there? 
But I also had all the Dinan mods on my 545 and although I loved how it transformed my car, it was never going to be an M5. Of course, the M5 isn't everything and for a lot of people, a stock or tuned regular E60 is more than enough to satisfy their needs.
Even better, how about a Dinan-tuned M5? Or a modified M5 from any of the many tuners out there?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,765
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From: MPLS, USA
My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
Originally Posted by mlarson' post='490291' date='Nov 5 2007, 01:16 PM
Hello, I have a 06 550I and i was wondering if anyone else has had Dinan work down? Is it worth all the extra money to add maybe 20 HP? I had a Stage 2 Dinan 540 and that was such a fun car. Any suggestions?
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry445749
Senior Members
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 332
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From: San Diego
My Ride: 2007 BMW 550i w/SMG - JetBlack - Dinan Software - Dinan Exhaust - Anthracite Trim - Anthracite Headliner - Sport Package
I am adding a post regarding the new Dinan CAI please have a look.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,765
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From: MPLS, USA
My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
Originally Posted by redwhiteblue' post='490746' date='Nov 6 2007, 11:09 AM
What ended up happening with that guy? that sucked. Minus 7 hp from 4k in mods yikes
